03-11-12 AM - Living for Eternity, Pt. 1

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Rev. 21:1-27

Our Former General Superintendent of the assemblies of God points out that:                           

10% of church members cannot be found?
20% of church members never attend church
25% admit that they never pray
35% admit that they do not read their Bibles
40% admit that they never contribute to the church? Tithe or offering
60% never give to missions
70% never assume responsibility within the church
85% never invite anyone to church
95 % have never won anyone to Christ
BUT! 100% expect to go to heaven. 

The history of humanity began in paradise…(the Garden of Eden)

And it will all end in paradise…(the New Jerusalem)

v. 5 sums up the last 2 ch’s of Revelation…I am making everything new.

v. 6  “it is done”  

        What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Revelation.

 GENESIS                                           REVELATION

 1:1 -     heavens & earth created                 21:1 -   New heavens &    

                                                                                      earth

1:16 -   Sun created                                        21:23 – No need for the                                                                                               

                                                                                      sun

1:5 -     Night established                               22:5 -   No night there

1:10 -   The seas created                                21:1 -   No more seas 

3:14-17 – The curse announced                     22:3 -   No more curse

                

3:19 -   Death enters history                          21:4 -   No more death

3:24 -   Man driven from paradise                22:14 – Man restored to                                              

                                                                                       paradise

3:17 -   Sorrow & pain began                         21:4 -   No more tears or 

                                                                                       pain

 “What a day that will be”

TEN FACTS ABOUT THE NEW JERUSALEM 

1.Heaven is a Real Place

 “I go to prepare a PLACE for you…there you shall be also” Jn. 14                                                                                                  

 2. Heaven is a Remaining Place (vs. 1)

In the end, all we have left is our soul!  All we will have in eternity is the treasures we send ahead.                                                                                                                     

Matt. 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

3. Heaven is a Readied Place  (vs. 2 “prepared as a bride”)

And the Lord has spent a lot of time, and is sparing no expense in readying heaven for us. [2,000 years compared to 6 days] 

1 Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 

4. Heaven is a Place of Relationship  (vs. 3)