Home for God's Children

God’s plans for us are more amazing than we can possibly imagine. His ultimate goal for this planet in rebellion is beyond our comprehension. His dream for us is far beyond our wildest imagination. Whatever you imagine heaven to be like, it is more magnificent, more beautiful, more glorious.

In this lesson we will discover the destiny of the redeemed in the earth made new. In 2 Peter 3:13 we read, “We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (NKJV).

In His Word God has given us a preview of the glories of the new earth as an appetizer to create within us the desire to be there, but He has not answered every question we might have on the subject. We do well to remember Paul’s words: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV).

Although we cannot understand everything about heaven, we can find answers to some of our most fundamental questions directly from the Bible.

01. Whose control will all earthly kingdoms pass into?
Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

​02. What title does the bible give Jesus - the ruler of this new heaven and earth?
Revelation 17:14
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

03. When Jesus reigns as the king of planet earth, where will His capital city, new Jerusalem, be located? Where will the seat of His government be?
Revelation 21:2–3
02. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
03. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

04. How does the bible describe this city?
Revelation 21:16–21
16. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
17. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
18. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
19. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
21. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Note
A furlong is about one third of a kilometer. The city is about 2,250 kilometers, or 550 kilometers on each side. A cubit is approximately 450 millimeters. This would make the walls of the New Jerusalem approximately 64 meters high. This fantastic city, the capital of the universe, will descend to earth. The redeemed planet, once fallen in sin, will become the master control center of the entire universe.

05. Since the New Jerusalem is a real city, upon a real planet, will the redeemed have real, immortal bodies?
Philippians 3:21
who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
1 Corinthians 15:51–54
51. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--
52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Note
The word “mortal” means subject to disease, decay, and death. The word “immortal” means not subject to death. It means imperishable or eternal. Just as Jesus received a glorious, immortal body at His resurrection, we too will receive a glorious, immortal body when Jesus comes again. Just as Jesus was recognized by His voice, His unique mannerisms, and the physical features, so we will recognize our loved ones in heaven.

06. Will these glorious new bodies be subject to sickness, pain or death?
Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
​Isaiah 35:5–6
05. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
06. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.

07. Will we ever experience sorrow again?
Revelation 21:4–5
04. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
05. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

08. What practical activities will the redeemed pursue in the new earth?
Isaiah 65:21–22
21. They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

09. How does the bible describe our closeness to Jesus in eternity?
Revelation 14:4
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
Revelation 21:2
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Note
Jesus is the “King of kings.” As He travels throughout His vast heavenly kingdom the redeemed will travel with Him as exhibits of His love and grace. As we follow Him now, we are preparing to follow Him throughout all eternity.

10. Will we actually see God in the new earth?
Revelation 22:3–4
03. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
04. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

11. how does the bible describe the rich fellowship with the redeemed of all ages we shall enjoy in heaven?
Matthew 8:11
And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Note
One of life’s great joys is fellowship—the relationship we share with friends and those we love. The ability to share freely and openly with the people closest to us provides some of our happiest moments. Heaven’s friendships will be the richest we have ever experienced. Everyone worth knowing will be there. We will have the opportunity to fellowship with such Bible greats as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Daniel, Peter, and Paul. Through the ceaseless ages of eternity we will experience friendship on a level we never imagined possible. We will feel love, concern, understanding, and acceptance in heaven’s caring community.

12. How will our fellowship with Jesus be throughout eternity?
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 22:3–4
03. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
04. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
Note
The deepest fellowship in eternity will be our fellowship with Christ. He shall be “our God.” We shall be His “sons and daughters.” The curse of sin will be gone. The barrier that separated us for millenniums will be torn down. The chains will be severed. Sin will be destroyed. We shall “see His face” and rejoice in His love forever.

13. Will the redeemed continue to worship and praise god throughout all eternity?
Isaiah 66:22–23
22. “For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, “So shall your descendants and your name remain.
23. And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
Note
The Sabbath is a marvelous symbol of praise and thanksgiving to the God who created us. Each Sabbath the entire universe will meet in a grand celebration of praise. The redeemed of all ages, the saved from every nation, will worship together each Sabbath.

14. What are the citizenship requirements for the new world?
Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Revelation 21:27
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Note
Human words can never picture what God has prepared for those who love and obey Him. The wonders of the new world defy imagination. The main thought we must concern ourselves with is: Will I be there? God has made provision for you to be there. You have a personal invitation from Christ Himself.

​​Concluding Question
Are you willing now to surrender your life to Jesus and allow Him to fit you for the new heaven?

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Read the Following Bible passages:

• Psalms 33:13

• Psalms 102:19

• Isaiah 42:9

• Isaiah 43:19

• Isaiah 48:6

• Isaiah 65:17

• Jeremiah 32:17

• John 14:2

• Ephesians 5:5

• Hebrews 11:16