Embracing the Promise of Our Eternal Home

 

Summary

As we conclude our extensive series on Christian doctrine, it is fitting to reflect on the ultimate hope that awaits us at the end of our earthly journey: the promise of heaven. This hope is not a mere fantasy or wishful thinking, but a certainty grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His teachings. Jesus assured us of this promise during His time on earth, particularly in His comforting words to His disciples in John 14, where He spoke of preparing a place for us in His Father's house. This assurance is not just a comforting thought but a command to trust in Him and not let our hearts be troubled by doubts about our future.

The reality of heaven is further illuminated in the writings of John, who speaks of the transformative vision of God, known as the beatific vision. This vision represents the ultimate fulfillment and joy, surpassing any earthly happiness. In heaven, we will see God as He truly is, a privilege denied to us in our mortal state due to the limitations of our hearts and the nature of God as spirit. This direct and immediate apprehension of God will be the pinnacle of our heavenly experience.

The book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and all sources of pain, sorrow, and death will be eradicated. The imagery of streets of gold and gates of pearls, while symbolic, points to the indescribable beauty and glory of our eternal home. The absence of the sea, temple, sun, and moon signifies the removal of all that is violent, temporary, and artificial, replaced by the eternal light and presence of God.

As we live our lives, we must remember that our ultimate destination is not this world but the glorious eternity that God has prepared for us. Our earthly journey is but a temporary stop on the way to our true home. Let us hold fast to this hope, allowing it to shape our lives and priorities, as we eagerly anticipate the day we will enter into the presence of the Lamb.

Key Takeaways:

1. The promise of heaven is grounded in the resurrection and teachings of Jesus Christ, offering us a future free from doubt and fear. Jesus commands us to trust in Him, assuring us that He has prepared a place for us in His Father's house. This promise is not a mere comfort but a divine obligation to believe in the certainty of our eternal home. [02:16]

2. The beatific vision, or the vision of God, is the ultimate fulfillment and joy that awaits us in heaven. This vision transcends any earthly happiness, offering a direct and immediate apprehension of God, which is currently beyond our mortal capacity. It represents the zenith of our heavenly experience, where we will see God as He truly is. [07:11]

3. The new heaven and new earth, as described in Revelation, will be a place where God dwells with His people, and all sources of pain, sorrow, and death are eradicated. The symbolic imagery of streets of gold and gates of pearls points to the indescribable beauty and glory of our eternal home. [16:56]

4. The absence of the sea, temple, sun, and moon in heaven signifies the removal of all that is violent, temporary, and artificial. Instead, the eternal light and presence of God will illuminate our eternal home, providing a constant source of joy and fulfillment. [21:24]

5. Our earthly journey is a temporary stop on the way to our true home in heaven. We must hold fast to the hope of our eternal destination, allowing it to shape our lives and priorities. Our greatest moment will be when we leave this world of tears and sorrow and enter into the presence of the Lamb. [22:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - The Promise of Rest
- [01:03] - Confidence in Heaven
- [01:37] - Jesus' Assurance
- [02:16] - Command to Trust
- [03:21] - Preparing a Place
- [04:54] - The Reality of Heaven
- [05:57] - Our Future State
- [07:11] - The Beatific Vision
- [09:23] - Seeing God as He Is
- [11:31] - The Pure in Heart
- [12:27] - Spirit-to-Spirit Communication
- [15:46] - Dust to Glory
- [16:56] - New Heaven and New Earth
- [19:12] - No More Tears
- [21:24] - Eternal Light of God
- [22:57] - Our True Home

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Promise of Heaven

Bible Reading:
1. John 14:1-3
2. 1 John 3:1-3
3. Revelation 21:1-4

---

Observation Questions:

1. In John 14:1-3, what specific promise does Jesus make to His disciples about their future? How does this promise serve as a command to trust in Him? [02:16]

2. According to 1 John 3:1-3, what is the ultimate hope for believers, and how does this hope relate to the concept of the beatific vision? [07:11]

3. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and a new earth. What are some of the key features of this new creation, and what will be absent from it? [16:56]

4. How does the absence of the sea, temple, sun, and moon in Revelation 21 symbolize the removal of all that is temporary and artificial? [21:24]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. In John 14:1-3, Jesus speaks of preparing a place for us in His Father's house. What does this preparation signify about the nature of our relationship with God and our eternal home? [03:21]

2. The beatific vision is described as the ultimate fulfillment and joy in 1 John 3:1-3. How does this vision of God transcend any earthly happiness, and why is it considered the pinnacle of our heavenly experience? [07:11]

3. Revelation 21:1-4 speaks of God dwelling with His people and wiping away every tear. What does this imagery convey about the nature of our eternal relationship with God and the transformation of our existence? [17:20]

4. The sermon mentions the absence of the sea, temple, sun, and moon in heaven. How does this absence reflect the eternal light and presence of God, and what does it imply about the nature of our eternal home? [21:24]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with doubts about your future. How can Jesus' promise in John 14:1-3 help you find peace and trust in God's plan for your life? [02:16]

2. The beatific vision offers a direct and immediate apprehension of God. How can you cultivate a deeper longing for this ultimate fulfillment in your daily life? What practices might help you focus on this heavenly hope? [07:11]

3. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a future without pain, sorrow, or death. How does this vision of heaven influence the way you handle current struggles and challenges? How can it shape your perspective on suffering? [17:20]

4. The absence of the sea, temple, sun, and moon in heaven signifies the removal of all that is temporary. What temporary or artificial aspects of your life might be hindering your relationship with God, and how can you address them? [21:24]

5. The sermon emphasizes that our earthly journey is a temporary stop on the way to our true home. How can you align your priorities and decisions with the hope of your eternal destination? What changes might you need to make? [22:57]

6. Consider the imagery of God wiping away every tear. How can you offer comfort and hope to others who are experiencing pain or sorrow, reflecting God's promise of eternal joy? [20:25]

7. The sermon challenges us to hold fast to the hope of our eternal destination. What specific steps can you take this week to remind yourself of this hope and share it with others in your community? [22:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Trust in the Certainty of Heaven
The promise of heaven is not a vague hope but a certainty grounded in the resurrection and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus, during His time on earth, assured His disciples of this promise, particularly in John 14, where He spoke of preparing a place for us in His Father's house. This assurance is not just a comforting thought but a command to trust in Him and not let our hearts be troubled by doubts about our future. The promise of heaven offers us a future free from doubt and fear, and Jesus commands us to trust in Him, assuring us that He has prepared a place for us in His Father's house. This promise is not a mere comfort but a divine obligation to believe in the certainty of our eternal home. [02:16]

Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

Reflection: What are the doubts or fears you hold about your future? How can you actively place your trust in Jesus today, believing in the certainty of the place He has prepared for you?


Day 2: The Beatific Vision as Ultimate Fulfillment
The beatific vision, or the vision of God, is the ultimate fulfillment and joy that awaits us in heaven. This vision transcends any earthly happiness, offering a direct and immediate apprehension of God, which is currently beyond our mortal capacity. In heaven, we will see God as He truly is, a privilege denied to us in our mortal state due to the limitations of our hearts and the nature of God as spirit. This direct and immediate apprehension of God will be the pinnacle of our heavenly experience, representing the zenith of our heavenly joy. [07:11]

1 John 3:2 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

Reflection: How does the promise of seeing God as He truly is change your perspective on earthly pursuits and happiness? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with this ultimate fulfillment?


Day 3: The Beauty and Glory of the New Creation
The new heaven and new earth, as described in Revelation, will be a place where God dwells with His people, and all sources of pain, sorrow, and death are eradicated. The symbolic imagery of streets of gold and gates of pearls points to the indescribable beauty and glory of our eternal home. This new creation will be a place of unimaginable beauty and glory, where the presence of God will illuminate everything, and all that is broken will be made whole. The absence of the sea, temple, sun, and moon signifies the removal of all that is violent, temporary, and artificial, replaced by the eternal light and presence of God. [16:56]

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: What aspects of the new creation described in Revelation resonate most with you? How can you live today in a way that reflects the beauty and glory of the eternal home God has prepared for you?


Day 4: Living in the Light of Eternity
Our earthly journey is a temporary stop on the way to our true home in heaven. We must hold fast to the hope of our eternal destination, allowing it to shape our lives and priorities. The absence of the sea, temple, sun, and moon in heaven signifies the removal of all that is violent, temporary, and artificial. Instead, the eternal light and presence of God will illuminate our eternal home, providing a constant source of joy and fulfillment. This eternal perspective should guide our daily decisions and priorities, reminding us that our greatest moment will be when we leave this world of tears and sorrow and enter into the presence of the Lamb. [21:24]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from temporary, earthly concerns to the eternal promises of God? What practical changes can you make in your daily life to live more fully in the light of eternity?


Day 5: Anticipating Our True Home
As we live our lives, we must remember that our ultimate destination is not this world but the glorious eternity that God has prepared for us. Our earthly journey is but a temporary stop on the way to our true home. Let us hold fast to this hope, allowing it to shape our lives and priorities, as we eagerly anticipate the day we will enter into the presence of the Lamb. Our greatest moment will be when we leave this world of tears and sorrow and enter into the presence of the Lamb. This anticipation should fill us with hope and joy, guiding us to live with purpose and intentionality. [22:57]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: How does the anticipation of your true home in heaven influence your current life choices and priorities? What is one specific way you can live today with the hope and joy of your eternal destination in mind?

Quotes

"Today we come to the end of our 60 unit series, our overview of Christian doctrine, and it's only appropriate that when we come to the end of our study of the things of God that we should be studying what happens to us at the end -- at the end of our lives. And the glorious hope that we as Christians have is that of entering into our rest in heaven." [00:00:01]

"Every Sunday we see God's sign of the promise of rest that is before every believer as the Sabbath Day is God's established sign of his promise that we will enter into our rest in the future. But there are those in our day who doubt that there's life after death and who say to us that our hope of heaven is just so 'pie-in-the-sky'." [00:00:30]

"And of course, our answer to that as Christians, is from the testimony of Christ -- not only by virtue of the proof of His own conquest over death, by the resurrection from the grave, but also from His teaching. We remember His words at the home of Mary and Martha at the time that He visited Bethany when their brother had been -- had been -- had died before Jesus could get there, before Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead." [00:01:20]

"Now, in the Upper Room discourse, on the night of His own betrayal, in John chapter 14, Jesus makes this observation: 'Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.' Now, when Jesus begins this discourse that is so popular among Christians, He begins with a commandment. He begins with an imperative." [00:02:08]

"We are commanded not to have our hearts troubled about these matters, about our future in heaven. 'You believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you; and I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there you may be also.'" [00:02:46]

"That's the promise of Christ to His people -- that everyone who puts his trust in Him, Christ has prepared a place in His Father's house for us, and God doesn't make idle preparations. I think we've all had the experience of preparing dinner for guests and then at the last minute we get the phone call that's saying that they've been sidetracked, and they're not able to make the appointment." [00:05:06]

"In chapter three of 1 John we read these words: 'Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God.' Now, we've looked at this from another perspective elsewhere. 'Therefore the world doesn't know us because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.'" [00:06:14]

"This text I think is one of the most important eschatological texts, if not the most important eschatological text, in all of the New Testament because what it promises the believer is the zenith of the felicity that we will enjoy in heaven, which is found in what is called technically in theology the 'visio Dei', or the beatific vision." [00:06:59]

"The beatitudes are those sayings that are recorded in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus begins each of the beatitudes with the prophetic oracle of blessing. 'Blessed are the poor. Blessed are the peacemakers and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness and so on.' That is a promise of blessedness, a degree of happiness that transcends any pleasure or any kind of earthly happiness -- when God gives blessedness to the soul of a person, that is the supreme level of joy and fulfillment and of happiness that any creature can ever receive." [00:07:49]

"Now, what is that vision? It's the vision of God, for what John says here in this chapter is we don't know yet what we're going to be. He said, 'I don't know all the details of what heaven is going to be like,' but one thing we know is that we will be like Him for we shall see Him 'in se est', in the Vulgate, in the Latin version. We will see Him as He is in himself." [00:08:57]

"Chapter 21 of the book of Revelation, 'Now, I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no more sea. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God will be with them, and He will be their God.'" [00:16:42]

"There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, no more pain, for the former things will have passed away'. Now, notice that when the Bible gives us the description of the coming of heaven, it focuses on some startling dimensions of what heaven will be like and what it will not be like. It tells us what will be there, what will not be there." [00:17:20]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Sep 09, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?