Understanding Revelation: Hope, Judgment, and the New Jerusalem

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s faithfulness and a reminder of our calling as a church family. We began by reflecting on the tangible impact of generosity—how our giving enables us to serve our local community, partner with schools, and meet real needs. This is not just about financial support, but about living out the gospel in practical ways, being the hands and feet of Jesus right where we are. We welcomed new members into our church family, emphasizing that membership is not a casual decision but a covenant—a commitment to unity, service, and shared mission. At Harvest, we believe the deepest experience of church happens in circles and teams, not just in rows on Sunday mornings.

We then turned our attention to the book of Revelation, wrapping up our series by focusing on the big picture rather than getting lost in the details and debates. Revelation was written to encourage persecuted believers, reminding them—and us—that God is always on the throne, no matter what we face. The judgments described in the book serve to reveal and remove, exposing what is truly in us and clearing away what doesn’t belong, much like the process of sanctification in our own lives.

As we explored the final chapters, we saw that the ultimate hope is not escape from this world, but the renewal of all things. The “new heaven and new earth” is not about abandoning creation, but about God’s presence coming to dwell with us, making all things new. The imagery of the New Jerusalem is not a literal city, but a picture of the redeemed people of God—the church—prepared as a bride for Christ. Heaven is not defined by a place, but by the presence of God. The best of this world will remain, purified and restored, while all that is broken and corrupt will be swept away.

We are called to live in readiness, with our eyes on eternity, and to invite others into this hope. Our response to the promise of Christ’s return is to live prepared lives and to extend the invitation of grace to everyone we meet. This is the heartbeat of the Great Commission: to go, to love, and to welcome others into the family of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Generosity is not just a financial transaction but a lifestyle that reflects the heart of God. When we give, we participate in God’s mission to meet needs, build relationships, and demonstrate the gospel in action. Our resources become seeds sown into good soil, producing a harvest that impacts both our community and our own spiritual growth. [37:12]
• 2. Church membership is a sacred covenant, not a casual affiliation. It calls us to protect unity, serve with our gifts, and support the testimony of the church through faithful living and giving. True belonging happens in authentic relationships—circles and teams—where we are known, challenged, and encouraged to grow. [42:19]
• 3. The book of Revelation is ultimately a message of encouragement and hope for believers facing trials. God’s judgments are not meant to condemn, but to reveal what is true and to remove what is false, both in the world and in our hearts. This process mirrors sanctification, where God lovingly transforms us from the inside out. [57:44]
• 4. The promise of a new heaven and new earth is about God’s presence coming to dwell with His people, making all things new. Heaven is not a distant, ethereal place, but the reality of God’s kingdom breaking into our world, restoring creation, and erasing all sorrow, pain, and death. Our hope is not in escape, but in the renewal and resurrection life that Christ brings. [89:10]
• 5. Our calling is to live every day in readiness for Christ’s return, with a heart that invites others into the story of redemption. The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”—we are to extend the invitation of grace, welcoming all who are thirsty to receive the water of life. This is the essence of our mission: to live prepared and to invite others to join us in the family of God. [94:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [31:34] - Local Missions and Generosity
• [33:20] - Community Partnerships and Outreach
• [40:32] - Welcoming New Members
• [41:30] - The Membership Covenant
• [43:14] - Life in Circles and Teams
• [48:30] - Introduction to Revelation Series
• [52:33] - Historical Context of Revelation
• [54:42] - Overview of Revelation’s Structure
• [57:08] - The Purpose of Judgment
• [59:35] - Deconstruction and Reconstruction
• [63:26] - Tribulation and the Second Coming
• [63:58] - The New Heaven and New Earth
• [69:22] - The New Jerusalem: The Church as Bride
• [74:29] - Betrothal Imagery and God’s Promise
• [82:21] - God Makes All Things New
• [89:10] - Heaven is God’s Presence
• [92:40] - Three Things to Remember
• [94:43] - The Invitation: “Come”
• [98:13] - Living Ready and Inviting Others
• [99:24] - Closing Worship and Prayer

Bible Reading

Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV) — > Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — > Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

John 14:1-3 (ESV) — > “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Observation Questions

1. In Revelation 21:1-5, what are some of the specific things that God promises will be “no more” in the new heaven and new earth?
2. According to the sermon, what does the “new Jerusalem” represent? Is it a literal city or something else? ([01:09:22])
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does Paul say happens to someone who is “in Christ”?
4. What is the significance of Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3 about preparing a place for his followers? How does the sermon explain the meaning of “many rooms” or “mansions”? ([01:11:58])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s judgment “reveals and removes”—it exposes what is truly in us and clears away what doesn’t belong. How does this process relate to the idea of sanctification in a believer’s life? ([57:44])
2. The pastor explained that heaven is not just a distant place, but is defined by God’s presence coming to dwell with his people. How does this reshape the way we think about eternity and our hope as Christians? ([01:29:10])
3. The “new Jerusalem” is described as the church, the redeemed people of God, prepared as a bride for Christ. What does this imagery communicate about our identity and purpose as the church? ([01:09:22])
4. The sermon emphasized that our hope is not in escaping this world, but in its renewal. How does this affect the way we live and engage with the world around us? ([01:29:10])

Application Questions

1. The sermon described generosity as a lifestyle, not just a financial transaction. In what ways can you practice generosity this week that go beyond giving money? Is there a specific need or person God is putting on your heart to serve? ([37:12])
2. Church membership was described as a covenant—a commitment to unity, service, and shared mission. Are there areas where you need to grow in protecting unity, serving with your gifts, or supporting the testimony of the church? What is one step you can take this month? ([42:19])
3. The process of sanctification means letting God reveal and remove what doesn’t belong in our lives. Is there something God is revealing in your heart right now that needs to be surrendered or changed? How can your small group support you in this? ([57:44])
4. The sermon challenged us to live in readiness for Christ’s return. What does “living ready” look like for you personally? Are there habits, attitudes, or priorities that need to shift so you can be prepared? ([01:33:21])
5. The “Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’”—we are called to invite others into the hope we have. Who is someone in your life that you can extend an invitation to—whether to church, a small group, or simply a conversation about faith? What’s holding you back? ([01:34:43])
6. The pastor said the best of this world will remain, purified and restored, while all that is broken will be swept away. What are some “good things” in your life or community that you want to see God renew? How can you partner with God in that renewal? ([01:27:34])
7. The sermon highlighted that true belonging happens in “circles and teams,” not just in rows on Sunday. Are you currently part of a circle or team where you are known, challenged, and encouraged? If not, what’s one step you can take to move toward deeper community? ([43:14])