Journey to the Celestial City: Faith and Redemption
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking the Celestial City
In our journey of faith, we are called to seek the celestial city, the New Jerusalem, which is a place of purity and holiness. This city is not accessible to everyone but only to those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The journey is not easy, as it is filled with trials and temptations, but it is here on Earth that we lay the foundation for our eternal destination. Abraham and Sarah embarked on this journey, looking for a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. This city is a place where nothing defiled can enter, and only those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb will have access. [00:48]
Hebrews 11:10 (ESV): "For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to focus your heart and mind on seeking the celestial city, rather than being consumed by earthly distractions?
Day 2: The Distinction of the Lamb's Book of Life
The Lamb's Book of Life is a divine record that is distinct from other books mentioned in scripture. It is reserved for those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, highlighting the importance of faith in His atoning sacrifice. While other books record every deed, word, and thought of humanity, the Lamb's Book of Life is a testament to those who have put their faith in Christ. At the final judgment, these books will be opened, and only those whose names are in the Lamb's Book of Life will escape eternal judgment. This underscores the significance of having a genuine relationship with Jesus. [10:21]
Revelation 20:12 (ESV): "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today to ensure your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life?
Day 3: The Final Judgment and Divine Records
Every person is recorded in divine books that detail their deeds, words, and thoughts. At the final judgment, these books will be opened, and only those whose names are in the Lamb's Book of Life will escape eternal judgment. This highlights the reality that none of us are righteous on our own, and without the intervention of Christ, we are destined for judgment. It is through faith in the blood of Jesus that we can be justified and redeemed. This is not a matter of works or human effort but a result of God's grace and the atoning sacrifice of Christ. [12:13]
Daniel 7:10 (ESV): "A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened."
Reflection: Reflect on your actions and thoughts today. Are they aligned with the life of someone whose name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life?
Day 4: Faith in the Blood of Jesus
True righteousness and access to the New Jerusalem come not from human effort but through faith in the blood of Jesus. This faith justifies, redeems, and inscribes our names in the Lamb's Book of Life. The Bible is clear that none of us are righteous on our own, and we are all born in sin. Yet, through faith in Jesus' sacrifice, we can be justified and have our names inscribed in this eternal record. It is a call to live a life of holiness and to overcome the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. [59:23]
Romans 5:9 (ESV): "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you rely more on Jesus' sacrifice rather than your own efforts to live a righteous life today?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
The Lamb's Book of Life is a testament to God's grace and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It calls us to live a life of holiness and to ensure our names are written in this eternal record. This is not just about professing faith but about being truly transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a call to examine our lives and to live in a way that reflects the holiness and purity of the New Jerusalem. [52:19]
Titus 3:5 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform an area of your life that needs renewal today?
Sermon Summary
In our journey through life, we are all searching for a city, a celestial city, as described in the scriptures. This journey is fraught with trials, temptations, and the opposition of a real adversary. Yet, it is here on Earth that we lay the foundation for our eternal destination. Abraham and Sarah embarked on this journey, looking for a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. This city is the New Jerusalem, a place where nothing defiled can enter, and only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will have access.
The Lamb's Book of Life is a divine record, a book that holds the names of those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. It is distinct from other books mentioned in scripture, which record every deed, word, and thought of humanity. These books will be opened at the final judgment, where every sinner will stand before God. However, the Lamb's Book of Life is reserved for those who have been washed in the blood of Jesus, those who have put their faith in His sacrifice.
The Bible is clear that none of us are righteous on our own. We are all born in sin, and without the intervention of Christ, we are destined for judgment. Yet, through faith in the blood of Jesus, we can be justified, redeemed, and have our names inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life. This is not a matter of works or human effort but a result of God's grace and the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
As we reflect on these truths, it is crucial to examine our lives and ensure that our names are written in this book. The Lamb's Book of Life is not just a record of those who have professed faith but of those who have truly been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a call to live a life of holiness, to overcome the world, and to be counted among the redeemed.
Key Takeaways
1. The journey of faith is about seeking the celestial city, the New Jerusalem, which is only accessible to those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. This city is a place of purity, where nothing defiled can enter. [00:48]
2. The Lamb's Book of Life is distinct from other divine records. It is reserved for those redeemed by the blood of Jesus, highlighting the importance of faith in His atoning sacrifice. [10:21]
3. Every person is recorded in divine books, detailing their deeds, words, and thoughts. At the final judgment, these books will be opened, and only those in the Lamb's Book of Life will escape eternal judgment. [12:13]
4. True righteousness and access to the New Jerusalem come not from human effort but through faith in the blood of Jesus. This faith justifies, redeems, and inscribes our names in the Lamb's Book of Life. [59:23]
5. The Lamb's Book of Life is a testament to God's grace and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It calls us to live a life of holiness and to ensure our names are written in this eternal record. [52:19]
What is the significance of the Lamb's Book of Life as described in Revelation 20:12-15? How does it differ from the other books mentioned? [11:35]
According to Revelation 21:27, who is allowed to enter the New Jerusalem, and what criteria must they meet? [06:28]
In Hebrews 12:22-24, what are the characteristics of the Heavenly Jerusalem, and who are its inhabitants?
How does the sermon describe the journey of faith in relation to seeking the celestial city? [00:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
What does it mean for a person's name to be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and how does this relate to their faith in Jesus? [10:21]
How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming believers and ensuring their names are in the Lamb's Book of Life? [04:39]
What is the significance of the Lamb being mentioned 28 times in the Book of Revelation, and how does this emphasize the importance of Jesus' sacrifice? [49:21]
How does the sermon interpret the concept of righteousness and access to the New Jerusalem as being through faith rather than works? [59:23]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on your personal journey of faith. Are there areas where you feel you need to set your eyes more firmly on the celestial city? How can you do this in your daily life? [00:48]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having one's name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. How can you ensure that your faith is genuine and transformative? [10:21]
Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to the Spirit's transformative power and guidance? [04:39]
The sermon discusses the importance of living a life of holiness. What specific steps can you take to overcome worldly temptations and live a life that reflects your faith? [52:19]
How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice as the Lamb of God in your spiritual journey? [49:21]
The sermon warns against relying on human effort for righteousness. How can you shift your focus from works to faith in Jesus' atoning sacrifice? [59:23]
Reflect on the concept of divine records. How does knowing that every deed, word, and thought is recorded impact the way you live your life? [12:13]
Sermon Clips
The journey is made down here on Earth, surrounded by trials, temptations, the opposition of a real devil. You make your journey on terraferma upon the Earth in this life, in this flesh. You embark on this journey searching for a city, but this side of Eternity, this side of death, you'll never reach that City. [00:35:52]
There is a city that we are journeying towards, that we are seeking after. It's a city that is built by your own hand, nor God, whose foundations have been laid by you, oh God, by the very precious blood of the lamb. And Lord God, we thank you that every citizen, Lord God, every dweller in that City will have had an experience of being redeemed and washed in the blood of the Lamb. [00:41:28]
The Lamb's Book of Life plays a prominent part here. We've actually read in Revelation chapter 21. We have been dealing with this chapter week after week after week. It's about a city, about the city of God. It's about the New Jerusalem, a city that's coming down out of heaven. [00:57:48]
No one will enter into that City, dwell there, or be a citizen of that City. Listen to what it says: enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh Abomination or maketh lie. The scripture is very clear: no, nothing of sin, of Flesh, of man is going to enter that City. [01:02:44]
The Bible is clear: none is good. I've met lots of Sinners to say, oh, I'm pretty good. I'm a likable guy. I try my best. The Bible says None is good. It goes further: none is righteous. It goes further: it says None feareth God, not naturally. No one fears God. It says None seeketh after God. [01:16:03]
But listen to what it says right at the end of this verse, talking about this great glorious City, talking about heaven, eternity, the new heaven, the new Earth, the world to come where you can go when you die or at the end of time. It says None of these sinful things can enter the city. [01:36:00]
There is access to that City. There's a certain kind of person gets into the city. There's a certain kind of person will receive a reward or be blessed eternally or dwell with God eternally. It tells you here they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. There is an actual book called the Lamb's Book of Life. [01:41:12]
The Bible talks about books, not just one book, not just two books, but a number of different books being written All Through Time concerning you. It says at the last judgment, when every sinner from every generation and every nation stands before God, I mean every single sinner that's ever lived for 6,000 years all standing before God. [02:07:00]
God records every person in these books by name. Every single person, Dead or Alive, Saint or sinner, have their names written in these books. Every single person, the Obscure person and the most famous actors and politicians of our world, the great men of history have their names written there. [02:29:09]
The names of the redeemed are recorded in a book in heaven. We read in Psalm 87:6, the Lord shall count. Do you know the Lord counts? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 100, 200, 300. The Lord counts. The Lord shall count when he writeth up the people. So look, his people, he writes them up. [04:03:00]
The most important book is called the Lamb's Book of Life. Don't confuse that with the book of life. It's two different books here. The Book of Life records everyone. The Lamb's Book of Life doesn't. It's select, limited, restricted. It's a unique book. This book in Revelation 21, it says your name has to be in this book. [04:41:39]
You better find an experience of being washed in the blood of the Lamb. The only thing that will forgive you and cleanse you and put you in right standing is the blood of Jesus Christ. There Is Power in the Blood of the lamb. And so Paul writes through faith in his blood. Put your faith in the blood of the Lamb. [05:58:37]