Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Aim: To instruct the believer in the truth that God will make a new dwelling place for the saints.

Golden Text: “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water or life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:6-7).

The end of this age shall come with Christ coming back for the Church and taking them to the judgment seat (Revelation 19).

During the next seven years, Christ will judge the saints at the Judgment Seat while the tribulation period is taking place on the earth. At the end of the seven years’ tribulation (Revelation 6-18) the Lord shall return to the earth with His bride, the Church. Accompanying them will be the angels of God (Revelation 19:14-16).

The False prophet and Beast will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 1920-21). Satan will be imprisoned in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). Christ will rule upon the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4). At the end of 1,000 years Satan will be loosed, and there will be one last great battle: Jesus against Satan and all the unsaved who are still alive. Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10). All unsaved dead will be resurrected, then all unsaved will be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:12-15).

I. God will burn up (destroy) the present earth and heavens (solar system) because of the influence of sin upon them. He will then make a new earth and heavens where the saints of God will live for eternity in the presence of God (Revelation 21:1). Glory to God!

II. A Heavenly Jerusalem shall come down to the new earth from Heaven (21:2-3). It is all new and will be the abode of the Almighty, Triune God among the redeemed for eternity.

III. Great changes will be made in the new earth (21:4-5). God will dwell among His people. He shall wipe all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death. There will be no more sorrow. There will be no more crying. There will be no more pain. All former things (upon the earth now) shall be passed away, shall be over and done. Everything will be new wherein there will be nothing that sin can and does produce (vs. 5). There will be no sin there ever!

IV. The assurance of these things are given by Christ (Revelation 21:6-7). Jesus identifies Himself as “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (vs. 6). And we often say He is also everything between! Jesus makes these promises to His saints.

First, each is given the water of eternal life freely. All will be drinking at God fountain.

Second, each believer will be an “over-comer.” The victory over all will be given to all by our Lord. What a joy! All the adversity will be over and done.

Third, all believers will be an heir of God to inherit all things God has prepared for them (vs. 7).

Lastly, God will be the people’s God, and the people will be God’s people. All will be made like Christ and will dwell with Him forever.

V. A list of sinful, adverse things and people are listed as not being in God’s new heaven and earth (vs. 8). “But the fearful, and the 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.”

In this lesson we have the eternal abode of those saved by grace, through faith. These are eternally saved by the blood of Christ and will live with Him in the new earth for eternity.

We also have a statement (vs. 8) of the people who do not have faith in Christ, those who have not repented and believed on Christ. They are cast into the Lake of Fire where there is eternal punishment for their sins. Christ is the sacrifice for the sins of men. No Christ, no salvation.

Howard Tillery is the pastor of New Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Grady County. He lives in Cairo.