NOTES: Awake to Wonder, Part 4
Awake to Wonder 4: The Holy City
Date; Sunday March 5, 2023
Text: Revelation 21:1–12 (ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—
Let’s Connect:
What’s on your bucket list?
Ephesians 2:12 (ESV)
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God (atheoi) in the world.
Let’s be careful we don’t embrace what could be defined as an atheistic beliefs.
How should we live now, in light of the revelation?”
Text Explained:
New/old passed away:
Holy city/new Jerusalem:
Jesus often moved his followers thoughts from Jewish nationalism to something GREATER.
1. God is everlastingly with his people.
No more tears/pain:
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)8 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
2. He culminates all of his promises.
Jesus is the Alpha/Omega:
Cowards:
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Conquers:
3. He renews all things in glory.
The Church (7 angels/bowls) (Bride):
New Jerusalem coming down (glory of God):
Let’s Relate:
Awake to wonder! Always keep eternity in mind.
1 Corinthians 15:51–57
Our Challenge:
Ephesians 2:19–22 (ESV)
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Always keep eternity in mind.
Live today in the nearness of God
And in the oneness of community