Heaven, the New Jerusalem

Background Scripture: Revelation 21–22
Lesson Scripture: Revelation 21:1–4, 21–27

Introduction

The Scriptures are rich with assurances of God preparing a place where the faithful will reside with Him after their lives are over and this earth has disappeared. Heaven is the eternal home of God, and He wants every person who has ever lived and will ever live to be there with Him. Our limited and earthly understanding is not capable of processing the beauty of a place so perfect that God Himself uses it for his own residence. What is certain is that it will be more beautiful than we have dreamed, and we will be happier and more comfortable there than we can possibly imagine.

Key Verse

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city (Rev. 22:14).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Revelation 21 and 22 can be referred to as depicting the church. Does this mean they are only describing the present state of the church? Though this prophecy certainly describes the glory of the church in its present state, it finds its most compelling fulfillment in symbolizing a new world at last perfected by the consuming victory of God’s plan through Christ, that heavenly place where the church is at last eternally redeemed from the world. The book of Revelation is often divided into seven parallel sections. Because of this, the prophecy of each section is not confined to a particular time or event but is often more comprehensive in meaning and eminently figurative. The last three chapters comprise the last section that is generally titled “The New Heaven and New Earth.” This follows the section generally titled “The Fall of Babylon” which portrays the last and final judgment of God on the evil world, the end of Satan’s kingdom of darkness, and the devil’s banishment to hell.

From the Bible we understand that God indeed does have a residence; this place is called heaven. The Scriptures speak of three levels of heaven (2 Cor. 12:2). The first two, the beautiful, blue atmosphere and the star-filled galaxies of space, were created by God at the same time He created the earth. Our lesson is speaking of the third heaven, the eternal home of God, where He desires for us to live with Him. From the very earliest writings of the patriarchs, we gather that God’s dwelling place is holy. Nothing there will ever enter which is born of evil. By this we conclude heaven is free from pain, suffering, or discomfort: mental or emotional distress, guilt or any kind of bad memories, physical disease, and all the badness that has come to us through the fall.

There is a mystical connection between the first chapters of the Bible and the last. When Adam and Eve were in communion with God in the garden of Eden, they lived in a peaceful place full of good food, beautiful plants, and friendly animals. Genesis specifically mentions two trees, the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Whether Adam or Eve had ever eaten of the tree of life is uncertain, but we know the results of them eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The tragic result of eating that fruit was lost innocence, and from that point they were sinful. Adam and Eve were both banned from the garden, with an angel left to guard the garden from their re-entry.

The tree of life again reappears in the Bible’s closing chapters. The tree is safely planted in heaven; Satan and the fallen world will never have access to it. But there in our eternal home it is waiting for the glorified saints to eat of its fruit.

Ever since sin spoiled the garden of Eden, tears of death, sorrow, and anguish have stained the faces of mankind, but on that glorious morning of eternal redemption, God will wipe the faces of his children clean from the sorrows of earth life. The Bible’s story is one of love, of a God who will stop at nothing to redeem his creation and give eternal life to all who want it.

The description of the heavenly building is rich in meaning. As there were twelve tribes of Israel, so there are twelve gates into the city, three on each side. The church, and consequently heaven, is open today from every side, for every walk of life. “Nations” is from the Greek word ­ethnos, which may be simply described as “ethnic group.”

Practical Truths for Today

When Christians grow weary with life, their heart’s desire turns heavenward. The pain and anguish of our broken world overtake us, and we are drawn to heaven. Countless songs have been written about heaven, and perhaps heaven’s appeal is a little different for each one. The beloved disciple John said that “it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Evidence abounds that there is a Creator somewhere, and many testimonies and visions confirm that such a place exists.

It has been said Christians tend to preach about hell and sing about heaven. Without the truth of the grim reality of the eternal punishment of unrepentant sinners, many would not be moved to repentance. But the gospel of Jesus clearly promises a reward so great and so wonderful that it must be shared!

While we will not fully understand what heaven has in store until we get there, we can anticipate heaven’s wonder from the biblical context. There will be music that fills the soul and lifts the spirits beyond earthly dimension. There will be complete and perfect rest for the weary soldiers who have fought the battle of life. We will be able to talk and fellowship with saints such as Noah and his sons, those faithful ones who lived before the flood; with heroes of the faith such as Samson, David, and the prophets; with Joseph and Mary; and with faithful brothers and sisters and family that we have labored together with here.

Heaven is God’s home, and his children will have the right to live with Him there. Jesus our Redeemer is there. The ministering angels are there waiting for us; perhaps we can get their stories of how they helped us when we were unaware. Clear, pure water will flow forever. Beautiful, wonderfully tasting fruit will be available to all. Questions that we have had on earth will no longer bother us; all will be made plain. No mysteries will haunt us, no what-ifs will darken the never-ending day. As we trudge the last weary miles home, let us lift up our heads and fix our eyes on the glimmering lights of home.

Illustration

A group of young mothers gathered to sing to one of their friends who lay sick with cancer. After a long battle, she was weary with the struggle and weary with life. All possible treatments had been exhausted; her husband and her young children waited with her in her final hours. After several songs, there were some attempts at conversation, but her weariness and the medications made conversations difficult. Then one of the young mothers told her that they would see her in heaven. Tears flowed as her face and voice brightened at the thought. Yes! She could hardly wait! A few days later, she was called home. Oh, how thankful we should be that we have a hope of heaven and a loving God who wants us there!

Questions

1. Is it possible to long too much for heaven, making us dissatisfied with life here below?
2. Why are we so tempted to blame God for bad things that happen to us when they are the result of sin?
3. Are we in danger of ignoring the judgments of God if we speak too much of heaven?

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).