Sunday
Morning Bible Study
July 8, 2001
Introduction
We’ve been through the Rapture, the Tribulation, the coming of the
antichrist, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Thousand Year reign of Jesus
on earth, and the Great White Throne judgment. We are now entering what is
known as “eternity”, the “forever and ever” of the Bible.
:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away
new – kainos
– new; as respects form, recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn; as
respects substance, of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of
passed away – parerchomai
– to go past, pass by; metaph. to pass away, perish
Lesson
It’s all going to burn
After Jesus returns and rules on the earth for 1,000 years, there will be a
brief moment when Satan will be released one last time. Satan will create one
last huge revolt against Jesus, the fire of God will wipe out all of God’s
enemies, and there will be a final judgment known as the “Great White Throne
Judgment” (we covered this last week).
(Rev 20:11 KJV) And I saw a
great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the
heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
It is at this time that the earth as we know it will disappear. Peter tells us that it will all burn up with
intense heat (2Pet. 3:10).
The point is, where do you place your “valuables”? Where are your
“investments”?
Jesus said,
(Mat 6:19-21 NLT) "Don't store up treasures here on
earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break
in and steal. {20} Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become
moth--eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. {21} Wherever
your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
It’s not hard to get into the trap of wanting and buying the latest
“stuff”. We like to have the latest computer, the latest software, the hottest
car, and the nicest house. And then we have to work two or three jobs to
support all the payments.
Illustration
Unusual Burial
Last September the San Francisco Chronicle reported a strange scene at the
Cypress Lawn burial grounds. A young man who had been killed in a motorcycle
accident was buried. That in itself was not so uncommon, but the fact that the
Harley-Davidson bike he was riding when he was killed was buried with him was
highly unusual! His sobbing mother explained, “It was his whole life!”
One day it’s all going to burn up. One day as a Christian, you will be
standing in heaven, and what will you have sent on ahead? It’s not the stuff you’re buried with that
goes ahead, it’s the way you serve Jesus now that sends stuff up ahead.
:1 and there was no more sea.
sea – thalassa
– the sea; used of the sea in general; used specifically of the
Mediterranean Sea or the Red Sea. No
more sea. No more surfing or
sailing. Bummer.
Why no sea? There are many
theories, but basically God hasn’t told us why.
Some have suggested that the
purpose of the earth’s oceans is to act as a cleansing agent.
70% of the earth’s surface is
covered with oceans at an average depth of 2.3 miles. The antiseptic value of the salt water (3.5%) works to clean the
earth of poisons. But in the new earth,
there will be no need for cleansing.
:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of
heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
coming down – katabaino
– to go down, come down, descend
prepared – hetoimazo
– to make ready, prepare; to make the necessary preparations, get
everything ready; metaph. drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before
kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passable; to
prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings
a bride – numphe
– a betrothed woman, a bride; a recently married woman, young wife; a young
woman
adorned – kosmeo
– to put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare; to ornament, adore;
metaph. to embellish with honour, gain honour.
The verb is a perfect tense meaning that the “adorning” has happened in
the past and the results continue on into the present.
husband – aner
– with reference to sex; of a male; of a husband; of a betrothed or future
husband
We’ll look more at the “New Jerusalem” next week.
Though in a sense this is indeed is an actual “city” that is 1500 miles
square, there is a sense in which this New Jerusalem is a picture of us as
well. The city is composed of its inhabitants. The Bible describes Jesus as the
groom and the church as the bride.
Lesson
It’s Makeover Time
The bride was “adorned” (kosmeo, “cosmetics”), she had her “makeup”
on she was ready for the wedding.
(Eph 5:25-28 KJV)
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word, {27} That he might present it to himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and
without blemish. {28} So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He
that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Jesus loves His bride the church and gave His up His life to pay for the
sins of the world. But Jesus is also working to prepare His church for the
wedding day by “washing” the church in the “water” of His Word, it’s a
“makeover”.
As you and I spend time daily reading the Bible, God’s
Word, Jesus will do His work of taking away spots and wrinkles. He is making us
more and more beautiful as we let Him work in our lives.
It works like this – as you open up God’s Word, you will
find that Jesus will begin to speak to you. Sometimes you will hear Him tell
you about how much He loves you. Sometimes He will tell you things to encourage
you and build you up. Sometimes He will point out the “spots and wrinkles” in
your life. As you let Jesus work in your life, He will make you more beautiful,
prepared for heaven.
Husbands, we too are to wash our wives in our own words as well.
Illustration
Marriage and Seven Years of the Common Cold
1st year: “Sugar dumpling, I’m really worried about my baby
girl. You’ve got a bad sniffle and there’s no telling about these things with
all this strep going around. I’m putting you in the hospital this afternoon for
a general checkup and a good rest. I know the food’s lousy, but I’ll be
bringing your meals in from Rossini’s. I’ve already got it arranged with the
floor superintendent.”
2nd year: “Listen, darling, I don’t like the sound of that
cough. I called Doc Miller and asked him to rush over here. Now you go to bed
like a good girl, please? Just for papa.”
3rd year: “Maybe you’d better lie down, honey; nothing like a
little rest when you feel lousy. I’ll bring you something to eat. Have you got
any canned soup?”
4th year: “Now look dear, be sensible. After you’ve fed the
kids, washed the dishes, and finished the floor, you’d better lie down.”
5th year: “Why don’t you take a couple of aspirin?”
6th year: “I wish you’d just gargle or something, instead of
sitting around all evening barking like a seal!”
7th year: “For Pete’s sake, stop sneezing! Are you trying to
give me pneumonia?”
From the Saturday Evening Post several years ago
The words you use with your wife will either tear her down or build her up.
If you continue to wash her with kind, edifying words, she will grow more and
more beautiful under your love.
:3 …and he will dwell with them …
the tabernacle – skene
– tent, tabernacle, (made of green boughs, or skins or other materials); of
that well known movable temple of God after the pattern of which the temple at
Jerusalem was built
he will dwell – skenoo
– to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a
tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle; to dwell
This is “heaven”. Currently we
refer to “heaven” as the place where God is dwelling right now, but in the
future, this is where we will be spending eternity. Heaven is being in
God’s presence.
:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes …
shall wipe – exaleipho
(“out of” + “to anoint”) – to anoint or wash in every part; to wipe off,
wipe away; to obliterate, erase, wipe out, blot out
death – thanatos
– the death of the body; that separation (whether natural or violent) of
the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended; with the implied
idea of future misery in hell
sorrow – penthos
– mourning
crying – krauge
– a crying, outcry, clamour
pain – ponos
– great trouble, intense desire; pain; gives prominence to the effort (work
as requiring force)
former – protos
– first in time or place; in any succession of things or persons
are passed away – aperchomai
– to go away, depart
Lesson
No more tears
We believe that there must be some kind of memory and recognition beyond
the grave. Peter was somehow able to recognize Moses and Elijah when they
appeared with Jesus (Mat. 17). And
there will be things in heaven that are definitely tied to the old life such as
nations (21:24), and even the Lamb (22:3) who died for our sins.
Some say that all our bad memories will be erased. I'm not too sure of
that. I don't think heaven is going to be a place where we have blank memories.
But if we remember any of these painful things, the promise is that it won't
cause us tears any more. We'll understand. It'll all make sense.
In the New Jerusalem, we are told that there are walls and gates (Rev.21:12),
and that outside is where the unbelievers are (Rev.22:15). I don't think it
unreasonable to think that those inside will know what's outside.
It's just that the knowledge of what's outside won't cause us mourning.
Instead we will begin to grasp God’s infinite wisdom, justice, and mercy.
:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
God is the One that is sitting upon the throne.
I make – poieo
– to make; to do; present tense, continuous action
new – kainos
– new; recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn; of a new kind,
unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of
Lesson
A fresh start.
The word “make” is not a “future” tense, which would be, “I will
make all things new”. It is present tense, “I am continually making all
things new”
God offers to each of us today a new start. Paul wrote,
(2 Cor 5:17 KJV) Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
When you open your heart up to Jesus, Jesus will forgive
the things in your past and He will give you a new start.
:5 And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
true – alethinos
– that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature
corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified
by the name, real, true genuine; opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit,
imaginary, simulated or pretended; it contrasts realities with their
semblances; opposite to what is imperfect defective, frail, uncertain; true,
veracious, sincere
faithful – pistos
– trusty, faithful; of persons who show themselves faithful in the
transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of
official duties; one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust; that can be
relied on
Translation..."You can bet these things are going to happen..."
:6 And he said unto me, It is done.
It is done – ginomai
– to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being; to
become, i.e. to come to pass, happen; to arise, appear in history, come upon
the stage; to be made, finished.
Perfect tense.
At this point in history, God’s entire plan for the planet Earth will be
finished.
:6 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Alpha – a –
first letter of Greek alphabet
Omega – omega
– the last letter in the Greek alphabet; the last
the beginning – arche
– beginning, origin; the person or thing that commences, the first person
or thing in a series, the leader; that by which anything begins to be, the
origin, the active cause
the end – telos
– end; termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be (always of the
end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time); the end;
that by which a thing is finished, its close, issue; the end to which all
things relate, the aim, purpose
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last
letter. God is the beginning and the end. Everything starts with Him and
everything will end with Him.
Jesus too is the “Alpha and Omega” (Rev. 22:13) because He too is God.
:6 I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of
life freely.
him that is athirst – dipsao
– to suffer thirst, suffer from thirst; figuratively, those who are said to
thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by
which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened
freely – dorean
– freely, undeservedly
Lesson
Jesus helps thirsty people.
The “water of life” or “living water” is the Holy Spirit. He is the One who
satisfies our deepest thirsts. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to those who are
thirsty, to those who recognize that they have a deep need in their life for
God (John 7:37-39).
(Isa 55:1-2 KJV) Ho,
every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come
ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
{2} Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour
for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that
which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
We spend a lot of time, energy, and money on things that don't really
satisfy (vs.2)
The true living water, which satisfies, is free. (How can you buy something
when you have no money?)
Do you realize that you have an emptiness inside? We try to fill it with
all kinds of stuff, stuff that doesn’t satisfy. Only Jesus can satisfy.
:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and
he shall be my son.
He that overcometh – nikao
– to conquer; to carry off the victory, come off victorious
shall inherit – kleronomeo
– to receive a lot, receive by lot; esp. to receive a part of an
inheritance, receive as an inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance; to be
an heir, to inherit
Earlier, in Revelation 2-3, Jesus made lots of promises for those who
“overcame”. He told them they would “eat of the tree of life”, that they would
have “authority”, “white garments”, and many other things.
Rev.2:7 - to eat of the tree of
life
Rev.2:11 - not hurt by the second
death
Rev.2:17 - hidden manna, white
stone, new name
Rev.2:26-28 - authority, ruling,
the morning star
Rev.3:5 - white garments, book of
life, confessed name
Rev.3:12 - a pillar, stay in
temple, God's name, New Jerusalem
Rev.3:21 - sit on Jesus' throne
But the best gift of all is God Himself. We will be with Him. It only comes
to those who “overcome”.
What does it mean to “overcome”?
It means that you overcome the things in this world that are trying to lead
you away from God. It means that you overcome temptations. It means that you
overcome the temptation to quit. It means that you don’t stop following Jesus.
Lesson
Be an overcomer
Three steps to “overcoming”
1. Believing
The process of “overcoming” starts with believing in Jesus.
(1 John
5:4-5 KJV) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. {5} Who is he that
overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus is the real “overcomer”, and our trusting in Him gets us connected to
His victory.
(John
16:33 KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world.
When I believe in Jesus, He comes into my life and gives me the ability to
overcome the world.
(1 John
4:4 KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
2. Living
The process of overcoming works itself out when I do what is right.
(Rom 12:21
KJV) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Don’t just let evil things defeat you, but become a victor
by doing what is right.
For the person who has an addiction, you aren’t an overcomer if you believe
but are still addicted. You are an overcomer when you stop your addiction with
Jesus’ help.
3. Continuing
I do not believe that “overcoming” is having a momentary encounter with God
and believing. It is not having a single victory over temptation followed by a
lifetime of giving in. It is a continual believing, a continual walking with
Jesus, even through the hard times.
(Rev 2:26
KJV) And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I
give power over the nations:
Don’t quit. The enemy wants to discourage you and tell you that you’re
wasting your time. The enemy wants you to stop running the race and sit on the
sideline.
But we need to be like the runner who has his eye on the finish line, the
tape across the lane. We need to keep running until we cross that tape.
: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.
The Lake of Fire is where the devil, the antichrist, and the false prophet
were sent forever. It is a place that God has prepared for the devil and his
angels (Mat. 25:41), but it will also become the place where those who reject
Jesus will spend eternity.
Lesson
Things that will keep you from
heaven.
1. Cowardice (fearful)
fearful – deilos – timid,
fearful; from deos (dread); cowardly. This is not the word that is used
to describe how we are to “fear God” (phobos).
The implication is being cowardly to not stand up and
trust in Jesus.
This is a fear
that drives a person away from trusting in God. The word is used in this story –
(Mat 8:23-27 KJV)
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. {24}
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was
covered with the waves: but he was asleep. {25} And his disciples came to him,
and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. {26} And he saith unto them,
Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the
winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. {27} But the men marvelled,
saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (same story and word found in Mark 4:37-41)
2. Unbelief (unbelieving)
unbelieving – apistos –
faithless; without trust (in God)
This is the main thing. If you do not come to the place
where you are going to trust Jesus to pay for your sins, then you will have to
face God and have to pay for them yourself.
3. Stinky life (abominable)
abominable – bdelusso – to
render foul, to turn one’s self away from on account of the stench; from bdeo
(to stink). The word is used in –
(Titus
1:16 NKJV) They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable,
disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
A life that doesn’t match what you claim to believe is
“abominable”, “stinky”, or “despicable”. We might call it “hypocrisy”, saying
you’re one thing when you’re not.
4. Continual disobedience (all the rest …)
These include things like murder, sexual sin, drug use (“sorcerers”), those
who worship false gods, and even liars.
murderers – phoneus
– a murderer, a homicide
whoremongers – pornos
– the idea is sexual sin, sex outside of marriage.
Today our society
is filled with temptation in this area. It’s not hard for a person to become
dragged into a world of impure lusts.
sorcerers – pharmakeus
– one who practices pharmakeia,
which is the use or the administering of drugs
If you are using
drugs, you NEED TO STOP. If you can’t just walk away, then you need to ask for
help.
idolaters – eidololatres
– a worshipper of false gods
liars – pseudes
– lying, deceitful, false
Some of these
things we don’t have a problem in thinking that they are really bad. But
“lying”? What’s one little white lie? It leads to another white lie. It leads
to a life of deceiving others. Worst of all is a person who has deceived
himself into thinking that he doesn’t have a problem when he does.
Lesson
What can get you into heaven?
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church:
(1 Cor 6:9-11 KJV) Know ye
not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers
of themselves with mankind, {10} Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And such
were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Having done one of these sins isn’t what keeps you out. It’s when you
refuse to be washed by Jesus that you are kept out of heaven.
“Which List Is Your Name On?”
There is an exhibit about the Titanic that has been on display in select
museums across the country. There is a re-creation of the Titanic’s grand
staircase, the simulation of one of the ship’s cabins, and the artifacts that
have been retrieved from the Titanic’s watery grave. As you enter the exhibit,
you’re given a ticket with the name of one of the ship’s passengers or crewmen.
At the end of the tour is this large wall with two lists of names, one short
list and one long list. Next to each name is one of four designations: first
class, second class, third class, and crew. But no matter what your class, your
name ultimately appears on one of those two lists - which are under one of two
headings - “Saved” ... “Lost.”
- Ron Hutchcraft
(Isa 55:6-7 KJV) Seek ye the
LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: {7} Let the
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he
will abundantly pardon.
Stand up for Jesus.