
TEXT: Revelation 21:22-27
THESIS: To continue with John on a guided tour of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem.
INTRO:
A. John has been giving us a tour of the heavenly city the New Jerusalem and has shown us many of its beautiful details from the outside. Now he invites us to step inside. He not only explains what is present but “WHAT IS MISSING IN HEAVEN.” As he looks around he is startled by what he does not see and relays that information to us.
B. The dazzling beauty of this fantastic, amazing, huge city is breathtaking, from the outside. But inside it is even more wonderful. What we will see and what we will not see is instructive and inspiring…
I. NO TEMPLE: v.22 (BUT THE LORD)
A. A City Without A Temple:
1. Temples are places for worshipping an invisible God.
2. Here God is visible in all His might and majesty: “The Lord God Almighty”- the title suggestive of the Trinity, the One Who was, is and is to come.
3. In the OLD TESTAMENT there was a Temple as prophecy, in the Church age we are God’s Temple, in the Millennium there will be a memorial Temple, but in eternity all prophecies have been fulfilled, there is no need for memorial ceremonies and the Holy Spirit will be forever united with the all-pervasive reality of the personal glory of the triune God.
ILLUS: Even the holy city had a Temple and an altar, before its descent to earth (Rev. 11:19), but now they are gone as their purpose has been served. The Lamb of God replaces the Temple, sacrifices, High Priest and all the rituals and ceremonies. This beautiful city has been in the hearts of the saints throughout the ages.
Heb. 11:8-10
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Finally the fellowship Adam had before sin entered the race is re-established. The habitation of God is with men and daily fellowship and intimate friendship can be enjoyed by men with their Creator and Savior.
II. NO LIGHT: v.23-24 (BUT THE LAMB)
A. The City Of Perpetual Light:
1. The city has “no need of the sun…the moon…” though they will still be present and will endure forever.
2. It is just that they will be insignificant sources of light compared to the Light of the Lamb in this city.
Is. 60:19-22
19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon with draw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
ILLUS: As the earth rotates the blazing light of this dazzling city will lighten even those parts of the earth shrouded in darkness, because the Source of the light is from within the city.
B. The City Of Perpetual Blessing:
1. Outside the City the “nations” and “kings” reside, but since only the redeemed survive the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennium, the question is who are these people?
2. Perhaps they are those who have mansions in the city, but have estates and governments and activities outside the city.
3. Perhaps they are humans in an innocent state like Adam before the fall continuing on the earth after the Millennium (if so they would have had to have been “raptured” off the planet before it was purged by fire, and glorified ).
4. This would place a very literal interpretation on the Abrahamic Covenant which promised that his seed would be as the sand upon the seashore and the stars in the heavens.
5. It would also help us envision the fulfillment of the Messianic promise in Isaiah 9:7 that “of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.”
6. Also, if the nations of the saved were to continue to multiply, as would Adam and Eve, if they had not fallen, God’s command to “fill the earth” and “subdue it” would be finally accomplished.
7. Think of the productivity and promise of the planet where sin has been banished forever and where the nations can develop and expand infinitely.
8. Neither the kings of the earth nor the nations will seek their own glory, but “bring their glory and honor” into the city to the Lord of Glory!
(This is one of the Greatest Mysteries of Bible Prophecy)
III. NO BARRIERS: v.25a,26 (BUT BLESSINGS)
A. A City With Open Gates:
1. An OLD TESTAMENT city had gates that were shut to keep out intruders and invaders as well as shut at darkness.
2. These gates are not barriers, but entrances where the nations of the new earth bring their “glory and honor into it.”
ILLUS: Men will no more boast of their riches, intellect, achievements, but will bring all their glory and honor to Him Who alone is deserving.
Jer. 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
IV. NO NIGHT: v.25b (BUT REST!)
A. A City Which Radiates Light:
1. Since the Lamb is the light of this city, darkness can never enter.
2. The light here will be brighter than that of the sun, moon and stars combined.
3. The fact that there is no night suggests the fact that sleep will be unnecessary.
ILLUS: Did you ever contemplate what a waste of time sleep is? We sleep away 1/3 of our lives. But now it is to regenerate the body and enable us to function. Then we will have glorified bodies which need no regeneration. Heaven though will be a place of perpetual rest. We will never grow weary or become fatigued, even while serving the Lord. Believers enter into faith-rest when they trust in Christ and that trust eventuates into eternal rest in heaven. Heb. 4:8-11
V. NO DEFILEMENT: v.27 (BUT THE CLEANSED)
A. A City Without Pollution:
1. Sin and sinners pollute!
2. This city has no sinners, hence no sin, hence no pollution!
3. This city and the new earth upon which it rests as well as all the cleansed universe (except the infinitely removed hidden corner containing the lake of fire) provides a perfect environment for the redeemed of the ages.
CONCL:
Just think…of stepping on shore and finding it heaven;
or taking a hand and finding it God’s;
or breathing new air and finding it celestial;
of waking up in heaven and finding it home!
Not only will we enjoy all the benefits that will be waiting for us but we will enjoy it more for “WHAT IS MISSING IN HEAVEN!” No Temple, No Light (but the Lamb), No Barriers, No Night and No Defilement!
THESIS: To continue with John on a guided tour of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem.
INTRO:
A. John has been giving us a tour of the heavenly city the New Jerusalem and has shown us many of its beautiful details from the outside. Now he invites us to step inside. He not only explains what is present but “WHAT IS MISSING IN HEAVEN.” As he looks around he is startled by what he does not see and relays that information to us.
B. The dazzling beauty of this fantastic, amazing, huge city is breathtaking, from the outside. But inside it is even more wonderful. What we will see and what we will not see is instructive and inspiring…
I. NO TEMPLE: v.22 (BUT THE LORD)
A. A City Without A Temple:
1. Temples are places for worshipping an invisible God.
2. Here God is visible in all His might and majesty: “The Lord God Almighty”- the title suggestive of the Trinity, the One Who was, is and is to come.
3. In the OLD TESTAMENT there was a Temple as prophecy, in the Church age we are God’s Temple, in the Millennium there will be a memorial Temple, but in eternity all prophecies have been fulfilled, there is no need for memorial ceremonies and the Holy Spirit will be forever united with the all-pervasive reality of the personal glory of the triune God.
ILLUS: Even the holy city had a Temple and an altar, before its descent to earth (Rev. 11:19), but now they are gone as their purpose has been served. The Lamb of God replaces the Temple, sacrifices, High Priest and all the rituals and ceremonies. This beautiful city has been in the hearts of the saints throughout the ages.
Heb. 11:8-10
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Finally the fellowship Adam had before sin entered the race is re-established. The habitation of God is with men and daily fellowship and intimate friendship can be enjoyed by men with their Creator and Savior.
II. NO LIGHT: v.23-24 (BUT THE LAMB)
A. The City Of Perpetual Light:
1. The city has “no need of the sun…the moon…” though they will still be present and will endure forever.
2. It is just that they will be insignificant sources of light compared to the Light of the Lamb in this city.
Is. 60:19-22
19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon with draw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
ILLUS: As the earth rotates the blazing light of this dazzling city will lighten even those parts of the earth shrouded in darkness, because the Source of the light is from within the city.
B. The City Of Perpetual Blessing:
1. Outside the City the “nations” and “kings” reside, but since only the redeemed survive the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennium, the question is who are these people?
2. Perhaps they are those who have mansions in the city, but have estates and governments and activities outside the city.
3. Perhaps they are humans in an innocent state like Adam before the fall continuing on the earth after the Millennium (if so they would have had to have been “raptured” off the planet before it was purged by fire, and glorified ).
4. This would place a very literal interpretation on the Abrahamic Covenant which promised that his seed would be as the sand upon the seashore and the stars in the heavens.
5. It would also help us envision the fulfillment of the Messianic promise in Isaiah 9:7 that “of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.”
6. Also, if the nations of the saved were to continue to multiply, as would Adam and Eve, if they had not fallen, God’s command to “fill the earth” and “subdue it” would be finally accomplished.
7. Think of the productivity and promise of the planet where sin has been banished forever and where the nations can develop and expand infinitely.
8. Neither the kings of the earth nor the nations will seek their own glory, but “bring their glory and honor” into the city to the Lord of Glory!
(This is one of the Greatest Mysteries of Bible Prophecy)
III. NO BARRIERS: v.25a,26 (BUT BLESSINGS)
A. A City With Open Gates:
1. An OLD TESTAMENT city had gates that were shut to keep out intruders and invaders as well as shut at darkness.
2. These gates are not barriers, but entrances where the nations of the new earth bring their “glory and honor into it.”
ILLUS: Men will no more boast of their riches, intellect, achievements, but will bring all their glory and honor to Him Who alone is deserving.
Jer. 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
IV. NO NIGHT: v.25b (BUT REST!)
A. A City Which Radiates Light:
1. Since the Lamb is the light of this city, darkness can never enter.
2. The light here will be brighter than that of the sun, moon and stars combined.
3. The fact that there is no night suggests the fact that sleep will be unnecessary.
ILLUS: Did you ever contemplate what a waste of time sleep is? We sleep away 1/3 of our lives. But now it is to regenerate the body and enable us to function. Then we will have glorified bodies which need no regeneration. Heaven though will be a place of perpetual rest. We will never grow weary or become fatigued, even while serving the Lord. Believers enter into faith-rest when they trust in Christ and that trust eventuates into eternal rest in heaven. Heb. 4:8-11
V. NO DEFILEMENT: v.27 (BUT THE CLEANSED)
A. A City Without Pollution:
1. Sin and sinners pollute!
2. This city has no sinners, hence no sin, hence no pollution!
3. This city and the new earth upon which it rests as well as all the cleansed universe (except the infinitely removed hidden corner containing the lake of fire) provides a perfect environment for the redeemed of the ages.
CONCL:
Just think…of stepping on shore and finding it heaven;
or taking a hand and finding it God’s;
or breathing new air and finding it celestial;
of waking up in heaven and finding it home!
Not only will we enjoy all the benefits that will be waiting for us but we will enjoy it more for “WHAT IS MISSING IN HEAVEN!” No Temple, No Light (but the Lamb), No Barriers, No Night and No Defilement!