1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:02,980 We have a marvelous subject 2 00:00:02,980 –> 00:00:05,160 in front of us here this morning. 3 00:00:05,160 –> 00:00:08,480 We’re going to look at the happiness of Heaven, 4 00:00:08,480 –> 00:00:10,720 or perhaps, more specifically, 5 00:00:10,720 –> 00:00:13,680 the happiness of the resurrection life 6 00:00:13,680 –> 00:00:15,420 that all of God’s people will share 7 00:00:15,420 –> 00:00:19,959 with Jesus Christ in the new Heaven and the new Earth. 8 00:00:19,959 –> 00:00:22,120 A central aim of the short series 9 00:00:22,120 –> 00:00:23,520 that we’ve been pursuing on Heaven 10 00:00:23,520 –> 00:00:26,740 has been to heighten our anticipation, 11 00:00:26,740 –> 00:00:29,879 to awaken within us 12 00:00:29,980 –> 00:00:33,660 an interest in this great, great subject 13 00:00:33,660 –> 00:00:36,259 of the future that lies ahead 14 00:00:36,259 –> 00:00:38,779 of every Christian believer. 15 00:00:38,779 –> 00:00:41,099 I want to try and banish any notions 16 00:00:41,099 –> 00:00:43,700 that lurk at the back of perhaps some of our minds 17 00:00:43,700 –> 00:00:45,299 that Heaven in some way 18 00:00:45,299 –> 00:00:48,900 may be less than what we experience and enjoy now, 19 00:00:48,900 –> 00:00:52,299 that it may be in some way dull or perhaps even boring. 20 00:00:52,299 –> 00:00:55,459 I want to encourage us with the kind of relish 21 00:00:55,459 –> 00:00:57,580 that you find in the New Testament 22 00:00:57,759 –> 00:00:59,919 as Christian believers anticipate 23 00:00:59,919 –> 00:01:02,700 the joy of all that is to come 24 00:01:02,700 –> 00:01:06,180 for those who are in Christ Jesus. 25 00:01:06,180 –> 00:01:07,940 It’s very striking to me that 26 00:01:07,940 –> 00:01:11,019 the pundits of pop psychology 27 00:01:11,019 –> 00:01:13,620 often talk these days about 28 00:01:13,620 –> 00:01:17,220 living your best life now. 29 00:01:17,220 –> 00:01:19,220 You hear this on television talk shows 30 00:01:19,220 –> 00:01:22,440 and so forth, magazine articles, 31 00:01:22,440 –> 00:01:23,959 living your best life now. 32 00:01:23,959 –> 00:01:26,580 Think about that, that it’s only possible 33 00:01:26,580 –> 00:01:30,019 to live your best life now is only possible 34 00:01:30,019 –> 00:01:33,099 for a person who is going to Hell. 35 00:01:33,099 –> 00:01:35,660 If that is a person’s ultimate destination, 36 00:01:35,660 –> 00:01:37,099 then it is their best life now, 37 00:01:37,099 –> 00:01:38,620 it will never be better, 38 00:01:38,620 –> 00:01:40,559 eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die 39 00:01:40,559 –> 00:01:43,419 would have to be the philosophy if that is the case. 40 00:01:43,419 –> 00:01:45,099 But if you are a Christian, 41 00:01:45,940 –> 00:01:48,220 if you are headed for an eternal future 42 00:01:48,220 –> 00:01:50,620 in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, 43 00:01:50,620 –> 00:01:53,900 how can you possibly live your best life now. 44 00:01:53,900 –> 00:01:56,300 Your best life is ahead of you 45 00:01:56,300 –> 00:01:58,739 and everything that you enjoy in life 46 00:01:58,739 –> 00:02:02,699 at its best here and now is only an anticipation, 47 00:02:02,699 –> 00:02:03,699 it’s only a taster, 48 00:02:03,699 –> 00:02:08,300 it’s only a sample of the joys that are to come 49 00:02:08,300 –> 00:02:11,279 for the people of God in the presence of Jesus. 50 00:02:11,279 –> 00:02:12,779 Think of it this way, 51 00:02:12,779 –> 00:02:16,779 when a couple are planning a wedding reception, 52 00:02:16,779 –> 00:02:18,539 they go for a tasting 53 00:02:19,500 –> 00:02:21,699 and they taste the meal 54 00:02:21,699 –> 00:02:24,500 that is to be served on the great day 55 00:02:24,500 –> 00:02:26,979 but the tasting is only a little sample. 56 00:02:26,979 –> 00:02:28,139 It’s not the meal, 57 00:02:28,139 –> 00:02:29,899 it is a preparation, 58 00:02:29,899 –> 00:02:32,500 part of the preparation for the great event 59 00:02:32,500 –> 00:02:35,000 towards which the bride and the groom are moving, 60 00:02:35,000 –> 00:02:39,279 counting the days in eager anticipation 61 00:02:39,279 –> 00:02:43,160 and that spirit of anticipating what is yet to come, 62 00:02:43,160 –> 00:02:45,619 what Jesus Christ has prepared for those who love him 63 00:02:45,619 –> 00:02:48,860 runs all the way through the vibrant faith 64 00:02:48,860 –> 00:02:50,979 of the New Testament. 65 00:02:50,979 –> 00:02:52,820 We’ve been seeing in this little series 66 00:02:52,820 –> 00:02:56,080 that there is a good, better, best pattern 67 00:02:56,080 –> 00:02:58,080 to the Christian life. 68 00:02:58,080 –> 00:02:59,380 To be in Christ, 69 00:02:59,380 –> 00:03:00,500 which is our position, 70 00:03:00,500 –> 00:03:01,559 by faith, 71 00:03:01,559 –> 00:03:03,860 as Christian believers now in this world, 72 00:03:03,860 –> 00:03:05,839 that is good. 73 00:03:05,839 –> 00:03:07,500 I mean, even when life in this world 74 00:03:07,500 –> 00:03:08,479 is at its toughest, 75 00:03:08,479 –> 00:03:09,660 when you’re in Christ, 76 00:03:09,660 –> 00:03:14,520 you are blessed with every spiritual blessing in him. 77 00:03:14,520 –> 00:03:15,979 But to be with Christ, 78 00:03:15,979 –> 00:03:17,779 that is better. 79 00:03:17,779 –> 00:03:20,419 In fact the scripture says it is better by far, 80 00:03:20,539 –> 00:03:23,779 Philippians 1 and verse 23, 81 00:03:23,779 –> 00:03:25,699 but then we saw that even for those 82 00:03:25,699 –> 00:03:28,940 who are present with the Lord Jesus right now, 83 00:03:28,940 –> 00:03:30,220 for believers who have died 84 00:03:30,220 –> 00:03:32,419 and their souls are present with Jesus, 85 00:03:32,419 –> 00:03:34,660 the best is yet to be. 86 00:03:34,660 –> 00:03:37,259 They still await the resurrection body, 87 00:03:37,259 –> 00:03:38,699 the new heaven and the new earth 88 00:03:38,699 –> 00:03:41,839 that we’re going to look at together from the Bible today. 89 00:03:41,839 –> 00:03:45,440 For these things come after the Lord Jesus Christ 90 00:03:45,440 –> 00:03:49,619 is revealed in power and in glory. 91 00:03:49,679 –> 00:03:52,520 I invite you then to turn in your Bible, if you would, 92 00:03:52,520 –> 00:03:55,300 to Revelation chapter 21, 93 00:03:55,300 –> 00:03:58,679 where we read about the new heaven and the new earth. 94 00:03:58,679 –> 00:04:01,419 Throughout this marvelous book at the end of the Bible, 95 00:04:01,419 –> 00:04:06,419 John has seen much about the joy of believers in heaven 96 00:04:06,419 –> 00:04:08,919 and he has seen much about the ongoing conflict 97 00:04:08,919 –> 00:04:13,300 of believers on earth with the great forces of evil. 98 00:04:13,300 –> 00:04:15,059 And the story continues right up 99 00:04:15,059 –> 00:04:18,019 to the final triumph of the Lord Jesus 100 00:04:18,100 –> 00:04:21,239 and then to his righteous judgment on the wicked, 101 00:04:21,239 –> 00:04:23,859 which is at the end of chapter 20. 102 00:04:24,899 –> 00:04:29,899 And then John says, I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 103 00:04:33,500 –> 00:04:36,339 Now, the scriptures encourage us to set our minds 104 00:04:36,339 –> 00:04:40,380 on things above, where Jesus Christ is seated, 105 00:04:40,380 –> 00:04:43,179 that we are to think about heavenly things, 106 00:04:43,179 –> 00:04:45,160 about our life in Jesus Christ 107 00:04:45,160 –> 00:04:46,660 and indeed our life as it will be 108 00:04:46,700 –> 00:04:49,440 with the Lord Jesus Christ. 109 00:04:49,440 –> 00:04:52,059 And I want to give you today a very simple grid 110 00:04:52,059 –> 00:04:54,260 for doing this, for meditating, reflecting, 111 00:04:54,260 –> 00:04:57,179 thinking on the life that is to come. 112 00:04:57,179 –> 00:04:59,140 Four strategies. 113 00:04:59,140 –> 00:05:01,640 And it’s very simple, you’ll be able remember this 114 00:05:01,640 –> 00:05:02,980 and to use it. 115 00:05:02,980 –> 00:05:03,820 Here they are. 116 00:05:05,079 –> 00:05:10,079 Add, subtract, divide, multiply. 117 00:05:11,980 –> 00:05:13,079 It’s the four things you want to do. 118 00:05:13,079 –> 00:05:15,100 Four strategies for thinking about the life 119 00:05:15,100 –> 00:05:15,940 which is to come. 120 00:05:16,079 –> 00:05:17,440 But it’s very simple, right? 121 00:05:17,440 –> 00:05:22,440 Add, subtract, divide, multiply. 122 00:05:24,040 –> 00:05:25,079 That’s where we’re headed today. 123 00:05:25,079 –> 00:05:26,260 Hope you have your Bible open. 124 00:05:26,260 –> 00:05:28,640 First is add, verse one. 125 00:05:28,640 –> 00:05:33,480 I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 126 00:05:33,480 –> 00:05:38,480 Now I’m using the word add here to communicate continuity. 127 00:05:39,059 –> 00:05:41,140 Life in the new heaven and the new earth 128 00:05:41,140 –> 00:05:45,160 will not be other than the life that we have here. 129 00:05:45,160 –> 00:05:47,799 It will be more than the life we have here, 130 00:05:47,799 –> 00:05:51,440 hence the word add, but it will not be other. 131 00:05:52,459 –> 00:05:56,519 You will have this life in the new heaven and the new earth. 132 00:05:56,519 –> 00:06:00,739 It will be your soul that will be made perfect. 133 00:06:00,739 –> 00:06:04,980 It will be your body that is resurrected from the dead 134 00:06:04,980 –> 00:06:09,380 as the body of Jesus Christ was raised from the dead 135 00:06:09,380 –> 00:06:11,339 in the power of an endless life. 136 00:06:11,339 –> 00:06:13,799 So forget, you know, floating on clouds. 137 00:06:13,940 –> 00:06:17,600 You will have a flesh and bones resurrection body. 138 00:06:17,600 –> 00:06:20,739 That’s how Jesus described his resurrection body 139 00:06:20,739 –> 00:06:24,640 in Luke’s gospel, chapter 24 and verse 39. 140 00:06:24,640 –> 00:06:27,799 And you will live this new life 141 00:06:27,799 –> 00:06:30,359 in the new heaven on earth, 142 00:06:31,320 –> 00:06:34,839 the new heaven, new earth. 143 00:06:34,839 –> 00:06:38,079 Now this word new can be used in two different ways 144 00:06:38,079 –> 00:06:40,019 and it’s important to understand 145 00:06:40,019 –> 00:06:42,140 the way in which it’s being used here. 146 00:06:43,059 –> 00:06:46,239 You can use the word new, for example, in this way. 147 00:06:46,239 –> 00:06:50,399 You may say we’re going to move to a new house. 148 00:06:51,640 –> 00:06:54,859 You say we’ve been through too many Chicago winters. 149 00:06:54,859 –> 00:06:57,100 We’re going to move to a new house in Florida 150 00:06:57,100 –> 00:07:00,359 or move to a new house in Arizona or whatever it is. 151 00:07:01,260 –> 00:07:03,600 And if you were to do that, 152 00:07:03,600 –> 00:07:07,380 there is no continuity between the two houses. 153 00:07:07,380 –> 00:07:09,660 They are different hoses, different places, 154 00:07:09,660 –> 00:07:11,220 different locations 155 00:07:11,220 –> 00:07:13,739 and the only connection between the two 156 00:07:13,739 –> 00:07:15,899 is that you happen to have lived in both of them 157 00:07:15,899 –> 00:07:18,500 at different times 158 00:07:18,500 –> 00:07:21,160 and presumably you take some of your stuff with you 159 00:07:21,160 –> 00:07:22,359 when you actually move. 160 00:07:22,359 –> 00:07:24,440 But that’s one way of using the word new, 161 00:07:24,440 –> 00:07:26,420 new in the sense of different. 162 00:07:27,700 –> 00:07:30,619 But there’s another way in which you can use the word new. 163 00:07:30,619 –> 00:07:34,899 Think of this, suppose you decide to renovate your house. 164 00:07:34,899 –> 00:07:36,579 Your house. 165 00:07:36,579 –> 00:07:38,660 It’s an old house 166 00:07:38,660 –> 00:07:40,799 and it needs everything doing to it 167 00:07:40,799 –> 00:07:42,720 but the old house is in a great position, 168 00:07:42,720 –> 00:07:44,940 it was built on a secure foundation 169 00:07:44,940 –> 00:07:46,260 and you know in your heart 170 00:07:46,260 –> 00:07:49,119 that though it needs everything done to it 171 00:07:49,119 –> 00:07:51,760 it could actually become something very special. 172 00:07:53,040 –> 00:07:56,760 So you get to work and you have the plumbing renewed 173 00:07:56,760 –> 00:07:58,320 and you get new electric 174 00:07:58,320 –> 00:08:00,000 and you tear down some wall 175 00:08:00,000 –> 00:08:02,980 that the last owner in a moment of madness had put in 176 00:08:02,980 –> 00:08:04,320 and it’s been frustrating to you, 177 00:08:04,320 –> 00:08:06,600 you say that wall should never be there and so forth. 178 00:08:06,720 –> 00:08:11,519 You do a total rehab of your house 179 00:08:11,519 –> 00:08:13,119 and when it is done, 180 00:08:13,119 –> 00:08:15,239 you say well now everything is new. 181 00:08:16,579 –> 00:08:17,420 Well you see, 182 00:08:17,420 –> 00:08:19,540 that is exactly what God says here in verse five. 183 00:08:19,540 –> 00:08:21,940 He who is seated on the throne, 184 00:08:21,940 –> 00:08:26,940 said behold, I am making all things new. 185 00:08:28,839 –> 00:08:30,100 Not all things different, 186 00:08:30,100 –> 00:08:31,660 not like scrap the world 187 00:08:31,660 –> 00:08:34,500 and just start again and make another one 188 00:08:34,500 –> 00:08:36,400 but take the one that I have made 189 00:08:36,400 –> 00:08:38,219 and the one that I have pronounced good 190 00:08:38,219 –> 00:08:39,960 that needs all kinds of things done 191 00:08:39,960 –> 00:08:44,000 and make it as I always intended that it should be. 192 00:08:44,000 –> 00:08:46,599 I am making all things new. 193 00:08:46,599 –> 00:08:48,520 The confirmation that that is how we are 194 00:08:48,520 –> 00:08:50,960 to understand this great work of God 195 00:08:50,960 –> 00:08:53,400 comes from Romans in chapter eight 196 00:08:53,400 –> 00:08:55,200 when it is very clear that God 197 00:08:55,200 –> 00:08:59,739 renews or renovates this planet. 198 00:08:59,739 –> 00:09:02,419 It is a new earth. 199 00:09:02,419 –> 00:09:04,239 This is earth. 200 00:09:05,140 –> 00:09:07,500 Romans chapter eight and verse 21 201 00:09:07,500 –> 00:09:08,700 states this quite plainly. 202 00:09:08,700 –> 00:09:11,440 The creation itself, that’s this creation, 203 00:09:11,440 –> 00:09:13,640 this planet in which we live, 204 00:09:13,640 –> 00:09:16,960 it will be set free from its bondage to corruption 205 00:09:16,960 –> 00:09:20,260 and it will obtain the glorious freedom 206 00:09:20,260 –> 00:09:23,979 of the children of God. 207 00:09:23,979 –> 00:09:25,520 So here’s the story of the world 208 00:09:25,520 –> 00:09:28,599 in which we live in a nutshell. 209 00:09:28,599 –> 00:09:31,020 In the beginning God created the heavens 210 00:09:31,640 –> 00:09:34,859 and the earth and what God made was good. 211 00:09:34,859 –> 00:09:38,479 But sin brought a curse not only into the human race 212 00:09:38,479 –> 00:09:41,700 but also a curse onto the ground itself 213 00:09:42,619 –> 00:09:44,640 so that we live with the effects of sin 214 00:09:44,640 –> 00:09:46,940 in this fallen world and the effects 215 00:09:46,940 –> 00:09:50,000 of sin show up in human nature 216 00:09:50,000 –> 00:09:52,299 as hatred and violence and murder 217 00:09:52,299 –> 00:09:56,020 and war and extortion and all kinds of evils. 218 00:09:56,020 –> 00:09:59,059 And the effects of sin also show up 219 00:09:59,059 –> 00:10:02,080 in the planet in tornadoes and earthquakes 220 00:10:02,080 –> 00:10:06,340 and landslides and floods and droughts 221 00:10:06,340 –> 00:10:09,200 and even aggression in the animal kingdom. 222 00:10:10,219 –> 00:10:14,619 But here is the great promise of God again in a nutshell 223 00:10:14,619 –> 00:10:18,260 that when God has removed all the effects of sin 224 00:10:18,260 –> 00:10:20,580 from his people, 225 00:10:20,580 –> 00:10:25,580 then he will remove all the effects of sin from the planet 226 00:10:25,739 –> 00:10:27,460 so that the new earth, 227 00:10:27,539 –> 00:10:29,739 that is the earth as we know it, 228 00:10:29,739 –> 00:10:32,820 renovated fully and completely 229 00:10:32,820 –> 00:10:36,239 will become a place fit for God’s children 230 00:10:36,239 –> 00:10:39,479 to share a life of unclouded joy 231 00:10:39,479 –> 00:10:42,500 in a resurrection body forever and forever. 232 00:10:42,500 –> 00:10:44,880 That is a glorious prospect. 233 00:10:46,260 –> 00:10:48,900 So think about the joys of life 234 00:10:48,900 –> 00:10:51,979 even as they are experienced by unredeemed people 235 00:10:51,979 –> 00:10:53,700 in this fallen world. 236 00:10:54,700 –> 00:10:57,020 And thinking about the joys of life 237 00:10:57,020 –> 00:10:59,419 as we have them now 238 00:10:59,419 –> 00:11:03,419 will help you to project what the added joys 239 00:11:03,419 –> 00:11:07,260 are going to be in the life that is to come 240 00:11:07,260 –> 00:11:09,640 in the renovated, the new earth. 241 00:11:09,640 –> 00:11:12,140 Think of the joys of music 242 00:11:12,140 –> 00:11:14,479 and the joys of sport 243 00:11:14,479 –> 00:11:16,640 and all the joys of art 244 00:11:16,640 –> 00:11:19,140 and all the joys of science and technology 245 00:11:19,140 –> 00:11:21,080 and travel and food and friendship, 246 00:11:21,340 –> 00:11:22,260 and all the joy that that is 247 00:11:22,260 –> 00:11:25,859 even to unredeemed people even in this fallen world. 248 00:11:27,080 –> 00:11:29,919 And what will it be for all of these things 249 00:11:29,919 –> 00:11:32,239 created good by almighty God 250 00:11:32,239 –> 00:11:34,140 when the planet is renovated 251 00:11:34,140 –> 00:11:35,479 and we in our very nature 252 00:11:35,479 –> 00:11:38,880 and on our bodies are completely renovated? 253 00:11:38,880 –> 00:11:40,679 None will be less, 254 00:11:40,679 –> 00:11:43,479 none of this will be less in heaven. 255 00:11:43,479 –> 00:11:44,919 Everything will be more. 256 00:11:44,919 –> 00:11:48,479 Add is the word that you must think of 257 00:11:48,479 –> 00:11:51,000 when you think of the new heaven and the new earth. 258 00:11:51,260 –> 00:11:53,780 Something wholly other but something that is 259 00:11:53,780 –> 00:11:57,159 infinitely more, wonderfully more, 260 00:11:57,159 –> 00:11:59,159 and therefore every joy of this life 261 00:11:59,159 –> 00:12:02,700 should sweeten and hasten our anticipation 262 00:12:02,700 –> 00:12:05,580 of the greater joys that are to come. 263 00:12:07,119 –> 00:12:09,239 I think the moment that this really 264 00:12:09,239 –> 00:12:12,000 settled in my own mind 265 00:12:12,000 –> 00:12:14,119 more clearly than it had before 266 00:12:15,359 –> 00:12:17,239 was when I was having lunch up at Trinity 267 00:12:17,239 –> 00:12:19,400 with Dr. Willem van Gememberg 268 00:12:19,440 –> 00:12:21,419 who for many years served as a very 269 00:12:21,419 –> 00:12:24,520 distinguished professor of Old Testament 270 00:12:24,520 –> 00:12:27,400 at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. 271 00:12:27,400 –> 00:12:29,219 And I’d gone to talk to him about 272 00:12:29,219 –> 00:12:30,719 the book of Isaiah which, 273 00:12:30,719 –> 00:12:32,919 about which he knows a very great deal. 274 00:12:32,919 –> 00:12:35,679 And we were talking about Isaiah 65 275 00:12:35,679 –> 00:12:37,320 where Isaiah the prophet speaks 276 00:12:37,320 –> 00:12:39,700 about the new heaven and the new earth. 277 00:12:39,700 –> 00:12:42,960 And I will never forget what Willem said. 278 00:12:44,000 –> 00:12:44,840 You know he said, 279 00:12:44,840 –> 00:12:47,440 when I am enjoying the new earth, 280 00:12:48,200 –> 00:12:52,700 I think one of the things that I would enjoy doing 281 00:12:53,559 –> 00:12:56,320 in the resurrection body 282 00:12:57,520 –> 00:12:59,739 is to climb Mount Everest, 283 00:13:00,619 –> 00:13:02,359 because that is something I would have 284 00:13:02,359 –> 00:13:05,039 neither the capacity nor the opportunity 285 00:13:05,039 –> 00:13:06,739 to do right now. 286 00:13:07,840 –> 00:13:09,960 Now, you see what he’s thinking? 287 00:13:09,960 –> 00:13:12,460 We’re talking about this planet. 288 00:13:12,460 –> 00:13:14,340 Well, it’s gonna go through the fire of God’s judgment, 289 00:13:14,340 –> 00:13:15,479 2nd Peter, chapter 3, 290 00:13:15,520 –> 00:13:17,159 the earth melted with fervent heat, 291 00:13:17,159 –> 00:13:19,159 it’s gonna be wonderfully renewed and replenished, 292 00:13:19,159 –> 00:13:21,640 but the topography remains. 293 00:13:22,500 –> 00:13:26,159 And the resurrection body isn’t some kind of phantom body. 294 00:13:26,159 –> 00:13:29,500 Jesus says, flesh and bones. 295 00:13:29,500 –> 00:13:33,340 Luke 24, verse 39. 296 00:13:33,340 –> 00:13:35,580 The new heaven, the new earth, real life. 297 00:13:35,580 –> 00:13:39,000 Someone came up to me after the service last night 298 00:13:39,000 –> 00:13:40,119 and said, you know what? 299 00:13:40,119 –> 00:13:41,179 Thinking about this, 300 00:13:41,200 –> 00:13:46,200 I’ve realized I don’t have to worry about my bucket list. 301 00:13:46,320 –> 00:13:48,260 I thought that was a great line 302 00:13:48,260 –> 00:13:49,780 because the things that I do not get 303 00:13:49,780 –> 00:13:50,979 the chance to do in this world, 304 00:13:50,979 –> 00:13:52,700 and there are things that we don’t get the chance 305 00:13:52,700 –> 00:13:53,580 to do in this world, 306 00:13:53,580 –> 00:13:55,500 I will have the opportunity to do 307 00:13:55,500 –> 00:13:58,559 in a renewed earth with a resurrection body. 308 00:14:00,140 –> 00:14:02,820 Friends, as we think about what scripture 309 00:14:02,820 –> 00:14:05,659 makes real to us and reveals to us, 310 00:14:05,659 –> 00:14:09,400 it will wonderfully wonderfully hasten 311 00:14:09,419 –> 00:14:12,919 and sweeten our thinking about that which is yet to come. 312 00:14:13,880 –> 00:14:16,960 Now, notice that John sees not only new earth, 313 00:14:16,960 –> 00:14:18,520 but also new heavens. 314 00:14:18,520 –> 00:14:20,599 Why new heavens? 315 00:14:20,599 –> 00:14:23,039 Listen to this very good and helpful comment 316 00:14:23,039 –> 00:14:24,380 from John MacArthur. 317 00:14:25,559 –> 00:14:29,320 He says, God will remake the heavens and the earth, 318 00:14:29,320 –> 00:14:33,000 merging His heaven with this earth 319 00:14:34,059 –> 00:14:37,440 in a perfect dwelling place that will be our home forever. 320 00:14:38,320 –> 00:14:39,719 In other words, he says, 321 00:14:39,719 –> 00:14:42,539 heaven, the realm where God dwells will expand 322 00:14:42,539 –> 00:14:46,599 and it will encompass the entire universe of creation, 323 00:14:46,599 –> 00:14:49,640 which will be refashioned anew 324 00:14:49,640 –> 00:14:53,679 in a manner fit for the glory of heaven. 325 00:14:54,719 –> 00:14:56,280 Though here heaven is the place 326 00:14:56,280 –> 00:14:59,460 where God’s immediate presence is known 327 00:14:59,460 –> 00:15:02,940 and his glory seen and this swallows up 328 00:15:02,940 –> 00:15:06,780 and consumes this wonderfully renewed planet earth. 329 00:15:07,599 –> 00:15:09,780 So that as the prophet puts it, 330 00:15:09,780 –> 00:15:14,520 the earth will be filled with the glory of God 331 00:15:14,520 –> 00:15:17,640 as the waters cover the sea. 332 00:15:19,020 –> 00:15:24,020 Heaven touching earth, encircling earth. 333 00:15:24,219 –> 00:15:26,200 That’s why it says so beautifully here 334 00:15:26,200 –> 00:15:29,080 that the presence of God will be with his people, 335 00:15:29,080 –> 00:15:31,260 he will dwell with them. 336 00:15:31,260 –> 00:15:33,099 Heaven and earth being brought together, 337 00:15:33,099 –> 00:15:34,919 the renewed earth, 338 00:15:34,919 –> 00:15:38,580 being the home, not only of God’s people, 339 00:15:38,580 –> 00:15:42,080 but of the almighty, immediately present himself. 340 00:15:43,119 –> 00:15:46,679 So by the way, it is therefore entirely legitimate 341 00:15:47,760 –> 00:15:52,000 to speak of heaven when we are referring 342 00:15:52,000 –> 00:15:55,000 to the new heaven and the new earth, 343 00:15:55,000 –> 00:15:59,039 because heaven will fill the new earth. 344 00:15:59,039 –> 00:16:02,840 The earth will be filled with the glory of God 345 00:16:02,840 –> 00:16:07,320 as the waters cover the sea. 346 00:16:07,320 –> 00:16:09,400 So add, add. 347 00:16:09,400 –> 00:16:12,000 Don’t think other, think more! 348 00:16:12,000 –> 00:16:15,200 And you will be greatly helped in regards 349 00:16:15,200 –> 00:16:17,679 to thinking about the joys to come. 350 00:16:17,679 –> 00:16:18,900 Second, subtract. 351 00:16:18,900 –> 00:16:20,659 I’m looking at verse four. 352 00:16:20,659 –> 00:16:22,859 And look at what is taken away. 353 00:16:22,859 –> 00:16:27,359 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes 354 00:16:28,659 –> 00:16:31,179 and death shall be no more, 355 00:16:31,940 –> 00:16:34,859 neither shall there be mourning, 356 00:16:34,859 –> 00:16:38,179 nor crying, nor pain anymore. 357 00:16:38,179 –> 00:16:42,500 For the former things have passed away. 358 00:16:43,460 –> 00:16:47,239 Now you see why I’m using the word here, subtract. 359 00:16:47,239 –> 00:16:50,260 He’s describing that which has gone, 360 00:16:50,260 –> 00:16:51,419 that which is no more, 361 00:16:51,419 –> 00:16:54,219 that which we will no longer experience 362 00:16:54,219 –> 00:16:56,119 in the new heaven and the new earth. 363 00:16:56,119 –> 00:16:57,359 What will be taken away? 364 00:16:57,359 –> 00:17:00,400 Well, there will be no more death, 365 00:17:01,320 –> 00:17:03,719 in the new heaven and in the new earth, 366 00:17:03,719 –> 00:17:07,160 no one will ever die. 367 00:17:07,160 –> 00:17:09,359 There will be no one growing old. 368 00:17:09,359 –> 00:17:10,800 There will be no one sick. 369 00:17:10,800 –> 00:17:12,060 There will be no one ill, 370 00:17:12,060 –> 00:17:13,380 no need for hospitals 371 00:17:13,380 –> 00:17:15,300 or for emergency services. 372 00:17:15,300 –> 00:17:18,239 You will never attend a funeral 373 00:17:18,239 –> 00:17:20,979 in the new heaven and in the new earth 374 00:17:22,560 –> 00:17:24,160 and there will be no more pain. 375 00:17:25,119 –> 00:17:26,319 So think about this. 376 00:17:26,319 –> 00:17:28,040 I referred to Jesus’ word 377 00:17:28,040 –> 00:17:29,780 about his own resurrection body, 378 00:17:29,839 –> 00:17:32,660 flesh and bones, 379 00:17:32,660 –> 00:17:34,540 but in the resurrection body, 380 00:17:34,540 –> 00:17:36,500 bones that never ache, 381 00:17:37,640 –> 00:17:39,699 bones that never go brittle, 382 00:17:39,699 –> 00:17:42,060 bones that never break, 383 00:17:42,060 –> 00:17:44,339 bones that never lose their strength, 384 00:17:46,219 –> 00:17:47,599 no more crying 385 00:17:49,079 –> 00:17:51,739 and there are two reasons for this. 386 00:17:51,739 –> 00:17:52,819 The first of course 387 00:17:52,819 –> 00:17:55,540 is that in the presence of Jesus, 388 00:17:55,540 –> 00:17:57,459 there is nothing in your future life 389 00:17:57,459 –> 00:17:58,939 that could ever bring you sorrow, 390 00:17:58,959 –> 00:18:01,199 sadness, disappointment, or pain. 391 00:18:02,219 –> 00:18:04,420 Nothing will ever happen to you 392 00:18:04,420 –> 00:18:05,939 to all eternity 393 00:18:05,939 –> 00:18:08,380 that would ever cause you to cry. 394 00:18:08,380 –> 00:18:11,800 That will be entirely a past experience. 395 00:18:11,800 –> 00:18:14,000 So no tears ahead in the future 396 00:18:14,000 –> 00:18:16,459 as there always are in this world, 397 00:18:18,680 –> 00:18:21,260 but also what about tears from the past? 398 00:18:21,260 –> 00:18:24,739 What about regrets as we still know ourselves? 399 00:18:24,739 –> 00:18:27,060 How will God deal with all of that? 400 00:18:28,040 –> 00:18:29,859 And that, of course, is why we have verse four. 401 00:18:29,859 –> 00:18:32,839 God will wipe away 402 00:18:32,839 –> 00:18:36,920 every tear from their eyes. 403 00:18:38,439 –> 00:18:40,239 Let’s pause there just for a moment. 404 00:18:41,739 –> 00:18:45,500 There are tears in this life and in this world 405 00:18:45,500 –> 00:18:49,540 that even the people who love you most cannot wipe away, 406 00:18:49,540 –> 00:18:50,680 even though they try. 407 00:18:51,979 –> 00:18:55,000 They may sympathize with you in some loss. 408 00:18:56,000 –> 00:18:58,079 They may come alongside you in your sorrow, 409 00:18:58,079 –> 00:19:01,699 but they cannot wipe away the tears from your eyes. 410 00:19:03,119 –> 00:19:05,520 There are wounds that can be experienced 411 00:19:05,520 –> 00:19:07,520 in this world that even those who love you most 412 00:19:07,520 –> 00:19:09,839 and seek to come alongside 413 00:19:09,839 –> 00:19:12,060 and to bring healing within your life, 414 00:19:12,060 –> 00:19:14,719 they cannot quite get to the very bottom of it 415 00:19:14,719 –> 00:19:16,959 so that some scar remains, 416 00:19:16,959 –> 00:19:20,280 some fragility remains within the personality. 417 00:19:21,920 –> 00:19:24,680 But think about this, God, God, 418 00:19:25,760 –> 00:19:28,479 will do what even the person who loves you most 419 00:19:28,479 –> 00:19:30,260 cannot fully do in this life, 420 00:19:30,260 –> 00:19:34,119 He will wipe away every tear 421 00:19:34,119 –> 00:19:37,000 from your eyes. 422 00:19:38,119 –> 00:19:40,099 Let me just give you a couple of implications 423 00:19:40,099 –> 00:19:42,400 of that very, very quickly. 424 00:19:42,400 –> 00:19:44,540 One is that you will not spend eternity 425 00:19:44,540 –> 00:19:46,280 grieving over your past sins 426 00:19:46,280 –> 00:19:48,300 or over your missed opportunities. 427 00:19:49,500 –> 00:19:52,900 Of course, in the presence of the Lord Jesus, 428 00:19:52,900 –> 00:19:56,520 we will never forget that we were sinners 429 00:19:56,520 –> 00:19:59,420 because we will always find joy 430 00:19:59,420 –> 00:20:02,339 in the Lamb who was slain, 431 00:20:02,339 –> 00:20:04,459 in the Son of God who loved us 432 00:20:04,459 –> 00:20:07,119 and redeemed us by His blood. 433 00:20:07,119 –> 00:20:10,780 We will never lose sight of all that He has done for us. 434 00:20:10,780 –> 00:20:14,300 And so that knowledge is part of our rejoicing 435 00:20:14,300 –> 00:20:16,119 in Him forever and forever. 436 00:20:16,119 –> 00:20:18,920 That much is very clear from the worship 437 00:20:18,920 –> 00:20:20,380 of the Lamb who was slain 438 00:20:20,400 –> 00:20:23,640 that runs throughout the Book of Revelation. 439 00:20:23,640 –> 00:20:27,479 We will know ourselves as redeemed sinners 440 00:20:27,479 –> 00:20:31,520 but not in a way that will bring us pain or regret. 441 00:20:31,520 –> 00:20:34,739 We will know ourselves as redeemed sinners 442 00:20:34,739 –> 00:20:36,920 in a way that will cause us to magnify 443 00:20:36,920 –> 00:20:40,000 and glorify Jesus Christ for all that He is 444 00:20:40,000 –> 00:20:43,800 and for all that He has done forever and forever. 445 00:20:43,800 –> 00:20:45,959 All that we have, we will see, 446 00:20:45,959 –> 00:20:48,000 comes from His gracious hand. 447 00:20:48,920 –> 00:20:50,260 And, you know, when you think about it, 448 00:20:50,260 –> 00:20:53,579 that is exactly how our knowledge of ourselves 449 00:20:53,579 –> 00:20:57,599 as redeemed sinners is to function in our lives right now. 450 00:20:57,599 –> 00:20:59,579 That your failures, your weaknesses, 451 00:20:59,579 –> 00:21:02,760 your faults, your sins, are not to condemn you 452 00:21:02,760 –> 00:21:04,880 and press you down, but to bring you 453 00:21:04,880 –> 00:21:07,739 with a fresh sense of how great it is 454 00:21:07,739 –> 00:21:10,800 that you have a Savior who is adequate, 455 00:21:10,800 –> 00:21:14,780 sufficient, completely, even for a sinner like me 456 00:21:14,780 –> 00:21:17,280 and a sinner like you. 457 00:21:18,199 –> 00:21:20,739 And here’s another wonderful implication 458 00:21:20,739 –> 00:21:22,979 of this great, great truth. 459 00:21:24,119 –> 00:21:27,099 God will wipe away every tear from your eyes. 460 00:21:28,420 –> 00:21:30,839 And that means that you will not spend eternity 461 00:21:30,839 –> 00:21:35,119 carrying painful baggage from difficult relationships 462 00:21:35,119 –> 00:21:36,719 with other believers. 463 00:21:38,319 –> 00:21:42,439 You see, even at our best, we, as Christians, 464 00:21:42,439 –> 00:21:45,500 fall short of what we one day will be. 465 00:21:46,500 –> 00:21:48,339 And so it is sometimes hard for us 466 00:21:48,339 –> 00:21:49,800 when we think about heaven, 467 00:21:49,800 –> 00:21:54,800 to imagine broken relationships completely restored, 468 00:21:54,800 –> 00:21:58,300 deep wounds completely healed. 469 00:21:59,900 –> 00:22:01,160 We spoke the other week 470 00:22:01,160 –> 00:22:03,079 about knowing one another in heaven. 471 00:22:03,079 –> 00:22:04,380 I had a whole lot of questions 472 00:22:04,380 –> 00:22:06,699 and they all came from one source, 473 00:22:06,699 –> 00:22:08,459 one fundamental question, 474 00:22:08,459 –> 00:22:10,339 how is God gonna deal with all the baggage 475 00:22:10,339 –> 00:22:12,939 of the difficulties we’ve had in relationships here? 476 00:22:12,939 –> 00:22:17,939 And the answer to that is that God is able 477 00:22:18,459 –> 00:22:20,219 to do more than we ask 478 00:22:20,219 –> 00:22:23,420 and He is able to do more than we imagine. 479 00:22:24,540 –> 00:22:25,699 And remember this, 480 00:22:25,699 –> 00:22:26,760 that in heaven, 481 00:22:27,780 –> 00:22:32,020 every Christian will be made perfect in repentance, 482 00:22:32,020 –> 00:22:34,619 made perfect in forgiveness, 483 00:22:34,619 –> 00:22:37,020 made perfect in humility, 484 00:22:37,020 –> 00:22:39,180 and made perfect in love. 485 00:22:40,380 –> 00:22:41,859 Perfect in repentance, 486 00:22:42,500 –> 00:22:44,619 that means that all of us will have complete ownership 487 00:22:44,619 –> 00:22:45,819 of all that is ours, 488 00:22:45,819 –> 00:22:48,099 including the things that we did not see our own 489 00:22:48,099 –> 00:22:49,160 in this life. 490 00:22:49,160 –> 00:22:51,739 No longer will we be limited 491 00:22:51,739 –> 00:22:54,920 in our knowledge of ourselves. 492 00:22:54,920 –> 00:22:57,300 We shall know even as God knows us, 493 00:22:57,300 –> 00:22:59,099 even as we are known. 494 00:23:00,000 –> 00:23:02,979 They’ll be no evasions when repentance is complete 495 00:23:02,979 –> 00:23:05,260 in the heart of a believer, 496 00:23:05,260 –> 00:23:07,339 made fully like Christ. 497 00:23:08,199 –> 00:23:09,180 And at the same time, 498 00:23:09,180 –> 00:23:10,060 in Heaven, 499 00:23:10,140 –> 00:23:12,959 every Christian believer will be made perfect 500 00:23:12,959 –> 00:23:13,780 in forgiveness, 501 00:23:13,780 –> 00:23:15,579 so there’ll be no grudges. 502 00:23:15,579 –> 00:23:16,780 There will be no reluctance. 503 00:23:16,780 –> 00:23:18,560 There’ll be no withholding. 504 00:23:20,000 –> 00:23:21,660 Now here’s the question to ponder 505 00:23:21,660 –> 00:23:23,500 and it’s very helpful. 506 00:23:24,579 –> 00:23:28,040 How long do you think it would take 507 00:23:28,040 –> 00:23:32,660 for a person who has been made perfect in forgiveness 508 00:23:33,579 –> 00:23:35,760 to reconcile with another person 509 00:23:35,760 –> 00:23:39,500 who has been made perfect in repentance 510 00:23:39,520 –> 00:23:42,339 when both of them know that their joy 511 00:23:42,339 –> 00:23:44,560 in the presence of the Lord 512 00:23:44,560 –> 00:23:47,520 is entirely due to the grace of the Savior 513 00:23:47,520 –> 00:23:49,420 who is standing immediately before them? 514 00:23:49,420 –> 00:23:50,900 How long do you think it would take? 515 00:23:50,900 –> 00:23:52,459 I’m going to go for this answer 516 00:23:52,459 –> 00:23:55,699 in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. 517 00:23:57,540 –> 00:23:59,560 There is going to be the most glorious 518 00:23:59,560 –> 00:24:01,780 giving and receiving of repentance, 519 00:24:01,780 –> 00:24:03,400 forgiveness among the people of God 520 00:24:03,400 –> 00:24:06,300 that will position all of us 521 00:24:06,300 –> 00:24:09,140 to live in harmony in a new heaven 522 00:24:09,859 –> 00:24:12,780 on earth, and God will wipe away 523 00:24:12,780 –> 00:24:14,859 every tear from our eyes. 524 00:24:16,359 –> 00:24:18,680 And what a happy, happy day it is going to be 525 00:24:18,680 –> 00:24:22,359 when none of us grieve God the Holy Spirit 526 00:24:22,359 –> 00:24:26,160 ever again, and no longer will we grieve 527 00:24:26,160 –> 00:24:28,099 or bring pain or disappointment 528 00:24:28,099 –> 00:24:30,920 or hurt in any degree to our brothers 529 00:24:30,920 –> 00:24:32,079 and sisters. 530 00:24:32,079 –> 00:24:33,640 Sin will be no more. 531 00:24:33,640 –> 00:24:36,959 And even to think right now about this day 532 00:24:37,459 –> 00:24:39,800 has this effect in the heart. 533 00:24:39,800 –> 00:24:42,060 It actually encourages the pursuit 534 00:24:42,060 –> 00:24:44,400 of forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation 535 00:24:44,400 –> 00:24:47,040 between us here and now. 536 00:24:47,040 –> 00:24:49,579 See, often it is said, this slur is given, 537 00:24:49,579 –> 00:24:51,160 you know, someone’s so heavenly minded 538 00:24:51,160 –> 00:24:52,880 they’re no earthly use. 539 00:24:52,880 –> 00:24:56,079 And completely the opposite is the case. 540 00:24:56,079 –> 00:24:58,160 The more your mind is set on that 541 00:24:58,160 –> 00:25:01,459 which is yet to be, the more you will find 542 00:25:01,459 –> 00:25:03,619 that the Holy Spirit motivates you 543 00:25:03,619 –> 00:25:05,640 from that anticipation to live 544 00:25:05,780 –> 00:25:08,619 in the light of all that is to come, 545 00:25:08,619 –> 00:25:10,459 in the realities and the difficulties 546 00:25:10,459 –> 00:25:14,520 that we face here in this present world. 547 00:25:15,839 –> 00:25:18,520 So a grid for thinking about that which is to come. 548 00:25:18,520 –> 00:25:20,839 Add, it’s not other it’s more. 549 00:25:21,800 –> 00:25:24,339 Subtract, look at what we’ll be no more. 550 00:25:24,339 –> 00:25:26,500 No more death, pain, crying. 551 00:25:28,239 –> 00:25:31,359 Number three, divide. 552 00:25:31,359 –> 00:25:32,359 Verses seven and eight. 553 00:25:32,359 –> 00:25:37,119 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, 554 00:25:38,040 –> 00:25:40,079 the detestable, as for murderers, 555 00:25:40,079 –> 00:25:44,760 the sexually immortal, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars, 556 00:25:46,239 –> 00:25:48,300 their portion will be in the lake 557 00:25:48,300 –> 00:25:51,239 that burns with fire and sulfur 558 00:25:51,239 –> 00:25:54,680 which is the second death. 559 00:25:56,280 –> 00:25:58,180 Now what we’re being told here very clearly 560 00:25:58,180 –> 00:26:00,660 and the reason I use the word divide 561 00:26:00,660 –> 00:26:05,520 is that God will separate all that is evil 562 00:26:06,439 –> 00:26:11,260 both from his people and from his creation. 563 0:26:12,500 –> 00:26:16,540 The cowardly, the faithless, the detestable murderers, 564 00:26:16,540 –> 00:26:21,540 the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars. 565 00:26:25,780 –> 00:26:30,619 Now this does not mean that all who have been guilty 566 00:26:30,619 –> 00:26:33,219 of these sins will be excluded from heaven. 567 00:26:34,260 –> 00:26:36,699 And I say that for this reason, 568 00:26:36,699 –> 00:26:38,819 that in 1 Corinthians in chapter six, 569 00:26:38,819 –> 00:26:41,760 there is a similar list of sins. 570 00:26:42,900 –> 00:26:45,540 And consistent with Revelation in chapter 21, 571 00:26:45,540 –> 00:26:47,800 Paul says that the unrighteous 572 00:26:47,800 –> 00:26:51,339 will not inherit the kingdom of God. 573 00:26:51,339 –> 00:26:55,540 And he gives a list of acts of unrighteousness. 574 00:26:55,540 –> 00:26:57,099 He says, do not be deceived, 575 00:26:57,099 –> 00:26:59,420 I’m quoting from 1 Corinthians chapter six 576 00:26:59,420 –> 00:27:01,420 in verses nine and 10, 577 00:27:01,420 –> 00:27:02,420 do not be deceived, 578 00:27:02,420 –> 00:27:04,459 neither the sexually immoral, 579 00:27:04,459 –> 00:27:07,680 nor idolaters, nor adulterers. 580 00:27:07,680 –> 00:27:10,599 Nor men who practice homosexuality, 581 00:27:10,599 –> 00:27:13,180 nor thieves, nor the greedy, 582 00:27:13,180 –> 00:27:15,780 nor drunkards, nor revilers, 583 00:27:15,780 –> 00:27:19,260 nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 584 00:27:19,260 –> 00:27:23,020 That’s 1 Corinthians six verses nine and 10. 585 00:27:24,719 –> 00:27:26,099 But then we read these words. 586 00:27:26,140 –> 00:27:29,660 Paul is writing to Christian believers 587 00:27:29,660 –> 00:27:31,579 in this Church in Corinth, 588 00:27:31,579 –> 00:27:34,260 and he says this, after that list, 589 00:27:34,260 –> 00:27:38,119 and such where some of you. 590 00:27:39,900 –> 00:27:41,099 In other words, he says there are people 591 00:27:41,099 –> 00:27:44,680 in the congregation who have been guilty 592 00:27:44,680 –> 00:27:46,660 of each of these categories of sins. 593 00:27:46,660 –> 00:27:47,939 That’s what you were. 594 00:27:47,939 –> 00:27:52,020 But you were washed. 595 00:27:53,000 –> 00:27:55,819 You were sanctified. 596 00:27:55,839 –> 00:28:00,060 You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 597 00:28:00,060 –> 00:28:02,880 and by the spirit of our God. 598 00:28:04,880 –> 00:28:06,719 Now, what that is saying to us is this, 599 00:28:06,719 –> 00:28:08,680 and it’s the very heart of the Gospel, 600 00:28:09,800 –> 00:28:12,199 that there is grace and there is forgiveness 601 00:28:12,199 –> 00:28:15,079 for every imaginable sin. 602 00:28:16,599 –> 00:28:19,560 That Jesus Christ has purchased this forgiveness 603 00:28:19,560 –> 00:28:23,020 on the cross through the shedding of his blood, 604 00:28:23,800 –> 00:28:26,560 that he holds it in his hand 605 00:28:26,560 –> 00:28:30,719 and that he offers it freely to every repentant sinner 606 00:28:30,719 –> 00:28:34,160 who will bow before him and put their trust in him. 607 00:28:35,800 –> 00:28:39,119 But there are men and there are women 608 00:28:39,119 –> 00:28:43,040 who do not come in repentance towards God, 609 00:28:43,040 –> 00:28:47,079 who do not look to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing, 610 00:28:47,079 –> 00:28:49,119 who do not see the need of repentance 611 00:28:49,119 –> 00:28:51,719 and do not see the need of a Savior, 612 00:28:52,500 –> 00:28:57,500 and in the words of Jesus, such die in their sins. 613 00:28:58,160 –> 00:29:00,540 That’s John 8 and verse 24, 614 00:29:00,540 –> 00:29:03,599 which means that the root of sin remains in them, 615 00:29:03,599 –> 00:29:05,199 that they have tied themselves to it 616 00:29:05,199 –> 00:29:08,000 and it has tied itself to them. 617 00:29:09,939 –> 00:29:12,959 Now, if they were allowed to enter into the new earth, 618 00:29:12,959 –> 00:29:13,800 what would happen? 619 00:29:13,800 –> 00:29:14,739 The new earth would very quickly 620 00:29:14,739 –> 00:29:17,640 become like the old earth, all over again. 621 00:29:18,500 –> 00:29:21,239 And we know this from the history of the Bible. 622 00:29:21,260 –> 00:29:25,199 Remember that, in the early history of the world, 623 00:29:25,199 –> 00:29:27,680 that sin had escalated to such a degree 624 00:29:27,680 –> 00:29:31,540 that men’s thoughts were only evil all the time. 625 00:29:31,540 –> 00:29:34,219 Violence and murder had escalated 626 00:29:34,219 –> 00:29:37,380 and God stepped in to cut it back 627 00:29:37,380 –> 00:29:41,760 through a dramatic judgment in the flood. 628 00:29:41,760 –> 00:29:44,979 The population was cut back to just one family. 629 00:29:44,979 –> 00:29:46,579 We start again, as it were. 630 00:29:46,579 –> 00:29:48,180 A new start to world history, 631 00:29:48,180 –> 00:29:50,260 a new world coming out of the Ark, 632 00:29:50,260 –> 00:29:51,540 the family of Noah. 633 00:29:51,540 –> 00:29:52,380 One family. 634 00:29:52,380 –> 00:29:53,560 Well we get it right this time, 635 00:29:53,560 –> 00:29:57,119 except that even the family of Noah 636 00:29:57,119 –> 00:29:59,280 carry the root of sin within them. 637 00:29:59,280 –> 00:30:00,339 And if you read the story, 638 00:30:00,339 –> 00:30:01,680 they’re already out of the Ark 639 00:30:01,680 –> 00:30:03,400 before this dysfunctions beginning 640 00:30:03,400 –> 00:30:06,180 to manifest itself all over again 641 00:30:06,180 –> 00:30:09,660 in the one family that begins that new world. 642 00:30:10,939 –> 00:30:13,800 Starting again is not enough. 643 00:30:15,199 –> 00:30:17,719 So, you know, we have these songs 644 00:30:17,719 –> 00:30:20,640 about gotta get back to the garden. 645 00:30:21,599 –> 00:30:24,699 Well getting back to the garden won’t do it. 646 00:30:25,560 –> 00:30:27,160 God is not in the business 647 00:30:27,160 –> 00:30:30,060 of simply putting us back in the garden 648 00:30:30,060 –> 00:30:31,839 and saying don’t mess up this time. 649 00:30:33,439 –> 00:30:35,260 Because of course the reality is 650 00:30:35,260 –> 00:30:37,359 that by nature that’s exactly what we would do 651 00:30:37,359 –> 00:30:38,900 again and again and again. 652 00:30:40,800 –> 00:30:42,959 No what God is in the business of doing 653 00:30:42,959 –> 00:30:46,239 is redeeming a people for himself. 654 00:30:47,219 –> 00:30:50,900 Creating a people who will love him freely. 655 00:30:52,040 –> 00:30:53,479 People who have a new heart. 656 00:30:53,479 –> 00:30:56,599 People in whom he will put his Holy Spirit. 657 00:30:56,599 –> 00:30:59,640 People who are in Christ 658 00:30:59,640 –> 00:31:04,160 and for whom Jesus Christ in the end 659 00:31:04,160 –> 00:31:06,780 will remove the last trace 660 00:31:06,780 –> 00:31:09,420 and vestige of the root of sin. 661 00:31:09,420 –> 00:31:12,400 He’ll get it out of us by the root. 662 00:31:13,239 –> 00:31:16,920 And what a glorious thing that is going to be. 663 00:31:18,560 –> 00:31:23,020 And that is why John says I saw a holy city 664 00:31:23,020 –> 00:31:25,439 coming down from heaven. 665 00:31:25,439 –> 00:31:27,540 This is why, at last the dwelling of God 666 00:31:27,540 –> 00:31:30,479 who is holy, holy, holy is with people 667 00:31:30,479 –> 00:31:32,979 because these people in the new heaven and the new earth 668 00:31:32,979 –> 00:31:35,819 really and truly have been made Holy 669 00:31:35,819 –> 00:31:37,640 through and through. 670 00:31:38,280 –> 00:31:41,900 And it has happened in Jesus Christ 671 00:31:41,900 –> 00:31:44,219 who not only has forgiven them 672 00:31:44,219 –> 00:31:46,300 but now in these glorified bodies 673 00:31:46,300 –> 00:31:49,300 has taken the last remnant of the root of sin 674 00:31:49,300 –> 00:31:51,719 out from them. 675 00:31:51,719 –> 00:31:55,260 So that the new earth becomes a holy place 676 00:31:55,260 –> 00:31:59,619 and it is for people who have been made holy. 677 00:31:59,619 –> 00:32:01,939 Bishop Ryle says most men hope to go 678 00:32:01,939 –> 00:32:05,719 to heaven when they die but few it may be feared 679 00:32:06,060 –> 00:32:07,540 to take trouble to consider whether 680 00:32:07,540 –> 00:32:10,160 they would enjoy heaven if they got there. 681 00:32:10,160 –> 00:32:12,439 Heaven is essentially a holy place. 682 00:32:12,439 –> 00:32:14,219 Its inhabitants are all holy. 683 00:32:14,219 –> 00:32:16,479 Its occupations are all holy. 684 00:32:16,479 –> 00:32:19,040 What would an unholy man do in heaven 685 00:32:19,040 –> 00:32:22,660 if by chance he got there. 686 00:32:25,239 –> 00:32:27,079 See here’s the thing. 687 00:32:27,079 –> 00:32:28,920 Jonathan Edwards puts it this way. 688 00:32:30,160 –> 00:32:33,319 Unholy persons cannot enjoy God. 689 00:32:34,180 –> 00:32:37,719 And God would not be a reward to them. 690 00:32:39,239 –> 00:32:41,640 The whole point about the redeemed people of God 691 00:32:41,640 –> 00:32:43,640 is that they have come to love God. 692 00:32:43,640 –> 00:32:46,800 And what has been begun in this life imperfectly 693 00:32:46,800 –> 00:32:50,719 is made complete and beautifully new, 694 00:32:50,719 –> 00:32:53,760 renovated for all of the life to come. 695 00:32:54,599 –> 00:32:56,199 And the new heaven and the new earth 696 00:32:56,199 –> 00:32:59,400 are the home of righteousness says the apostle Peter. 697 00:32:59,400 –> 00:33:01,380 Last verse of Revelation 21. 698 00:33:01,560 –> 00:33:03,839 Nothing unclean shall ever enter it. 699 00:33:06,020 –> 00:33:07,660 So if it’s the home of righteousness 700 00:33:07,660 –> 00:33:09,339 and nothing unclean will ever enter it, 701 00:33:09,339 –> 00:33:11,579 how in the world can I enter into it? 702 00:33:11,579 –> 00:33:16,099 Only by the cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ. 703 00:33:17,260 –> 00:33:18,380 So if you want to be in heaven, 704 00:33:18,380 –> 00:33:21,020 you have to put your trust in Jesus Christ 705 00:33:21,020 –> 00:33:22,619 who alone is able to cleanse you 706 00:33:22,619 –> 00:33:26,280 and you have to set your heart on holiness. 707 00:33:27,180 –> 00:33:30,540 Because this is a prepared place 708 00:33:30,579 –> 00:33:33,599 for a prepared people. 709 00:33:35,060 –> 00:33:40,060 Add, subtract, divide, here’s the last, multiply. 710 00:33:44,300 –> 00:33:46,780 I’m looking at verse two, 711 00:33:46,780 –> 00:33:49,540 and I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, 712 00:33:49,540 –> 00:33:52,339 coming down out of heaven from God, 713 00:33:52,339 –> 00:33:57,339 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 714 00:34:01,099 –> 00:34:05,500 Now Jesus quite clearly stated 715 00:34:05,500 –> 00:34:08,300 that there will be no marriage in heaven. 716 00:34:08,300 –> 00:34:11,280 That’s Matthew chapter 22 and verse 30. 717 00:34:11,280 –> 00:34:14,300 That is, no marriage as we know it. 718 00:34:14,300 –> 00:34:16,100 We will still be male and female 719 00:34:16,100 –> 00:34:19,580 because that is how God has created us. 720 00:34:19,580 –> 00:34:21,860 But the gift of marriage was given 721 00:34:21,860 –> 00:34:23,600 to point to something greater 722 00:34:23,600 –> 00:34:26,459 that God has prepared for those who love him. 723 00:34:26,459 –> 00:34:28,800 And what we are told here is 724 00:34:28,800 –> 00:34:33,800 that there will be one great marriage in heaven. 725 00:34:35,000 –> 00:34:36,899 That is Christ as the bridegroom 726 00:34:36,899 –> 00:34:39,060 and his people are his bride. 727 00:34:40,520 –> 00:34:44,879 The great union will be between Christ 728 00:34:44,879 –> 00:34:47,199 and all of his people and that will be 729 00:34:47,199 –> 00:34:49,159 the very center of his joy 730 00:34:49,159 –> 00:34:51,439 and it will be the center of ours. 731 00:34:51,439 –> 00:34:54,719 And why is it described as a marriage? 732 00:34:55,739 –> 00:34:57,040 Well, here’s the answer. 733 00:34:58,040 –> 00:35:01,719 Because marriage at its best in this world 734 00:35:01,719 –> 00:35:03,699 is like the taster. 735 00:35:03,699 –> 00:35:07,679 It is a taster of the joy 736 00:35:07,679 –> 00:35:11,080 that all of God’s people will find in Jesus Christ 737 00:35:11,080 –> 00:35:14,040 and that Jesus Christ will find in all of his people 738 00:35:14,040 –> 00:35:15,600 forever and forever. 739 00:35:15,600 –> 00:35:17,399 Christ is the bridegroom 740 00:35:17,399 –> 00:35:22,399 and he brings his people into a glorious union with himself. 741 00:35:24,439 –> 00:35:26,459 We are made by him 742 00:35:27,360 –> 00:35:30,560 and we are made for him. 743 00:35:30,560 –> 00:35:34,000 And the highest joys that are possible therefore 744 00:35:34,000 –> 00:35:37,300 for a redeemed man or woman 745 00:35:37,300 –> 00:35:40,639 are in this shared life with Jesus Christ 746 00:35:40,639 –> 00:35:44,479 that is of the very essence of what lies ahead of us. 747 00:35:44,479 –> 00:35:46,939 Nothing less could satisfy 748 00:35:46,939 –> 00:35:49,580 and nothing more could be desired. 749 00:35:49,580 –> 00:35:53,199 That’s why at the very center of this vision, 750 00:35:53,199 –> 00:35:56,000 it’s the presence of God with his people. 751 00:35:56,040 –> 00:35:59,360 It’s the union of Christ with his people 752 00:35:59,360 –> 00:36:02,360 like the bridegroom with the bride. 753 00:36:02,360 –> 00:36:04,500 So if you have a good marriage, 754 00:36:04,500 –> 00:36:06,639 if your marriage is so good that you tend to say, 755 00:36:06,639 –> 00:36:08,800 oh, it’s such a shame that there’s no marriage in heaven 756 00:36:08,800 –> 00:36:10,479 because this is a really, really good thing. 757 00:36:10,479 –> 00:36:12,320 If you have a good marriage, 758 00:36:12,320 –> 00:36:15,159 then at its very best, 759 00:36:15,159 –> 00:36:18,260 the joys of that are just a pointer 760 00:36:18,260 –> 00:36:19,679 that God has given to you 761 00:36:19,679 –> 00:36:22,879 to give you a little glimpse of what lies ahead 762 00:36:22,879 –> 00:36:25,639 in the joys of the union of Christ and his people. 763 00:36:26,000 –> 00:36:27,280 Just a little sample. 764 00:36:27,280 –> 00:36:28,699 If this is this good, 765 00:36:28,699 –> 00:36:31,040 how much better, multiplied, 766 00:36:31,040 –> 00:36:32,959 will the union of Christ and his people be? 767 00:36:32,959 –> 00:36:34,760 And if you have a bad marriage 768 00:36:34,760 –> 00:36:36,879 or if you long that you had marriage 769 00:36:36,879 –> 00:36:38,560 and you have not been given 770 00:36:38,560 –> 00:36:40,959 that particular gift in this life, 771 00:36:40,959 –> 00:36:44,040 you have some notion within your mind of what it could be, 772 00:36:44,040 –> 00:36:47,760 some notion within your mind of what it should be. 773 00:36:47,760 –> 00:36:49,959 And even that notion is a little pointer 774 00:36:49,959 –> 00:36:51,739 that God has put in your mind 775 00:36:51,739 –> 00:36:53,580 to give you an anticipation of what, 776 00:36:53,679 –> 00:36:57,879 if multiplied up the joys of God’s people 777 00:36:57,879 –> 00:36:59,959 in union with their Savior 778 00:36:59,959 –> 00:37:03,679 who loved us and gave himself for us will actually be. 779 00:37:04,620 –> 00:37:09,620 And this joy because it is a relational joy 780 00:37:10,179 –> 00:37:13,060 will go on increasing 781 00:37:13,060 –> 00:37:15,659 as our knowledge of our infinite Savior 782 00:37:15,659 –> 00:37:18,060 grows to all eternity. 783 00:37:19,120 –> 00:37:19,939 Think about it. 784 00:37:19,939 –> 00:37:21,659 Even in this life, 785 00:37:21,659 –> 00:37:25,879 as you have multiple good experiences, 786 00:37:25,879 –> 00:37:29,080 you are able to draw from your memory 787 00:37:29,080 –> 00:37:30,919 of the good things that have happened 788 00:37:30,919 –> 00:37:32,520 over increasing years 789 00:37:32,520 –> 00:37:34,739 and therefore you have a growing fund 790 00:37:34,739 –> 00:37:36,959 of what is a joy to you now 791 00:37:36,959 –> 00:37:38,340 and what has been a joy to you 792 00:37:38,340 –> 00:37:39,719 and even at its recollection 793 00:37:39,719 –> 00:37:42,199 it continues to be a joy to you. 794 00:37:43,199 –> 00:37:44,560 Johnathan Edwards argues 795 00:37:44,560 –> 00:37:46,419 that it will be the same in eternity. 796 00:37:47,439 –> 00:37:50,239 The joys of heaven, he says will accumulate. 797 00:37:51,000 –> 00:37:52,600 So think, he says, 798 00:37:52,600 –> 00:37:53,719 what that will be like 799 00:37:53,719 –> 00:37:55,620 when you have been in heaven 800 00:37:55,620 –> 00:37:59,899 for a million, million ages. 801 00:38:00,919 –> 00:38:04,459 One blessing on top of another. 802 00:38:05,820 –> 00:38:07,239 And he says, 803 00:38:07,239 –> 00:38:09,260 the more we see of His beauty 804 00:38:09,260 –> 00:38:10,879 the more we will love Him 805 00:38:11,879 –> 00:38:13,360 and the more that we love Him 806 00:38:13,360 –> 00:38:15,060 the more we will delight in Him 807 00:38:15,060 –> 00:38:16,679 and the more we delight in Him 808 00:38:16,679 –> 00:38:19,439 the more happiness we will have in Him. 809 00:38:19,439 –> 00:38:21,719 He’s describing a life of 810 00:38:21,719 –> 00:38:24,360 exponentially increasing joy 811 00:38:24,360 –> 00:38:26,080 ever-increasing joy. 812 00:38:27,639 –> 00:38:28,479 And I think that’s why 813 00:38:28,479 –> 00:38:30,000 it says that Jesus Christ the Lamb 814 00:38:30,000 –> 00:38:31,479 will be our shepherd 815 00:38:31,479 –> 00:38:35,659 and He will lead us into springs of living water. 816 00:38:35,659 –> 00:38:37,139 What springs of living water 817 00:38:37,139 –> 00:38:42,080 it’s un-exhaustibly, inexhaustibly fresh 818 00:38:42,080 –> 00:38:43,760 glorious 819 00:38:43,760 –> 00:38:46,399 ever new discoveries 820 00:38:46,399 –> 00:38:48,280 of the richness 821 00:38:48,280 –> 00:38:51,520 of life in the presence 822 00:38:51,520 –> 00:38:52,360 of God. 823 00:38:54,000 –> 00:38:56,040 Two applications and then we’re through. 824 00:38:57,699 –> 00:38:59,219 The first is to the person 825 00:38:59,219 –> 00:39:00,419 who may be holding back 826 00:39:00,419 –> 00:39:01,699 from making a full commitment 827 00:39:01,699 –> 00:39:02,719 to Jesus Christ. 828 00:39:02,719 –> 00:39:04,840 I know that I will be talking right now 829 00:39:04,840 –> 00:39:06,760 to someone who’s really thinking 830 00:39:06,760 –> 00:39:08,679 about committing to Jesus 831 00:39:08,679 –> 00:39:10,399 but it’s hard for you to come 832 00:39:10,399 –> 00:39:11,879 to Him in repentance. 833 00:39:12,939 –> 00:39:14,399 It’s hard for you to come 834 00:39:14,399 –> 00:39:15,280 to Him in faith 835 00:39:15,280 –> 00:39:17,159 and if you confess Him as Lord 836 00:39:17,159 –> 00:39:19,280 for some folks who are thinking this through 837 00:39:19,280 –> 00:39:21,439 it may be very costly indeed 838 00:39:21,439 –> 00:39:23,199 for you to confess Jesus 839 00:39:23,199 –> 00:39:25,479 as your Lord 840 00:39:25,479 –> 00:39:26,899 and I want to say to you 841 00:39:26,899 –> 00:39:29,419 however costly it may be for you 842 00:39:30,320 –> 00:39:32,739 you cannot ultimately lose. 843 00:39:33,800 –> 00:39:36,219 Nobody in heaven regrets following Him 844 00:39:36,219 –> 00:39:37,500 not even those 845 00:39:37,500 –> 00:39:40,280 for whom it cost them their lives. 846 00:39:41,479 –> 00:39:42,520 What in all the world 847 00:39:42,520 –> 00:39:44,699 are you holding onto in your life right now 848 00:39:44,699 –> 00:39:46,159 that is so good 849 00:39:46,199 –> 00:39:47,919 that holding onto this 850 00:39:47,919 –> 00:39:49,600 would be a worthwhile trade 851 00:39:49,600 –> 00:39:53,199 for what Jesus Christ holds in His hands 852 00:39:53,199 –> 00:39:55,020 and even now offers to you? 853 00:39:55,899 –> 00:39:57,280 The joy of His forgiveness 854 00:39:57,280 –> 00:39:59,080 the joy of Him becoming your Lord and savior 855 00:39:59,080 –> 00:40:01,860 the joy of all that He holds in prospect 856 00:40:01,860 –> 00:40:03,979 for His people forever and forever 857 00:40:03,979 –> 00:40:06,560 in the new heaven and the new Earth. 858 00:40:06,560 –> 00:40:08,139 You can make no better decision 859 00:40:08,139 –> 00:40:09,719 however costly it may be 860 00:40:09,719 –> 00:40:10,959 however difficult 861 00:40:10,959 –> 00:40:12,760 than to bow before Jesus Christ 862 00:40:12,760 –> 00:40:14,560 as your Lord and as your savior 863 00:40:14,560 –> 00:40:15,899 and as your Master 864 00:40:16,060 –> 00:40:18,439 and to follow and trust in Him. 865 00:40:19,840 –> 00:40:20,679 The last thing is this 866 00:40:20,679 –> 00:40:23,399 to the person who feels weighed down 867 00:40:23,399 –> 00:40:24,760 the Christian and you are feeling 868 00:40:24,760 –> 00:40:26,719 the sheer pressure 869 00:40:26,719 –> 00:40:28,320 of this difficult path 870 00:40:28,320 –> 00:40:30,379 in which God is calling you to walk 871 00:40:31,379 –> 00:40:35,100 and it’s been getting to you 872 00:40:35,100 –> 00:40:35,780 and you say 873 00:40:35,780 –> 00:40:36,600 oh I don’t know how long 874 00:40:36,600 –> 00:40:38,020 I can keep going on with this 875 00:40:38,020 –> 00:40:38,600 listen 876 00:40:39,620 –> 00:40:40,379 in the light of all 877 00:40:40,379 –> 00:40:41,699 that God has done for you 878 00:40:41,699 –> 00:40:42,379 in the light of all 879 00:40:42,379 –> 00:40:44,040 that lies ahead of you 880 00:40:44,439 –> 00:40:45,379 in the light of the fact 881 00:40:45,419 –> 00:40:46,520 that the Holy Spirit 882 00:40:46,520 –> 00:40:47,459 of God is given to 883 00:40:47,459 –> 00:40:48,459 you right now 884 00:40:48,459 –> 00:40:50,560 you can endure 885 00:40:51,340 –> 00:40:52,340 you can endure 886 00:40:53,939 –> 00:40:55,419 In His presence 887 00:40:55,419 –> 00:40:56,419 is fullness of joy 888 00:40:56,419 –> 00:40:58,060 and at His right hand 889 00:40:58,060 –> 00:40:59,879 are pleasures for evermore 890 00:40:59,879 –> 00:41:01,040 and you are not far away 891 00:41:01,040 –> 00:41:02,040 from that 892 00:41:03,659 –> 00:41:04,979 you live a very short time 893 00:41:04,979 –> 00:41:06,080 in this world 894 00:41:06,719 –> 00:41:07,560 and then after that 895 00:41:07,560 –> 00:41:09,459 joys for evermore 896 00:41:10,500 –> 00:41:11,580 John Newton told a story 897 00:41:11,580 –> 00:41:12,760 that I found in a piece 898 00:41:12,760 –> 00:41:14,060 by John Piper 899 00:41:14,060 –> 00:41:15,060 he said 900 00:41:15,239 –> 00:41:16,239 Imagine a man who was 901 00:41:16,239 –> 00:41:17,919 on his way to New York 902 00:41:19,000 –> 00:41:20,000 He is in a carriage 903 00:41:20,000 –> 00:41:21,360 and it is drawn by a horse 904 00:41:22,500 –> 00:41:23,500 and the man is on his 905 00:41:23,500 –> 00:41:24,500 way to receive 906 00:41:24,899 –> 00:41:25,899 an inheritance 907 00:41:25,899 –> 00:41:28,040 of a million dollars 908 00:41:29,080 –> 00:41:30,080 This was 18th century 909 00:41:30,080 –> 00:41:31,080 John Newton 910 00:41:31,080 –> 00:41:32,080 so I don’t know 911 00:41:32,080 –> 00:41:33,080 what a million dollars 912 00:41:33,080 –> 00:41:34,080 in the 18th century 913 00:41:34,080 –> 00:41:35,080 would be now 914 00:41:35,080 –> 00:41:36,080 but a massive fortune 915 00:41:36,719 –> 00:41:37,719 Now he said 916 00:41:37,719 –> 00:41:38,719 suppose this man 917 00:41:38,719 –> 00:41:39,719 his horse-drawn carriage 918 00:41:39,719 –> 00:41:40,719 the wheel 919 00:41:40,719 –> 00:41:42,080 comes off the carriage 920 00:41:42,080 –> 00:41:43,080 one mile 921 00:41:43,080 –> 00:41:44,080 outside of New York 922 00:41:45,379 –> 00:41:46,379 and so this man 923 00:41:46,379 –> 00:41:47,379 has to walk 924 00:41:47,379 –> 00:41:48,379 the last mile 925 00:41:49,020 –> 00:41:50,020 to New York 926 00:41:50,020 –> 00:41:51,020 to receive 927 00:41:51,020 –> 00:41:52,020 this massive inheritance 928 00:41:54,120 –> 00:41:55,120 Newton said 929 00:41:56,419 –> 00:41:57,419 What would you think 930 00:41:57,419 –> 00:41:58,419 of that man 931 00:41:59,639 –> 00:42:01,260 if every step 932 00:42:01,260 –> 00:42:02,659 of that last mile 933 00:42:03,760 –> 00:42:04,760 he grumbled 934 00:42:04,760 –> 00:42:05,760 as he walked? 935 00:42:07,560 –> 00:42:08,560 You imagine it 936 00:42:09,199 –> 00:42:10,199 Huh 937 00:42:10,379 –> 00:42:11,379 Why does the 938 00:42:11,379 –> 00:42:12,379 wheel come off 939 00:42:12,379 –> 00:42:13,379 my carriage 940 00:42:13,379 –> 00:42:14,379 always happens 941 00:42:15,020 –> 00:42:16,020 What would you think 942 00:42:16,020 –> 00:42:17,020 of a man 943 00:42:17,020 –> 00:42:18,020 who’s one mile 944 00:42:18,020 –> 00:42:19,020 away 945 00:42:19,020 –> 00:42:20,020 from a massive 946 00:42:20,020 –> 00:42:21,020 inheritance 947 00:42:21,020 –> 00:42:22,020 How’s he going 948 00:42:22,020 –> 00:42:23,020 to walk 949 00:42:23,020 –> 00:42:24,020 even if the 950 00:42:24,020 –> 00:42:25,020 wheel’s off 951 00:42:25,020 –> 00:42:26,020 his carriage 952 00:42:26,020 –> 00:42:27,020 He’s going 953 00:42:27,020 –> 00:42:28,020 to walk 954 00:42:28,020 –> 00:42:29,020 with joy 955 00:42:29,020 –> 00:42:30,020 He’s going 956 00:42:30,020 –> 00:42:31,020 to walk 957 00:42:31,020 –> 00:42:32,020 with anticipation 958 00:42:32,020 –> 00:42:33,020 He’s going 959 00:42:33,020 –> 00:42:34,020 to say 960 00:42:34,020 –> 00:42:35,020 I’m one mile 961 00:42:35,020 –> 00:42:36,020 from New York 962 00:42:36,020 –> 00:42:37,020 and I’m gonna 963 00:42:37,020 –> 00:42:38,020 inherit a million 964 00:42:38,020 –> 00:42:39,020 dollars 965 00:42:39,020 –> 00:42:40,020 Friend, in 966 00:42:40,020 –> 00:42:41,020 Christ you 967 00:42:41,020 –> 00:42:42,020 are on 968 00:42:42,020 –> 00:42:43,020 the last mile 969 00:42:43,020 –> 00:42:44,020 of your journey 970 00:42:45,020 –> 00:42:46,020 as you 971 00:42:46,020 –> 00:42:47,020 anticipate 972 00:42:47,020 –> 00:42:48,020 the joy 973 00:42:48,020 –> 00:42:49,020 that lies 974 00:42:49,020 –> 00:42:51,020 ahead 975 00:42:51,020 –> 00:42:53,020 Father, 976 00:42:53,020 –> 00:42:54,020 so lay 977 00:42:54,020 –> 00:42:56,020 before us 978 00:42:56,020 –> 00:42:57,020 the joy that 979 00:42:57,020 –> 00:42:58,020 are to come 980 00:42:58,020 –> 00:42:59,020 that we may 981 00:42:59,020 –> 00:43:00,020 better live 982 00:43:00,020 –> 00:43:01,020 as those 983 00:43:01,020 –> 00:43:02,020 who faithfully 984 00:43:02,020 –> 00:43:03,020 follow after 985 00:43:03,020 –> 00:43:04,020 Christ 986 00:43:04,020 –> 00:43:05,020 through the 987 00:43:05,020 –> 00:43:06,020 remainder of 988 00:43:06,020 –> 00:43:07,020 our journey 989 00:43:07,020 –> 00:43:08,020 in this 990 00:43:08,020 –> 00:43:09,020 difficult world 991 00:43:09,020 –> 00:43:10,020 until faith 992 00:43:10,020 –> 00:43:11,020 is turned 993 00:43:11,020 –> 00:43:12,020 to sight 994 00:43:12,020 –> 00:43:13,020 and we 995 00:43:13,020 –> 00:43:15,020 become 996 00:43:15,020 –> 00:43:16,020 others 997 00:43:16,020 –> 00:43:17,020 that 998 00:43:17,020 –> 00:43:18,020 are at 999 00:43:18,020 –> 00:43:19,020 your right 1000 00:43:19,020 –> 00:43:20,020 hand 1001 00:43:20,020 –> 00:43:21,020 forevermore 1002 00:43:21,020 –> 00:43:22,020 through 1003 00:43:22,020 –> 00:43:23,020 Jesus Christ 1004 00:43:23,020 –> 00:43:24,020 our Lord 1005 00:43:24,020 –> 00:43:25,020 and everyone 1006 00:43:25,020 –> 00:43:26,020 together 1007 00:43:26,020 –> 00:43:27,020 said 1008 00:43:27,020 –> 00:43:29,020 Amen.