Philippians 1:20-24
(Temple 4-18-12)
Introduction:
A. Paul called
death “gain” in
verse 21 and “far better” in verse 23. This certainly is not the world’s view
of death nor is it generally the view of the believer. Though we are saved and
know it, we still enjoy this life and are, for the most part, not ready to leave
it anytime soon. As one man said, “If I knew where I was going to die, I
probably would not go there.” I believe that most of us wouldn’t go there
either.
B. At the same
time, all of us
know that our eternal life will be far better than this present one. This life
is good but there are many hard places that make us long for heaven. Last week,
we saw that heaven was “gain” and “far better” because it to be “with Christ.”
More is said in our songs about what heaven looks like than what it will be like
to be with Christ. Jude 24 speaks of being in His
presence with exceeding joy. Psalms says, “In his presence is fullness
of joy.”
C. Heaven is also “gain” and “far
better” for many
more reasons. I do not know all there is to know about the place where God
lives but the Bible does give us some insight. I want to look at just a few
things about heaven tonight:
1. Heaven’s Place
a. Heaven is a place of great
mystery. Paul
called it the “third heaven.” The first heaven is our atmosphere, the second
heaven is the universe above us, and the third heaven is where God lives.
Isaiah 14:13 For thou has said in thing heart, I will ascend into heaven, I
will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon
the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.”
1 Corinthians
2:9 But as it is
written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart
of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(There are things
that we can know about heaven and I will deal with some of them but there is so
much that we know nothing about.)
Ezekiel
28:14-16 Thou art the
anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy
mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of
fire.
(15) Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that
thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. (16) By the multitude of
thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast
sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I
will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones
of fire.
b. Heaven is a
place of great beauty.
(1) Walls of Jasper
(2) Gates of Pearl
(3) Foundations of Precious
Stones
(4) Street of Transparent
Gold
(5) Palaces Of Ivory
(6) River As Clear As
Crystal
(7) Tree Bearing 12 Manner of
Fruits
(8) Lighted By The Glory of
God
c. A Place of Great
Joy
Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang
together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there
is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that
repenteth.
d. A Place of Great
Worship
Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of
them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not
day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is,
and is to come.
Revelation 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen.
And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever
and ever.
e. A Place of Great
Accommodations
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many
mansions: if [it were] not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place
for you.
Psalms
23:6 Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the LORD for ever.
e. A Place of Great
Size
Revelation 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare,
and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the
reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it
are equal.
2. Heaven's
Pleasure
a. No More Sea
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new
earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was
no more sea.
b. No More Tears
Revelation 21:4a And God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes;
c. No More Death
Revelation 22:4b and there shall be no more
death,
d. No More Sorrow
Revelation 21:4c neither sorrow, nor crying,
e. No More Pain
Revelation 22:4d neither shall there be any more
pain: for the former things are passed away.
f. No More Night
Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be
shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
g. No More Sin
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter
into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or
maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of
life.
3. Heaven's People
a. They Are Blood
Bought
Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou
knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation,
and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb.
b. They Are
Obedient
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven.
No more remembrance
of sin No more politicians
No more worries
about uncertainties No more taxes
No more sleepless
nights No more IRS
No more bills to
pay No more doctors to see
No more racism
No more hospitals to visit
No more tear dimmed
eyes No more arthritis
No more fear
No more ibuprofen
No more loneliness
No more broken bones
No more heat by
day No more Dr. Kevorkian’s
No more cold by
night No more incurable diseases
No more hunger
No sightless eyes
No fat bodies
No more suffering
No diets
No cripples
No more jails to
build No retarded children
No more
poverty No more headaches
No more nursing
homes to preach in No more death
No more
disappointments to weep over No more storms
No more
Discouragements to hinder No more thorns
No more dismal
failures No more chiggers
No more wicked
thoughts to fight No more mosquitos, ticks, fleas
No more filth to see
No law officers
No more temptation
to sin No more guns
No more fighting
No more devil to annoy
No more wars
No more funeral homes
No more hurt
feelings No more heartaches
No more strife and
contention
No more
confusion
WHAT A DAY THAT WILL
BE
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