100:00:00,800 –> 00:00:06,840Some people have the idea that suffering makes you pure and holy, you know.200:00:06,840 –> 00:00:11,480Suffering in and of itself doesn’t make anyone pure and holy.300:00:11,480 –> 00:00:15,440Suffering may bring out the best in you. Suffering may bring out the worst in you.400:00:15,440 –> 00:00:21,160Suffering sometimes can reveal hidden sins and secret resentments.500:00:21,160 –> 00:00:25,180There’s nothing purifying about suffering in and of itself.600:00:25,180 –> 00:00:28,540Welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.700:00:28,540 –> 00:00:33,700I’m David Pick and Colin as we continue our mini-series about Heaven and Hell,800:00:33,700 –> 00:00:39,180why do you think it is that so many people think that suffering will make them holy.900:00:39,180 –> 00:00:42,279I’m not sure I know where that comes from entirely.1000:00:42,279 –> 00:00:46,759It may be that the verse in Scripture in Hebrews, where we’re told1100:00:46,759 –> 00:00:49,520that Christ was made perfect through suffering,1200:00:49,520 –> 00:00:53,520what that means of course there is that He was made the Savior That He Is1300:00:53,560 –> 00:00:58,900because He has experienced every dimension of human difficulty in His incarnation.1400:00:58,900 –> 00:01:01,599But of course Christ is the Holy Son of God.1500:01:01,599 –> 00:01:06,000And it’s a huge jump and a great mistake to go from there to the idea1600:01:06,000 –> 00:01:09,480that somehow suffering is going to perfect sinners.1700:01:09,480 –> 00:01:11,839There’s only one way in which sinners can be cleansed1800:01:11,839 –> 00:01:14,239and that’s through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.1900:01:14,239 –> 00:01:15,839That’s why He had to come.2000:01:15,839 –> 00:01:20,419That’s why He suffered, so that our cleansing should come through Him2100:01:20,459 –> 00:01:25,080As we saw last time, all of us experience that feeling of being crushed.2200:01:25,099 –> 00:01:28,699Jesus did and each and every human experiences that.2300:01:28,699 –> 00:01:34,160As we began to point out last time we need that experience of being cleansed.2400:01:34,160 –> 00:01:37,519Everyone in heaven will have that experience of being cleansed2500:01:37,519 –> 00:01:41,199by the blood of Christ and ultimately that will be our home.2600:01:41,199 –> 00:01:47,800It’s going to be a joy to revel in all that lies ahead for every child of God.2700:01:47,800 –> 00:01:51,199Whatever difficulty you’re going through now.2800:01:51,199 –> 00:01:54,120The Lord wants you to know what lies ahead of you,2900:01:54,120 –> 00:01:56,860so that you can set your mind on things above,3000:01:56,860 –> 00:02:01,080so that you can be lifted in order to face the difficulties in3100:02:01,080 –> 00:02:05,180which you find yourself today and you know, John on the island of Patmos3200:02:05,180 –> 00:02:09,740was given this marvellous Revelation but it wasn’t just for him, it’s for us today.3300:02:09,740 –> 00:02:15,399We’re going to see what John saw so please join us in Revelation chapter 7.3400:02:15,399 –> 00:02:16,539Here is Colin.3500:02:16,839 –> 00:02:24,740Jesus is the Lamb of God the Bible says who takes away the sins of the world3600:02:24,740 –> 00:02:29,779and when he hung on that cross his blood was shed3700:02:29,779 –> 00:02:32,919and when a person comes to Christ,3800:02:32,919 –> 00:02:37,639as you could come to Jesus Christ today if you have not come already,3900:02:37,639 –> 00:02:42,199when a person comes to Jesus Christ in faith and in repentance4000:02:42,259 –> 00:02:47,199The shed blood of Jesus gets applied to that person’s life4100:02:47,199 –> 00:02:53,460and here in the miracle of God the shed blood of Jesus will make you clean4200:02:53,460 –> 00:02:55,539that’s the promise of the Bible4300:02:55,539 –> 00:02:57,460Now this is an extraordinary thing4400:02:58,199 –> 00:03:01,380because blood normally stains doesn’t it?4500:03:01,380 –> 00:03:04,039I cut myself blood stains4600:03:05,100 –> 00:03:06,679but this blood,4700:03:06,919 –> 00:03:15,000the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ cleanses from every stain4800:03:15,000 –> 00:03:18,820and these white robes then are a wonderful picture of the purity4900:03:18,820 –> 00:03:21,580that will be yours in heaven5000:03:21,580 –> 00:03:26,080that belongs to every person who is in Jesus Christ5100:03:26,080 –> 00:03:28,639Right now when you come to faith in Jesus,5200:03:28,639 –> 00:03:30,779the guilt of your sin is removed5300:03:30,779 –> 00:03:32,580that’s why there’s no condemnation for you5400:03:32,580 –> 00:03:35,360you don’t need to live in fear any longer5500:03:35,539 –> 00:03:38,679right now when you come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ5600:03:38,679 –> 00:03:40,940the power of sin is broken5700:03:40,940 –> 00:03:42,899here’s what that means5800:03:42,899 –> 00:03:45,380there is no sin, there is no temptation5900:03:45,380 –> 00:03:47,139that you cannot overcome6000:03:47,139 –> 00:03:50,059with the help of the Holy Spirit this week6100:03:50,059 –> 00:03:51,740I’ll say that again6200:03:51,740 –> 00:03:53,119the power of sin is broken6300:03:53,119 –> 00:03:54,800what that means is this6400:03:54,800 –> 00:03:57,100there is no sin, there is no temptation6500:03:57,100 –> 00:03:58,759that you cannot overcome6600:03:58,759 –> 00:04:02,820by the power of the Holy Spirit this week6700:04:03,339 –> 00:04:04,860but friends6800:04:04,860 –> 00:04:07,679you don’t need to be a Christian for terribly long6900:04:07,679 –> 00:04:10,839you don’t even need to know yourself terribly well to know7000:04:10,839 –> 00:04:14,660that sin itself remains present in every Christian7100:04:14,660 –> 00:04:18,540throughout our life in this world7200:04:18,540 –> 00:04:21,160but not forever7300:04:21,160 –> 00:04:22,040not forever7400:04:24,160 –> 00:04:27,480we need to be washed7500:04:27,480 –> 00:04:30,959now, who does the washing?7600:04:30,959 –> 00:04:32,160now watch this in the Bible7700:04:32,160 –> 00:04:34,079because the answer might surprise you7800:04:34,079 –> 00:04:36,239who does the washing?7900:04:36,239 –> 00:04:37,459answer8000:04:37,459 –> 00:04:38,720we do8100:04:38,720 –> 00:04:41,799that’s the answer here8200:04:41,799 –> 00:04:44,480they have washed their robes8300:04:45,600 –> 00:04:46,700now, of course8400:04:46,700 –> 00:04:49,519Christ is the one who washes the Soul8500:04:49,519 –> 00:04:52,279Christ and his blood is the8600:04:52,279 –> 00:04:55,679one by whom our souls are made clean8700:04:55,679 –> 00:04:58,700and the Bible speaks about how Christ washes us8800:04:58,700 –> 00:05:00,679again and again and again8900:05:00,859 –> 00:05:02,839but here we’re told something else9000:05:02,839 –> 00:05:05,420that all of us need to know9100:05:05,420 –> 00:05:10,339they have washed their robes9200:05:10,339 –> 00:05:12,100that means9300:05:12,100 –> 00:05:15,279that everyone who is in heaven9400:05:15,279 –> 00:05:20,059has done something about their condition9500:05:20,059 –> 00:05:23,480they saw that they needed to be washed9600:05:23,480 –> 00:05:25,679they realized that even at their best9700:05:25,679 –> 00:05:28,720their attempts at living a life that would be pleasing to God9800:05:28,720 –> 00:05:32,920are not going to amount to very much more than filthy rags9900:05:32,920 –> 00:05:35,859they came to believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God10000:05:35,859 –> 00:05:37,959who takes away the sin of the world10100:05:37,959 –> 00:05:39,660and the means by which he takes it away10200:05:39,660 –> 00:05:42,119is through his shed blood being applied10300:05:42,119 –> 00:05:44,600to a person who is bound to him by faith10400:05:44,600 –> 00:05:46,959and therefore they came to him10500:05:46,959 –> 00:05:48,859they came to him in all their guilt10600:05:48,859 –> 00:05:50,720and they came to him in repentance10700:05:50,739 –> 00:05:52,100and they came to him in faith10800:05:52,100 –> 00:05:55,640and they prayed like David prayed in Psalm 5110900:05:55,640 –> 00:05:56,720he said this11000:05:56,820 –> 00:06:01,059Purge me, and I shall be clean11100:06:01,059 –> 00:06:05,779Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow11200:06:06,380 –> 00:06:08,019Now here’s what John is discovering11300:06:08,019 –> 00:06:10,380every person in heaven11400:06:11,000 –> 00:06:12,839has come to Jesus Christ in that way11500:06:12,839 –> 00:06:14,019Which raises the question11600:06:14,019 –> 00:06:16,940have you come to Jesus Christ in this way?11700:06:17,679 –> 00:06:21,739They wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb11800:06:21,739 –> 00:06:23,339That’s how they made their robes white11900:06:23,339 –> 00:06:25,739That’s why they’re in the presence of Jesus12000:06:25,799 –> 00:06:28,040They wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb12100:06:28,040 –> 00:06:31,700Is that something you have done or not?12200:06:32,380 –> 00:06:35,339Now at this point you must be clear12300:06:35,339 –> 00:06:36,339And if you’re not clear12400:06:36,339 –> 00:06:38,260I plead with you to become clear12500:06:38,260 –> 00:06:41,619by coming to Jesus Christ tonight12600:06:42,040 –> 00:06:45,059Is this something you have done?12700:06:45,320 –> 00:06:49,040Have you come to see your own need of a saviour?12800:06:49,040 –> 00:06:51,399Have you come to recognise that Jesus Christ12900:06:51,399 –> 00:06:54,880is the saviour that you need?13000:06:54,980 –> 00:06:56,380Have you come to him in faith13100:06:56,399 –> 00:06:57,399and in repentance13200:06:57,399 –> 00:07:01,119and with whatever is in your life13300:07:01,119 –> 00:07:04,339and asked him to cleanse you?13400:07:04,339 –> 00:07:07,339Asked him to make you his own?13500:07:08,040 –> 00:07:10,640And is there the evidence in your life today13600:07:10,640 –> 00:07:12,179that you have done this?13700:07:12,179 –> 00:07:14,119Are you pursuing a holy life13800:07:14,119 –> 00:07:16,820which is the evidence that a person belongs to Jesus?13900:07:16,820 –> 00:07:17,739Without that what right14000:07:17,739 –> 00:07:21,700have you got to claim that you’re his?14100:07:21,720 –> 00:07:24,980My friend, don’t be passive.14200:07:25,299 –> 00:07:27,899They washed their robes14300:07:27,899 –> 00:07:30,540they did not simply feel bad about themselves14400:07:30,540 –> 00:07:34,299they did something they came to Jesus.14500:07:34,299 –> 00:07:37,760Other people around you14600:07:37,760 –> 00:07:42,480are washing their robes in the blood of Christ.14700:07:42,480 –> 00:07:45,679Why not you?14800:07:45,679 –> 00:07:48,320Why not you?14900:07:48,700 –> 00:07:51,160They’ve been crushed, these people in heaven15000:07:52,640 –> 00:07:55,440and they’ve been cleansed.15100:07:55,440 –> 00:07:59,899It’s the two things you need to know about the people in heaven.15200:07:59,899 –> 00:08:02,380And now they’re at home.15300:08:02,380 –> 00:08:04,880Verse 15, he who sits on the throne will15400:08:04,880 –> 00:08:08,019shelter them with his presence.15500:08:08,019 –> 00:08:12,059They’re in the shelter and the shelter is God himself.15600:08:13,059 –> 00:08:17,140God, as it were, spreads his wings over them15700:08:17,140 –> 00:08:19,100so that they are included and they are15800:08:19,100 –> 00:08:21,980under his fatherly care and his protection15900:08:21,980 –> 00:08:23,339forever and forever.16000:08:23,339 –> 00:08:26,119Literally this verse says, God himself16100:08:26,119 –> 00:08:28,899spreads his tent over them.16200:08:28,899 –> 00:08:30,779Isn’t that a great picture?16300:08:30,779 –> 00:08:33,619You go to the campsite and you spread out the tent16400:08:34,859 –> 00:08:38,099and the tent comes over you.16500:08:38,099 –> 00:08:41,280You are inside, you are not outside, you’re included.16600:08:41,799 –> 00:08:46,799Jesus said that heaven is my father’s house.16700:08:48,719 –> 00:08:52,940And if God is your father, then heaven is your home.16800:08:54,299 –> 00:08:56,080And there may be some times when you don’t16900:08:56,080 –> 00:08:57,200feel at home on earth.17000:08:57,200 –> 00:08:59,119There are some folks that don’t feel at home17100:08:59,119 –> 00:09:00,479in their own bodies.17200:09:02,039 –> 00:09:04,380I’ll tell you, if you have put your trust17300:09:04,380 –> 00:09:06,739in Jesus Christ, you will be at home in heaven.17400:09:08,320 –> 00:09:10,640Some folks may find at times that they17500:09:11,000 –> 00:09:12,900they just don’t feel completely at home,17600:09:12,900 –> 00:09:14,780even amongst other Christians.17700:09:16,520 –> 00:09:17,960You wonder about that.17800:09:20,020 –> 00:09:21,880I tell you if you’re in Jesus Christ,17900:09:21,880 –> 00:09:23,679you will be at home in heaven.18000:09:24,679 –> 00:09:27,780Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.18100:09:29,119 –> 00:09:31,739And those who are washed in the blood of Christ18200:09:32,760 –> 00:09:36,859will feel at home in his presence.18300:09:38,640 –> 00:09:39,739So here are the people.18400:09:41,580 –> 00:09:43,979John says there’s a vast, vast company of them.18500:09:46,320 –> 00:09:47,820Now, what are they doing?18600:09:48,719 –> 00:09:50,000What is this life?18700:09:50,880 –> 00:09:52,960If you’re washed in the blood of Christ18800:09:52,960 –> 00:09:55,700and you finally arrive in your heavenly home,18900:09:55,700 –> 00:09:58,159what can you anticipate there?19000:09:58,159 –> 00:09:59,080Look at what it says.19100:09:59,080 –> 00:10:00,380It’s marvelous.19200:10:01,640 –> 00:10:03,080Just these three observations.19300:10:03,080 –> 00:10:07,260Number one, in heaven, you will serve God19400:10:07,260 –> 00:10:09,599as you always wished you could.19500:10:10,739 –> 00:10:14,500Verse 15, they are before the throne of God19600:10:15,539 –> 00:10:20,539and they serve him, day and night, in his temple.19700:10:23,900 –> 00:10:26,820Friends, every Christian serves Christ,19800:10:28,299 –> 00:10:30,580but no Christian serves Christ19900:10:30,580 –> 00:10:33,340as we would want to serve Christ.20000:10:33,340 –> 00:10:35,679Every Christian knows what it is to worship.20100:10:37,320 –> 00:10:39,520But have you ever really worshiped20200:10:39,520 –> 00:10:41,080as you would like to worship?20300:10:42,919 –> 00:10:46,599Don’t you find that there is this great conflict20400:10:46,599 –> 00:10:49,719within you, don’t you find yourself, at times,20500:10:49,719 –> 00:10:53,020asking, why is my heart so sluggish?20600:10:54,479 –> 00:10:56,880Why is it that when the mercy and grace of God20700:10:56,880 –> 00:10:58,919is poured out to me in such abundance20800:10:58,919 –> 00:11:02,200that sometimes my response is so restrained,20900:11:02,200 –> 00:11:04,760so calculating, why is that?21000:11:06,840 –> 00:11:08,599You know that we find in this life21100:11:08,619 –> 00:11:11,799a conflict within ourselves, and it’s always going on.21200:11:11,799 –> 00:11:16,099The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.21300:11:17,460 –> 00:11:20,400And we throw ourselves into serving Christ21400:11:20,400 –> 00:11:23,020and living for Christ, we get tired.21500:11:24,099 –> 00:11:25,760We get discouraged.21600:11:26,799 –> 00:11:30,320We get bogged down in our unsolved problems21700:11:30,320 –> 00:11:32,979and in our unanswered questions.21800:11:34,039 –> 00:11:37,380And we live below the level that even in our own hearts21900:11:37,419 –> 00:11:40,320we would want to live for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ22000:11:40,320 –> 00:11:42,299but it will not always be so.22100:11:42,299 –> 00:11:47,179In heaven, you will serve God as you always wished you could.22200:11:47,179 –> 00:11:48,380Look at it.22300:11:48,380 –> 00:11:49,280Day and night.22400:11:49,280 –> 00:11:51,159There’s no tiredness there.22500:11:53,179 –> 00:11:54,679And here, we go through seasons22600:11:54,679 –> 00:11:56,679of feeling distant from God.22700:11:57,900 –> 00:12:00,479We have times when we say, oh, I long for a new22800:12:00,479 –> 00:12:03,179and a fresh experience, a fresh touch from God,22900:12:03,179 –> 00:12:06,479but here in heaven, you will be before his throne23000:12:06,780 –> 00:12:09,780and you will be with him and you will enjoy him23100:12:09,780 –> 00:12:11,280and it will be forever.23200:12:13,080 –> 00:12:14,979In heaven, you will serve Christ23300:12:14,979 –> 00:12:17,219as you always wished you could.23400:12:17,219 –> 00:12:18,539You’re listening to Open The Bible23500:12:18,539 –> 00:12:19,780with Pastor Colin Smith23600:12:19,780 –> 00:12:22,419and the second part of our message called heaven.23700:12:22,419 –> 00:12:25,280It’s part of our series called heaven and hell23800:12:25,280 –> 00:12:27,200and if you’ve missed any of the series,23900:12:27,200 –> 00:12:30,099you can easily catch up or go back and listen again online24000:12:30,099 –> 00:12:34,440at our website, openthebible.org.uk24100:12:34,500 –> 00:12:37,200or you can find Pastor Colin as a podcast24200:12:37,200 –> 00:12:39,440and those are on all the main podcast sites.24300:12:39,440 –> 00:12:41,599Search for Open The Bible UK24400:12:41,599 –> 00:12:44,119or follow the link from our website.24500:12:44,119 –> 00:12:47,200Back to the message now, we’re in Revelation chapter seven,24600:12:47,200 –> 00:12:49,520here again is Colin.24700:12:49,520 –> 00:12:51,479In heaven, you will serve Christ24800:12:51,479 –> 00:12:53,280as you always wished you could.24900:12:54,960 –> 00:12:56,599Then notice this, that in heaven,25000:12:56,599 –> 00:13:00,299Christ will lead you into ever increasing joy.25100:13:01,640 –> 00:13:02,679Try to take this in.25200:13:02,679 –> 00:13:04,419Look at what it says, verse 16.25300:13:04,419 –> 00:13:08,840The lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd25400:13:09,960 –> 00:13:14,700and he will guide them into springs of living water.25500:13:16,799 –> 00:13:21,440Now, you may think, well, heaven is a wonderful place25600:13:22,640 –> 00:13:26,700but I’m going to discover all kinds of marvelous things.25700:13:26,700 –> 00:13:29,760That would be very reasonable for you to think that.25800:13:29,760 –> 00:13:34,760John is saying to you, it’s much better than that.25900:13:35,820 –> 00:13:38,520Cause what’s missing in saying heaven is a wonderful place26000:13:38,520 –> 00:13:40,820and I’m going to discover all kinds of wonderful things?26100:13:40,820 –> 00:13:43,159What’s missing, or rather who’s missing?26200:13:43,159 –> 00:13:44,739Jesus.26300:13:44,739 –> 00:13:46,960And you see at the very center of the life of heaven,26400:13:46,960 –> 00:13:48,679what John is telling us here,26500:13:48,679 –> 00:13:52,820the lamb himself will be their shepherd.26600:13:52,820 –> 00:13:56,280The active involvement of your Lord Jesus Christ,26700:13:56,280 –> 00:13:58,760who you trust and love, and worship,26800:13:58,760 –> 00:14:00,559and serve right now.26900:14:00,559 –> 00:14:05,559The active and immanent involvement of Christ in your life.27000:14:07,000 –> 00:14:08,239He’s the shepherd.27100:14:08,239 –> 00:14:10,280He’s your shepherd now if you belong to him27200:14:10,280 –> 00:14:12,080and He’ll be your shepherd forever.27300:14:13,440 –> 00:14:15,380That’s why the people in heaven are never hungry,27400:14:15,380 –> 00:14:16,619verse 16.27500:14:16,619 –> 00:14:18,099And He leads them.27600:14:18,099 –> 00:14:19,419He feeds them.27700:14:21,119 –> 00:14:23,239What Christ does for us on earth,27800:14:23,239 –> 00:14:26,219He will do in new and wonderful and glorious ways in heaven.27900:14:26,219 –> 00:14:27,940The lamb will be their shepherd.28000:14:27,940 –> 00:14:29,239And notice what it says.28100:14:29,239 –> 00:14:34,080He guides them to springs of living water.28200:14:35,280 –> 00:14:38,159In other words, the great joy of heaven will be28300:14:38,159 –> 00:14:40,799that the Lord Jesus Himself will lead you28400:14:40,799 –> 00:14:42,719into ever increasing delight.28500:14:44,119 –> 00:14:46,059He’ll lead you into it.28600:14:46,059 –> 00:14:47,799So what is being described here28700:14:47,799 –> 00:14:50,479is not a static kind of experience,28800:14:50,479 –> 00:14:52,479but a living relationship28900:14:52,479 –> 00:14:55,640and a life of ongoing new fresh discovery.29000:14:55,640 –> 00:14:57,859That’s why you can never be bored in heaven.29100:14:58,739 –> 00:15:02,219And this joy will go on increasing forever.29200:15:02,219 –> 00:15:03,440You say, how is that possible?29300:15:03,440 –> 00:15:04,700Well just think about this.29400:15:04,700 –> 00:15:06,340I can’t explain how it’s possible,29500:15:06,340 –> 00:15:08,380but think about this.29600:15:08,380 –> 00:15:09,979You take out a photograph album29700:15:09,979 –> 00:15:12,900or you review your photographs there on your computer29800:15:12,900 –> 00:15:15,500and you look at things that happened years ago29900:15:15,500 –> 00:15:16,979and they were wonderful things30000:15:16,979 –> 00:15:18,820and even looking at the pictures of them,30100:15:18,820 –> 00:15:21,679your memory is stirred and you still derive joy30200:15:21,679 –> 00:15:23,539from things that happened a year ago30300:15:23,539 –> 00:15:25,559or 10 years ago or 20 years ago.30400:15:25,559 –> 00:15:27,299They’re part of the fund of joy30500:15:27,460 –> 00:15:29,619and the joy that God has poured into the richness30600:15:29,619 –> 00:15:31,359of your life here in this world.30700:15:33,020 –> 00:15:34,280Now, says Jonathan Edwards,30800:15:34,280 –> 00:15:36,700do you think that it would be any less in heaven?30900:15:37,900 –> 00:15:41,380There is an accumulation of ever fresh discoveries31000:15:41,380 –> 00:15:44,179of the joys and the glories of God31100:15:44,179 –> 00:15:47,580and of his new creation, Jesus Christ leading you31200:15:47,580 –> 00:15:51,320into ever unfolding new delights of his glory.31300:15:51,320 –> 00:15:53,080And Edwards asks this question,31400:15:53,080 –> 00:15:55,119think about what that will be like31500:15:55,159 –> 00:16:00,080after a million, million ages, cumulatively.31600:16:02,140 –> 00:16:03,099And then I quote,31700:16:04,119 –> 00:16:06,700their knowledge will increase to eternity,31800:16:08,080 –> 00:16:10,599and if their knowledge, then their holiness,31900:16:10,599 –> 00:16:13,340for as they increase in the knowledge of God,32000:16:13,340 –> 00:16:16,200they will see more of his beauty,32100:16:16,200 –> 00:16:17,940and the more they see of his beauty,32200:16:17,940 –> 00:16:19,239the more they will love him,32300:16:19,239 –> 00:16:20,460and the more they love God,32400:16:20,460 –> 00:16:22,719the more delight and the more happiness32500:16:22,719 –> 00:16:24,179they will have in him.32600:16:24,179 –> 00:16:25,500You see what he’s describing?32700:16:25,500 –> 00:16:29,460He is describing exponentially increasing joy.32800:16:31,679 –> 00:16:35,599What will that be after a million, million ages?32900:16:37,760 –> 00:16:40,099In heaven, you will serve God33000:16:40,099 –> 00:16:41,900as you always wished you could.33100:16:43,919 –> 00:16:47,340In heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, your shepherd,33200:16:48,700 –> 00:16:50,940will lead you into ever increasing joy.33300:16:51,580 –> 00:16:56,539And in heaven lastly, all your wounds will finally be healed.33400:16:58,299 –> 00:17:03,299Verse 17, God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.33500:17:04,699 –> 00:17:06,459Every tear?33600:17:06,459 –> 00:17:07,300Notice that?33700:17:09,060 –> 00:17:11,260It’s one word I underlined I,33800:17:11,260 –> 00:17:12,959you wanna underline just about all the words33900:17:12,959 –> 00:17:14,979in this passage, every tear.34000:17:16,040 –> 00:17:18,640And literally, what this says is34100:17:19,439 –> 00:17:21,839is every tear out of their eye34200:17:21,839 –> 00:17:24,420as if not only were the tears being removed34300:17:24,420 –> 00:17:26,160but the ducts as well.34400:17:26,160 –> 00:17:28,719The source that produces the tears34500:17:28,719 –> 00:17:31,079is now being wiped out of their eyes.34600:17:31,079 –> 00:17:32,719That’s why I say here in heaven34700:17:32,719 –> 00:17:35,479all your wounds will finally be healed.34800:17:35,479 –> 00:17:38,119All that produces tears in this world34900:17:39,280 –> 00:17:40,680as far as you are concerned,35000:17:42,959 –> 00:17:45,000the baggage that you carried35100:17:45,040 –> 00:17:46,719before you were cast out35200:17:46,719 –> 00:17:49,760and you thought to make progress by faith35300:17:49,760 –> 00:17:50,959through your life in this world35400:17:50,959 –> 00:17:53,500but in some sense that was baggage that you carried35500:17:53,500 –> 00:17:56,359and never quite completely shook it off,35600:17:56,359 –> 00:17:58,199no baggage there.35700:17:58,199 –> 00:17:59,040It’s gone.35800:18:01,040 –> 00:18:03,599The temptations that you battled,35900:18:05,099 –> 00:18:06,079you made progress,36000:18:06,079 –> 00:18:07,880sometimes you had great failures36100:18:07,880 –> 00:18:10,079that caused you such disappointment,36200:18:11,599 –> 00:18:12,420no battles now.36300:18:12,479 –> 00:18:13,319Some of them,36400:18:14,459 –> 00:18:16,380the pain that you suffered,36500:18:18,140 –> 00:18:20,040the questions you faced36600:18:21,819 –> 00:18:23,380and John sees the glory of heaven36700:18:23,380 –> 00:18:24,660and the presence of Jesus36800:18:24,660 –> 00:18:26,739and the glory of the new creation36900:18:26,739 –> 00:18:30,060but like a drumbeat alongside the description37000:18:30,060 –> 00:18:32,420of that glory you have in the scriptures37100:18:32,420 –> 00:18:34,780this almost relentless statement37200:18:34,780 –> 00:18:36,619of what will not be there,37300:18:38,579 –> 00:18:39,619no death,37400:18:40,579 –> 00:18:41,780no mourning,37500:18:42,579 –> 00:18:44,680no sins to confess,37600:18:44,680 –> 00:18:46,540no temptations to overcome,37700:18:46,540 –> 00:18:48,020no sickness to suffer,37800:18:48,020 –> 00:18:50,180no depression to bring darkness,37900:18:50,180 –> 00:18:51,660no pain to endure,38000:18:51,660 –> 00:18:53,199no crosses to carry,38100:18:53,199 –> 00:18:55,680no fears for you to face,38200:18:55,680 –> 00:18:57,400all your questions answered,38300:18:57,400 –> 00:18:59,140all your doubts resolved,38400:18:59,140 –> 00:19:01,140these people have been crushed38500:19:01,959 –> 00:19:03,300but look at them now.38600:19:03,300 –> 00:19:05,260That’s the point.38700:19:05,260 –> 00:19:06,380You look at them38800:19:07,380 –> 00:19:08,939because if you have been washed38900:19:08,939 –> 00:19:10,579in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ39000:19:10,579 –> 00:19:11,540it will not be long39100:19:11,619 –> 00:19:13,939until you are there too,39200:19:13,939 –> 00:19:16,319and that’s what gives you strength to endure39300:19:16,319 –> 00:19:18,859when you’re stuck on an island prison39400:19:18,859 –> 00:19:20,020or whatever it is that39500:19:20,020 –> 00:19:21,780is the most crushing experience39600:19:21,780 –> 00:19:23,339of your life today.39700:19:25,020 –> 00:19:27,699God will wipe away all tears39800:19:27,699 –> 00:19:31,020from your eyes also.39900:19:33,819 –> 00:19:35,400Look at what lies ahead of you40000:19:37,459 –> 00:19:39,219and it will help you to live today.40100:19:42,280 –> 00:19:44,859Donald MacLeod, one more quote,40200:19:44,859 –> 00:19:48,319reminds us that heaven is our father’s house.40300:19:48,339 –> 00:19:50,040And he says this,40400:19:50,040 –> 00:19:52,439I found it helpful.40500:19:52,439 –> 00:19:56,060What a grief it must be, to God,40600:19:56,060 –> 00:19:59,939that so few of his children want to go home.40700:20:02,540 –> 00:20:05,079Here we are, in enemy territory,40800:20:05,079 –> 00:20:07,300amid the sufferings of the present time,40900:20:07,300 –> 00:20:08,939beset by sin41000:20:08,939 –> 00:20:10,800and seeing our father’s name41100:20:10,839 –> 00:20:12,619being dishonored all around us,41200:20:12,619 –> 00:20:15,359and yet we want to stay.41300:20:17,280 –> 00:20:19,599He recalls Paul’s longing to depart41400:20:19,599 –> 00:20:20,599and to be with Christ,41500:20:20,599 –> 00:20:22,540which, you remember, he says in Philippians,41600:20:22,540 –> 00:20:25,000is better by far.41700:20:25,959 –> 00:20:26,979And then Paul says,41800:20:26,979 –> 00:20:29,140yet I’ve gotta be building41900:20:29,140 –> 00:20:30,319and I’ve gotta be ready42000:20:30,319 –> 00:20:32,099as someone who has been given responsibilities,42100:20:32,119 –> 00:20:34,140as all of us have been given responsibilities42200:20:34,140 –> 00:20:35,439by God in this world.42300:20:35,439 –> 00:20:37,380I’ve gotta be ready to stay and continue42400:20:37,599 –> 00:20:38,839and to serve the Church42500:20:38,839 –> 00:20:41,660until the day when He calls me home.42600:20:41,660 –> 00:20:43,079And McLeod says,42700:20:55,400 –> 00:20:57,839Willing to stay for the sake42800:20:57,839 –> 00:21:00,400of the work that still needs to be done.42900:21:00,400 –> 00:21:02,500The work that God still has for you to do.43000:21:03,560 –> 00:21:04,699But in your heart of heart,43100:21:04,699 –> 00:21:06,699with the taste of heaven.43200:21:06,719 –> 00:21:08,859Longing to be home.43300:21:10,459 –> 00:21:14,959Serving Christ will be your great delight in heaven.43400:21:16,119 –> 00:21:20,260So find joy by serving Him now.43500:21:22,060 –> 00:21:24,140Following Christ will lead you43600:21:24,140 –> 00:21:27,020into springs of living water in heaven.43700:21:28,020 –> 00:21:32,920So find life by following Christ now.43800:21:33,760 –> 00:21:38,760Christ will be the one who wipes every tear from your eye.43900:21:39,359 –> 00:21:44,359So find comfort by drawing near to Jesus Christ now.44000:21:47,900 –> 00:21:49,400Pastor Colin Smith there,44100:21:49,400 –> 00:21:53,260wrapping up the second part of our message entitled Heaven.44200:21:53,260 –> 00:21:56,400It’s a part of our series called Heaven And Hell,44300:21:56,400 –> 00:22:00,319a short mini-series which is available to listen back44400:22:00,319 –> 00:22:02,239if you’ve missed any of it on our,44500:22:02,239 –> 00:22:06,400online, at our website, openthebible.org.uk44600:22:06,420 –> 00:22:10,420or find Pastor Colin as a podcast on Open the Bible.44700:22:10,420 –> 00:22:13,719You can find that by searching for Open the Bible UK44800:22:13,719 –> 00:22:16,319or follow the link from our website.44900:22:16,319 –> 00:22:17,760While you’re on our website,45000:22:17,760 –> 00:22:20,760don’t forget to check out Open the Bible Daily.45100:22:20,760 –> 00:22:24,040That’s our series of two to three-minute reflections45200:22:24,040 –> 00:22:26,020based on Pastor Colin’s teaching45300:22:26,020 –> 00:22:28,500and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish.45400:22:28,520 –> 00:22:29,959There’s a fresh one on the website45500:22:29,959 –> 00:22:32,020and as a podcast every day45600:22:32,020 –> 00:22:35,400and many Christians find it’s a great way to start the day.45700:22:35,400 –> 00:22:37,079That’s Open the Bible Daily.45800:22:37,079 –> 00:22:39,900Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.45900:22:39,900 –> 00:22:41,560And if you’re thinking about doing that46000:22:41,560 –> 00:22:43,359for the first time this month,46100:22:43,359 –> 00:22:46,420we would like to offer you something in return.46200:22:46,420 –> 00:22:47,640If you’re able to set up46300:22:47,640 –> 00:22:51,180a new direct debit of five pounds per month or more46400:22:51,199 –> 00:22:54,079or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more46500:22:54,079 –> 00:22:57,000we’ll send you a copy of Pastor Colin Smith’s book,46600:22:57,000 –> 00:22:59,760The Ten Greatest Struggles of Your Life.46700:22:59,760 –> 00:23:02,140Finding freedom in God’s commands46800:23:02,140 –> 00:23:06,520along with five beautiful Psalm 23 note cards.46900:23:06,520 –> 00:23:08,680Colin, what are you hoping that readers47000:23:08,680 –> 00:23:10,660will take away from reading this book?47100:23:10,660 –> 00:23:12,979Well, there are so many people47200:23:12,979 –> 00:23:15,180who have only heard a message47300:23:15,180 –> 00:23:18,359that is basically do this and don’t do that47400:23:18,359 –> 00:23:20,319and have become tired of it47500:23:20,319 –> 00:23:22,040and may even have walked away from it.47600:23:22,040 –> 00:23:24,319Focus on listening to us right now47700:23:24,319 –> 00:23:25,839and that’s been your experience.47800:23:25,839 –> 00:23:27,880Do this, do this, do this, don’t do that,47900:23:28,520 –> 00:23:30,560and so forth and so on,48000:23:30,560 –> 00:23:32,160and the wonderful thing48100:23:32,160 –> 00:23:34,579that’s at the very heart of the gospel48200:23:34,579 –> 00:23:37,760is that God gives what He commands,48300:23:37,760 –> 00:23:40,439so when we look at the 10 commandments,48400:23:40,439 –> 00:23:44,859we’re looking at what God actually offers to give to us48500:23:44,859 –> 00:23:47,119by the power of His Holy Spirit48600:23:47,119 –> 00:23:50,199when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.48700:23:50,199 –> 00:23:52,660He’s able to give us a new life48800:23:52,660 –> 00:23:55,760in which it’s possible to pursue purity,48900:23:55,800 –> 00:23:59,079in which it’s possible to find contentment,49000:23:59,079 –> 00:24:01,199in which it’s possible for us to make49100:24:01,199 –> 00:24:03,479wise and good use of our time.49200:24:03,479 –> 00:24:06,500All of these issues are addressed in the 10 commandments,49300:24:06,500 –> 00:24:08,739and therefore, they point to a new life49400:24:08,739 –> 00:24:10,800that is full of the most wonderful hope.49500:24:10,800 –> 00:24:14,859If you’ve only heard a bunch of do’s and don’ts,49600:24:14,859 –> 00:24:17,660you haven’t yet discovered the good news49700:24:17,660 –> 00:24:19,800of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ,49800:24:19,800 –> 00:24:21,479and so my hope and prayer for this book49900:24:21,479 –> 00:24:23,099is that it will help many people50000:24:23,099 –> 00:24:24,640to have their eyes opened50100:24:24,680 –> 00:24:26,500to the new life that’s possible50200:24:26,500 –> 00:24:28,579through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.50300:24:28,579 –> 00:24:31,500So that’s our gift to you this month of September.50400:24:31,500 –> 00:24:33,900If you’re able to set up a new direct debit50500:24:33,900 –> 00:24:36,060of five pounds per month or more,50600:24:36,060 –> 00:24:38,660or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more,50700:24:38,660 –> 00:24:40,520to the work of Open the Bible.50800:24:40,520 –> 00:24:43,020Full terms and conditions on our website,50900:24:43,020 –> 00:24:44,780that’s at openthebible.org.uk,51000:24:46,099 –> 00:24:47,819and you can give online.51100:24:47,819 –> 00:24:49,859If you’d like us to send you this gift,51200:24:49,859 –> 00:24:51,699please don’t give anonymously,51300:24:51,699 –> 00:24:53,479and remember to include your address51400:24:53,520 –> 00:24:55,900before you give us so we can send you your gift.51500:24:55,900 –> 00:24:58,400For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,51600:24:58,400 –> 00:25:00,880I’m David Pick, and I hope you’ll join us again51700:25:00,880 –> 00:25:02,560next time on Open The Bible.51800:25:02,560 –> 00:25:05,380Open The Bible51900:25:08,420 –> 00:25:09,979Have you ever said to yourself,52000:25:09,979 –> 00:25:13,880I’m a Christian, why is my life so hard?52100:25:13,880 –> 00:25:16,839Find out why next time on Open The Bible.