Final Things

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-1-2022

Revelation 22:12-16

 

A.  Verse 9-11.  We ended last week with the admonition " And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand."  We who are saved, and Bible believers understand the times in which we live and the timeframe of the prophecy of the end times which begins with the rapture of the church.  One of the saddest verses found in the Bible speaks of the destruction of God's people through a lack of knowledge.

 

Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

 

B.  Why do God's people not have a knowledge of spiritual things when they have the Bible in their hands? 

 

Because of the Pastors in the Pulpits - Amos 8:11-12  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:  (12)  And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

 

Because of the People sitting in the Pews - Jeremiah 5:30-31  A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;  (31)  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

 

C.  People have this preconceived idea that they can live for self and this world and wait until the last minute to be saved.  Yes, people can be saved on their death beds, but this is a rarity and normally occurs with people who have not heard a clear presentation of the gospel.  How you live is normally how you die!  What you are is what you will always be!

 

D.  Verse 12.  Behold is a strong word and is so much more than to just see something.  To beware of; to perceive; to understand.  The imminence of His return is found in the words "I come quickly!"  When the Lord comes, it will be suddenly but not without warning.  For years God's men have preached on the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the eternality of the state of men, either saved or lost.  No Purgatory and no Limbo.  Heaven or Hell!  When our Lord comes, it will be an immediate thing. 

 

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

Revelation 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

Revelation 19:11-13  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

 

E.  "and my reward is with me"  While salvation is faith based, reward is works based.  We need to look at a couple of verses in chapter 20 concerning the record of books where our works are recorded.  In these verses, we find that every work that has ever been done has been faithfully recorded.

 

Revelation 20:12-13  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

 

The wicked will be rewarded for their evil works and the saved will be rewarded later for their good works.  The wicked will be judged by their works (Revelation 3:12-13) and the saved will be rewarded for their works (Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15).  The wicked will be rewarded both individually and equally; the saved will be rewarded both individually and equally.  God is no respecter of persons.

 

Hebrews 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

 

F.  Verse 13.  Though these three pictures of Christ seem to be the same, there are distinct differences.  "I am" goes with each of these descriptions as it is the name of Jehovah God, I AM THAT I AM.  This name of God refers to both His eternality and self-existence. 

 

"I Am Alpha and Omega" speaks of His Eternal Person: His Omniscience. He knows all things. He Knows the end from the beginning; He knows all about us; He knows our thoughts afar off.  He is Complete.

 

"I AM the Beginning and the End" speaks of His Eternal Power: He is Omnipotence.  In the beginning He created all things and in the end, He will restore all things as they were in the beginning.  He is Timeless.

 

"I AM the First and the Last" speaks of His Eternal Preeminence: He is Omnipresent.  He was the First and He will be the Last.  He will be everything in between.  He is Sovereign.

 

G.  Verse 14.  Here we find the seventh of the Beatitudes of the Blessed.  People of our day are not friendly towards commandments.  Humanism, which is the religion of self, has taught people to be rebellious towards all authority.  God's people are different.  They not only know God's commandments but also endeavor to keep them.

 

1 John 5:2-3  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 

In the beginning of creation, the right to eat of the Tree of Life was granted to Adam and Eve through their obedience to God's commandment.

 

Genesis 2:16-17  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

 

The same is in the end of all things.  Those who know and do His commandments will have an eternal right to eat of the Tree of Life.  Right to do is through obedience to God's command.

 

H.  Verse 15.  God's people are within but the wicked are "without," a reference to the Lake of Fire as all wicked people who have not come to Christ in faith will be there.  They are without hope, they are without happiness, they are without rights of any kind, and they are without God's new heaven and new earth!  They will not defile eternity.  This list given goes along with Revelation 21:8, 27.

 

The First Mention of the word "defiled" is the destruction of purity and innocence.  Genesis 34:2  And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

 

The Last Mention of the word is "defileth."" 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.

 

J.  Verse 16.  Here we see the Author, "I Jesus."  This book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ and Eschatology (The study of prophecy or things to come.).  I am glad that we have this precious, powerful book of the Bible so as to know what is coming.  A man once said that he did not like all the vegetables that he was made to eat as a child.  Some he liked and some he did not, but he was taught to eat what was before him.  One thing he loved about meals of his youth was when his heard his mother say, when she took his empty plate away, "Keep your fork!"  Things will get worse and worse in the world but "Keep your fork!" 

 

K.  "I am the root and the offspring of David"  The "root" speaks of His deity as He was the "root" from which David sprang.  Our Lord once told the Pharisees, "Before Abraham was, I am."  In both places, our Lord establishes His eternality.  The "offspring of David" establishes His humanity, born of the seed of the woman through the royal line of David.  Jesus Christ was both God and man, the God-man: 100 percent God and 100 percent man.

 

L.  "The bright and morning star"  When we see Christ, as the bight and morning star opens the day, our Bright and Morning Star will open an eternal one.  A new age will dawn which shall never fade away.

 

God Is Faithful and True to His Word

Temple Baptist Church - 4-24-2022

Revelation 22:6-11

A. Verse 6. As we begin to finish the Book of The Revelation, we find a two-fold promise given in 22:6. The Faithfulness of God to the Veracity of the Word of God. God declares His faithfulness to His Word because all that can be known of God and our future comes from the Bible.

We can trust God. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Hebrews 6:17-18 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: (18) That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

We can trust what God says about God's Word. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

B. The antecedent of the word "he" found in this verse is one of the seven angels mentioned in 21:9. His message is that God is faithful to His Word of Prophecy. As we finish Revelation, we have discussed the three-fold breakdown of the Book: Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

The things which thou hast seen is chapter one (the years previous to the writing of the Book of Revelation); the things which are is chapters 2-3 (time of the writing of Revelation to the seven churches of Asia Minor) and prophetic of the impending of the church age; the things which shall be hereafter (chapters 4-22: beginning with the Rapture of the Church through eternity future). From chapter 4 and the rapture of the church to the final "Amen" in chapter 22 is future to us and, therefore, prophetic in nature.

C. As we look back over history, the Word of God has been faithfully recorded, from Adam's day to John's Day. Everything that God prophesied came to pass. From John's Day to our day, with everything prophesied coming to pass. As we approach the impending rapture of God's church, we find these last perilous days to be as it was in the days of Noah and Lot, the falling away from the Word of Truth by deceitful men, and the emergence of the Laodicean Church Age.

D. As we find the faithfulness of God in recording our day, we can also put our faith and trust in His prophecies concerning chapters 4-22: "the things which shall be hereafter." In God's faithfulness to the past and present, we find His veracity or truth concerning the things to come. If God said it, and He did, you can "take it to the bank!" The angel is reconfirming the blessing to those who hear, read, and keep the prophecies of this Book.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

What we read must be in our hand. What we hear must come from what we have in our hand. What we obey must be clear and in the Bible.

E. "His servants" encompass both the seven churches of Asia to who He has written individual letters and to those of us who faithfully read, hear, and keep the prophecies of the Book of Revelation. If we walk in the light of God's Word, we will walk as examples to this present evil world in which we live.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

F. Verse 7. In this verse, we find both the shortness of time and the suddenness of our Lord's promises to come quickly. The word "quickly" refers both to when and how He will return: the shortness of time, though 3,000 years must come to pass is still but a moment in eternity and also the suddenness of time expresses that He will come instantly and without warning.

In verse 7, we also find the sixth of the seven Beatitudes of the Blessed that are given in the Book of Revelation. 1) 1:3 – blessed is he that readeth, heareth, and keepeth 2) 14:13 – blessed are they which die in the Lord hereafter 3) 15:16 – blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments 4) 19:19 – blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper 5) 20:6 – blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection 6) 22:7 – blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book 7) 22:14 - blessed are they that do his commandments.

G. Verse 8. When John saw and heard these things, he fell face down in worship before the angel. Throughout the Bible, God's people have always fallen on their face before God while the wicked of this world have always fallen backward away from God. When watching the Charismatics of our day, the people "slain in the spirit" always fall backwards to the floor. I find no place where God's people react to the things of God in such manner.

H. Verse 9. As John fell at the feet of the angel to worship, we find his immediately giving God the glory for what has been seen and what has been told to him. In Revelation 21:9 and 22:6, the Bible is clear that this one to whom John bowed is an angel. This verse is problematic with some commentators as they believe that the Bible is saying that this one speaking is both angel and human. I believe that he is an angel, not human as there are certainly no transgender or trans angel people in the Bible. The angel is referring to his being a prophetic source that God has chosen which classifies him as a "fellowservant" and, not "one of they brethren" but "of thy brethren the prophets … of them which keep the sayings of this book." I find no contradiction in the verse. The angel is placing himself with those humans who do such things, not saying that he is one of them.

J. Verse 10. When God gave the Book of Daniel to Daniel, he was admonished to "shut up the words, and seal the book" until the time of the end: Daniel 12:4 "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." In John's Day, we find that he was told to "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand." With the coming of Christ, we entered into the "last days." There were 4 "days" or 4,000 years from the beginning to the coming of the Christ, Israel's Messiah the Promised Seed of the Woman. After the resurrection of Christ, there were to be 3 "days" or 3,000 years until the end of all things. Thus, these, being the last and lesser portion of years were biblically called the "last days" or the "last times."

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (This was accomplished on the Day of Pentecost in Acts, chapter 2.)

Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (The last days began when Jesus Christ spoke to Israel on earth.)

K. Verse 11. Many people believe that their person and desires will not be the same in eternity but the Bible is clear at this point: if you are not justified in this life, you will not be justified in eternity; if you are filthy now, you will be filthy still in eternity; if you are righteous now, you will be righteous in eternity; and if you are holy now, you will be holy in eternity. Though we that are saved are still sinners by birth and by choice, there is a part of us "sealed" until the day of redemption that is sinless.

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

That Sounds Like Home To Me! - Part 3

Temple Baptist Church - 4-17-2022

Revelation 21:27-22:5

 

A.  We saw last week that the New Jerusalem was going to be a place of unimaginable beauty.  Walls of Jasper, gates of pearl, foundations garnished with precious stones, a street of transparent gold, ivory palaces, angels attending the gates, having the glory of God, and the light of God to lighten it: like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone as clear as crystal.  A place of unimaginable size.  1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide (From New York City to Colorado and from Canada to Miami, Fl), and 1500 miles high containing 3,375,000,000 cubic miles cube laid beside cube would stretch to the sun 36.29 times,

 

B.  As we end chapter 21, we see that the New Jerusalem is a Holy Place.  A place of absolute purity.  Once again in the last verse of chapter 21, the Bible reiterates that sin is gone from all aspects of eternity.  As it was with "In the beginning God," so will be "In the beginning" of eternity with God.  The sinful who have rejected Christ will be at home in the lake of fire while the sinful who have received Christ will be at home in the New Jerusalem.

 

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

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.

 

No sinners, no sin, and no temptation to sin.  The residents of the New Jerusalem have had their sins washed in the blood of Christ and their righteousness found in the person of Christ.  Their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life because they are His.

 

C.  Verse 22:1.  The word "And" shows the continuity of the context: the description of the New Jerusalem.  We saw the City of God in chapter 21 from the outside: its glory, wall, gates, foundations, and Light.  The only description given inwardly thus far was the "street" of transparent gold.  Chapter 22 gives a more vivid picture of certain aspects of the New Jerusalem.  The silence of the Bible on the other inward beauty and design speaks of our inability to imagine such beauty and radiance.

 

D.  "A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal."  In Revelation, chapter 22, we find the Last Mention of "river" found in the Bible. The source of this beautiful river is the "throne of God and the Lamb."  James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."  It is a pure river; it is a life-giving river; it is a beautiful (clear as crystal) river. 

 

Joel 3:17-18  So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.  (18)  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

 

John 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

 

John 4:13-14  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:  (14)  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 

Revelation 7:15-17  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  (16)  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  (17)  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

 

Revelation 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

 

The First Mention of "river" found in the Bible is consistent with the last mention. 

 

Genesis 2:10  And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. (As it was in the beginning, so shall it be in eternity.)

 

E.  Verse 2.  This verse has always thrilled my soul.  Three things are depicted here and the visual that we are granted is a glorious sight. 

 

We have already seen that there will be a "street" of transparent gold and here the "river" of life.  One leads to and the other proceeds from the throne of God and the Lamb.  The street is a boulevard.  A boulevard is a divided road or street with one lane going one direction and the other lane the opposite direction.  The area between the two parts of the street or road, called the median, are normally beautified with trees or plants.  Look at the description that the Bible gives.

 

Here, we find the Tree of Life in the midst of the street.  The Tree of Life is only mentioned in two books of the Bible: Genesis, chapters 2 and 3, and Revelation, chapters 7 and 22. 

 

In Genesis, chapter 2, we find its availability to mankind in the midst of the garden of Eden.  In Genesis, chapter 3, we find its unavailability to mankind, protected by a flaming sword and Cherubims.  As to when God moved the Tree of Life to Paradise, we do not know.  If the Tree of Life was there, then was the River of Life there also.

 

Genesis 2:10  And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

 

 

In Revelation, chapter 2, we find its availability in the paradise of God, the restoration of eternal things that were from the beginning, and in chapter 22, we find its accessibility to those who are saved for all eternity.

 

The Tree of Life is also found here on "either side of the river" as well as "In the midst of the street of it."  Here is the picture that God gives us of the median of the Street of Gold.  The Street of Gold that leads to the Throne of God and The Lamb is divided by The River of Life flows which flows from the Throne of God and the Lamb. 

 

The Tree of Life is also divided as it is in the midst of the street and on either side of the river.  I get the picture of one of the giant sequoia trees out in California that has a road through the middle of it. The Tree of Life has a River of Life running through it.

 

Here is the picture:  we see the Throne of God and the Lamb with the Street of Gold leading to it and, in the median of the Street of Gold, there is the River of Life flowing out of the Throne of God and The Lamb, through the middle of the street and the Tree of Life will grow on both sides of the River of Life. 

 

F.  The Tree of Life will bear "twelve manner of fruits."  There are no identifications of what these different kinds of fruit are but the number twelve, a perfect number in the Bible, will be a perfect variety of fruits.  They will be both available, yielded her fruit every month, and accessible.  In the First Mention of the Tree of Life in the Book of Genesis, we find that Adam and Eve were able to put forth their hand and eat of the Tree.

 

G.  It will be a Tree of Life.  Our trees today either have a dormant season or, once they bear fruit, they will bear no more: such is the Banana Tree.  There will be no dormant season, nor will there be any lack of bearing.  The Bible does not expound upon the phrase found in Genesis, chapter three, which says, " lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever."

 

H.  The leaves of the Tree of Life will be for the healing of the nations.  This is not the healing of the individual because there will be no more sickness there.  Our bodies will be perfect in every way and will need no healing.  The healing of the leaves of the trees has to do with the healing of the nations on earth.  Throughout the history of mankind after the curse, nations have risen against nations with these conflicts of interest in most cases ending in wars. 

 

The leaves of this tree will evidently be used to heal, or to maintain, the relationships of the nations toward each other as eternity will be a time of peace and goodwill among the peoples of the earth.

 

J.  Verse 3.  Here it is reiterated that the curse caused by sin will be no more as God and the Lamb will both reign forever and his servants shall serve Him.  Paul spoke of the requirement of stewards in 1 Corinthians 4:2: "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." As God has been faithful to His people, His people will be faithful to Him.

 

K.  Verse 4.  "And they shall see His face."  Because of the sinfulness of men and the absolute holiness of God, no man had ever seen the face of God.  In eternity, we shall see His face.  Both the face of His person and the face of His audience.

 

Exodus 33:18-20  And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.  (19)  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.  (20)  And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

 

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

L.  "And His name shall be in their foreheads."  Ownership of mankind is once again restored as we were created by God and created for God.  Song of Solomon 2:16 says, "My beloved is mine, and I am his!"  Here, we find ownership: both by the Master and the Bond Slave.  We love and serve God because He has loved and served us.

 

Exodus 21:5-6  And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:  (6)  Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

 

M.  Verse 5.  There will be no night, no canopy of celestial lights, for God will be the Light of eternity and we will "reign for ever and ever" with Him.  Eternity will be structured as God is a God of order and this restored earth, and the New Jerusalem will be the busiest places that you will ever see.  That sounds like home to me!

That Sounds Like Home to Me! - Part 2

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-10-2022

Revelation 21:16-22:5

 

A.  Last week, we began to survey the heavenly city on earth, The New Jerusalem.  Our eternal home.  Ecclesiastes 12:5 says, "Man goeth to his long home."  Here on earth now, we live in our short home.  "Life is short; death is sure; sin the cause; Christ the cure!" 

 

B.  God's original intent for mankind was for them to live forever in a perfect place and in a perfect environment, the Garden of Eden.  When Adam sinned, God drove Adam and Eve from the Garden and placed guards to keep them from returning to the Tree of Life.

 

Genesis 3:22-24  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:  (23)  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  (24)  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

 

C.  At some point, God removed both the Eden and the Tree of Life.  The new heaven and new earth are now restored and the New Jerusalem in its place, either sitting on the earth of hovering over it.  I believe that the earth will be returned to its original glory and perfection where mankind will now live how and where God intended them to live.  They will live there for all eternity.

 

D.  In verse 16, we find that the New Jerusalem is a vast place.  The description given is that of a cube.  I am giving a picture of a cube so that you can visualize it.  Plane Geometry introduces us to area: length times width.  We use Plane Geometry as we measure to cut flat surface materials.  Solid Geometry introduces us to volume: length times width times height.  Thus, the cube.  We rarely us the cube so this picture will help us to understand the immensity New Jerusalem.

E.  The New Jerusalem "lieth foursquare," meaning that all dimensions are equal: twelve thousand furlongs.  "The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.  A furlong equals one eighth of a mile.  Twelve thousand furlongs equals 1,500 miles.  From the east coast of America to the west coast of America is 2,800 miles. 1,500 miles is over half that distance.  From New York City to Colorado!  From the Canadian Border to the Southern tip of Florida.  The area of the outside of the New Jerusalem, or net of the cube, will be 13,500,000 square miles.  The New Jerusalem, in its outer square miles would be 50.2 times as big as the state of Texas.  The inside of the New Jerusalem, or the volume of the cube, will be 3,375,000,000 cubic miles.  It is 93,000,000 miles to the sun.  If you lined single cubic miles together, the cubic miles of the New Jerusalem would stretch to the sun 36.29 times!  The New Jerusalem will be a city of indescribable size!  And Texas thinks that it has a monopoly on "big things?"  Enough room to house every person who has ever been born with space to spare.  God intended it to hold them all!

 

F. Verses 17-21.  Heaven Is A Beautiful Place!

 

1.  Walls of Jasper - Revelation 21:17-18  And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.18  And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.  (Jasper is opaque – either reflects or absorbs color.  The walls are given a size of 144 cubits or 244 feet.  The Bible does not specify if this is width or height.)

 

2.  Gates of Pearl - Revelation 21:21  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.  (The size of the gates is not given but to only have 3 gates in a 1500 mile expanse of wall, the gates would have to be sufficient in size to allow masses in at a time.)

 

3.  Foundations of Precious Stones - Revelation 21:19-20  And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20  The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

 

4.  Street of Transparent Gold – Revelation 21:21b  and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.  So pure and brilliant that you can see through it.

 

5.  Palaces Of Ivory - Psalms 45:6-8  Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.  (7)  Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  (8)  All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.  (This Psalm gives a description of the Throne and house of the Lord.)

 

G.  Verse 22.  There will be no Temple found in the New Jerusalem.  The Tabernacle in the Wilderness spoke of the veil of separation between sinful man and a thrice holy God as did Solomon and Zerubbabel's Temples and worship through mediation of the high priests.  There is a Temple mentioned in heaven today (Revelation chapters 11-16) indicating that there continues to be a place of worship through our High Priest.  The New Jerusalem will have no Temple as God will now reside with man with no mediation needed as sin will be forever gone.

 

H.  Verse 23.  The canopy of heavenly bodies, given for light, signs, and seasons will no longer be required.  Heaven's light will be the light of the glory of God as it was in the beginning.  When God said, "Let there be light," there was neither natural nor artificial light.  That "Light" was the light of God.  There will be no need of signs as there will be no uncertainties and knowledge will be perfected. We shall know even as we are known! There will be no need of seasons as there will be no changes in weather. It will be perfectly wonderful, comfortable world to live in. 

 

J.  Verses 24-25.  The New Jerusalem will be an open city.  Though only the saved under the New Covenant will live there, the "nations" of the saved and the "kings" of earth will have perfect access and bring their glory and honour to God.  As there will be nations on earth in eternity, these nations will have kings.  I believe that there will be a reciprocal access as the saved in New Jerusalem will be able to come and walk on this restored earth while the saved on earth will be a able to walk on that street of gold.  The gates will have no doors to be closed because there will be no enemies to repel and there will be no night there.

Hell: The Hidden Truth

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-29-2021

Luke 16:19-31

Introduction:

 

A.  The Earth’s core is app. 11,000 degrees at the center as far as scientists can determine.  Little is known (though scientists may disagree) about our inner Earth, so fact and fiction often run together.  Some years ago, on the Science channel, I saw an hour program on the Earth’s mantle and inner core.  They showed the molten liquid and told of the intense heat; they showed the inner core which is said to be solid where the most intense heat is, but I saw nothing about hell.  You see, they cannot see the inner Earth.  It is impossible for man to send an instrument into heat that would liquefy the metal immediately, so they must give you their idea of what is there through animation.  If they could see the mantle and core, they would see into hell!

 

1.  Most references to hell, outside of the Bible, are made in a jokingly or nonchalant manner.  When I think of the world’s view of hell, I think of the verse that says, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)  Satan has done a good job of hiding the fact of a literal burning hell and many of his preachers have denied it for years.

 

2 Peter 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  (to ridicule; to disdain; to scorn)

 

2.  As saved people, you and I also think little about hell.  The reason is this:  I’m not going there!  Since I got saved, I have not dreamed of hell nor given much thought to it.  We need to come back to the reality of hell because sinners are going there.

 

B.  I am sure that the rich man in this story did not spend much time thinking about either hell or eternity and neither did those who attended his funeral.  “and was buried.”  I often pass our two mortuaries while going into town and see long lines of people waiting to get in to view the deceased and say some words of comfort to the family.  While the 3 days of funeral activities are ongoing, the deceased is either in heaven or hell.  While the people “buried” the rich man, he “lift” up his eyes in hell, being in torments.”  Hell had become an eternal reality!  The word “lift” has always caught my attention.  If the Bible said “lifted,” then it may have been that the rich man, after a while, dropped his eyes but the word “lift” leads me to believe that his eyes may still be “lift.”

 

C.  The subject of Hell is one that is rarely preached these days. For several reasons:

 

1.  Because of the subject matter: no one likes to think of anyone going to hell.  I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.  It is not that we do not believe in hell because we know that it is as real as heaven.  It is a horrible reality, so we do not think of it often.  When is the last time that you thought of hell?

 

2.  Because of the disturbing nature of the place.  Hell needs to be preached upon, but it is not my favorite subject. 

 

3.  Because it is one subject that my finite mind cannot fathom.   I cannot grasp either heaven or hell.  They are subjects that are beyond the realm of human experience with repercussions that cannot be measured.

 

4.  Because many preachers like their “jobs” and preaching on hell is not conducive to longevity in some pulpits.  Many people do not believe in hell because God is a God of love.  He is also a God of holiness and justice!  Preaching on hell is not popular with the masses but is a necessity.  Jesus said more about hell than He did heaven!

 

D.  In our text, we find to real people.  One is named and one is not.  I am glad that I do not know who is saved or lost and do not know the name of this man who died without Christ.

 

E.  I want to look at his place called Hell for a few minutes because we need to keep its reality fresh in our minds.  Hell made a soul winner out of the rich man in this chapter, and it should make soul winners out of us.

 

1.  Hell is a Real Place.   Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

Jesus mentioned hell in our passage as a statement of fact.  As “In the beginning God” was a truth to be proclaimed, not argued, so was the doctrine of hell.  He did not ask us to believe in it, He just stated the fact of its existence.

 

a.  Hell is not the fantasy of some religionist’s mind.

b.  Hell is not a fear factor used by preachers to manipulate people.

c.  Hell is not something to be joked about or made fun of.

d.  Hell is a fact to accept.  The One who said, “I am the truth” declared it.

 

2.  Hell is an Eternal Place.  Matthew 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 

a.  There is no possible escape.

b.  There are no second chances.

c.  There is no time limit.

 

3.  Hell is a Terrible Place.   Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

1.  A lake of fire - Revelation 20:15

2.  A bottomless pit - Revelation 20:1

3.   A horrible tempest - Psalm 11:6

4.   A place of everlasting burning - Isaiah 33:14

5.   A furnace of fire - Matthew 13:41, 42

6.   A devouring fire - Isaiah 33:14

7.   A place of torments - Luke 16:23

8.   A place of everlasting punishments - Matthew 25:46

9.   A place where people pray - Luke 16:27

10.   A place where they cry for mercy - Luke 16:24

11.   A place where they wail - Matthew 13:42

12.   A place where they curse God - Revelation 16:11

13.   A place where they never repent - Matthew 12:32

14.   A place of filthiness - Revelation 22:10,11

15.   A place of weeping - Matthew 8:12

16.   A place of sorrow - Psalm 18:5

17.   A place of outer darkness - Matthew 8:12

18.   A place of where they have no rest -          Revelation 14:11

19.   A place where they gnaw their tongues - Revelation 16:10

20.   A place of blackness and darkness forever - Jude 13

21.   A place where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched - Mark 9:48

22.   A place where they are tormented with brimstone - Revelation 14:10

23.   A place from which the smoke of their torments ascendeth up forever - Revelation 14:11

24.   A place where they do not want their loved ones to come - Luke 16:28

 

4.  Hell is an Incomprehensible Place.  Our lack of comprehension does not deminish its reality and ignoring its fact will not make it go away.  Someone once said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”  I am glad that I will not have to go there but hell’s reality should be a motivating factor in all our lives.  Family, friends, acquaintances, and a multitude of people we will never meet are heading in the same direction as the rich man in Luke 16.

 

5.  Hell is a Place to be Shunned.  Mark 9:43-48  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  (44)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  (45)  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  (46)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  (47)  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:  (48)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

 

6.  Hell is a Place of Eternal Regret.  Revelation 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

 

7.  Hell is a Place of Personal Choice!  Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.