A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH (5 OF 5)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5
This content is part of a series.
A New Heaven and New Earth (5 of 5)
Series: All Things Made New
Jeff Strite
Revelation 21:1-5
A little boy got on the elevator in the Empire State Building in New York City. He and his daddy started to the top. The boy watched the signs flashing as they went by the floors: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70. And the boy began to get nervous. He took his daddy’s hand and said, ‘‘Daddy, does God know we’re coming?’’ (Leighton Ford, ‘‘Hope for a Great Forever,’’ Preaching Today, Tape No. 96)
Does God know we’re coming?
Of course He does... He’s been planning this for centuries. And Christians have had hopes pinned to heaven ever since Jesus rose from dead.
ILLUS: Early Christians built their lives around looking forward to Heaven. Many of the 1st century Christian martyrs were buried in the Roman catacombs, and those underground caverns had walls were filled with inscriptions like this:
‘‘In Christ, Alexander is not dead, but lives.
One who lives with God.
He was taken up into His eternal home.’’
One historian wrote, ‘‘Pictures on the catacomb walls portrayed Heaven with beautiful landscapes, children playing, and people feasting at banquets.’’ (Ulrich Simon, Heaven in the Christian Tradition - London: Wyman and Sons, 1958, p. 218)
There are numerous songs we sing that declare that same excitement. I want you to sing a couple of them with me:
‘‘I’m satisfied with just a cottage below, a little silver and a little gold.
But in that city where the ransomed will shine. I want a gold one that’s silver lined.
(Chorus) I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop.
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old.
And some day yonder we will never more wander,
But walk on streets that are purest gold.’’
AND ‘‘I was once a sinner, but I came pardon to receive from my Lord.
This was freely given and I found, that He always kept His word.
(Chorus) There’s a new name written down in glory and it’s mine, oh yes, it’s mine.
And the white-robed ...
Series: All Things Made New
Jeff Strite
Revelation 21:1-5
A little boy got on the elevator in the Empire State Building in New York City. He and his daddy started to the top. The boy watched the signs flashing as they went by the floors: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70. And the boy began to get nervous. He took his daddy’s hand and said, ‘‘Daddy, does God know we’re coming?’’ (Leighton Ford, ‘‘Hope for a Great Forever,’’ Preaching Today, Tape No. 96)
Does God know we’re coming?
Of course He does... He’s been planning this for centuries. And Christians have had hopes pinned to heaven ever since Jesus rose from dead.
ILLUS: Early Christians built their lives around looking forward to Heaven. Many of the 1st century Christian martyrs were buried in the Roman catacombs, and those underground caverns had walls were filled with inscriptions like this:
‘‘In Christ, Alexander is not dead, but lives.
One who lives with God.
He was taken up into His eternal home.’’
One historian wrote, ‘‘Pictures on the catacomb walls portrayed Heaven with beautiful landscapes, children playing, and people feasting at banquets.’’ (Ulrich Simon, Heaven in the Christian Tradition - London: Wyman and Sons, 1958, p. 218)
There are numerous songs we sing that declare that same excitement. I want you to sing a couple of them with me:
‘‘I’m satisfied with just a cottage below, a little silver and a little gold.
But in that city where the ransomed will shine. I want a gold one that’s silver lined.
(Chorus) I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop.
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old.
And some day yonder we will never more wander,
But walk on streets that are purest gold.’’
AND ‘‘I was once a sinner, but I came pardon to receive from my Lord.
This was freely given and I found, that He always kept His word.
(Chorus) There’s a new name written down in glory and it’s mine, oh yes, it’s mine.
And the white-robed ...
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