Looking for a City

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This is a sermon on the topic of heaven as described in Rev. 21 and 22.

Written Excerpts:

Hebrews 11:10 (KJV) … he [Abraham] looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

Introduction:

Just a couple of weeks ago I was visiting with Art Brown and as we were talking about his wife Barb, who passed away a little more than 2 years ago, Art ask me why we don’t hear more sermons about heaven?

I hadn’t thought about that question much until he asked me.

As I tried to discern what God wanted me to preach this Sunday, I came across a message that I had preached in our previous church shortly before moving here to Wayside.

Heaven is a topic that occupies more and more of my thoughts these days. I have many dear friends and family members that have safely arrived and are waiting my arrival.

Other circumstances also make heaven seem much more near and dear – (1) conditions in our society (2) conditions in our world in general.

Proposition: Based on thoughts I borrowed from the Holman Bible Dictionary, I would propose to you that chapters 21 & 22 of Revelation portray heaven in three different images: (1) as a tabernacle (21:1-8), (2) as a city (21:9-27), and (3) as a garden (22:1-5).

They further assert that the image of the tabernacle portrays heavenly life as perfect fellowship with God. The symbolism of the city portrays heavenly life as perfect protection. The image of the garden shows heavenly life as perfect provision.

Transition: I thought that these designations were interesting and would be useful for our discussion, so let’s take some time this morning to think about heaven in terms of perfect fellowship; perfect safety; and perfect provisions.

I. Heaven is a place of perfect fellowship.

Rev. 21:3, the imagery used is regarding the tabernacle when it reads, “The tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them….”

It is interesting to note that the noun “tabernacle” and the verb “will dwell” are both from the same root meaning tent or tabernacle.

Let’s consider first of all about the progression of thought in Scripture regarding the Tabernacle.

A. The first kind of tabernacle

Ex. 25:8 – Make a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.

Ex. 33 – The tabernacle was erected outside the camp of the Israelites. It was a place for God’s presence / Spirit to dwell. His presence was represented by the pillar of cloud / fire.

Num. 2 – The tabernacle was erected in the center of the camp of the Israelites with all twelve tribes surrounding it.

2 Sam. 6:17 – A tabernacle was erected by King David for the purpose of housing the ark of the covenant when it was brought back to Jerusalem.

In all these cases the “fellowship” with God’s Spirit was primarily with Moses or other specific individuals, namely the high priests. These individuals acted as representatives for the people. The “common folks” were forbidden to get too close. Also, it was localized at the “tent of meeting.” If you get away from the tent/tabernacle, you “leave” the presence of God (not in the sense that it cancels his omnipresence, but in the sense of divine fellowship).

B. The second kind of “tabernacle”

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and dwelled among us.” The word, “dwelled” is literally the same word as “tabernacle.”

Now, the emphasis is not on the cloud and the fire symbolizing the presence of the Spirit, neither is the fellowship reserved only for designated individuals. Rather, the emphasis is on the God-man, Jesus Christ, living among and fellowshipping with all people. This fellowship is on a more personal level and it’s for the average individual, not just special leaders.

Yet, this fellowship is still localized. It is only possible when in the actual presence of Jesus.

C. The third kind of “tabernacle”

Rev. 21:3 - the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

In heaven all of the previous types and symbols of fellowship with God will become full reality. There are no limitations on location or on personality. Every child of God that has safely arrived in this eternal haven will know in unlimited and unhindered splendor what it means to have perfect fellowship with our Creator and Sovereign God.

The previous applications of “tabernacle” tended to emphasize one member of the Trinity at-a-time, but then we will experience divine, sacred fellowship with all three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).

v. 4 - In that perfect environment of divine fellowship God will provide all the comfort, peace, tranquility and wholeness that will make the fellowship infinitely richer than anything we have ever experienced on this earth.

II. Heaven is a place of perfect safety.

In Rev. 21:2, the city (New Jerusalem) is briefly mentioned, but later in verses 9-27 we are given many more details about the city.

A. Safety is implied by the architecture.

The Apostle gives enough details about the architecture to help us understand the dazzling beauty and quality materials of the city’s structure. Even though the architecture that was common in that part of the world until the 1^st century AD was magnificent in many ways, it would pale in comparison to what will meet the eye in the New Jerusalem, and the same can be said even today.

For the average reader of this revelation, their common experience included life lived in structures that were not so well-built and therefore not so safe and secure. For them, the description of this city would immediately spell safety and security simply on the basis of structure and materials.

B. Safety is implied by the absence of darkness/night.

21:23, 25,  The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).

22:5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.

Darkness has always been associated with evil and subsequently things that cause harm.

Cf. Prov. 2:13-15 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths;

Jn. 3:19-20 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

The complete absence of darkness in the city called the New Jerusalem implies that there is no environment that could be conceived as even slightly conducive to evil.

C. Safety is implied by the absence of evil men.

Rev. 21:8, 27 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. ²⁷Nothing evil will be allowed to enter—no one who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Again, this description is such a contrast to the norm that John’s readers would have commonly experienced – as it is with us today. We are surrounded with all kinds of wickedness. It is difficult to imagine life without it.

Rev. 22:11 Let the one who is doing wrong continue to do wrong; the one who is vile, continue to be vile; the one who is good, continue to do good; and the one who is holy, continue in holiness.”

Wicked and evil men will continue to be so, but they won’t be allowed in the city.

D. Safety is implied by the rule of righteousness

Rev. 22:3, 5 … throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him…. And they will reign forever and ever.

In the presence of God and the “throne” (which implies ruling) the servants will be worshipping and “reigning.” Again, in stark contrast to the corruption of power, wicked rulers and evil that takes place in government on this earth, the new city will have a perfect government with God as the Sovereign and all his servants reigning along with him.

I must admit that I can’t take it all in. I can’t comprehend it all, let alone explain it all. But, by faith I believe it with all my heart. In the safety of this perfectly governed righteous environment there will never be another temptation to evil; never another evil thought; no profane language; absolutely nothing that is contrary to the infinitely pure nature of God.

Hallelujah! Won’t it be wonderful there?

III. Heaven is a place of perfect provisions.

The third image and symbol used in this passage portrays heaven as a garden. At the beginning I quoted two writers who suggested that this image suggests perfect provision. The imagery of provisions come primarily from the references to the “twelve manner of fruit” or possibly “twelve crops of fruit” as suggested by some commentators.

Additionally, there is mention of healing provided by the leaves of the trees, and the fact that there is “no more curse,” which seems to be a direct reference to the Garden of Eden where the “curse” of sin first took place.

Once again I admit that I do not comprehend all that may be intended by these words about fruit and healing. Yet, I do think that there is an intentional contrast here with the Garden of Eden to signify that all the horror of sin is over and the curse is removed for ever and ever. Every need will be supplied and life will be absolutely harmonious as it apparently was in the very beginning of creation, only now there is no end. Every disease and illness will be forever banished. No cancer, no Lou Gehrig’s disease, no disabilities, and nothing at all that has negatively plagued human lives.

I want to finish up this service by showing a video clip of a song that was sung during a Gaither Homecoming. The singer is David Ring who was stillborn and left for dead while doctors gave urgent care to his mother, then he started breathing and crying after 18 minutes. He was afflicted with cerebral palsy as a result. As you hear him speak and sing this song you can’t help but think about the day he arrives in heaven, when he’ll no longer suffer the limitations of his disability.

Get your tissues out and prepare to cry and praise the Lord as we listen to this song: What a Day That Will Be. (YouTube video: David Ring & "What a Day That Will Be")

Conclusion:

Oh, dear friends, I certainly don’t want to miss heaven. I wouldn’t want to get careless and lose my spiritual appetite for this wonderful place God is preparing.

I’m so grateful that God’s grace ever reached my heart and showed me that I needed to repent of my sins and believe in the sufficient blood sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for me.

If you have not confessed your sins to Jesus and put your faith in His sacrifice on the cross, you’ll miss out on all these wonderful blessings.

If did put faith in Christ, but you have allowed the cares of life and the deceitfulness of riches, or other worldly pursuits to choke out your spiritual life, you’ll miss out on all these wonderful blessings.

If I were you, I’d want to turn to the Lord today and get ready to go to that wonderful place God has prepared for those who love Him and do His will.