Good morning,

“Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Savior’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.” This chorus was popular as I was growing in my walk with the Lord.

What will the new heaven and earth be like? God describes it to us in Revelation 21 and 22. This week we will look at Revelation 21. We will see the coming of heaven, the tabernacle of heaven, what God does for us in heaven, the look of heaven, the size of heaven, the construction of heaven, the temple of heaven, the light of heaven, and the purity of heaven.

The look of heaven (21:9-14)

⁹ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;¹² And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The size of heaven (21:15-17)

¹⁵ And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.”

*The city is 1500 miles long, wide, and in height. The wall is 216 feet. This is a very large city.*

The construction of heaven (21:18-21)

¹⁸ And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.²¹ 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.

This city was magnificent. Since God built this city, we would expect it to be glorious. When we see it, it will be greater than we could ever envision.

Next we will look at the temple and light of heaven.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Savior’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.” This chorus was popular as I was growing in my walk with the Lord.

What will the new heaven and earth be like? God describes it to us in Revelation 21 and 22. This week we will look at Revelation 21. We will see the coming of heaven, the tabernacle of heaven, what God does for us in heaven, the look of heaven, the size of heaven, the construction of heaven, the temple of heaven, the light of heaven, and the purity of heaven.

What happens to the old heaven and earth?

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:10-12)

At this point judgment is complete. Sinners have been cast into the lake of fire, hell, for eternity and the saved are in the third heaven with Jesus. Now God destroys all the wickedness on earth.

Coming of heaven (21:1-2)

“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.² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”  

The tabernacle of heaven (21:3)

“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.”

What God does for us in heaven (21:4-8)

^“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: for the former things are passed away.⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.⁶ 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 of life freely.⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.⁸ 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.”

God destroys the wicked, profane, sinful world, and replaces it with a perfect, Godly place where God resides. God ministers to His people. We will be forever with Jesus our Savior.

But what is the look, size, and construction of heaven?

Come back tomorrow and find out.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Who will inhabit heaven? This week we will explore this topic. We will look at who is Jesus, what did He come to do, what kind of life did Jesus promise, and how do I become an inhabitant of heaven.

How do I become an inhabitant of heaven?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31)

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

Conclusion

Those who repent of their sins, believe on Jesus Christ by faith, will inhabit heaven.

Only those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be in heaven.

This week’s devotions have given us a picture of who Jesus is, why He came, what He promised, and how we can be inhabitants of heaven.

Please choose to make Jesus your Lord and Savior. Then you too will an inhabitant of heaven!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Who will inhabit heaven? This week we will explore this topic. We will look at who is Jesus, what did He come to do, what kind of life did Jesus promise, and how do I become an inhabitant of heaven.

What kind of life did Jesus promise?

Eternal Life

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:12-13)  

Jesus gave us everlasting or eternal life. A life that has no end. Once entered into, this relationship can never be broken.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

So how do I become an inhabitant of heaven?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Who will inhabit heaven? This week we will explore this topic. We will look at who is Jesus, what did He come to do, what kind of life did Jesus promise, and how do I become an inhabitant of heaven.

Who Inhabits Heaven?

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

Introduction

Who is Jesus?

Bread of life (John 6:35)

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35 

Light of the world (John 8:12)

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Resurrection and life (John 11:25,26)

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Way, truth, and life (John 14:6)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

True God and eternal life (1 John 5:20)

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

What did Jesus come to do?

Seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10)

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Save that which is lost (Matthew 18:11)

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Give abundant life (John 10:10)

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Died for our sin (Romans 5:8)

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Died, buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

What kind of life did Jesus promise?

Eternal Life

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:12-13)  

How do I become an inhabitant of heaven?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31)

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

Conclusion

Those who repent of their sins, believe on Jesus Christ by faith, will inhabit heaven.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Who will inhabit heaven? This week we will explore this topic. We will look at who is Jesus, what did He come to do, what kind of life did Jesus promise, and how do I become an inhabitant of heaven.

What did Jesus come to do?

Seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10)

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Save that which is lost (Matthew 18:11)

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Give abundant life (John 10:10)

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Died for our sin (Romans 5:8)

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Died, buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Disobedience caused sin to enter this world. God’s creation was perfect. God gave Adam a simple command and Adam chose to disobey. Sin entered and corrupted everything.

Mankind incurred a sin debt he could not pay.

Jesus came and paid our sin debt with His precious, pure, sinless blood. He became sin for us.

No one made Him go to the cross. He did it willingly for us.

Heaven will be our opportunity to spend eternity with the one who bought our salvation at Calvary.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Who will inhabit heaven? This week we will explore this topic. We will look at who is Jesus, what did He come to do, what kind of life did Jesus promise, and how do I become an inhabitant of heaven.

Who is Jesus?

Bread of life (John 6:35)

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35 

Light of the world (John 8:12)

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Resurrection and life (John 11:25,26)

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Way, truth, and life (John 14:6)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

True God and eternal life (1 John 5:20)

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

From last weeks study, we know that Jesus is already in heaven. He is preparing a place for those who will be in heaven.

The above Scriptures tell us about Jesus. He is nourishment, light, resurrection life, the only way of salvation, complete truth, and eternal life.

All that is available to us.

Next we will see what Jesus came to do on our behalf.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

There are many misconceptions about heaven. This week we will begin a series on heaven. We need to understand that there are three heavens, that heaven is a real place, and that God built it.

Heaven built by God

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Heaven was built by God. It was built for believers to reside. Jesus is preparing a dwelling place for us.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.² 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.³ 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)

Jesus is coming again to take us home to be with Him in heaven. What a tremendous promise.

Are you ready to go? If not, trust Christ as your Savior and Lord. Call me for the details.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

There are many misconceptions about heaven. This week we will begin a series on heaven. We need to understand that there are three heavens, that heaven is a real place, and that God built it.

Heaven is a real place

John testifies of the throne, the four and twenty elders, the seven Spirits of God, the sea of glass, the four beasts who praise God day and night, the sealed book, the Lamb, and the angels praising the Lamb. (Revelation 4-5)

1. The throne (4:1-3)

“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.² And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.³ And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”

2. The four and twenty elders (4:4)

“And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”

3. The seven Spirits of God (4:5)

“And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

4. The sea of glass (4:6)

“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”

5. Four beasts who worship God day and night (4:6-9)

“And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.⁸ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.⁹ And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,”

6. Four and twenty elders worship (4:10-11)

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,¹¹ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

7. The sealed book (5:1-4)

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.² And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?³ And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.⁴ And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”

8. The Lamb who is worthy to open the seals (5:5-10)

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.⁶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.⁷ And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.⁸ And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.⁹ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

9. The angels praising the Lamb (5:11-14)

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. ¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.¹⁴ And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

Heaven is a real place.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

There are many misconceptions about heaven. This week we will begin a series on heaven. We need to understand that there are three heavens, that heaven is a real place, and that God built it.

Heaven

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.² 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.³ 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)

INTRODUCTION

Three Heavens

1. Firmament or sky that covers the earth

This is the realm of birds and clouds that surrounds the entire earth.

2. Where the stars, sun, moon resides

This is the space beyond the earth and it covers the entire universe.

3. Where God resides

This is the unseen and is the residence of God, including Jesus Christ. This is where the dead martyrs and saints are today. This is the location of the throne of God and where the holy angels surrounding His throne sing day and night, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God.

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.³ And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)⁴ How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

Heaven is a real place

John testifies of the throne, the four and twenty elders, the seven Spirits of God, the sea of glass, the four beasts who praise God day and night, the sealed book, the Lamb, and the angels praising the Lamb. (Revelation 4-5)

1. The throne (4:1-3)

“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.² And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.³ And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”

2. The four and twenty elders (4:4)

“And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”

3. The seven Spirits of God (4:5)

“And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

4. The sea of glass (4:6)

“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”

5. Four beasts who worship God day and night (4:6-9)

“And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.⁸ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.⁹ And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,”

6. Four and twenty elders worship (4:10-11)

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,¹¹ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

7. The sealed book (5:1-4)

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.² And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?³ And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.⁴ And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”

8. The Lamb who is worthy to open the seals (5:5-10)

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.⁶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.⁷ And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.⁸ And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.⁹ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

9. The angels praising the Lamb (5:11-14)

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. ¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.¹⁴ And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

Heaven built by God

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Conclusion

Heaven is a real place

Heaven built by God

Heaven is our hope for the future

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001