Return of the King

The City of God

Revelation 21:9-22:5

1. The “Framing Shot” (vss.9-11)

• Divine Origin of the City
• Throne of God & Glory of God
• Diamond/Jasper Stone in Appearance

2. The Outside of the City of God (vss.12-21)

• Great & High Wall
• 12 Gates, 12 Angels
• 12 Foundation Stones
• Cubed City - 1,500 miles cubed
• 75 acres cube per believer or 1/3 mile assuming 20 billion Christians
• Canada to Gulf of America, from Colorado to Atantic
• Wall - 72 yards thick
• Jasper - diamond like stone
• Pure, glass like gold
• Foundation stones
• 12 Gates of Pearl - 1.500 miles high

3. The Inside of the City of God (vss.21-22:2)

• Streets of pure, glass like gold
• No Temple
• No need of sun or moon
• Always day
• Perfectly holy
• River of Life
• Tree of Life

1. Live Now in Light of Future Glory

2. Pursue Holiness, for Nothing Unclean Will Enter Heaven

3. Take Comfort in the Presence of God

4. Witness Boldly, for the Nations Need the Light of the Lamb

5. Rest in God’s Sovereign Triumph

6 Features of the New Heaven and New Earth

1. The New Unveiling

2. The New Capital

3. The New Closeness with God

4. The New “No Mores”

5. The Residents of the New Heaven and Earth

Who are the Citizens of Heaven? One Who Thirsts One Who Overcomes

6. The Residents of the lake of fire

Revelation 22:15

Romans 1:28–32

1 Corinthians 6:9–10

Galatians 5:19–21

2 Timothy 3:2–5

• Cowardly
• Unbelieving
• Abominable
• Murderers
• Immoral Persons
• Sorcerers
• Idolaters
• Liars

Return of the King

Longing for Heaven, Longing for Home

Homesick for a place I have never been

Revelation 21:1-4

Heaven - Bible 500+ times

Revelation 50x

Heaven

1. Atmosphere Genesis 1:20
2. Space Genesis 15:5
3. Dwelling place of God Hebrews 9:24

Actual Place not just a Spiritual State John 14:2-3

Characteristics

1. Up - Revelation 4:1-7; 1 Corinthians 7:2
2. Far - Luke 23:43
3. Close - 2 Cor 5:8
4. Real

1. We are to Focus on Heaven

Philippians 3:20

Colossians 3:1–2

James 4:4

1 John 2:15–17

2. Why are to Focus on Heaven?

1. Father is there
2. Jesus is there
3. Fellow believers Hebrews 12:23
4. Name recorded in Heaven Revelation 3:5; 13:8
5. Citizens of Heaven Philippians 3:20
6. Inheritance there 1 Peter 1:4
7. Reward Matt 5:12
8. Treasure Matt 6:21
9. Strangers, exiles on earth 1 Peter 2:11
10. Death no longer victor but door 1 Corinthians 15:26
11. Far, far better Philippians 1:21,23

3. How Does Focusing on Heaven affect us?

1. Anticipate glorified bodies - 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:12
2. Live holy and pure lives 1 John 3:3
3. Longing for Heaven increases our awareness of Salvation Luke 12:34
4. Affects our character
5. Joy & Comfort in trials 2 Corinthians 4:17
6. Repellant for Sin Romans 8:5-6
7. Increases of zeal for service
8. Honors God

4. What are some things that are “no longer” in Heaven?

1. No more sea vs Revelation 21:1
2. Death Revelation 21:4
3. Mourning Revelation 21:4
4. Weeping/tears Revelation 21:4
5. Pain Revelation 21:4
6. Curse Revelation 22:3
7. Night Revelation 21:25; 22:5
8. No more thirst Revelation 21:6
9. Wickedness Revelation 21:8, 27
10. Temple Revelation 21:22
11. Locks/closed gates Revelation 21:25