Pastor Matt and Pastor Chris review the conclusion to the series on Revelation, and debate whether they'd rather preserve their mind or their body.

***SHOW NOTES***

Chapter 21

In contrast to Greek dualism in which salvation consists of the flight of the soul away from the earthly and transitory to the spiritual and eternal—“always places man on a redeemed earth, not in a heavenly realm removed from earthly existence.”

V1: Paul spoke of the whole creation groaning in travail while it waits with eager longing its emancipation from decay (Rom 8:19-22). The new order of things is probably not to be thought of primarily as a physical transformation. The entire presentation stretches the limits of human vocabulary and thought to emphasize the reality of God dwelling among His people.

V2: The concept of a New Jerusalem unveiled at the advent of the Messiah is common in Jewish apocalyptic. This Jerusalem comes from above whose architect and builder is none other than God (Heb 11:10; 12:22; 13:14; Phil 3:20)

The point is that Jerusalem is the site of the temple, the place where the presence of God dwells. But of course there is no need for a physical temple because God is directly there with His people…

…It comes down from God, that is to say, the church is not a voluntary organization created by human beings but a fellowship initiated and given by God (Matt 16:18)

V3: In the John’s Gospel, he writes that the Word became flesh and tabernacled among people so that they saw His glory, the glory of the One and only Son (John 1:14)…

It is the redeemed peoples (notice the plural) of all races and nationalities that God will dwell in glory.

V4: Timothy Keller wrote, “The Biblical view of things is resurrection—not a future that is just a consolation for the life we never had, but a restoration of the life you always wanted. This means that every horrible thing that ever happened will not only be undone and repaired but will in some way make the eventual glory and joy even greater”

V5: It is from God’s position of power that He breaks His silence and pronounces “I am making everything new.”

V6-7: That God is the Beginning refers not only to the fact that He was first in point of time, but also that He is the source and origin of all things. He is the end in the sense that he constitutes their goal or aim

11 WAYS JESUS GIVES US HEAVEN:

1. He allowed Himself to be conquered so that you can be more than a conquerer through Christ.

2. God rejected His only Son so that you could be called a son and a daughter and be fully accepted as His beloved child.

3. Jesus was drug outside of the city gates and walls so that you could come into God’s perfect city.

4. Jesus lost His glory so that you and I could become glorious and righteous in God’s sight.

5. Jesus was crucified in spiritual and literal darkness as the the light of the glory of God was taken away from Him; all so you could bask in the warmth and glory of God’s light forever and ever.

6. Jesus thirst on the cross with a spiritual thirst of absolute emptiness. God drained Him completely so that you can have access to the water of life without payment for all of eternity.

7. Jesus laid Himself down on the tree of death, having His feet and hands secured by the nails of our sins so that we could have access to the tree of life.

8. Jesus was whipped, beaten and tortured so that you can be healed!

9. The curse of sin was fully and perfectly laid on Jesus’ shoulders. He took upon Himself the wrath of every sin that has (and ever will be) committed so that there is no curse upon you.

10. God turned His face away from Jesus so that you can look upon your Fathers face without shame or guilt!

11. Jesus had a crown of thorns forced down upon his forehead so that you can wear the name of God on your forehead, marking you forever as His!