“Perfection”
Revelation 21:1-22:5
Sermon Series: “How To Survive The End Of The World”
Introduction: I would like to accomplish three things in today’s message. First, I want us to think about heaven and what it actually means to our lives. Second, I want us to learn what the Bible teaches and have a correct understanding of heaven. Third, I want us to know that we are going to heaven when we leave here today.
With that said, let’s look at the characteristics of heaven that the Bible shares with us in Revelation 21-22. If I could summarize this description of the characteristics of heaven in one word, I would use the word perfection. So, let’s examine the perfect characteristics of heaven.
1. Heaven is the presence of a perfect God (21:3-7, 22-23, 22:1- 5). Heaven is ultimately about us being with God forever. John Piper has written, “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It’s a way of overcoming every obstacle to joy in God. If we don’t want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel.” [see Psalm 16:11 and John 17:3]
2. Heaven is the perfect environment.
A. No sorrow, suffering, or death but everything is
made new (v. 4-5)
- Complete satisfaction (v. 6-7)
- The absence of sin (v. 8, 27)
- The glory of God (v. 22-23)
- No fear or worry (v. 25)
- The curse being replaced by life, light, and healing
(1:23-2:5)
3. Heaven is physically perfect. Look at its characteristics: A. Its Location (v. 1-2, 9-10)
B. Its Light (v.11, 22-23)
C. Its Walls (v. 12-15, 18-21) D. Its Gates (v. 12-13, 21)
E. Its Foundations (v. 14)
F. Its Size (v. 15-16)
G. Its Street (v. 21)
4. Heaven is where we perfectly experience what we were created for.
A. We receive everything our Father has for us (v. 6-7) B. Worship (v. 22, other passages in Revelation)
C. Service (22:3)
D. Fellowship (everything is in the plural and speaks of
the people of God)
E. Reign forever and ever (22:5)
5. Heaven is a perfect place for perfected people (1:27-2:5).
There is no sin in heaven. If it were there, it would not be heaven. This is why we cannot earn our way to heaven or get there by doing enough good to somehow balance out the scales. We have to be completely forgiven and cleansed in order to be in heaven. However, the good news is that we are perfected by the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by one offering [speaking of Jesus offering Himself on the cross as our sacrifice for sin] He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Have you been perfected by the blood of Jesus? Are you going to heaven?
