Back to: The End Times
A New Eternal Beginning
In our previous lesson we left off where the Lord Jesus Christ binds Satan in the bottomless pit and begins His rule and reign on earth for 1000 years. When the 1000 years come to an end, do you know what happens next?
(Revelation 20:7-10) Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
What is so disturbing about what we have just read, is the reality of the depravity and excessive lack of thankfulness towards God by humans. For the past 1000 years, these people have been living under the loving care, compassion, and provision of the Lord Jesus Christ, along with seeing Him with their own eyes. Yet, they rise up in their madness when under Satan’s deception and go against Christ and Jerusalem where He is actively ruling and reigning from. This emphasizes how desperately we need the Lord Jesus Christ to free us and actively protect us from our own weakness. Those who chose to go against Christ, along with Satan, quickly realize their fatal mistake.
(Revelation 20:11-15) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Salvation is by God’s grace through faith, but it is a faith that produces evidence (James 2:14-26). These are judged according to their works because their works bear witness to their life of unbelief or outright rejection of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As we focus on the last two chapters of God’s Word (Revelation 21-22), we would like to conclude this End Time Series by looking at 10 AMAZING things about heaven and the new eternal beginning. All of these things and more await all those who fully love and trust Jesus.
- Open the below YouTube video, PAUSE it at the start, and continue reading the next page.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoLN6A5v_eA
Title: HEAVEN, WHAT NO EYES HAS EVER SEEN! 10 MOST AMAZING FACTS About Heaven
Channel:
Bible Stories (@BibleStories_HD)
- Note: Be prepared to mute/skip random commercials if you do not have a paid YouTube Premium account (we cannot control the commercials that are shown)
- Note: Sometimes, opening the video multiple times, and pausing each tab at the timecode listed, can reduce the commercials played during the video viewing.
10 Biblical TRUTHS about HEAVEN
INTRODUCTION) (pause and read before the start of the video)
Here is a list of 10 AMAZING things the Bible tells us about Heaven and the New Jerusalem. In each point, we included information given by the video for your future reflection on these eternal truths. But for now, let us read briefly each point and just the supporting verses. Then we will begin the video and watch with uninterrupted awe and amazement.
#10: No Sun or Moon
Nothing compares to our God and the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. This verse here signifies the superiority and the transcendence of the God Almighty.
(Revelation 21:23) The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
What we have experienced here in the natural and earthly is nothing to be compared to the Divine and Heavenly. This also signifies the brightness and wonder of his Glory and of the Lamb.
#9: Eternal Worship video @ 1:54
Notice here that the ultimate purpose, meaning, and goal in life is to glorify and worship the Lord God Almighty.
(Revelation 7:15) Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
(Revelation 22:3) And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
This shows that heaven will be a place where we will have the deepest and strongest emotion, affection and passion for God who is the source and object of our love. Heaven will be a place where we will have the greatest and most lasting fulfillment, satisfaction, and delight in God who is our life’s giver and reward.
#8: A Place of Unity with God video @ 2:52
To those who belong to Him, the God of the universe will symbolize His approval of them.
(Revelation 22:4) They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
This shows us the intimacy and closeness and the fellowship of heaven. This also expresses the nearness, connection and involvement that we have with God. This also shows us the likeness, the conformity and the transformation of heaven as we will be like, aligned, and changed by God.
#7: Streets of Gold video @ 4:05
The streets of gold mentioned in scripture symbolize and reflects the Glory of God in every direction of Heaven.
(Revelation 21:21) And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
This is a city of unmatched beauty and splendor where the Glory of God abides and where every corner reveals a new wonder. It is a place that has been designing with us in mind to be together with God forever (John 14:1-6).
#6: Many Mansions video @ 5:05
The scripters say our citizenship is in heaven. Therefore, our home must be there too!
(John 14:2) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
This shows us the vastness, spaciousness, and abundance of heaven. It also shows us the preparedness, the readiness, and the anticipation of our Lord Jesus for His bride. This also wonderfully signifies God’s love and care for us.
#5: Gates of Pearl video @ 6:20
The magnificence of heaven is so overflowing that you see it even before you enter it.
(Revelation 21:21) The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl.
This signifies the beauty, the purity and the rarity of our heavenly home and our relationship with our Lord God. Heaven is a place where we will find the most pure, beautiful and most precious things that God has created for us. These pearls also represent not only the access, but the delightful invitation into our Lord’s presence. They represent God’s deep desire in wanting to receive us.
#4: River of Life video @ 7:30
This city needs nothing. It has everything. Including eternal life, flowing directly from God Himself.
(Revelation 22:1) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
This represents the source of life which is both God and the Lamb. The river of life shows us that Heaven is not a place where those that dwell there are depending on their own resources, abilities or efforts, but rather happily and thankfully relying on God’s grace, God’s power, and God’s provisions.
This river also shows us life’s quality, purity and clarity in Heaven. Here there is no pollution, contamination, or distortion, but rather a place where we will enjoy life’s fullness, richness, and brightness.
#3: No More Suffering video @ 8:43
How could anyone ever be sad in such a place where the love of God is on display with such abundance and purity.
(Revelation 21:4) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
The absence of suffering shows us the contrast, the difference and departure from our unpleasant earthly experiences. It shows us that Heaven is a place where we will be free from all the effects of sin, evil and death. The absence of suffering is a sign of God’s comfort, consolation, and compassion. Heaven is not a place where we will be ignored, forgotten or abandon by God, but where we will be healed, restored, and embraced by God. The absence of suffering also shows us that Heaven is a place of amazing and everlasting joy, peace and happiness.
#2: Tree of Life video @ 9:52
God never desired humanity to live in the broken flesh our sin created. After freeing us from that broken flesh, He will sustain us and all of life in a perfected form.
(Revelation 22:2) In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
This shows us the connection, link and the bridge between heaven and earth. Heaven and us will not be separated or alienated from the rest of creation, but rather integrated with the whole creation. The Tree of Life expresses also the variety and life. Heaven is not a place where we will have one kind of food, one kind of taste or one kind of flavor, but a place where we will have many kinds of fruits, each with its own unique and delicious taste and flavor. It also expresses the healing, the restoration, and the blessings of life from God Almighty. Heaven is a place where there is no sickness, disease, or curse, but rather a place where we will have health, wholeness, and wellness.
#1: A Place of God’s Throne video @ 11:10
The King rules this Kingdom upon His throne. And being freed from the curse and our sin, we will finally be able to fully embrace His love in the way He always intended it.
(Revelation 7:15) Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
(Revelation 22:3) And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
Heaven is a place where all gather around God’s existence, flooding Him with praise and worship. It is here where we will have the deepest and strongest emotion, affection and passion for God who is the source and object of our love and adoration. In Heaven there is no boredom, emptiness, or discontentment, but rather it is the place where we will have the greatest and most lasting fulfillment, satisfaction and delight in God who is our life giver and reward.
Heaven is the actual dwelling place of God Himself.
(Isaiah 66:1) Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
His throne symbolizes His supreme authority and sovereignty. His throne is the place where the Glory of God radiates from, producing a sight so magnificent that it surpasses any earthly comparison. It is the divine abode of God Himself and the epicenter of the divine authority and judgment and the testament of its supreme importance throughout all creation.
A Few Closing Thoughts
As we conclude this End Time Series, it is our prayer that you have been strengthened in your faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. He sacrificed Himself as payment for the sins of all those who fully trust in Him. He did this because He wants us to enjoy all of Heaven with Him!
It is our hope that from this day forth, your heart will be filled with the anticipation, longing and hope of the promise of His return. We also hope that your life will display as a testimony to inspire those around you to get to know Jesus. His second coming can come any moment. Be ready and waiting and excited!