Heaven

Meaning of the Metaphor

• The Holy City, New Jerusalem– View One: The glory of the church today on earth.– View Two: The glory of the church at home in heaven.

• The glory of the church at home in heaven.– Contextually, this vision is after the judgment in 20:15

and after the destruction of this world in 21:1.– 21:7 describes our inheritance, not our current state.– 21:9-22:5 describes the saved in a glorious state

beyond what is enjoyed today.• Notice both the people and the location are

described in this passage, not just the location. (Vs. 2, 9) (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-10)

How John’s Vision Is Recorded

• Overview of Heaven– Revelation 21:1-2

• Overview of Heaven’s Inhabitants– Revelation 21:3-8

• Details of Heaven’s Appearance– Revelation 21:9-21

• Details of Heaven’s Inhabitants– Revelation 21:22 – 22:5

John’s Overview of Heaven• Emphasizes What Heaven Is Not• Heaven Is Not Of This Creation

– Vs. 1-2• Heaven Is Not Separated From God

– Vs. 3, 5-7• Heaven Is Not Suffering From Sin: vs. 4, 8

– No Tears– No Death– No Mourning– No Crying– No Pain– No Sinners

Details of Heaven’s Appearance

• A Beautiful And Pure Bride (vs. 9-11)– “wife of the Lamb”– “crystal clear jasper”

• A Safe And United Dwelling (vs. 12-14)– “high wall” and “angels at the gates”– Jews represented by the “12 tribes” named

on the gates.– Christians represented by the “12 apostles”

named on the foundation stones.

Details of Heaven’s Appearance

• An Enormous And Glorious ‘Most Holy Place’ (vs. 15-17)– 1,500 Miles x 1,500 Miles x 1,500 Miles! – “many dwelling places” John 14:2

• A Priceless And Precious Home (vs. 18-21)– “pure gold, like clear glass”– “every kind of precious stone”– “twelve pearls…pure gold, like transparent glass.”

Details of Heaven’s Inhabitants

• God IS THERE!– This fact is the most clearly taught and most

emphasized attribute of heaven!– God provides all of the light.

• People of every nation will come in.– They are in no danger.– They will give their glory to God.

Details of Heaven’s Inhabitants

• We will be VERY well provided for.– “river of the water of life”– “the tree of life”

• Fruit every month• Leaves for he healing of the nations.

• We will be VERY well occupied.– We will “serve Him”– We will “see His face”– We will have “His name on [our] foreheads”– We will “reign forever and ever”

Summary: A Picture of Heaven

• The vision given to John describes heaven as a glorious home that is both precious and priceless where the saved enjoy: perfect fellowship with God, and unity with one another in safety, security, and abundance to reign forever and ever.

• “a majestic symbol of a great spiritual reality.”• We can live with great hope knowing “these

words are faithful and true.”– Revelation 22:6-7

Heaven