|
Just before His death and resurrection, what promise did Jesus make to His followers?
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also". John 14:1-3
How does the Bible describe the "Father's house"?
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem... prepared as a bride adorned for her husband". Revelation 21:2
What description does the Bible give us of this Holy City, New Jerusalem?
"The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs (perimeter?). The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal". Revelation 21:16
Note: A furlong is 1/8th of an English mile, which would mean that this city, forming a perfect square, is at least 375 miles long on each side!
"The building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass". Revelation 21:18
"The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones". Revelation 21:19
"And had twelve gates.... and the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass". Revelation 2 1:12, 21
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof". Revelation 21:23
What very special tree will be growing in the New Jerusalem, which was also found in the Garden of Eden?
"In the midst of the Street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations". Revelation 22:2
"Therefore the Lord God sent him (Adam) forth from the garden of Eden.... and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life". Genesis 3:23,24
God intends to make this earth the eternal home for those that are saved:
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall Inherit the earth". Matthew 5:5
Note: This will occur at the end of a 1000 year period the redeemed spend with God in heaven. A more complete explanation will be found in a succeeding study, "1,000 Years of Peace".
God will re-create the earth:
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness". 2.Peter 3:13
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea". Revelation 21:1
God will transport His capital city, the New Jerusalem, to earth!
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God". Revelation 21:2,3
The earth, made new, will be perfect!
"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert". Isaiah 35:5,6
"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock... They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord". Isaiah 65:25
"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat". Revelation 7:16
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain". Revelation 21:4
God's redeemed people will be satisfied!
"And they shall build houses, and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands". Isaiah 65:21,22
They will worship and praise God:
"And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord". Isaiah 66:23
According to Jesus, in heaven we will become acquainted with other Bible characters:
"And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 8:11
According to the Apostle Paul, friends will meet and recognize each other in heaven:
"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known". 1.Corinthians 13:12
Thought promise:
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him". 1.Corinthians 2:9
[previous chapter] [Christian Way - Index] [next chapter]
|
