Hope and Glory: The Promise of the New Jerusalem

 

Summary

The vision of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, is a profound and glorious promise that draws us toward the culmination of God's redemptive plan. This city, descending from heaven, symbolizes the ultimate union of heaven and earth, where God dwells among His people, wiping away every tear and eradicating death, mourning, and pain. The former things will pass away, ushering in an era where the effects of the fall—guilt, corruption, and misery—are completely undone. This is a future where the misery of the world is replaced by the joy of God's presence.

Christ, the Alpha and Omega, offers the water of life to the thirsty, a metaphor for the spiritual sustenance and eternal life He provides. The call to overcome, to conquer, is a recurring theme, emphasizing the need for perseverance in faith. The contrast between those who conquer and those who fall into cowardice and sin is stark, reminding us of the importance of steadfastness in our spiritual journey.

The description of the New Jerusalem is rich with symbolism. Its foundations adorned with precious jewels, its gates made of pearls, and its streets of pure gold speak to the city's immense value, beauty, and glory. This city is a gift from God, not built by human hands, and it reflects His glory and splendor. It is a place of safety, unity, and holiness, where the separation between God and humanity is no more. There is no temple, for God Himself is the temple, and His presence is the light that illuminates the city.

The city is vast, symbolizing the inclusivity and abundance of God's kingdom. It is a place where all the people of God, from every nation and tribe, are united. The kings of the earth bring their glory to serve the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty. This city is holy, and nothing unclean will enter it, highlighting the purity and peace that will characterize the eternal dwelling of God's people.

Key Takeaways:

- The New Jerusalem represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people, eradicating all sorrow and pain. This vision calls us to hope and perseverance, knowing that the effects of the fall will be completely undone. [00:32]

- Christ offers the water of life to those who recognize their spiritual thirst. This invitation is a reminder of our need for spiritual sustenance and the eternal life that only He can provide. [03:22]

- The call to overcome and conquer is central to our faith journey. It challenges us to remain steadfast and faithful, contrasting with the cowardice that leads to spiritual downfall. [04:49]

- The New Jerusalem's description is rich with symbolism, emphasizing its value, beauty, and glory. This city is a divine gift, reflecting God's splendor and the ultimate unity of His people. [13:03]

- The city is a place of holiness and purity, where God's presence is the light. It symbolizes the end of separation between God and humanity, offering a vision of eternal peace and joy. [21:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - The Arrival of the Heavenly City
- [00:45] - The End of Tears and Death
- [01:08] - Effects of the Fall and Redemption
- [02:17] - Making All Things New
- [03:10] - Christ, the Alpha and Omega
- [03:46] - The Call to Conquer
- [04:17] - The Contrast of Sins
- [05:27] - Love for God and Neighbor
- [06:09] - Call to Repentance
- [07:08] - Description of the New Jerusalem
- [09:38] - The Glory of the City
- [12:53] - Symbolism of the City
- [14:02] - Twelve Aspects of the City
- [21:54] - The Holiness of the City

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Vision of the New Jerusalem

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 21:1-27
2. Isaiah 25:8
3. John 4:13-14

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the key characteristics of the New Jerusalem as described in Revelation 21? How do these characteristics symbolize the ultimate union of heaven and earth? [07:21]

2. According to the sermon, what are the three great effects of the fall, and how does the New Jerusalem address these effects? [01:08]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of Christ as the Alpha and Omega in the context of the New Jerusalem? [03:10]

4. What is the significance of the city having no temple, and how does this relate to the presence of God among His people? [19:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the vision of the New Jerusalem provide hope and encouragement for believers facing trials and tribulations today? [00:32]

2. How does the sermon explain the metaphor of the "water of life" offered by Christ, and what does it mean for those who recognize their spiritual thirst? [03:22]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of perseverance and overcoming in the Christian faith, and how is this contrasted with cowardice? [04:49]

4. How does the description of the New Jerusalem as a place of holiness and purity challenge believers to live out their faith in the present world? [21:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced sorrow or pain. How does the promise of God wiping away every tear in the New Jerusalem impact your perspective on that experience? [00:32]

2. The sermon emphasizes the need for spiritual sustenance. What are some practical ways you can seek the "water of life" in your daily routine? [03:22]

3. Consider a situation where you felt tempted to give up on your faith. How can the call to overcome and conquer inspire you to remain steadfast in your spiritual journey? [04:49]

4. The New Jerusalem is described as a place of unity among God's people. How can you contribute to fostering unity within your own church or community? [17:29]

5. The sermon highlights the contrast between those who conquer and those who fall into sin. What steps can you take to avoid spiritual cowardice and remain faithful to God's calling? [04:49]

6. How does the vision of the New Jerusalem as a place of eternal peace and joy influence your understanding of God's ultimate plan for humanity? [21:54]

7. The sermon mentions the inclusivity of God's kingdom. How can you actively participate in welcoming and embracing people from diverse backgrounds into your faith community? [17:18]

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise of the New Jerusalem
The New Jerusalem represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people, eradicating all sorrow and pain. This vision calls us to hope and perseverance, knowing that the effects of the fall will be completely undone. The heavenly city is a profound symbol of the union between heaven and earth, where God will wipe away every tear and eliminate death, mourning, and pain. This future reality invites believers to live with hope, trusting in the complete restoration that God has promised. The vision of the New Jerusalem is not just a distant dream but a present encouragement to persevere in faith, knowing that the struggles and sorrows of this world are temporary and will be replaced by the joy of God's eternal presence. [00:32]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to hold onto the hope of God's promise to eradicate sorrow and pain? How can this hope influence your actions and attitudes today?


Day 2: Spiritual Thirst and the Water of Life
Christ offers the water of life to those who recognize their spiritual thirst. This invitation is a reminder of our need for spiritual sustenance and the eternal life that only He can provide. The metaphor of the water of life speaks to the deep spiritual needs that every person has, which can only be satisfied by Christ. This offer is extended to all who are willing to acknowledge their thirst and come to Him for fulfillment. It is a call to recognize our dependence on God for spiritual nourishment and to seek Him daily for the sustenance that leads to eternal life. [03:22]

John 4:13-14 (ESV): "Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

Reflection: What are the areas in your life where you feel spiritually thirsty? How can you seek Christ today to quench that thirst and find true fulfillment?


Day 3: The Call to Overcome
The call to overcome and conquer is central to our faith journey. It challenges us to remain steadfast and faithful, contrasting with the cowardice that leads to spiritual downfall. The journey of faith is marked by trials and temptations, but believers are called to persevere and overcome these challenges through the strength that Christ provides. This call to conquer is a reminder that spiritual victory is possible and that steadfastness in faith is essential. It is an encouragement to remain faithful, even in the face of adversity, and to trust in God's power to help us overcome. [04:49]

1 John 5:4-5 (ESV): "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Reflection: What is one specific challenge you are facing in your faith journey? How can you rely on God's strength to overcome it and remain steadfast in your faith?


Day 4: The Symbolism of the New Jerusalem
The New Jerusalem's description is rich with symbolism, emphasizing its value, beauty, and glory. This city is a divine gift, reflecting God's splendor and the ultimate unity of His people. The imagery of precious jewels, pearls, and pure gold highlights the immense worth and beauty of the heavenly city. It is a place not built by human hands but given by God, symbolizing the ultimate unity and holiness of His people. The New Jerusalem reflects the glory of God and serves as a reminder of the eternal inheritance that awaits those who are faithful. [13:03]

Isaiah 60:19-20 (ESV): "The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended."

Reflection: How does the symbolism of the New Jerusalem inspire you to live a life that reflects God's glory and beauty? What practical steps can you take to embody this in your daily life?


Day 5: Holiness and Purity in God's Presence
The city is a place of holiness and purity, where God's presence is the light. It symbolizes the end of separation between God and humanity, offering a vision of eternal peace and joy. The New Jerusalem is characterized by its holiness, where nothing unclean can enter, and God's presence illuminates the city. This vision of purity and peace is a powerful reminder of the transformation that awaits believers and the eternal joy of dwelling in God's presence. It calls us to pursue holiness in our lives, knowing that we are being prepared for this eternal dwelling. [21:54]

2 Peter 3:13-14 (ESV): "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace."

Reflection: In what ways can you pursue holiness and purity in your life today, knowing that you are being prepared for an eternal dwelling with God? How can you allow God's presence to be the guiding light in your daily decisions?

Quotes


"well we've begun to look at the seventh episode of the seventh cycle that means we really are drawing close to the end and what a glorious end it is that is uh given to us here this is the uh first of all the arrival of the heavenly city is being described for us coming down from heaven talked about how it brings heaven and earth together for us how god himself is in the midst and then that that beautiful description of what god will do for us when he's in our midst he will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore for the former things have passed away" [00:00:09]

"um you know how uh when we talk about the effect of the fall theologians very helpfully say there are three great effects of the fall we become guilty before god we become corrupt before god and we live in a misery world a misery bound world before god so the first two effects of the fall are very personal and individual i am guilty personally before god and christ pays the penalty for my guilt on the cross and i'm personally corrupt so that i don't live as i ought to live before god and the holy spirit is sent into our hearts to regenerate us and begin to sanctify us but it's not till the end that that corruption is fully taken away" [00:01:08]

"and he who is seated on the throne said behold i am making all things new and he said write this down for these words are trustworthy and true and he said to me it is done i am the alpha and the omega the beginning and the end to the thirsty i will give from the spring of the water of life without payment the one who conquers will have this heritage and i will be his god and he will be my son but as for the cowardly the faithless the detestable as for murderers the sexually immoral sorcerers idolaters and all liars their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur which is the second death" [00:02:24]

"and here is christ presenting himself as the lord of history he's the alpha and the omega he's the beginning and the end uh he's the one who gives to the thirsty the water of life and and that's a beautiful picture because uh the thirsty know they're thirsty and they're looking for the water of life and the tragedy of this world is so many people want to know they're thirsty and don't know they're thirsty don't know they ought to be thirsty and the beautiful picture here is of christ the one who provides the water of life" [00:03:09]

"the one who conquers the one who overcomes the one who faithfully perseveres is the one who will have this heritage and i will be his god and he will be my son so here's the here's the really positive side the beautiful picture but then christ goes on to list the disqualifying sins this uh this book always balances the really positive with uh terribly negative it doesn't let us off the hook and it's very interesting this this list of sins what does it begin with if you were to make a list of the worst sins where would you start i bet if you hadn't just read this verse you wouldn't start with cowardness cowardliness cowards why cowards because it's cowards who can never conquer cowards run away from the battle cowards don't persevere" [00:03:47]

"and so he's really drawing a contrast between those who will overcome with the savior and those who will run away from the savior and out of that cowardice then comes all of these other problems faithlessness being detestable murderers sexually immoral immoral sorcerers idolaters liars and and what you have here presented is a a summary don't we of the two tables of the law uh a summary of the two loves we're called to a love for god and a love for the neighbor the one who is a sorcerer and an idolater is not a lover of god and one who is a murderer or an adulterer is not a lie or a liar is not a lover of the neighbor" [00:04:58]

"and so here christ is pressing the claims of the law on his people not so that we will try to justify ourselves but we can see what do we love more do we love god more or do we love our idol more do we love god more or do we love our hatred of the neighbor more here is uh a test as to determine who we really are as people and uh he calls us again implicitly to come to the waters of life and drink and find that life in him so here's another beautiful picture of what god is doing for us and among us" [00:06:09]

"and we are told something about the character of this city in what follows so this is a longish section of describing the city let me let me read it to you verses 9 through 27 of chapter 21 then came one of the angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and he spoke to me saying come i will show you the bride the wife of the lamb and he carried me away in the spirit to a great high mountain and showed me the holy city of jerusalem coming down out of heaven from god having the glory of god its radiance like a rare jewel like a jasper clear as crystal it had a great high wall with 12 gates and at the gates 12 angels and on the gates the names of the 12 tribes of the sons of israel were inscribed" [00:07:08]

"and the wall of the city had twelve foundations and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the lamb and the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and its walls the city lies four square its length the same as its width and he measured the city with his rod 12 000 stadia its length and width and height are equal he measured its wall 144 cubits by human measurement which is also an angel's measurement the wall was built of jasper while the city was pure gold like clear glass the foundations of the wall of the city or were adorned with every kind of jewel" [00:08:18]

"and the twelve gates were twelve pearls each of the gates made of a single pearl and the street of the city was pure gold like transparent glass and i saw no temple in the city for its temple as the lord god the almighty and the lamb and the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it for the glory of god gives it light and its lamp is the lamb by its light will the nations walk and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it and its gates will never be shut by day and there will be no night there they will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations but nothing unclean will ever enter it" [00:09:35]

"nor anyone who does what is detestable or false but only those who are written in the lamb's book of life a beautiful description of this uh heavenly city remarkable in so many ways uh remarkable for the the jewels that characterize each of the foundations um whenever i read that i have to smile because i remember once being at a philadelphia conference of reformed theology is sponsored by 10th presbyterian church and organized by james montgomery voice and uh um they had arranged to have one of the sessions of the theology conference in the philadelphia academy of music and that was the the opera hall and the symphony hall in philadelphia and uh so this was was very exciting and a large group of people had gathered and r.c sproul was going to be the preacher and he'd drawn many people there" [00:10:22]

"and uh boyce uh was going to host the evening and he asked if i'd read scripture so rc had chosen this 21st chapter of of revelation and uh so we started with a hymn which enables me to say to this day that i have sung on the stage of the academy of music in philadelphia which absolutely amazes anyone who has heard me sing and so just before we went out i had looked at the passage and it was then an niv and as you notice i stumbled a little bit on this reading there were several of the jewels described in words i'd never seen before and had no idea how to pronounce them and uh so rc and and jim boyce were standing there and i said you know i'm not sure how to pronounce these some of these words can i just skip that description and rc said yeah it's not material to the point i'm making so i went out and and uh read the scripture and then rc went to the stage and began his address by saying something snarky to jim boyce about the conference and then he said and then the learner dr godfrey doesn't even know how to pronounce these words so he just skipped them" [00:11:22]

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Transcript
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