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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“The Church Made Perfect” |
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I. Introduction.
A. As the revelation comes to its conclusion, God desires that
His people should see the glory that awaits them, and the
peace of the church in heaven, as opposed to its struggles
and difficulties on earth. The need – then and now – is to
have that vision of hope on which to focus, and which is to
be remembered, as they, and we, struggled (and struggle)
through the difficulties of life in this corrupt, and
condemned, world.B. As background to this vision of victory, look at Romans
8:18-39 (READ).II. The New Heaven And The New Earth.
A. Now, look at John’s vision, Revelation 21:1-8 (READ).
1. John’s imagery has an Old Testament parallel –
Isaiah 65:17 (“For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth; and the former shall not be
remembered or come to mind”), and Isaiah 66:22
(“ ‘For as the new heavens and the new earth which
I will make shall remain before me’, says the Lord,
‘so shall your descendants and your name
remain.’”).2. These references are to the restoration of Israel after
the captivity, and bondage, of conquest by a foreign
power. But, there is the contrast that is inherent
between “old” and “new.” The “old” has “. . .
passed away,” and the “new” holds the promise, and
prospect, of glorious regeneration.3. In the “new heaven and . . . new earth,” God reigns
and cares for His people, forever. It’s as Peter
writes (II Peter 3:13): “Nevertheless we, according
to His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells.”a. In this new dwelling place, the “sea” (evil
and its source) is no more. Satan has been
judged and cast “. . . into the lake of fire and
brimstone . . . forever and ever.”
(Revelation 20:10).b. In this dwelling place, there is no more
suffering, nor crying, nor sorrow, nor death.
These too, have been abolished along with
evil (Revelation 20:14).c. Here, God dwells with His people, and takes
care of them (verse 4). And, the promise of
eternal riches is fulfilled (verse 7).4. Those whose names are “. . . not found written in
the Book of Life. . .” (20:15) are enumerated in
21:8.B. God and His faithful servants dwell eternally in that
“. . . new heaven and new earth . . . the holy city, New
Jerusalem” (21:1-2). Satan and his servants dwell
eternally in “. . . the lake of fire and brimstone . . .”
(20:10). What a contrast! What a choice! And, there is
no third alternative. (cf. Matthew 25:31-34; 41; 46;
John 5:25-29; I Corinthians 15:50-57).C. John goes on, in Revelation 21, to describe the “great city,
the holy Jerusalem.” The connection between Isaiah 65
and 66 and Revelation 21 is not one of prophecy and
fulfillment, as the Premillenialists believe. The connection,
rather, is “typological” – as Israel looked for a new earthly
home, so Christians look toward a new spiritual home,
where the persecutions and trials of earth no longer exist.1. The 12 gates (3 on each side) are inscribed with the
names of the 12 tribes of Israel, and the 12
foundations bear the names of the 12 apostles. The
total (24) represents God’s people from all ages,
and is similar to the references in Revelation 4
(verse 4 and 10). (see Hebrews 9:15).2. The city is both enormous and magnificent. The
adornment of the city with precious stones
represents, symbolically, the glories of this
heavenly city. The measurement of 12,000
“furlongs/cubed” (the actual word is “stadia”)
would, in earthly terms, be 1,500 miles, by
1,500 miles! Mighty Rome – or any earthly
city – pales by comparison.3. There is no temple (verse 22), because God is
present with His worshippers, nor is there a need
for artificial, or created, sources of light – God is
its glory and its light. (Contrast this with the
“outer darkness” of Matthew 8:12 and 22:13). God
is the “temple” of this city, and the “light” of this
city. The light never goes out, and provides safety
and security for all who dwell there (verse 25).4. Nothing false or unclean may enter this city, only
those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book
of Life (verse 27).D. Chapter 22:1-5 shows how the great city will be sustained.
Access is regained to the “. . . tree of life”, so that all who
dwell with God will do so forever. And, here is the “. . .
river of water of life” as well. Both provide sustenance all
the time.IV. Epilogue (22:6-21).
A. Now, John balances his Prologue (1:1-20) with a
concluding Epilogue (22:6-21). He repeats several
significant themes which were introduced at the beginning
of the book.B. Let us draw our study to a close by comparing these two
“ends” of the book. We will, for the sake of brevity, list
only the major themes of each.1. The themes and statements of the Prologue are:
a. The revelation comes from the eternal God,
His Son, and the Holy Spirit (1:1-6).b. The revelation was communicated through
angels to God’s servants (1:1).c. The revelation concerned things that must
soon take place (1:1-3).d. The time is near (1:3).
e. A blessing is pronounced on those who keep
the message of the prophecy (1:1-3).f. The message and visions are so striking
that John falls down to worship (1:17).g. The message of revelation is from Jesus for
the churches (1:11).h. God is the alpha and omega (1:8).
i. Jesus is the first and the last (1:17).
j. Jesus is the one who comes in judgment
(1:7).2. The themes and statements of the Epilogue are:
a. The revelation comes from the eternal God
(22:6).b. The revelation was communicated through
angels (22:6).c. The revelation concerned things that must
soon take place (22:6).d. The time is near (Rev. 22:10).
e. A blessing is pronounced on those who keep
the message of the prophecy (22:7). (In the
Epilogue a warning is added to the blessing-
22:18).f. The message and visions are so striking that
John falls down to worship, this time to
worship an angel but is warned by the angel
to worship only God (22:8).g. The message of revelation is from Jesus for
the churches (22:16).h. Jesus is the alpha and omega (22:13).
i. Jesus is the first and the last (22:13).
j. Jesus is coming in judgment (22:12).
IV. Conclusion.
A. As the “Revelation” comes to its end, we, once more, have
words from Jesus, in which He announces His coming, and
makes two great claims: (22:12-13).1. He has His “reward” with Him, and will give to
everyone according to their “work.” H. B. Swete
says: “Christ speaks as the Great Steward, who in
the eventide of the world will call the laborers to
receive their day’s wages.”2. He is the “Alpha and the Omega.” He is eternal,
complete, and has authority as the timeless,
perfect, Son of God.B. Then, in 22:14, you find the last of the seven “blessings” in
“Revelation.” (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14).
(RE-READ).C. In 22:17, you find the final invitation of “Revelation”
(READ).