Revelation Lesson 12

Lesson 12

Heaven -- Your Eternal Home ?

Revelation Chapters 21-22

Well, believe it or not, we have come to the final lesson in our study of Revelation! But, WOW, what a lesson! What a topic! HEAVEN!!!!! Will you be there with us? We certainly do hope and pray so.

So, what is Heaven REALLY like? Doubtless you have heard all kinds of ideas about and descriptions of Heaven, what it is like, where it is, who is there, and what you do (or don't do) there.. For example, you may have heard that in Heaven, everyone becomes an angel and sits around on clouds playing Harps! Others have told you that Heaven is not real and that it is just a figment of your imagination. Still others have said that Heaven is a glorious and awesome place where you know people and you have things to do and ....

So, what is true? Is there a REAL Heaven? And who will be there? And what are the requirements for being in Heaven? Can just anyone go there? And what will we do in Heaven? And and and....

Well, let's look at some of these questions and see what the Bible tells us about Heaven. We have already discovered, in a previous lesson, that there really IS a Hell. So, it seems logical that there really IS a Heaven, also. And, you know what? There IS a REAL Heaven! And in this lesson, we are going to learn a lot about it.

So, as we usually do, let's begin by reading what the Bible says about Heaven. There are several places in the Bible where it is mentioned, but, one of the most detailed descriptions of Heaven is located in, you guessed it, the Book of Revelation. We have already had glimpses into Heaven in Chapters 4 and 7 and in other passages in Revelation. But, the most detailed description is found in Chapters 21 and 22. So, let's begin by reading those two chapters and, as we read, let's get out our colored pens or pencils and do some marking. OK? OK.

Your first assignment is to read Revelation Chapters 21 & 22 and, as you read, mark the following:

CITY... Mark this by putting a PURPLE SQUARE or TRIANGLE around the word, City, or words used in its place (The Holy City, Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem, it, its, etc.)

NEW HEAVEN...(21:1)...put a BLUE CIRCLE or OVAL around the word or words used in its place.

NEW EARTH......(21:1)...put a GREEN CIRCLE around the word or words..and color the inside brown

BRIDE.... put a GREEN STICK FIGURE of a person with a long robe on all the words, bride, or words used in place of this word (her, wife, etc)

WATER OF LIFE.(21:6; 22:1,2,17)..put a BLUE wiggly OVAL around the phrase and shade the inside blue.

TREE OF LIFE...(22:2,14,19)...draw a stick figure GREEN TREE on the word or words

OVERCOMES..(21:7).. put a GREEN OVAL around the world and shade the inside green.

FIERY LAKE OF BURNING SULFUR, or whatever phrase your Bible uses in 21:8... put a RED WIGGLY OVAL around the phrase and words and color the inside of the oval red.

NATIONS...(21:24; 22:2).....put a BROWN CIRCLE around the word

LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE...(21:27)....GREEN OVAL around the phrase and color the inside YELLOW

WORSHIP...(22:9)....GREEN CIRCLE around the word and shade the inside GREEN

OK, that is your assignment. Of course, you may use different colors and symbols if you prefer. These are only suggestions. And, in those places where I gave you precise locations, I may have missed some. So, if you see more, please DO mark them, too. And, if you see other significant words or phrases that you want to mark, choose a color and symbol and mark them! There are many more things that I marked but I didn't want to overwhelm you with too many. But, you have been reading and marking things for weeks now, so feel free to mark more. Do not be limited to these suggestions.

OK.... it is time to Read Rev. 21 and 22 and mark your words. When you have finished, return here and we will have some thoughts for you to ponder and some questions for you to answer.

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Wow! What an awesome description of Heaven. And this only really scratches the surface of the amazing and indescribable splendors and glories of Heaven. Indeed, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 2:9, speaking of Heaven and quoting from Isaiah 64:4, said: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."

So knowing that we will not be able to fully understand or comprehend what God has prepared, let's try to consider what has been revealed to us in these Chapters of Rev. and elsewhere in the Bible.

First of all, we learned in Rev. 21:1 that the heaven and earth described in Chapters 21 & 22 are (circle your answer) ............................. NEW.......................THE SAME AS NOW

Yes! They are NEW! So, what had happened to the "first" heaven and earth? (21:1) ______

________________________________________________________________________

How do the First heaven and the first earth pass away? Before you answer that question, read the following scriptures and underline (in a color of your choice) the answer when you find it.

Psalm 102:25-26 In the beginning You (God) laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But My salvation will last forever, My righteousness will never fail.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

2 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Ok, I will ask you again -- How do the First heaven and the first earth pass away? __

_____________________________________________________________________

And, while we are on the subject of the First Heaven and the First earth passing away, the question that needs to be asked is WHY! Why do they have to pass away? What is their problem? Why do they have to be totally destroyed by FIRE???

Well, in one word it is because of SIN!

Because of the SIN of Adam and Eve, evil of every kind came into this world -- disease, cancer, thorns, war, storms, hurricanes, anger, hatred, jealousy, lust, covetousness, greed, animals became ferocious ... In fact EVERYTHING that is evil and bad and horrible entered the world, at the time of their sin, including the worst evil of all, DEATH! Therefore, ALL of mankind and ALL of creation was and is infected with SIN.

And, the only way for a person to be freed from sin and its effects is to accept the atoning Blood sacrifice of Jesus which covers us and makes us Holy and sinless in God's sight. Why? Because, the BLOOD of Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and therefore provides the way for us to be declared Righteous (sinless and holy). BUT, every person who does NOT accept the atoning blood sacrifice of Jesus, and all of God's original creation (the animals, trees, plants, earth, EVERYTHING) has to be destroyed in order to be purged of sin. And the way they must be destroyed is by FIRE.

Do you understand now why Jesus' eyes are described as "eyes like blazing fire" (1:14; 19:12, etc)!

Do you see now why, at the Bema Judgment, our works, thoughts, deeds, etc. are judged by being tested by FIRE and only those things which survive (Gold, Silver, Precious Stones) are rewarded. (By the way, do these things remind you of the description of Heaven? Streets of Gold? Foundation stones of Precious Jewels, etc? Hmmmm).

And, do you see why EVERYONE who REFUSES to Choose to serve God and to accept the atoning Blood sacrifice of Jesus is thrown into the FIERY Lake of BURNING Sulfur? Hmmmmmm. So, God REALLY means it when He says that He hates sin and cannot and will not tolerate sin and cannot and will not abide with sin.

So, the first heaven and the first earth MUST be purified and this is done by FIRE... "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." And the reason this has to happen is to purge, punish, and destroy SIN.

Remember what Paul said in Romans 8:20-23 -- "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. .."

And this adoption and this liberation will be accomplished totally and fully when the first (old) heaven and earth pass away and the new heaven and earth are made.

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So, then, how will the new heaven and the new earth come to be? Again, read the following verses and underline the answer when you find it.

Isaiah 65:17 Behold I (God) will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah 66:22 "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure."

Ok, now you know-- so -- how will the new heaven and the new earth come to be? _______

_______________________________________________________________________

Amazing! And, did you notice in Isaiah 65:17 it said "The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."

Well, let's see what some of those "former things" are. It is interesting that in Revelation we have 7 NO MORES concerning these "former things." There will be more "no MORES" than these 7, but it is interesting to note the 7 which are explicitly given in Revelation.

To find out what these 7 NO MORES are, read Rev. 21:1-4 and 22:3 & 5 and, as you discover each of the NO MORES, highlight it in YELLOW (or a color of your choice.) Then, list what you found in the space provided here. I will do the first one for you as an example.

In Heaven and for eternity there will be NO MORE

No More _________ any sea ____________ 21:1

No More ____________________________ 21:4

No More ____________________________ 22:3

No More ____________________________ 22:5

And why is it that these things will be no more? (21:4-5) Because, ... for the _______

____________________________ and God is making _________________________

WOW! And there are other scriptures which affirm this. Here are a few just for your joyous perusal. When you see the "no MORES" in these passages, highlight them as you did in the Rev. verses.

Isaiah 25:8 He (God) will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all the faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.

1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

WOW again !

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And, in addition to the 7 NO MORES, there are going to be at least 7 NEW THINGS!

So, let's look at some of the many NEW THINGS which God "has prepared for those who love Him."

Read the following verses in Revelation, and as you find the 7 NEW THINGS, underline or highlight them in a color of your choice (I used GOLD/ORANGE). One of these New Things is a little difficult to see since it is a concept instead of a word for you to underline, so I will fill it in on the list for you. But, I think you will agree when you read the verses describing it. Ok, Read, mark, and record the NEW THINGS.

In Heaven and Eternity there will be 7 NEW THINGS:

NEW _________________________ 21:1

NEW _________________________ 21:2

NEW _________________________ 21:5

NEW _______Paradise _________ 22:1-5

NEW _________________________ 22:5

NEW _________________________ 22:3

Wow! Amazing again. And I assume your answers were: a new Heaven, a new Earth, a new Jerusalem, new things, a new Paradise, a new source of light, and a new location for God's throne.

And while we are looking at these New Things and contemplating the wonders of the eternity which is still before us, probably some of you have noticed that there seem to be some interesting contrasts -- between Genesis, the FIRST book of the Bible, and Revelation, the LAST book of the Bible. Let's look at a few of these now. I will give you the Genesis "thing" and the verse location if you want to look it up. Then, I will provide space for you to show the "new thing" or the "completion" or the "fulfillment" or the "replacement thing" or the "contrast" or whatever.... Sound like fun? Yes.... and I will do the first one for you as an example of how to do this.

................GENESIS..................................................REVELATION

1:1 Heavens and earth were created.............21:1 The New Heavens and earth are created

1:5 There is Night........................................22:5

1:10 The seas are created............................22:1

1:16 Sun created.........................................21:23

3:14-17 The Curse begins...........................22:3

3:17 Sorrow and pain begin.........................21:4

3:19 Death begins........................................21:4

3:24 Man is driven from Paradise.................22:14

And there are even more parallels and contrasts between Genesis and Revelation; these are only a representative sample. Wow! What a God!

The Holy City, the New Jerusalem

But, we must continue on. So, let's look now at one of the NEW THINGS in more detail. Let's look at the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which John saw coming down out of Heaven. Why do we want to look at this? Because this is going to be our HOME for eternity! Anyone who Chooses to serve God and chooses to accept the FREE gift of Salvation offered by Jesus WILL LIVE FOREVER in this Holy City! So, let's check it out! Let's take a tour of our new home.

Read Rev. 21:9-22:5 and, as you read, on a separate piece of paper, list EVERYTHING you learn about this beautiful city, your future home! I will begin this list for you so you will have an idea of how to do this assignment.

The Holy City, Jerusalem, MY future eternal home !!!

21:10 comes down out of Heaven from God

21:11 shines with the Glory of God

21:11 is as brilliant as a very precious jewel

21:11 is like a jasper, clear as crystal

21:12 has a great high wall with 12 gates with 12 angels at the gates (hmmmm....no mention of St. Peter

at the gates. It says angels. Hmmmm. Interesting.)

21:12 on the gates were written......

OK , you get the idea. Now, get a blank piece of paper and start writing down the information about your future home. And, when you get an insight such as I did concerning St. Peter or when you have some comment you want to make... include it in the list. You see, this is one of the reasons you are making the list. So you can understand and clarify and etc. what you are reading and learning.

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Well, I see you have finished. And WOW! Is The New Jerusalem exciting or what!!!

And did you notice the dimensions of the City in which your home will be located? WOW! Talk about a LOT of space and not being hemmed in and cramped!!! Look again at 21:16. What does this verse say concerning how BIG the city is?

It is __________ miles long and _____________ miles wide and ____________ miles high.

Say what? 1500 miles !!! (Yes, some versions say 1400, but hey, when it is THIS big, what is a hundred miles? Why that is probably like going to the postoffice or to visit a neighbor, so let's not quibble about 100 miles.) Anyway, think of it! 1500 miles long and 1500 miles wide and 1500 miles HIGH! WOW! For those of you doing this study who live in the United States, do you know that from NY to Houston is 1610 miles and from NY to Oklahoma City is 1476 miles and from Miami to Boston is 1520 miles! This is a BIG city! And, it seems to be as TALL as it is long and wide. What if you have a Penthouse Apartment on the 1500 mile high level ! WHAT A VIEW !!!!

Some people say this city is in the shape of a CUBE, because they say, that since God will be in the City, that these dimensions are based on the fact that the Most Holy Place, where God dwelt, in the Tabernacle and in the Temple were perfect CUBES. But, others say these dimensions describe a humongous PYRAMID. Well, the way these measurements are given, you really can't say for sure which is correct. So, I guess that will be just one more surprise for us when we get there. But, whichever, it really is going to be awesome! WOW.

And this city, as HUGE as it is, is not made out of concrete, bricks, cement, asphalt, and steel! Look at the building materials again. What is it made of? List the building materials here:

21:18 Walls made of ____________________

21:18 The City was of ____________________

21:19 Foundations are decorated with ___________________________

21:19-20 The 12 Foundations were made of (list the stones) ______________________

_____________________________________________________________________

21:21 The 12 gates were made of __________________________

21:21 The Great Street is made of ____________________________

Even the measuring rods are made of (21:15) _______________________

What is flowing down the middle of the Great Golden street? (22:1) ____________________

And what is on each side of this river? (22:2) _____________________________________

And what does this tree have and do? (22:2) _____________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Is there any night in this city? (22:5)..............YES...................NO

Why? (21:23 &22:5) ____________________________________________________

Where does the light come from? (21:23) _____________________________________

WOW, the Bible really is correct when it says:"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." This is just totally astounding!

But even more astounding is WHO will be living with us!!!!

WHO? (21:3, 22 &22:3-4) ______________________________________________

During the 1000y Millennium, there was a Temple in Jerusalem. Is there a Temple in this NEW Jerusalem? Explain your answer: ___________________________________________

Where is the Throne of God located? (22:3) __________________________________

Who will be IN this City and what will they / we be doing?

(21:3) _______________________________________________________________

(21:24) ______________________________________________________________

(21:26) ______________________________________________________________

(21:27) ______________________________________________________________

(22:3-5) _____________________________________________________________

(22:14) ______________________________________________________________

Who will NOT be in this city, indeed will not be allowed to even enter it? (list them all)

(21:8) _______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

(21:27) ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

(22:15) ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Where will these people be who are not allowed to enter the city?

(21:8) _______________________________________________________________

(22:15) _____________________________________________________________

So Where is the Fiery Lake of Burning sulfur located? (22:15) _____________________

____________________________________________________________________

Yes, it is outside the City!

Hmmmmm. Do you think they will be able to SEE the City from their location in the Fiery lake of Burning Sulfur? Before you answer this question, in addition to what you already know from reading Revelation 22:15, read this passage from Isaiah 65:22-24.

Isaiah 65:22-24 "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before Me," declares the Lord, "so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before Me," says the Lord. "And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind."

Now, let me ask you again: Will these people who are in the Fiery Lake of Burning Sulfur and are NOT allowed to enter the city (because they are the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, all liars, those who do what is shameful or deceitful, the dogs, ...the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood)... will they be able to SEE the City from their location in the Fiery lake of Burning Sulfur?........................YES.......................NO

What did God mean in that Isaiah 65 passage when He said they (the dwellers in the New Jerusalem) will look upon the DEAD bodies ..... does this mean that when they were thrown into Fiery lake of burning Sulfur that they were killed?.................YES....................NO

No, it does not! What DEAD means here is that they are DEAD in their sins and they do not have the new victorious Resurrection Life that Jesus gives to all who choose to serve Him.

This verse also reminds us that you do NOT get a second chance to choose Christ after you die physically. At the Great White Throne Judgement and at NO time after you die do you get a second chance. You either Choose to serve God BEFORE you die physically or you don't.

If you do Choose to serve God, you are given Christ's Resurrection life and you will live with God and Christ FOREVER in this wonderful and awesome city and environment!

BUT, if you did NOT Choose to serve God, you are still DEAD in your unrepented and, therefore, unforgiven sins. Therefore you are considered DEAD as far as being able to live eternally in the bliss and happiness of Heaven. But, you are definitely AWARE of the pain and suffering which you will experience in the fiery lake of burning sulfur, which will be your eternal home!

? Do you see now why God wants us to Choose NOW....Today...while there is still time to make this choice?

? Do you see now why Jesus came from heaven to earth 2000 years ago to give His life as a ransom for anyone who will accept His free Gift of Eternal LIFE in glory joy and happiness, instead of having to live an eternal living DEATH in pain and suffering and anguish in the Fiery Lake of Burning Sulfur!

And, to make it even worse, those who are spending their eternity suffering in a conscious DEATH of awareness in the Fiery Lake are able to SEE the heavenly bliss that they are missing ! ARRRG! That makes it even worse! As if it could be worse!!!!

? And, do you see why God has to wipe away every tear from our eyes... as we in the Heavenly City know that some of our loved ones and friends are there in that horrible lake of Fiery Sulfur.....and perhaps can even see them and hear their cries of despair and suffering?

? Do you see now why Jesus said in Mark 9:43,45,47-49: "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out... and if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. ... And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."

You have probably heard many people say that Jesus did NOT mean that we were to literally cut off our hand or foot our pluck out our eye.... BUT, based on what you know about Heaven and the Fiery Lake of Burning Sulfur (Hell), what do you think Jesus meant? _______________

_____________________________________________________________________

Explain your answer: ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Oh, and by the way, you probably noticed that Jesus said that "their worm does not die." Well, this is another confirmation that the DEAD bodies are not dead in the sense of being unfeeling and unable to experience pain and anguish an grief... but that their worm (spirit) is still alive and never dies...but continues to experience this pain and torment for ETERNITY.....

And.... ETERNITY is a long long long long time.... like FOREVER !!!!!!

Friend, you ARE going to spend eternity somewhere.....

either in the Fiery Lake of Burning Sulfur.... OR..... in Heaven in the New Jerusalem!

It is YOUR CHOICE!

The Lord Jesus Christ is TODAY offering you the free gift of Salvation

which will enable you to spend ETERNITY with Him in HIS Home!

There is NO third place. There is NO second chance!

Choose Wisely, my friend! Choose VERY wisely!

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For those of you who have Chosen wisely, let's look briefly again at what we will be DOING for Eternity in Heaven and in God's Holy City, the New Jerusalem.

You will recall that in Lesson 10 we looked at many passages from Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Many of these referred ONLY to the Millennium but many of them ALSO referred to things which will occur in ETERNITY. I will not reprint all of those Scriptures here but would suggest that you go back and reread them. However, some of you are probably doing this lesson as a "stand alone" lesson and do not have those Scriptures readily available. So, for you, I will include a few of the passages.

Specifically, as you read these Scriptures, be looking for the answers to questions like these:

What is the name of the Kingdom in which we will be living? Who will be the King? Who will be God? Who will the people worship and How and When? Who will be inhabitants of this Kingdom? Will anyone other than God have positions of authority and rulership? If so, who will these authorities answer to? Will there be marriages? Will there be babies born? Will anyone ever die? Will people get mad at each other? Will people be jealous of others? Will there be work to do? Will the people living in this Kingdom build houses? Plant vineyards? Farm crops? Will we be able to eat? Will there be animals? What will be the relationships of the people with animals? Is everyone turned into angels or are angels another group of individuals who inhabit this Kingdom? How long will this Kingdom last? Will there be a Jewish nation? Will there be Gentile nations? Will everyone live inside the City of New Jerusalem or will some live in other countries or places elsewhere? ... Well, you get the idea.

In other words, as you read these passages, THINK! Think about what this ETERNAL Kingdom of God is going to be like!

So, as you read these verses, when you see anything that seems to be answering these questions by describing events or activities which occur in the New Jerusalem or during ETERNITY (not the 1000 years but ETERNITY), underline it in PURPLE.

Ok, here are the passages:

Isaiah 9: 6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 65:17-25 Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach {Or the sinner who reaches} a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands. They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.

Ezekiel 37:15-28 (NKJV) The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, `Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.' Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, `Ephraim's stick, belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel associated with him.' Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand. When your countrymen ask you, `Won't you tell us what you mean by this?' say to them, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph--which is in Ephraim's hand--and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah's stick, making them a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand.' Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on and say to them, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the LORD make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.'"

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WOW! What an amazing time Eternity is going to be!

Now, remember those questions? Well, let's see if any of them were answered either in those passages which you just read or in Revelation or in any of the verses we have read in this lesson and course:

What is the name of the Kingdom in which we will be living? _________________________

Who will be the King? _____________________________________________________

Who will be God? ________________________________________________________

Who will the people worship and How and When? ________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Who will be inhabitants of this Kingdom? ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Will anyone other than God have positions of authority and rulership? If so, who? And who will these authorities answer to? _________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Will there be marriages?...................YES................NO

Will there be babies born?................YES................NO

Will anyone ever die?.......................YES................NO

Explain your answer: _____________________________________________________

Will people get mad at each other?....YES...............NO

Will people be jealous of others?.......YES...............NO

Will there be work to do?..................YES..............NO

Will the people living in this Kingdom build houses?................YES.............NO

Plant vineyards?................................YES...............NO

Farm crops?.....................................YES...............NO

Will we be able to eat?......................YES...............NO

Will there be animals?........................YES...............NO

What will be the relationships of the people with animals? ___________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Is everyone turned into angels or are angels another group of individuals who inhabit this Kingdom?

______________________________________________________________________

How long will this Kingdom last? _____________________________________________

Will there be a Jewish nation?.............YES................NO

Will there be Gentile nations?..............YES................NO

Will everyone live inside the City of New Jerusalem or willl some live in other countries or places elsewhere? ___________________________________________________________

And now, let's THINK about some more things about the future in this Kingdom. These next questions are not answered in the scriptures that you read. And, indeed they are not answered anywhere in the Bible as far as I know (but, then, I don't know everything). But, remember that Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:9, speaking of Heaven and quoting from Isaiah 64:4,: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." So, seemingly there is even MORE to Eternity than what is described for us in these and other passages in the Bible. So, let's THINK of some of the possibilities.

Will there be Cars? Airplanes? And other kinds of transportation that we have not even conceived of yet? Will there be space travel?

Will we be able to live on other planets? in other Galaxies?

What kinds of work will people be doing? Will they enjoy it?

Will there be television? radio? satellites? And, if so, what KINDS of programs will be on them?

Will there be movies? music? concerts? And, if so, what KINDS of movies and music?

Who will we worship? And HOW? and WHY? What will we say and do while worshiping?

and.....

Well, of course, we really don't know the answers to those questions, though they are interesting things to think about. But, again, we remember that "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." And, even the things that we THINK MIGHT happen during Eternity will pale by comparison when we really get there and REALLY see what God has prepared for those of us who will be with Him forever!!!!

It is going to be wonderful and awesome beyond ANYTHING we can even think about or imagine!

And, this is SOON going to be a reality for all of us. Whether we are alive at the time of the Rapture of the Church and enter God's Kingdom as a part of the HUGE group of those who enter at the rapture... or whether we die before the rapture and enter individually into the presence of God and into His Kingdom, ... either way, it is going to be SOON.

Read Revelation 22:7-21.

Jesus said, in 22:7 _________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________.

When Jesus said that He is coming SOON, the Greek word used is TACHOS (#5034),which means "promptly, swiftly, quickly." For you sports car and race car enthusiasts, you no doubt noticed that our English word "tachometer" comes from this word. And, that word is a clue as to the HOW of Christ's return. When it happens, it will be SWIFTLY!

In the meantime we are to (22:7) ____________________________________________

And we are to (22:9b) ___________________________________________________

Yes! We are to keep (obey, heed) the words of the prophecy in this book and we are to WORSHIP GOD!

How can we "keep the words of prophecy"? What can and should we do? _____________

______________________________________________________________________

And we are to NOT (22:18) ________________________________________________

Why? _________________________________________________________________

And we are to NOT (22:19) ________________________________________________

Why? _________________________________________________________________

When Jesus came the FIRST time, 2000 years ago,

He "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45). He came as "the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29b) "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

When Jesus comes next,

it will be for the Rapture of the Church.

But, When Jesus comes at the end of the 7 Years,

He will Come as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

He will, at that time, put an END to the destruction and evil being promoted by the Antichrist and the False Prophet. He will put an end to "History as we know it" and will begin to Rule His Kingdom. And He will begin with His 1000 year Millennial Rule.

At the END of the Millennial Rule, Jesus will put an end to the FINAL rebellion of mankind against Him, against all who do not choose to serve and obey Him.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><

We know that there is no second chance but, right now TODAY, Jesus is still inviting people to Choose to Serve Him and to live with Him forever in His Glorious Eternal Kingdom, The Kingdom of God.

Why is there this delay? Why doesn't God end "history" right now and begin His eternal Kingdom of glorious joy and peace now? Why is God waiting?

Read these 2 verses from 2 Peter and underline the answer:

2 Peter 3:9, 15a "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ... Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation ..."

So, WHY is God waiting? _________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Is He waiting for YOU?

Is He waiting for you to tell others? Your family? Your friends?

Or Is He waiting for YOU TO DECIDE TO CHOOSE to SERVE HIM?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.

If you have not yet personally chosen to serve The Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and to accept the forgiveness of sins which has been freely provided to you by the atoning sacrifice of His Blood, and to be a part of His eternal Kingdom, you can do that now.

This is how:

1. Believe that Jesus died for you on the Cross and rose from the Grave and Lives NOW.

2. Admit to God that you are a sinner.

3. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent of them and forsake them.)

4. Confess your specific sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you.

.....(He WILL forgive you IF you are truly serious about this.)

5. Ask Jesus to come into your life and be your Lord and Master forever.

IF you are willing to accept Christ's gift of Salvation, have your sin nature removed and be replaced with the Righteousness of Jesus, and live forever in His Kingdom with Jesus as your Master, King and Lord, you may! And you can do this NOW by praying a prayer such as this:

Lord Jesus,

I desire to live with you forever in Your Kingdom and under Your rule. I know that You, Jesus, ARE the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and ARE the Lord and Master and Creator of the Universe and everything in it, including me.

I believe that You died as payment for my death penalty which I deserve for the sins that I have committed. I confess to you that I have sinned ......

(stop and name your sins to Him and agree that you did sin and ask His forgiveness.... this may take a while...but do it!.....)

I ask your forgiveness for all of these sins and am willing to forsake them forever. I desire to let You be my Master and Lord and Savior forever. Please come into my heart and life and control me. I am willing for You to teach me, guide me, and use me for Your purposes and glory now and forever.

Thank you God Jesus, for saving me!

Signed ___________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________

If you prayed that prayer, or one like it, sign it and date it. And know that from this day forward, should you die or should the Lord come for His church (and for you), that you WILL be with Him forever in His eternal Kingdom.

And you, too, will be able to say with John and with all of us who are longing for His soon return,

"Amen, Come, Lord Jesus !"

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