Heaven's Glory (Revelation 21:1-8)

MercyMe's I Can Only Imagine, the best-selling Christian single of all time, is the theme of a recently released film by the same name. The film is a true story based on lead singer Bart Millard's relationship with his father, and his father's early death. Millard wrote the lyrics of the song as he imagined what amazing things his father was seeing in heaven. Revelation 21 describes the new heaven that God has prepared for believers. As the song indicates, in this new heaven, believers will be surrounded by God's glory. Yes, we can only imagine with our limited humanness what God has prepared for his children.

I. The Holy City

Verses one through four gives believers great news about the old order disappearing, and the new heaven taking its place. The Holy City, God's dwelling place will come down and be available for the people to live with the God of heaven. Not only will people live with God, but he will wipe away tears, and he will eliminate death, mourning, crying, and pain. People who remain victorious, that is, believers, will inherit all that heaven has to offer, including a new body with no corruption or sin. They will be the children of God throughout eternity. However, the cowardly, unbelieving, and immoral people will suffer a second death as they are thrown into the lake of fire. Many people are so enamored with their life on earth, they can't image giving it up. If we really understood all there is to know about heaven, we would be anxious to leave this life in order to settle into heaven for eternity. Nothing on earth can begin to compare what God has to offer.

II. The Healing Complete

Our world is so broken. It is scarred by sin and sickness. Over 17,000 murders were committed last year, up 8.6 % from the year before. Nearly 64,000 people died from drug overdose in 2016, five times the number at the turn of the century. More than 2 million cases of STDs were reported in 2016, the highest number of reported cases ever. God never intended for us to live in such a world. The brokenness of our world began in the Garden of Eden and has continues to this day. We will never be healed until the return of Christ. On that day, God will provide for us a new dwelling place and a new body, both having no brokenness because there will be no sin in heaven. I can only imagine.

III. His Guarantee

Verse 6 proclaims the total control of the God who created everything, and the same God who will be the finisher of everything. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. This scene is the final act. It is done, and there is no more offer of salvation, and no more negotiation. For the unbeliever, it is too late. I believe all people have a thirst- a longing for perfect conditions, for peace and justice. For believers, their thirst for perfection will be over, but for unbelievers, a second death in eternal torment will be their destiny. Their thirst will never be quenched. These people are ones who thought that following Christ would include giving up the things the world has to offer. The stark truth is that not everyone goes to heaven, and a less severe place does not exist. There's no intermediate state like a purgatory where one can undergo purification and eventually make it to heaven. Realistically, there are only two destinies- heaven or hell.

Thankfully, God offers heaven to every person with no exception. Even the worst sinner on earth can simply ask for God's forgiveness, follow Christ, and live eternally with him in heaven after death. Obtaining heaven can't be achieved by works or by merit. No one can be "good" enough. Salvation is a result of God's grace and a person placing their faith in Christ. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8 makes it clear. When we place our faith in Christ, we inherit heaven's glory. I can only imagine. Amen.