Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham

From 6^th July 2006:

In this session we will take a glimpse at the new heaven (the new Jerusalem).

Background

We have seen that scripture is very clear that ‘heaven’ is a real place with a physical reality from where God rules. (Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 6:9; 1 Peter 3:22; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 7:55-56; John 14:1-3)

It’s clear that there will be a new creation in which we will continue to exist and act. (Romans 8:19-21; Hebrews 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:26-27; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1)

Last time we saw that, since the first creation was called ‘very good’ in Genesis 1:31, we can assume that there will be no deterioration of the new creation. It will be subject to us - we will rule, under the Kingship of Jesus - fulfilling the injunction of Genesis 1:28, Psalm 8, Hebrews 2 and 2 Timothy 2:11.

With all the activities of eating and drinking, kings coming and going, we can understand that it will be a ‘real’ place with sequences of events (Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:21-26).

All of these things should affect where we invest our time, money and effort, as well as our behaviour (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Peter 3:11-13)

The New Jerusalem

This week we’re going to take a glimpse at the New Heaven and New Jerusalem.

Please read Revelation 21-22, and as you go note from the description:

• What ‘kind’ of a city is it?

• What won’t be there?

• What will we be able to do without payment?

• How is its glory described?

• How ‘big’ does John say it is?

• What’s it to be made of?

• What will our role be?

• Describe the kind of fellowship we will enjoy with:

  • God’s people

  • God

• What shall we see in Revelation 22:4?

If you could summarise what all of this will be like with one sentence, what would it be?