Heaven is a Real Place

Notes from Chuck Obremski’s sermon 7/3/05 - (Revelation 21:1-22:5)

There will be a new heaven and a new earth. A new Jerusalem. Man will have a new nature, one without sin. God will be the focal point this new universe. Heaven is more real than anything we are convinced exists today.

In the King James translation Heaven is found 551 times. Kingdom of Heaven – 41 times. Kingdom of God – 92 times.

In 2 Corinthians Paul talks about being caught up into the third heaven. The first heaven is our earth’s atmosphere. The second heaven is stellar space…sun, moon, planets and other universes. (2 Cor 12:4 - 4 Paul was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.)

(see Genesis 1:14-18 and Psalm 19)

Psalm 19:1-2
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

Heaven…Paradise…the place where God dwells. (Psalm 115:3, Psalm 14:2, Psalm 103:19, Revelation 12, Rev 19:1)

1. Heaven is a city built by God Himself and the place where God the Father dwells. (Rev 21:2, 10)

City built by God. Place where God the Father dwells. God is preparing a place for us…for you and me. It’s comforting to know that God is not subcontracting this out. (Heb 11:16, John 14:2)

2. Heaven is a city of enormous size and beauty. (Rev21:11)

Enormous size and dimension.

Dimensions (Rev 21:16-17) - 1500 miles wide, high and tall. (Aren’t you glad you won’t have to wait for an elevator in heaven. Just imagine if some gets on and pushes all the buttons.)

Will be able to accommodate everyone. You will be able to come and go as you please. We’ll be able to see what we can’t see from an earthbound perspective.

Description (Rev 21:18, 23 and Rev 22:5) - Pure gold…like pure glass. Twelve foundations made of precious gem stones. Twelve gates…each one gigantic pearl.

Sometimes people get hung up on the details like this…asking how big of an oyster would it take to make a pearl as big as a gate. God doesn’t need an oyster to create a pearl.

3. Heaven is the place from which the Messiah came into the world, the place to where He ascended and the place from which He shall return. (John 3:13, 31; John 6:33, 38, & 51; Acts 1:9-11, 7:55-56, 1 Thes 4)

Don’t you want to get directions from someone who has been there and done that?

4. Heaven is the place where rewards will be distributed to faithful believers. (Matt 5:10-12 and 2 Cor 5:10)

The place where rewards will be given for the believers. The place where we’ll have to give an answer for the work that we’ve done after receiving Christ.

5. Heaven is a city for believers only. (Rev 21:6-8 and 22:14-15)

Heaven is a place exclusive to the people of God. That is why the problems of this world will not be seen, felt or touched in heaven. We won’t have to worry about the things we do here on earth.

Heaven is for believers only. More than just those who profess belief. (Matt 5:20, Matt 7:13-14) Enter through the narrow gate. Be humble before God and repent of your sins.
Confess your sins…contrite. Jesus paid the fee…only way to inherit admittance. Born again. Nicodemus came at night and asked. Must be born again. Confess your sins before God. Washed with the water and the Spirit. By the will of God, not by human effort.

Jesus the Son of God was sent to save us, not condemn us. The world was already condemned.
If you die today, will you be in heaven? Or will you be condemned to hell for eternity? Understand the importance of making the right decision.

Make your path straight, straight to heaven!