Hope and Redemption in the New Jerusalem

Devotional

Day 1: The Fulfillment of God's Promises in the New Jerusalem

In Revelation 22, the New Jerusalem is depicted as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, a city where the curse of sin is no more, and God's presence illuminates all. This city represents the culmination of the hopes of Abraham and the Old Testament saints, who longed for a city with foundations built by God. The imagery of the pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, and the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit, echoes the Garden of Eden. It signifies a return to a state of perfect communion with God, where His presence is the source of light and life. [06:33]

Hebrews 11:10 (ESV): "For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."

Reflection: How does the promise of the New Jerusalem shape your understanding of God's faithfulness in your life today?

Day 2: The Ever-Present Choice Between Life and Death

The choice between life and death, first presented in the Garden of Eden, remains relevant today. Despite the presence of the tree of life, Adam and Eve chose the path of death, a choice that continues to resonate as many still choose death over life offered through Jesus Christ. This underscores the importance of choosing life and embracing the salvation offered by Christ. The New Jerusalem stands as a testament to the life that God offers, a life free from the curse of sin and filled with His presence. [05:08]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days."

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can choose life in your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Day 3: The Sudden and Transformative Return of Christ

The return of Christ will be sudden and transformative, emphasizing the need for readiness and faithfulness. Revelation 22 highlights that when Christ comes, He will bring rewards according to each person's work. While salvation is a gift of grace, our faithfulness in serving Him will determine our rewards in His kingdom. This calls for a life that honors God, living in anticipation of His return and being faithful stewards of the time and resources He has given us. [14:44]

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (ESV): "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to cultivate greater readiness for Christ's return?

Day 4: The Integrity and Sufficiency of God's Word

Revelation 22 concludes with a stern warning not to add or take away from the words of this prophecy, underscoring the importance of preserving the integrity of God's Word. This highlights the sufficiency of Scripture and the need to adhere to its teachings without alteration. God's Word is complete and authoritative, providing guidance and truth for every aspect of life. As believers, we are called to uphold the truth of Scripture and live according to its precepts. [41:37]

Proverbs 30:5-6 (ESV): "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

Reflection: How can you ensure that you are faithfully adhering to the teachings of Scripture in your daily life?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Grace and Forgiveness

God's grace and forgiveness are available to all who repent, regardless of past sins. This grace transforms us from being outsiders to becoming part of God's family, emphasizing the power of redemption and the hope of eternal life. In the New Jerusalem, there will be no more curse, no sin, and no rebellion, as God's grace has made all things new. This is a powerful reminder of the hope and future that awaits those who choose life through Jesus Christ. [35:55]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to fully embrace God's grace and forgiveness? How can you extend that grace to others?

Sermon Summary

In Revelation 22, we reach the culmination of our journey through the Bible, exploring the final chapter that describes the New Jerusalem, the city of God. This city is the fulfillment of the hopes of Abraham and the Old Testament saints, who longed for a city with foundations built by God. John describes a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. On either side of this river stands the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and offering leaves for the healing of the nations. This imagery echoes the Garden of Eden, where humanity first faced the choice between life and death. Despite the presence of the tree of life, Adam and Eve chose the path of death, a choice that continues to resonate today as many still choose death over life offered through Jesus Christ.

In the New Jerusalem, there will be no more curse, no sin, and no rebellion. The throne of God and the Lamb will be there, and His servants will serve Him. The martyred saints from the great tribulation will serve God day and night, while the bride of Christ will reign with Him. There will be no need for the sun or candles, as God's presence will illuminate everything. We will see His face, and His name will be on our foreheads, fulfilling the promise to the overcomers.

The chapter emphasizes the urgency of Christ's return, stating that He will come quickly. This quickness refers to the suddenness of His coming, not the immediacy in terms of time. When He comes, He will bring rewards according to each person's work. Salvation is a gift of grace, but our faithfulness in serving Him will determine our rewards in His kingdom. The chapter concludes with a warning not to add or take away from the words of this prophecy, underscoring the importance of preserving the integrity of God's Word.

Key Takeaways

1. The New Jerusalem represents the fulfillment of God's promises, a city where the curse of sin is no more, and God's presence illuminates all. This city is a reminder of the hope and future that awaits those who choose life through Jesus Christ. [06:33]
2. The choice between life and death, first presented in the Garden of Eden, remains relevant today. God offers eternal life through Jesus, yet many still choose the path of death. This choice underscores the importance of choosing life and embracing the salvation offered by Christ. [05:08]
3. The return of Christ will be sudden and transformative, emphasizing the need for readiness and faithfulness. Our works will be judged, not for salvation, but for rewards in God's kingdom, highlighting the importance of living a life that honors God. [14:44]
4. The integrity of God's Word is paramount, with a stern warning against adding or taking away from the prophecy. This highlights the sufficiency of Scripture and the need to adhere to its teachings without alteration. [41:37]
5. God's grace and forgiveness are available to all who repent, regardless of past sins. This grace transforms us from being outsiders to becoming part of God's family, emphasizing the power of redemption and the hope of eternal life. [35:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:27] - Introduction to Revelation 22
[01:07] - Description of the New Jerusalem
[02:18] - The River and Tree of Life
[03:39] - The Choice Between Life and Death
[05:55] - The New Heaven and New Earth
[08:02] - The End of the Curse
[10:06] - Seeing God's Face
[12:30] - The Faithfulness of God's Word
[14:08] - The Quick Return of Christ
[15:26] - Rewards for Faithfulness
[18:22] - Worship God Alone
[20:31] - The Unsealed Prophecy
[22:15] - The Importance of Obedience
[25:22] - Judging Our Works
[28:03] - Jesus as Alpha and Omega
[30:23] - Entering the City of God
[35:55] - Grace and Forgiveness
[39:18] - The Invitation to Come
[41:37] - Warning Against Altering Scripture
[48:01] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Revelation 22

Bible Reading:
- Revelation 22:1-5
- Genesis 2:9
- Genesis 3:22-24

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Observation Questions:

What are the key features of the New Jerusalem as described in Revelation 22? How does this imagery compare to the Garden of Eden? [01:33]
What is the significance of the tree of life in both Genesis and Revelation? How does its presence in the New Jerusalem differ from its role in the Garden of Eden? [02:18]
According to the sermon, what is the meaning of the phrase "I come quickly" in Revelation 22? How does this relate to the suddenness of Christ's return? [14:08]
What warning is given about altering the words of the prophecy in Revelation 22, and why is this significant? [41:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22 fulfill the hopes and promises made to the Old Testament saints, such as Abraham? [01:07]
In what ways does the choice between life and death, as presented in the Garden of Eden, continue to be relevant for believers today? How does this choice manifest in our daily lives? [05:08]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between salvation as a gift of grace and the rewards for faithfulness in serving God? How should this understanding influence a believer's actions? [22:15]
How does the sermon emphasize the importance of preserving the integrity of God's Word, and what are the potential consequences of altering it? [41:37]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the imagery of the New Jerusalem. How does this vision of a future without sin or curse inspire you to live differently today? [06:33]
The sermon highlights the ongoing choice between life and death. Can you identify a recent decision where you chose life through Christ? How can you continue to make such choices in the future? [05:08]
Considering the suddenness of Christ's return, what steps can you take to ensure you are living a life of readiness and faithfulness? [14:08]
How do you currently engage with Scripture? What practices can you implement to ensure you are preserving its integrity and adhering to its teachings? [41:37]
The sermon speaks of God's grace and forgiveness being available to all who repent. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and embrace His grace? [35:55]
How can you actively participate in sharing the message of salvation and the hope of eternal life with those around you? What specific actions can you take this week? [51:13]
Reflect on the rewards for faithfulness mentioned in the sermon. What motivates you to serve God, and how can you align your actions with this motivation to ensure you are living a life that honors Him? [22:15]

Sermon Clips

He showed me a pure river of water of life, clearest crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. And in the midst of the street of it and on either side of the river was there the tree of life, which bear 12 manor of fruit and yielded her fruit every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [00:01:34]

God has offered to us the tree of life, and that is of course in the cross of Jesus Christ, where God has provided that we can have eternal life and people have a choice today of life and death. God said see I have set before you life and death, choose life that you might live. [00:04:49]

There will be no sin, there will be no rebellion against God, all of the creation of God will be living in harmony with God, and it will be a beautiful experience. You who are the church will have a special place as the bride of Christ, you will have glorified bodies, and you will be there and dwelling in the city of God in the very presence of God. [00:07:54]

We shall see his face and his name shall be in our foreheads. The Lord promised unto the overcomers that he would give to them a new name which no man knew except he that received it, and hear their name his name and shall be in their foreheads there shall be no night there no need of candle neither the light of the sun. [00:09:52]

Behold I come quickly and Jesus speaks here blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book. The word quickly there is not shortly but quickly and there is a difference. As we have been reading the events of the great tribulation, when these things begin to come to pass, Jesus said, look up lift up your head for your redemption is drawing nigh. [00:13:38]

The Bible does speak about the rewards for our work now. Salvation is the gift of God through grace, but having received this wonderful gift of God through grace my salvation now as he is my Lord, I am obligated to serve him and to obey him as my Lord. [00:22:03]

God's love and God's grace is sufficient and there is forgiveness and cleansing if you will repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness, and you don't need to have that on your conscience. I destroyed a life that doesn't need to hound you or to hound your conscience because there is forgiveness. [00:33:55]

The spirit and the bride say come, God's spirit giving the invitation the church giving the invitation to come to Jesus Christ to receive the cleansing and the pardon of their sin because God is offering the forgiveness come, come to Jesus come and receive God's love come and receive God's forgiveness. [00:39:30]

If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book or don't temper, don't mess with this book. If you seek to add to it God will add to you the plagues that are written in the book. [00:41:25]

God has given to us all that is necessary for life and godliness, the knowledge of him given to us in this book everything that we need is in this book. You don't need any more, this is sufficient this is all that you need, everything is here for you to live the life of godliness the life that God would have to live. [00:46:03]

God has already done exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think we stand in absolute amazement at what the Lord has done. We are observing a modern day miracle, the way that God has blessed his word, the fact that there are so many Calvary Chapel pastors out there teaching the word of God now. [01:09:12]

God is just blessing across the country we're going to be going this week back to Indiana for a pastor's conference and then on to New York for a pastor's conference and we were just a last week up in Seattle for a pastor's conference and and it's just exciting to see the growth around the country of the churches. [01:10:17]

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Hope and Redemption in the New Jerusalem

Devotional

Day 1: The Fulfillment of God's Promises in the New Jerusalem

Day 2: The Ever-Present Choice Between Life and Death

Day 3: The Sudden and Transformative Return of Christ

Day 4: The Integrity and Sufficiency of God's Word

Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Grace and Forgiveness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Hope and Redemption in the New Jerusalem

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