Glorious Hope: Restoration and Fellowship in Christ
Summary
Today’s focus is on the glorious hope that awaits all who trust in Christ: the restoration of all things and our eternal fellowship with God. Drawing from Revelation 22, we see the culmination of God’s redemptive plan—a return to the intimacy and perfection of Eden, but even greater, as we dwell with God forever. The journey of history, from the fall in Genesis to the final restoration in Revelation, is about God bringing humanity back to Himself, undoing the curse, and making all things new.
Right now, we live in the “Pentecost” season—the age of harvest—where the Holy Spirit empowers us to bring in souls and prepare for the coming fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, when God will dwell with us in fullness. The river of life and the tree of life in Revelation 22 are not just symbols, but realities that point to our ongoing dependence on God, even in eternity. Our resurrected bodies will draw strength from Him, and we will finally see Jesus face to face, understanding His love and character in ways we cannot now imagine.
Our identity is found in Christ, not in the world. In heaven, we will be marked by His name, fully belonging to Him. The promise of no more curse, sorrow, or pain is not just a future hope, but a present encouragement to live watchfully and ready, knowing that Jesus’ return will be sudden. The call is to take God’s word seriously, to keep the prophecy, and to let it shape our lives with urgency and hope.
The Spirit and the Bride still say, “Come.” The invitation is open to all, regardless of past failures or present struggles. God’s grace is sufficient, His ability is our strength, and His faithfulness guarantees that we will make it. As we await His coming, let the spirit of “Maranatha”—“Come, Lord Jesus”—rise in our hearts, fueling our readiness, our work, and our worship. The final word is grace: the unearned, empowering presence of Jesus that will carry us all the way home.
Key Takeaways
- The Restoration of Eden: God’s ultimate goal is to restore what was lost in Eden, bringing us back into perfect fellowship with Him. The river of life and the tree of life in Revelation 22 are not mere metaphors, but the fulfillment of God’s promise to undo the curse and provide eternal sustenance and healing. Even in eternity, our strength and joy will come from continual dependence on God’s presence. [02:25]
- Seeing Jesus Face to Face: In our resurrected bodies, we will have the capacity to behold Jesus as He truly is—His love, His character, His glory. This is not just a future event, but a present call to pursue deeper intimacy with Him, allowing His Spirit to enlarge our understanding and transform our hearts. Our present limitations are overcome as we draw near and let go of sin’s hold. [09:07]
- Identity in Christ, Not the World: The mark of the believer is not outward, but an inward identification with Christ. In a world obsessed with labels and allegiances, our true identity is found in belonging to Jesus, both now and forever. This identity shapes our choices, our hope, and our destiny, distinguishing us from the world and aligning us with God’s eternal family. [11:27]
- The Urgency of Readiness and Watchfulness: Prophecy is not just information about the future, but a word to keep—a call to live ready and watchful. Jesus’ return will be sudden, and the seriousness with which we take His word determines our preparedness. This readiness is not just for ourselves, but for our families and communities, as we labor in the harvest and await His coming. [15:16]
- The All-Sufficiency of Grace: The final assurance is that God’s grace—His empowering presence and ability—will be with us all. We are not left to strive in our own strength; grace enables us to do, to be, and to endure all that God calls us to. No matter our past or present, the invitation is always to “come,” and the promise is that His grace will carry us to the end. [32:02]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to End Times and Prophetic Events
[02:25] - The Restoration of Eden in Revelation 22
[04:30] - The River and Tree of Life: Dependence on God
[06:45] - No More Curse: The End of Sorrow and Pain
[09:07] - Seeing Jesus Face to Face
[11:27] - Our Identity in Christ
[12:38] - The Faithfulness and Certainty of God’s Word
[15:16] - The Call to Readiness and Watchfulness
[17:56] - Angels, Goodness, and Mercy
[19:58] - The Danger of Spiritual Apathy
[21:35] - Rewards and the Work of the Church
[23:10] - The Invitation to All: “Come”
[25:29] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism
[27:42] - The Seriousness of God’s Word
[29:13] - Maranatha: The Cry for Christ’s Return
[32:02] - The Final Blessing of Grace
[34:19] - Closing and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Restoration of All Things (Revelation 22)
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### Bible Reading
- Revelation 22:1-5
- John 7:37-39
- Matthew 24:44
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### Observation Questions
1. In Revelation 22:1-2, what are the two main things John sees in his vision of the restored Eden?
2. According to John 7:37-39, what does Jesus say about “rivers of living water,” and what does this represent?
3. In Revelation 22:4, what does it mean that “they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads”? [09:07]
4. In Matthew 24:44, what does Jesus say about the timing of his return, and what does he tell his followers to do?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that the river of life and the tree of life in Revelation 22 are not just symbols, but real sources of ongoing dependence on God—even in eternity. Why do you think God wants us to keep depending on Him, even after all things are made new? [02:25]
2. The pastor mentioned that in heaven, our “identity” will be found in Christ, not in the world. How does this contrast with the way people often find their identity today? [11:27]
3. The sermon emphasized the urgency of being “ready and watchful” for Jesus’ return. What does it look like to live with this kind of readiness in daily life? [15:16]
4. The invitation to “come” is open to everyone, no matter their past or present struggles. Why is it important that this invitation is repeated at the end of the Bible? [23:10]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon described the Christian life as a journey from the fall in Genesis to the restoration in Revelation. Where do you see yourself on this journey right now? Are there areas where you feel the effects of the “curse” (pain, sorrow, struggle), and how does the promise of restoration encourage you? [06:45]
2. The river of life and the tree of life show that even in eternity, we will need God’s presence and strength. What are some practical ways you can depend on God more this week, instead of relying on your own strength? [02:25]
3. The pastor said that our true identity is in Christ, not in the world’s labels or achievements. Is there a label or identity from the world that you struggle to let go of? What would it look like to embrace your identity in Christ more fully? [11:27]
4. Jesus’ return will be sudden, and we are called to live ready and watchful. What is one area of your life where you need to be more spiritually alert or prepared? How can you take a step toward readiness this week? [15:16]
5. The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”—the invitation is for everyone, no matter their past. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear this invitation? How can you share God’s open invitation with them in a real and loving way? [23:10]
6. The sermon ended with the assurance that God’s grace is enough to carry us all the way home. Are you trying to “make it” in your own strength in any area of your life? What would it look like to trust God’s grace instead? [32:02]
7. The pastor talked about the “Maranatha” cry—“Come, Lord Jesus”—rising in our hearts. How can you let this hope shape your prayers, your work, or your worship this week? [30:28]
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Devotional
Day 1: The Restored Eden—God’s Presence and Our Eternal Home
Heaven is not just a distant hope, but the fulfillment of God’s plan to restore what was lost in Eden, where we will dwell with Him, free from the curse, pain, and sorrow. In the new heaven and new earth, we will experience the fullness of God’s presence, depending on Him for our strength, and will see Him face to face, understanding His love and character in ways we cannot now imagine. This is the ultimate goal of all history: God tabernacling with us, His people, forever, where every longing is satisfied and every wound is healed. [09:07]
Revelation 22:1-5 (ESV)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are still living as if you are under the curse, rather than in the hope of God’s promised restoration? How can you invite God’s presence into that area today?
Day 2: The Power and Invitation of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not only the source of our strength now, but also the one who continually invites all people to come to Jesus, regardless of their past or present struggles. The Spirit’s call is for everyone—no matter your background, failures, or doubts—to come and receive the water of life freely. This invitation is ongoing, and the Spirit empowers us to live for Christ and to share this invitation with others, knowing that God’s grace is greater than any barrier. [27:42]
Revelation 22:17 (ESV)
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the Spirit’s invitation to “come”? How can you extend that invitation to them in a tangible way this week?
Day 3: Be Ready and Watchful—Jesus Is Coming Suddenly
Jesus’ return is certain and will come suddenly, not just quickly, and He calls us to live in a state of readiness and watchfulness, keeping His word and being faithful in our work for Him. Our readiness is not about fear, but about hope and expectation, knowing that every act of service, every moment of faithfulness, is preparation for the day we see Him. This watchfulness shapes our priorities, our families, and our daily choices, reminding us that God’s promises are true and will surely come to pass. [15:16]
Matthew 24:44 (ESV)
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to cultivate a spirit of readiness and watchfulness for Jesus’ return in your daily life?
Day 4: Take God’s Word Seriously—It’s a Matter of Life and Death
God’s Word and His prophecies are not to be taken lightly; failure to take them seriously leads to spiritual danger, just as it did for Adam and Eve in the garden. The call is to embrace God’s Word with reverence and obedience, recognizing that His commands and promises are for our good and our future. To disregard or dismiss His Word is to risk missing out on the life and blessing He intends, but to receive it is to walk in grace and freedom from the curse. [29:13]
Genesis 3:3-4 (ESV)
But God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.”
Reflection: Is there a command or promise of God’s Word that you have been neglecting or treating lightly? What would it look like to take it seriously today?
Day 5: Grace—God’s Ability to Carry Us Through
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is not just unmerited favor, but God’s very ability given to us to do what He calls us to do and to endure until the end. We are not left to our own strength; God’s grace is with us, empowering us to live, serve, and persevere, no matter what we face. This grace is available to all who will receive it, assuring us that we will make it—not because of our own efforts, but because of His faithfulness and presence with us always. [32:59]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Reflection: Where do you feel weakest or most inadequate right now? How can you open your heart to receive God’s grace and ability in that very place today?
Quotes
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