HEAVEN: A GUIDED TOUR – PT 1 | BIBLE STUDY | MIKE PRAH
Oct 20, 2021 | by Mike Prah
HEAVEN: A GUIDED TOUR – PT 1 | BIBLE STUDY | MIKE PRAH
Revelation 21
INTRODUCTION
Much has been written about the subject of Heaven. Those who’ve had a near-death experience have written books about what they saw or heard when they “died” but were resuscitated. These stories are riveting. Who doesn’t want to know what happens when you die and what Heaven will be like? People are infinitely curious when it comes to what happens at death and then what Heaven will be like. We may not be ready to go just yet, but we’re forever eager to take that guided tour and get a sneak peek into Heaven.
John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ inner circle, was blessed to have been given that tour. The apostle Paul also caught a glance. It’s important at the outset to note that all we can actually know is true about Heaven is what the Bible has chosen to reveal. God is heaven’s designer and architect, and also the Bible’s author, so we’ll purposefully confine ourselves to solely what Scripture (sola scriptura) says about Heaven—and not go beyond it.
1. WHY STUDY ABOUT HEAVEN?
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV)
God tells us to be heavenly minded. Heaven is where our Lord is this moment, seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for us.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
- If your heart isn’t focused on Heaven, then where is it likely focused? Remembering that God doesn’t “need” anything—He already owns it all, what does God want from you?
- Which is more important to God—your treasure (wealth) or your heart?
HEAVEN: A GUIDED TOUR BY AN ANGEL – Revelation 21
1. The Geography of Heaven
Apostle John: “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” Revelation 21:9-10 (NKJV)
The great city,” “the holy Jerusalem,” = The capital city of Heaven.
Heaven is described with Symbols, Colors, Jewels, and Numbers in Revelation
"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2, NKJV
2. Heaven: The Requirement of Faith
“By faith he [Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:9-10 (NKJV)
- What was Abraham was looking forward? How was he going to live there?
- How does it affect you when you realize you, like Abraham, don’t have to do anything but live there one day because of your faith?
3. The Material Reality of Heaven
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:1-4 (NKJV)
4. The Government of Heaven
"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 21:3 (NKJV)
5. The Residents of Heaven
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light … " (Revelation 21:22-24, NKJV)
- How does knowing this increase your sense of security about the place called Heaven?
6. The Gladness of Heaven
"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.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new...” Revelation 21:4, NKJV
- As soon as God sets up residence with us as believers in Heaven, what is the first thing He will do?
- God dwelling with His people and ruling in majesty means there are some “no mores.” What are some things we’ve been through in this life that in Heaven we’ll never see again?
“5Then 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. 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:5-7, NKJV
- How does John’s written account of both Heaven and the future impact you when you read it?
- How does God identify Himself in verse 6? These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. It’s the same as if we said, “I am it, A to Z.”
6. The Godliness of Heaven
Heaven’s gladness will also be in part due to who won’t be present.
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8, NKJV)
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.” Revelation 21:27, NKJV
- Who will clearly not be present in Heaven?
- Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Have you ever come to the cross? Have you ever repented of your sin? Have you trusted the Lord Jesus?
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
DIGGING DEEPER
SECTION 1: PERSONALIZING THE MESSAGE
(a). What insight from the message left the biggest impression on you? Why?
(b). What did you hear that encouraged or reassured you?
(c). What did you hear that challenged or convicted you?
(d). How did the message increase your appreciation for God the Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit?
(e). From your personal experience, how can you illustrate a point from the message?
(f). Who can share the positive results of heeding the message or the painful consequences of disregarding its truth?
SECTION 2: APPLICATION OF THE MESSAGE
(a). What personal application of the message has the Lord shown you? How do you feel about following through with it?
(b). How should the message we heard affect or change our prayers?
(c). If we diligently apply the message, what effect would it have on personal lives and our daily walk with Christ?
(d). What would you say to share this helpful information to benefit someone who did not hear this message?