Revelation 21: 1 Study Guide

SERMON PREPARATION WORKSHEET # 3

DEVELOPING THE IDEA

GRASP THE PASSAGE IN OUR TOWN

TEMPLATE

DIVISION STATEMENT (1): I saw a new heaven and new earth.

Key verse(s): Revelation 21:1 I saw a new heaven and new earth. .

EXPLANATION:

John begins with what he saw. John says is “Revelation 21:1 I saw a new heaven and new earth.” This a prophetic statement that has yet to be fulfilled. We are still in anticipation of the final events to take place in the book Revelation.

ARGUMENT:

We have here a more general account of the happiness of the church of God in the future state, by which it seems most safe to understand the heavenly state. A new world now opens to our view as seen in Revelation 21:1 “I saw a new heaven and a new earth”

that is, a new universe; for we suppose the world to be made up of heaven and earth. By the new earth we may understand a new state for the bodies of men, as well as a heaven for their souls. This world is not now newly created, but newly opened, and filled with all those who were the heirs of it. The new heaven and the new earth will not then be distinct; the very earth of the saints, their glorified bodies, will now be spiritual and heavenly, and suited to those pure and bright mansions. To make way for the commencement of this new world. The old world, with all its troubles and commotions, passed away.
In this new world the apostle saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, not locally, but as to its original: this new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, beautified with all perfection of wisdom and holiness, meet for the full fruition of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory.’ (Henry, 2006)
APPLICATION:
We see that God is in full control and after all is said and done He will not leave us in a fallen and sin torn world. God is going to bring heaven here on earth, just as in Genesis prior to the entrance of sin. We also see God still at work in the world today. Which should give us who have our in trusting that He will make all things new. Not new in time, but new in kind. He is not going to destroy to earth and create a new one. However is going to bring heaven down to earth again.
Although in this life we will suffer loss because of sin.

We can find hope in knowing that is not the end for those who have placed their hope and trust in Jesus Christ. When the events of this book have all been fulfilled we will have heaven on earth just like in Genesis be for sin set in.

ILLUSTRATION:.

‘After the great Chicago fire of 1871, evangelist Dwight L. Moody went back to survey the ruins of his house. A friend came by and said to Moody, "I hear you lost everything."

"Well," said Moody, "you understood wrong. I have a good deal more left than I lost."

"What do you mean?" the inquisitive friend asked. "I didn't know you were that rich."

Moody then opened his Bible and read to him Rev 21:7 - "He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God." In contrast to the overcomers, Rev 21:8 describes the people who were overcome by sin and would not trust the Lord. What is their destiny? The lake of fire! The world considers Christians as "losers," but it is the unbelievers who are the losers!’ (Wiersbe, 1989)

Transition Statement:

Now that we see what John saw, a new heaven we can now progress on to what he heard.

DIVISION STATEMENT (2): I heard a loud voice from the

throne.

Key verse(s): Revelation 21:3 says “I heard a loud voice from the throne.”

EXPLANATION:
The Bible says in Revelation 21:3 “I heard a loud voice from the throne...” The voice that was speaking is the voice of God. This is the last of 20 times that the expression "a loud voice" is used in Revelation. The phrase was used for the first in Revelation 5:2. God has never ceased to speak since the beginning of time in Genesis. We have to listen and hear what the spirit is saying to us today.
ARGUMENT:
Following this initial revelation of the New Jerusalem John wrote, I heard a loud voice from the throne. The final revelation from heaven states that God will then dwell with men, and that the saints will be His people and He will be their God. In eternity saints will enjoy a new intimacy with God which is impossible in a world where sin and death are still present. The new order will be without sorrow. God will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death with its mourning, and pain with its crying will vanish, for the old order of things will have passed away.

Some have wondered if grief and sorrow will exist for a while in heaven and then be done away with here at the establishing of the new order. It is better to understand this passage as saying that heaven will have none of the features that so characterize the present earth.
(from Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries; Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries.

All rights reserved.)

APPLICATION:

Here we see God not only speaking, but speaking in a loud voice. The voice of God’s telling us He is making his home with us, his followers. “The tabernacle had always symbolized God's dwelling among his people; God had also promised to "dwell" among his people as part of his covenant, especially in the sinless world to come.” (Keener, 1993) It was sin that caused the separation between us and God from since the beginning in Genesis.

Sin is what separates us from God. Since we have not entered yet into this period spoken of as something to come, we must repent and turn away from our sins so that presence of God may dwell among us.

ILLUSTRATION:.
“There were two brethren who differed on the question of the believer's safety in Christ. They were discussing the question, and one said to the other: "I'll tell you, a child of God is safe only so long as he stays in the lifeboat. He may jump out, and if he jumps out he is lost." To this the other replied, saying: "You remind me of an incident in my own life. I took my little son out with me in a boat. I realized, as he did not, the danger of his falling or even jumping into the water. So I sat with him all the time, and all the time I held him fast, so he could neither fall out nor jump out of the boat." "But," said the first speaker, "he could have wriggled out of his coat and got away in spite of you." "Oh," said the other, "you misunderstood me if you supposed I was holding his coat; I was holding him." (Peters, 1998)
Transition Statement:
Now let’s move on to what He said He is doing.
DIVISION STATEMENT (3): He said, I am making everything new. Revelation 21:5

EXPLANATION:
Revelation 21:5 says “He who sits on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” He said, write this down. While this is spoken in the present tense, it still is an ongoing future reality. God urges John to write down what He heard coming from the throne room of God. What God is saying has to important enough for Him to want his words written down. Here John is referring back to Revelation 21:1.

ARGUMENT:
‘The dramatic change to the new order is expressed in the words, I am making everything new! This revelation is trustworthy and true, and John was instructed to write down that fact. The One bringing about the change is Christ, who calls Himself the Alpha and the Omega in Revelation 1:8; 22:13, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This is being interpreted to mean “the Beginning and the End.”
Those who are thirsty are promised that they will be able to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. Apparently this refers not to physical thirst but to a desire for spiritual blessings.” (Walvoord & Zuck, 1983)
“Behold, I make all things new” A new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1), and an order of things to correspond with that new creation. The former state of things when sin and death reigned will be changed, and the change consequent on this must extend to everything.
“And he said unto me, Write” Make a record of these things, for they are founded in truth, and they are adapted to bless a suffering world. “For these words are true and faithful” They are founded in truth, and they are worthy to be believed.’ (Barnes' Notes, 2005)

APPLICATION:
The same heavens and earth that said by God to be good in Genesis is still good now when Revelation was written. It is still good today. God’s creation is not replaced, but redeemed. God does not make “all things new” but all things new.” The ultimate city will bears the name and recognizable features of the earthly city. After the 1,000-year reign on the earth. So, God wants to renew his covenant in us through our choosing his will and plan on a daily basis.
This means we have to deny our fleshly desire and subject ourselves to the plans God for our lives. We have to lay aside every weight and run this race with patience. We have be willing to give ourselves fully to God and allow his word to guide us.

SERMON PREPARATION WORKSHEET # 4
BUILDING THE SERMON
GRASP THE PASSAGE IN OUR TOWN

TEMPLATE

I. SUMMATION: METHOD: Recap___________________:

The first this what did John see? John saw a new heaven and new earth, Second, he heard the voice for God coming from the throne, and finally he speak to John saying “I am making all new. We see that this refers to a future reality, The Salvation Army seeks to meet human need without discrimination. We tend to favor committing with those who are most like ourselves.

II. INVITATION: APPROACH: Physical Relocation____________:

Today, we looked a prophecy that is yet unfolding right before our eyes. Many people have many fears when studying the book of Revelation. Let me encourage you with these words. We are the victors in the end. Good will ultimately triumph over evil. God will once and for all defeat Satan/ The saints will rule and reign there after.

III. INTRODUCTION: TYPE: _________________________________:

Have you ever wondered what heaven would be like? It has been said that the best way to imagine heave is to think about the most exciting place you have ever visited. Some will say Disney World, some will say Universal Studios. Others say Paris, France or maybe ever Italy. Regardless of the response none will compare to heaven. The Bible tells us that no one cry or be sad there. Streets paved with gold. Lions getting along with lambs. We can try to imagine it but we will not fully grasp it until that that when he returns.

IV. TRANSITION SENTENCE:
We all long to know what will happen as the events found in revelation unfold. Let’s look to see what happens as John sees something, hears something and is instructed to write what was heard. “I am making all things new.”

V. TITLES:

a. Key Word or Phrase: Renewed heaven and earth_______________

b. Imperative Statement: I Am Making All Things New________________

c. Interrogative Statement: Ever Wondered About Heaven?_____________

d. Declarative Statement : Heaven Is For Real

CHOOSE THE BEST TITLE:

I Am Making All Things New!