The last two chapters of Revelation give us a close look at the New Jerusalem that comes down out of Heaven from God to rest on the new earth. Some think that maybe it rests above the new earth. I don’t. I think it will rest upon the earth, maybe a much larger earth, but that’s my opinion.

I’ve been thinking about our life with Jesus in the New Jerusalem and on the new earth as of late. There isn’t really much I can add that others haven’t already said, but allow me to make a few observations.

The biggest thing that hits me square between the eyes is the fact that there will be no sin. There will be no sinful action, or even so much as a thought that is sinful. When looking at the world today and also inwardly at our own heart, we find that to be impossible, but,

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

If you’ve never read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) please do so. The scribes and Pharisees were boasting with pride in their supposed ability to keep the Law. (Read Luke 10:27 and you’ll immediately be convinced they actually failed miserably.) Jesus gives a much higher Law.

Murder:

Those of us who have never murdered anyone, may pride ourselves in that fact, but the higher Law says that if we are angry with our brother without a cause we are in danger of judgment.

Adultery:

We proudly say we have never committed adultery, but the higher Law says that if we look at a woman with lust in our heart we are guilty of adultery.

I guess that upset a lot of apple carts! Read all three chapters. There is no way we can live up to what Jesus proclaimed. However, when we finally get to our new home, we will live up to every word Jesus spoke, not because we are so great, but because He will remove all sin and sweep it into hell where it belongs.

You’re walking down the streets of Heaven and here comes someone you weren’t that friendly with on the old earth. Guess what? Total love and joy as you stop and talk with them. All that negative stuff is gone.

Uh oh, here comes that Christian employee you had to fire. Not a problem. Hugs, love and joy rule the day. We have become like our Master.

You go out for a stroll in the woods late in the day to feel the cool breeze on your face and don’t even have to worry about a thief, rapist or murderer attacking you. The thought never crosses your mind. Jesus has provided perfect peace.

Now I have no idea how Jesus will provide personal one-on-one time with each of us, but somehow he does. He is God, so I know it won’t be a problem. It’s just my puny mind that can’t understand that. Anyway, can you even come close to imagining sitting down with Jesus, one-on-one, and talking? I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking, and that is I can’t wait to see His face and bow in worship to Him. It’s difficult for us in this earthly body to comprehend the love God has for us. How can the creator of … EVERYTHING … love me? Don’t know, but I am so thankful that He does.

Have you ever thought about the little things like; no garbage, no smut on the street corners, no profanity, and no jealousy, no offensiveness of any kind?

I’ve actually witnessed a husband jealous of his wife’s success or a wife jealous of her husband being successful. That’s pitiful. It won’t exist in Heaven though. We’ll all be happy for each other.

Think about this. The Bible tells us that there will be rewards. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) Some will receive greater rewards than others. That’s a fact, and that is why we should all strive to attain rewards from Christ. There is nothing wrong with that. Thankfully, because there will be no sin, none of us will be jealous of others who receive greater rewards.

Life in our new home will be so much different than what we know now; it almost seems like a fairy tale. Thankfully, it is not a fairy tale, but more real than anything we know on this old earth. I guess you could say, we are currently living in a dream, a bad dream at that, but in Heaven we will wake up and enjoy what is real.

Something else I think about concerning our new home is what will we do? We will be busy. We will work. How and at what, I don’t know. I do know that God detests laziness. Some of us, in our fallen nature, think “work” is a bad word, but it isn’t. Work is a delight, especially when you’re doing what you were created to do. We each have abilities and talents. I think God will assign us things to do for Him that will delight us.

Have you ever wondered about the angels? I really look forward to talking to them also. Can you imagine what they could tell us!? They’ve been around a lot longer than we have. We might hang around on this old earth for a hundred years, but they have been witnessing everything for perhaps millions or billions of years, if not longer.

Some don’t think we’ll be able to travel to other galaxies. All I can do is offer an opinion since none of us really know at this point. I think we will be able to travel to other galaxies. Perhaps the Lord will send us to other areas of the universe with an assignment. I don’t know. I can’t see God creating trillions of galaxies though to just sit there and never be seen up close by anyone.

Of course we all think of our friends and loved ones who have gone on before us, and that is something I also really look forward to. The only thing better is seeing God Himself, and finally then, we will be able to look upon God’s face. I’m sure our first reaction will be to fall on our face before Him as did the Apostle John.

To be with God, our friends and our loved ones, and then live forever in a perfect environment will be Heaven.

Grant Phillips

Email: grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

 

 

Have you ever tried walking up hill on packed, slippery ice in the winter time? It’s even worse going downhill. Winter time will be here in a few months or so and we will have the opportunity to test that out.

My son-in-law loves snow, the more the better. I am not fond at all of winter. It’s cold, dead, messy and often quite slick for walking and driving. Another thing I have noticed as I get closer to the upper end of the aging scale is that, at least for me, I pretty much stay cold all winter. You may laugh now, but consider this well-known saying that was supposedly engraved on a tombstone.

“Pause, stranger, when you pass me by:
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you will be.
So prepare for death and follow me.”
An unknown passerby scratched these additional words on the tombstone:
“To follow you I’m not content,
Until I know which way you went.”

I’ve always liked that, but the funny thing is, it is often true of more than just death; being cold all winter for example.

Any time we walk on snow and especially ice we’re always taking a chance of falling and possibly hurting ourselves. Have you ever wondered why falling down doesn’t hurt a small child as much as a grown adult? My guess is, they’re closer to the ground and don’t have as far to go before they land.

When we were in grade school (that’s what we called it back then) we would slide standing up down a steep slope on our school yard. No fancy sleds. Didn’t even use a shovel or cardboard, just stood up and went for it. It’s fun when you’re young.

One thing that isn’t fun or funny is being duped by Satan about our stance with Jesus Christ. I fear that Satan has many professing Christians thinking they are saved and they are not.

Jesus said, “… when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

As of 2012 the polls tell us that 71% of the American population claims to be Christian and 33.4% of those in the world claim to be Christian. I’ve also seen percentages as high as 75-80% for America. These numbers don’t surprise me. Although the percentage rate for Christians throughout the world is probably a truer figure for this country.

I’ve always stated that many will be shocked at the Rapture or upon their death (whichever comes first). Many today, thinking they are a Christian, will be rejected. I am reminded of the following Scripture passages.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Why is it that only a few find the narrow gate? There can only be one answer. “… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Most prefer the wide gate because it allows them to be religious and have nothing changed in their lives. They really don’t want to be “of Christ” since that involves a personal relationship with Him and obedience to His Word. Religion is much better … they think.

Also, Jesus is not saying that works save us. To the contrary, to do the will of the Father is to believe on His Son.

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40)

Once real faith is placed in Jesus alone for salvation, he/she will be born again and will produce good works; some 30, some 60, some a 100 fold. Human works are not welcomed prior to being saved. It is by faith alone. But after salvation, works will eventually come forth because the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in the new believer.

True faith will produce works in the Christian life. Will the Christian still sin occasionally? Of course, we still have the sin nature within us (See Romans 7), but no true Christian can remain in sin and not be miserable.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” (James 2:14-20)

The true Christian will grow in faith and make an honest effort to obey the commands of our Savior and Lord (John 15:14), not legalistically as the scribes and Pharisees, but out of love and gratitude for His mercy.

Most of us in this country are just like many of the Jews in Jerusalem. We’re all in if there is something in it for us, but count me out if it means getting serious about Jesus.

“Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” (emphasis mine, John 2:23-25)

In the 23^rd verse the Scripture says they, “believed in his name.” The Greek word for “believed” is “pisteuo.” In the 24^th verse the Scripture says that, “Jesus would not entrust himself to them.” The Greek word for “entrust” is “pisteuo.”

Many “believed” when they saw the miracles, but Jesus knew their “belief” was not real. Both “believed” and “entrust” are the same Greek word. Their faith was false and Jesus had no faith in them. He knew their public acknowledgement of Him was not true faith. It was only a pretense. Read the 24^th verse and the 25^th verse again.

This is where we are today. Many people are saying they “believe,” but their belief is not real. They’re like a butterfly that lands on a flower for a few seconds, and then it’s gone. They only stick around long enough to please their sweet tooth. They really don’t want to commit to Jesus for the long-term. They’re faith is not real.

These dear folks are the hardest to talk to because they think they’re “alright.” They go to church. They own a Bible. They’ve been baptized. They’ve memorized some religious verbiage that makes them sound holy. They’re okay … they think … but they’re not. They’re on the slippery slopes of pseudo faith. They’re sliding into hell, and don’t even know it. None of these things will save anyone. Only real faith that is committed to Jesus will save anyone.

If we are one of those who say we “believe” in Jesus, are we sure that He “entrust” Himself to us? We may fool each other, but we can’t fool Him.

I will close with the following Scripture, praying that we all take heed. Let us examine ourselves upon against God’s Holy Word and nothing else.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)

Grant Phillips

Email: grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html