DCLM Higher Everyday 13 January 2024 — Heaven Is Real
Topic: Heaven Is Real
Text: Revelation 21:1-10
1And 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.
3And 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.
4And 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.
5And 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.
6And 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.
7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8But 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.
9And 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.
10And 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,
Key Verse: “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” ( Revelations 21:1 ).
Message
Heaven is as real as you are real and not a ghost. The reality of heaven made Jesus promise His disciples a place in His Father’s house after the rapture or death. It also made Him to promise the thief on the cross a fellowship with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43). That was the motivation the heroes of faith had that made them to face persecution and despise the shame associated with it (Hebrews 11: 14-16). Heaven is real and those who finished the race successfully like Abraham, David, Paul and many others are there now with God and the angels.
John the beloved, in our text, said, “I John saw the holy city…” to emphasize the reality of heaven. He equally tells us that only overcomers would be admitted into heaven. On the other hand, “the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, whoremongers, the sorcerers, the idolaters and all liars” would be debarred from entering therein. Where do you belong? Repent, today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour to be guaranteed a place in heaven.
Quote: Where do you belong?
Challenge: Be a candidate for heaven.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to be adequately prepared for heaven.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
