Dec 30 Nehemiah 11:22-36, Nehemiah 12:1-47 – Revelation 21 – Proverbs 31:21-31

Rev 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21 is a watershed chapter – a huge marker in history. It’s the moment where everything changes… forever.

Up until Revelation 21, Christians who have died have experienced Heaven, but it is different than the New Heaven talked about in Revelation 21.

Once human history as we know it has been completed, this New Heaven will descend upon a New Earth.

God is going to make “everything new.”

The word “new” isn ’t a reference to new in time. Rather, this word refers to new in quality or character. It is new in the sense that it is an upgrade to the old earth. New as in “not been like this before”.

The redemption of all things.

The real essence of Heaven is about more than just a place, it is about a person.

It is about coming home to our heavenly Father who loves ordinary people like you and me the same way He loves Jesus.

You know that feeling when you’ve been away for a while and you finally get home? When you get back on your own sofa – or into your own bed?

Magnify that a million times. Because we will be really arriving home.

This isn’t something to shy away from and secretly hope God delays – this is something to yearn for.

In this world death and disease are real and painful. And no one is exempt.

There is no place you can go on this earth to escape the clutches of death.

No matter how fit you are – we are all “terminal.” The death rate in your community is 100 percent.

None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death.

But in the kingdom death itself will be gone.

We will be productive, and there will be adventure and new experiences. We will learn, work, and create. Songs will be written. Art, music, and culture will be created as we continue to learn of the infinite wisdom and glory of God.

John says that the New Jerusalem is 12,000 stadia in length, width, and height.

Now, we are not used to thinking of things in terms of “stadia.”

Bear in mind – these measurements are meant to be taken literally – they are described as Man’s measurements! You can get around 8.57 Stadia to a mile.

Rounding up a little bit 12,000 stadia is about 1,400 miles.

That’s wide and long and up!…

Not counting the height of the city, the New Jerusalem is 1,960,000 square miles.

Which is massive!

London is about 606 square miles. New York is around 304 square miles.

London could fit in it 3,234 times just on ground level.

That’s a city bigger than India!!

And it goes up that far!

If a building went to the top of the city – and had, say, 12ft per story – – you’d get 600,000 stories in the building!!!

In my fathers house – Jesus said – there are many mansions. There’s one for you.

This is the place that’s going to be your home. This is the place that the Bridegroom is preparing for you to live in.

It’s made of gold! Built with Jasper, sapphire, emerald and more!

It will be a city like none that has ever been. And it’s your home.

God has made a place for you here!

An eternity of unspeakable bliss and unending joy in the presence of God.

In the centre of the service and worship of the saints will be Jesus Christ, “the same yesterday, today, and for ever.”

To this eternal destiny every believing heart must turn in anticipation and joyous expectation.

In this New Heaven and New Earth, you will do what you are gifted to do and passionate about – but without sin, compromise or mixed motives.

And when you do that, you will do it in worship to God … which, by the way, is exactly what He wants from us today.

God has a great end in store!

No matter what is thrown at us here and now is temporary. Whatever we build now is temporary.

Even the great tribulation is a short blip in the story.

Our story began in a garden. It ends in a city. This city is your home. There is a place for you there.

You were made for this kingdom and you will be in it for eternity.

When we talk about the Return of Jesus – we need to understand This isn’t the end.

It’s the beginning. A new beginning. We won’t be looking back.