Beyond Worship: Life in God's Eternal Kingdom

Summary

In Revelation chapter 5, we are given a profound glimpse into the worship that takes place in heaven, a worship that we will one day join. This chapter not only highlights the worship of God but also answers a pressing question: Is worship all there is to do in heaven? The answer is a resounding no. Heaven is depicted as a vibrant kingdom, a new heaven and a new earth, where life is full and rich, mirroring the conditions of earth before the fall of mankind. This kingdom will be inaugurated in heaven and physically revealed on earth during Christ's millennial reign, ultimately escalating into an eternal kingdom. In this kingdom, we will experience society, culture, beauty, art, food, and relationships, all without the presence of sin or suffering.

The focal point of this future existence is the worship of God, but it is not our sole occupation. The worship in heaven crescendos as Christ receives His inheritance and stands ready to rule in glory. This moment is described in Philippians 2:9, where every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Revelation 5 gives us three reasons why every knee will bow: because of what King Jesus has done, what He is due, and what He will do.

Firstly, Jesus is worthy because He was slain and by His blood, He ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This act of redemption is celebrated with a new song in heaven, a song that has never been sung before. Secondly, Jesus is due all power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. The angels in heaven, numbering myriads of myriads, proclaim His worthiness. Lastly, Jesus will restore all things, reversing the curse of sin and making all things new. Creation itself will rejoice, knowing that the day of restoration is near.

In this kingdom, we, the redeemed, will reign with Christ. His first act as King will be to give us custody over His kingdom, fulfilling the purpose for which we were made. We will exercise stewardship over His renewed paradise, ruling alongside Him. This future reality should fill us with hope and joy, even amidst the chaos of this world. We praise Jesus today for what He has done, what He is due, and what He will do, knowing that we will one day reign with Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Kingdom of God is More Than Worship: Heaven is not just a place of eternal worship but a vibrant kingdom where life is full and rich, mirroring the conditions of earth before the fall. It includes society, culture, beauty, and relationships, all without sin or suffering. This future reality should fill us with hope and anticipation. [03:21]

2. Christ's Worthiness is Rooted in His Sacrifice: Jesus is worthy because He was slain and by His blood, He ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This act of redemption is celebrated with a new song in heaven, highlighting the significance of His sacrifice. [08:08]

3. The Angels Proclaim What Jesus is Due: In heaven, innumerable angels proclaim that Jesus is due all power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. This comprehensive praise highlights His preeminence over all creation and His worthiness to receive everything. [19:46]

4. Creation Yearns for Restoration: The whole creation groans under the weight of sin, yearning for the day when Jesus will restore all things. This future restoration will reverse the curse of sin, making all things new and perfect as God intended. [27:49]

5. We Will Reign with Christ: In the coming kingdom, we will reign with Christ, exercising stewardship over His renewed paradise. This future reality fulfills the purpose for which we were made and should fill us with hope and joy amidst the chaos of this world. [38:45]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:50] - The Coming Kingdom
- [03:21] - Life in the Eternal Kingdom
- [05:00] - The Centerpiece of Worship
- [06:39] - Every Knee Shall Bow
- [07:26] - What Jesus Has Done
- [08:59] - The New Song
- [10:39] - The Significance of the Song
- [12:51] - Ransomed by His Blood
- [14:44] - A Kingdom of Priests
- [19:00] - The Angels' Praise
- [20:44] - What Jesus is Due
- [23:14] - Creation's Praise
- [27:49] - The Day of Restoration
- [35:18] - Reigning with Christ
- [38:45] - Our Future Role
- [42:31] - Reasons to Praise

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Revelation 5:9-10
- Philippians 2:9-11
- 1 Peter 1:18-19

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three reasons given in Revelation 5 for why every knee will bow to Jesus? ([07:26])
2. How does the sermon describe the future kingdom of God in terms of society and culture? ([03:21])
3. What is the significance of the "new song" mentioned in Revelation 5, and why is it unique? ([08:08])
4. According to the sermon, what role do angels play in the worship of Jesus in heaven? ([19:46])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between Jesus' sacrifice and His worthiness to receive worship? ([11:46])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the future kingdom of God will mirror the conditions of earth before the fall? ([03:21])
3. What does the sermon imply about the significance of Jesus' inheritance and His role as King? ([05:50])
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of believers in the future kingdom, and what does it mean to reign with Christ? ([35:18])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that heaven is more than just worship. How does this perspective change your view of eternity and your current life? ([03:21])
2. Jesus is worthy because He was slain for us. How does this truth impact your daily worship and gratitude towards Him? ([11:46])
3. The sermon describes a future where we will reign with Christ. How can this promise influence the way you handle responsibilities and challenges today? ([35:18])
4. Consider the angels' proclamation of what Jesus is due. In what ways can you offer praise and honor to Jesus in your everyday life? ([19:46])
5. The sermon mentions creation yearning for restoration. How can you contribute to the restoration and care of God's creation in your community? ([27:49])
6. How does the promise of reigning with Christ provide hope and joy amidst the chaos of the world? What practical steps can you take to hold onto this hope? ([38:45])
7. Reflect on the future reality of a new heaven and a new earth. How does this vision inspire you to live out your faith with anticipation and purpose? ([03:21])

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of God is a Vibrant Reality
In Revelation 5, we are given a glimpse of heaven that goes beyond the traditional view of eternal worship. Heaven is depicted as a vibrant kingdom, a new heaven and a new earth, where life is full and rich, mirroring the conditions of earth before the fall of mankind. This kingdom will be inaugurated in heaven and physically revealed on earth during Christ's millennial reign, ultimately escalating into an eternal kingdom. In this kingdom, we will experience society, culture, beauty, art, food, and relationships, all without the presence of sin or suffering. This future reality should fill us with hope and anticipation, as it promises a life that is both fulfilling and free from the burdens of this world. [03:21]

Isaiah 65:17-18 (ESV): "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness."

Reflection: Consider the aspects of life you most look forward to experiencing in a sin-free world. How can you begin to cultivate a sense of hope and anticipation for this future reality in your daily life?

Day 2: Christ's Sacrifice is the Foundation of His Worthiness
Jesus is worthy because He was slain and by His blood, He ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This act of redemption is celebrated with a new song in heaven, a song that has never been sung before. The significance of His sacrifice is profound, as it unites people from all walks of life into one redeemed family. This new song is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice, which not only reconciles us to God but also to one another. It is a reminder that our worthiness is not based on our own merits but on the sacrificial love of Jesus. [08:08]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: Reflect on the diversity of the body of Christ. How can you actively celebrate and embrace this diversity in your community, recognizing it as a reflection of Christ's redemptive work?

Day 3: The Angels' Proclamation of Jesus' Due
In heaven, innumerable angels proclaim that Jesus is due all power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. This comprehensive praise highlights His preeminence over all creation and His worthiness to receive everything. The angels' proclamation serves as a powerful reminder of the supremacy of Christ and the rightful place He holds in the universe. It challenges us to consider how we can align our lives with this heavenly reality, recognizing Jesus as the ultimate authority and source of all that is good. [19:46]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to acknowledge Jesus' authority? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him, trusting in His wisdom and power?

Day 4: Creation's Yearning for Restoration
The whole creation groans under the weight of sin, yearning for the day when Jesus will restore all things. This future restoration will reverse the curse of sin, making all things new and perfect as God intended. The anticipation of this restoration is a source of hope for all of creation, as it looks forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. As believers, we are called to join in this anticipation, living in a way that reflects our hope in the coming restoration and actively participating in God's redemptive work in the world. [27:49]

Romans 8:19-21 (ESV): "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."

Reflection: How can you participate in God's redemptive work in your community, bringing glimpses of His future restoration into the present?

Day 5: Our Future Role in Reigning with Christ
In the coming kingdom, we will reign with Christ, exercising stewardship over His renewed paradise. This future reality fulfills the purpose for which we were made and should fill us with hope and joy amidst the chaos of this world. As we look forward to this future role, we are called to live as faithful stewards of the resources and opportunities God has given us in the present. This involves cultivating a mindset of stewardship, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and should be used for His glory and the good of others. [38:45]

2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV): "If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us."

Reflection: What resources or opportunities has God entrusted to you? How can you use them to serve others and glorify God, preparing for your future role in His kingdom?

Quotes

1) "A kingdom that will be inaugurated someday in heaven. That's the picture of what we're seeing here in Revelation 5. But is going to be physically revealed and will be a literal kingdom here on earth as Jesus rules for a thousand years in his millennial reign. And ultimately, as Revelation 20 makes clear to us, that thousand year rule of Christ is going to escalate. Escalate. Into an eternal kingdom that will last forever and ever. And in that kingdom, there will be, we're told in Revelation 21 and 22, a new heaven and, this is very important, a new earth as well." [02:10] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "It includes things like society and culture, beauty, art, food, animals, seasons even, agricultural development, national identity, personal responsibility, and even authority and interpersonal relationship. All of those things are described as awaiting you in your eternal state. And so when we say, when we all get to heaven, yes, there is going to be some very specific kind of worship that will happen there. But there is also going to be a robust kind of life that is going to be offered up as worship there in that place." [03:21] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "But the best part of it is that all of that enjoyment of His new creation is going to happen without the presence of any sin or suffering or mourning or grief or death or devastation at all. And in that place, Christ indeed will rule and He will reign with justice and with equity. And on His shoulders, Isaiah 9, will rest a perpetual kind of government that brings peace and love. Look, that, what I just described, is but the beginning of what we look forward, in the kingdom of God that is coming." [05:00] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "The first one is what He has done. We see this here in verses 9 through 10. And they sang a new song, a song that recounts just what Jesus has done. He's done saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals. Why? Because you were slain. And by your blood you ransomed people. That's us for God. And you took us from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you've now made them a kingdom and priests to our God. And they, that's us, shall reign on the earth." [07:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "See, through the death of Christ, he purchased each and every one of us who have placed our faith in him by means of his own blood. And the word that's used here for ransom is a word that means to pay a price out there in the marketplace. It's a word that's often used to describe the purchase price for a slave. See in the ancient world, if you wanted to set a slave free, you would simply pay their price at the market to the one whom the debt was owed." [12:51] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "See, what Jesus did through this action was to take men and women, boys and girls, and pluck them one at a time off the pavement of judgment. He took them from every tribe, that's every family line. He took them from every language group, that's every group of people on the earth. He took them from every people, the text says, that's every race and ethnicity. And from every nation, that's every political organization. And now out of all of those diverse people, he has made for himself something new, something worthy of this new." [15:36] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "In heaven, there are innumerable angels, and they have one eternal purpose, and that is to praise God. And the reason why is because they can't get over what God through Christ has done with humanity. Those of us who have been made in the image of God see from their vantage point, the angels have been witnessing the intricacies of God's working from the first day of creation all the way down to the end of time." [19:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "See, our whole planet and every creature on it suffers because of our sin. The universe itself in need of a basic, fundamental renewal and regeneration because we, through our rebellion, have polluted it. Not with plastics, but with our perversity. Not with our fossil fuels, but with our fundamental foolishness. And so the result is that death, decay, devastation has now crept into every corner of our world." [26:38] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "When the kingdom of God comes, all will be made right. All will be made new. And so towards that day, creation yearns and groans and longs. A day when the lion will lay down with the lamb. Catastrophe and destruction will be no more. Death and decay, blight and disease, all removed and banished forever. we're seeing here through the expression of creation in Revelation 5 is the day when King Jesus is granted the kingdom." [27:49] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "When the kingdom of God comes, Christ is going to give you, we're told very explicitly, authority and responsibility to steward and rule over his restored creation, and over the nations that are gathered there in that millennial kingdom. Now, let me be very clear. This does not mean that you are God. It means that you will be restored by God to the very purpose for which he made you to begin with." [38:45] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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