Series Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NJKV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

We are continuing in our series “This Changes Everything.” One of the things that change when we come to Christ is our Eternal Destination. Christs’ death on the cross provided a bridge for us to crossover into the Kingdom. Jesus talked repeatedly about The Father and The Kingdom of Heaven – Heaven Is Real. The Bible isn’t exhaustive in regards to the afterlife but it does gives us an insight.

Sermon Text: Revelation 21:1-8 (NLT): “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’ And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.’ And he also said, ‘It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  This is the second death.’”

Heaven Is Where God Is

Psalm 115:3 (NLT): “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.”

Matthew 6:9-10 (NLT): “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”

Heaven Will Be Our Home

John 14:2-3 (NLT): “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Hebrews 13:14 (NLT): “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” 

Heaven Is A Paradise

Luke 23:43 (NLT): “And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

Heaven Is Place of No More’s

Revelation 21:4 (NLT): “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 

Isaiah 65:17-18 (NLT): “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy.”

Heaven Comes With New Bodies

Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT): “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”

1 Corinthians 15:43-44 (NLT): “Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.”

Heaven Is A Place Where We Will See Our Loved Ones

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NKJV): “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”

2 Samuel 12:22-23 (NLT): “David replied, ‘I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, “Perhaps the LORD will be gracious to me and let the child live.” But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.”

In Closing:

Hell, God tells us, is a place of “black darkness,” 2 Peter 2:17.

It is a place of “outer darkness” where “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is all that will be heard (Matt. 25:30)

It is “a lake that burns with fire and sulfur” (Revelation 21:8)

Hell is a prison of everlasting chains from which there is no hope of release (Jude 6)

It is a furnace of conscious torment where the fire never goes out (Matt. 13:49-50)

It is a place of excruciating misery where the worm does not die (Mark 9:47-48)

Hell is a place of agonizing thirst that can never be quenched (Luke 16:22-24)