What is Heaven? (Rev 21:1-22:5) Advent 3

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Sermon outline

What is Heaven?

1. 1. 1. 1. Heaven is a new world without a sea (Rev 21:1)
            1. Does John literally mean that there is no large giant body of water?
            2. So, what did the sea evoke in the ANE world where this image is being presented? (Genesis 1:9, 21; Ex 14:27-28, Job 38:8–11; Jeremiah 5:22–23, Lk 17:2, Rev 13)
         2. Heaven is the place where God dwells with his people (Rev 21:2-3, Jn 1:14)
         3. Heaven is the place where Sin and its effects are not felt/experienced anymore (Rev 21:4)
            1. Why do we have tears accd. to the Bible? (2Ki 20:2-5)
            2. Tears imply suffering, death, and hardship (Ps 6:6)
            3. Isa 25:7-8 is a key passage on tears.
         4. Heaven is certainly coming (Rev 21:5)
         5. Heaven is present already (Rev 21:6)
            1. The thirsty get life in heaven (Mt 5:6, Jn 7:37)
            2. The conquerors will enjoy all that Jesus has just revealed. (Rev 2-3, 12:11, 15:2)
         6. Verse 8 reiterates the message that has been declared metaphorically for the last 7 verses.: All kinds of sinners are excluded from heaven.

Heaven: Take 2 (Rev 21:9-22:5)

1. 1. 1. 1. Heaven is the place where God’s character is lived out. (Rev 21:11, 23-24)
         2. Heaven is the place of security (Rev 21:12, 16)
            1. No temple because access to God is now unimpeded.
            2. No sun/moon b/c people walk and live according to God’s character and ways.
            3. The unclean can’t enter it, but only the ones who walk with Christ (Rev 21:27)
         3. Heaven is the place where the very life of God flows from his throne into the lives of people so that they are healed from all that harmed, twisted, or contorted them. (Rev 22:1-2)
         4. Heaven is the hope of the gospel bringing Joy to the heart (BC Article 37)