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The New Jerusalem

“And he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.

And it shone with the glory of God.” (Revelation 21:9-27)

            Revelation 21:2 calls this the New Jerusalem. The old Jerusalem, like everything else on the old earth has burned up by this time. What a heritage had been the old Jerusalem. It was chosen by God to be the capital city of His people and so King David moved his throne and the Ark of the Covenant into that formerly pagan city. David’s son, Solomon, built the great Temple of God there. That city was destroyed and Israel scattered for almost 2,000 years until the United Nations gave Israel back their land. Just recently President Donald Trump moved the capital back to Jerusalem. That temple and city will play a prominent role during the Millennium as Jesus rules the world from that historic city. What was revealed to John was the New Jerusalem, and it will look nothing like the old one, and it will never be destroyed.

I. The New Jerusalem Defined,  Rev.21:2,9-11

            First we are told what this city is. It is a city for sure, but it is the city where the bride of Christ resides. John said it looked like a “bride beautifully dressed (adorned) for her husband.” Indeed, it will be. The groom is Jesus and the bride is His church. Remember, John is writing this letter to seven local churches, revealing their future. And make no mistake about it, the bride of Christ is His church, made up of all the local churches.

            “I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” If you read Ephesians you will see that the church is the body of Christ, the temple of God and the bride of Christ (5:25-32; 1:23; 2:19-22; 1Cor.3:16; 1Pet.2:4-5). This is the church in its glorified state, where Christians will end up. Only the people of God are the New Jerusalem.

            Furthermore, “It shone with the glory of God.” The glory of God is the shining brilliance of God, the shekinah glory, which had been seen throughout the history of Israel over the tabernacle and temple. This glory would blind a person without a glorified body, like it did Saul when Jesus revealed Himself to him. It is described for us as the apostles looked at Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. He shone like the sun. The glory of the New Jerusalem can only be witnessed by the glorified saints. This is the place Jesus went to prepare for us.

II. The New Jerusalem Described,  v.12-27

            A. The Dimensions,  v.12-21   The city, wall and gates are described (v.15). The city is a perfect cube (v.16) made of beautiful and durable materials. The streets are made of pure gold (v.21). All of this pictures that it will last throughout eternity. The walls were 216 feet thick [244 cubits; 12x12] (v.17), symbolizing the security of the citizens inside. This wall is built on a foundation of 12 precious stones (v.18-19). The wall has 12 gates, each made of a singular pearl (v.21).

Twelve is the number for God’s people. All the measurements of the city are twelves and multiples of twelve, indicating they will hold all of God’s chosen people. The walls are 144 cubits thick (12x12). The entire area of the city is 12,000 stadia (14,000 miles square). The names of the 12 tribes of Israel are written on the gates (v.12) and the names of the 12 apostles are written on the 12 foundation stones of the wall (v.14). This represents that in eternity all the people of God will be there, Old and New Testament believers.

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The Great White Throne Judgment  (Revelation 20:11-15)
I love the Good News – Bad News jokes. The surgeon came into postop to give the patient news of the surgery. “I have good news and bad news.”  The amputee said, “Give me the good news first.”  The good news is - the surgery was a complete success!” What’s the bad news?  “We amputated the wrong leg!” The pastor stood before the congregation and said he had good news and bad news. “The good news is we have all the money we need for the new building project. The bad news is – it’s still in your pockets!”

I have good news for you and bad news. The good news is – we live the day of the favor of the Lord and because Jesus has died for our sins and risen from the dead we can be forgiven of your sins and receive the gift of eternal life. Jesus has suffered in our place and taken the punishment for our sins at the cross. As Jesus said in Luke 24:47, “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.”

To help us see why the good news is so good, God gives us the bad news. The terrifying day of judgment is coming. More specifically, the great white throne judgment where all lost people will stand before Jesus Christ the judge and give an account of everything they have done in their lives on this earth, and those whose names are not in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire.

There are some things we cannot afford to be wrong about. Yet it’s so easy to be deceived. Judas was. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven ...” (Mt.7:21-23)  Ever think you were right about something and then found out you were dead wrong? Once Linda and I got in a lively discussion over what street one of our new church members lived. I said she lived on Cherry Street and she said she lived on Cheery Street. I put her in the car to show her. You can’t imagine the surprise on my face as we rounded the curve to her street and I saw the sign that said – Cheery Street!  I was wrong.

Eternity in heaven or forever in hell is not something we want to be wrong or deceived about. There is no second chance.  Nothing is more relevant for everyone than this truth on final judgment. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 25:46, “And they will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

There are certain things we learn from this passage of Scripture that need to be imprinted on our hearts.  I will mention four of them... to read more click on the following link... http://www.gracehouseclinton.com/2022/05/the-great-white-throne-judgment

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The Time of the Lord’s FAVOR has Come

There were three Sabbaths in Israel: one day a week, one year out of every seven, and a year after the seventh Sabbath year or every 50th year. The one every 50th year was called the Year of Jubilee and it is described for us in Leviticus chapter 25. “It will be a jubilee year for you:

1. When each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan.  (v.8-10)  In terms of the New Covenant, the earth returns to the dominion of man, as it did when Jesus came and restored that dominion originally give to man by God in Gen.1:26.
2. During that year you must not plant your fields or store away any of the crops that grow on their own. You may eat whatever the land produces on its own.  (v.11-13)  No working. God does all the work; we rest, which is what Sabbath means.
3. All debts were cancelled.  (v.41)   All sins are forgiven.
4.  Any slave or servant “will no longer be obligated to you.” (v.54)  Freedom for all.

What time is it? This could be a very important question if you are on a time schedule, trying to keep an appointment or pick up a child from school. When Jesus made this statement in Luke 4:19 He wasn’t talking about looking at your watch or calendar. He’s talking about an age when the Lord comes, a dispensation, a period of time when the Lord does things a certain way that He didn’t do at other times.

Remember when we started the series on “The sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” The word age is the idea Jesus is referring to here. Often we refer to this as the “Times” in which we are living. The time of the Lord has come and that time is a time of favor from the Lord. It is the time between the coming of Christ to the earth and the going of the church to heaven. Between Christ’s first coming and the rapture/resurrection of the church is the time the prophet and Jesus are referring to. This is the time of the Lord showing favor.

It’s not that God had not shown favor to people before. He certainly had in the lives of Noah (who found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord, Abraham, David and others. The Joshua generation was shown great favor. It’s a matter of the tenor of the times.  A tenor is a continuous course of action, a movement.

Favor means “Something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice; friendly or well-disposed regard; the state of being approved; excessive kindness or preferential treatment; a gift bestowed as a token of goodwill and love.” When Jesus came it was a special day (time) of grace and favor from God to Israel and the peoples of the earth. The Old Testament (Covenant) was based on justice and law, but the New is based on the unmerited favor of God. “From Christ’s abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. The law was given by Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17)  We are in the time of God’s favor. Glory to God; it’s a great time to be alive!... To read more click on the following link... http://www.gracehouseclinton.com/2022/04/the-time-of-the-lords-favor-has-come

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The Judgment of All Christians

We must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.  (2Corinthians 5:10 NLT)

I. The Judged
Every Christian, every believer between Pentecost and the Rapture will be judged. That’s why it is called “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” Paul says, “We must all stand…” and “We will each receive…” Don’t think because you are saved from your sins and have received the gift of eternal life that you will not be judged by God. “Each” means this judgment won’t be some community affair or church gathering. This is a one-on-one examination by God. Romans 14:12 says, “Each one will give a personal account to God.”

II. The Judge
The Judge is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. If you compare 2Cor.5:10 (where it says Christ is the judge) to Rm.14:12 (where God is identified as the judge) you have one of the clearest statements of the deity of Christ found anywhere in the Bible.

Jesus clearly identifies Himself as the judge in John 5:22,27, “The Father judges no one. Instead, He has given the Son absolute authority to judge. And He has given the Son authority to judge everyone because He is the Son of Man.” God gave authority to rule and judge to man; Jesus is that Man who judges everyone.

III. The Judgment
Who He will judge is us, but what will He judge? “We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” The word evil literally means worthless; having to do with the effect of what you do on others. Injurious is a synonym. Think of the Ten Commandments. Six of them concern what we do to others: honor your parents, don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal from anyone or lie about them, and don’t covet what they have. Because you hurt others, you will be judged for what you do... click on the following link to read more...  http://www.gracehouseclinton.com/2022/04/the-judgment-of-all-christians

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As long as you don’t quit!

If it is God’s will to heal the sick and infirmed (the maimed, blind, lame, diseased) then why are not all healed? Well, it should not come as a surprise to you that the will of God is not always done on this planet. Jesus taught us to pray: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt.6:10). The will of God was done in Eden before sin and there was no sickness there. Jesus walked in the will of God; He always did the will of His Father and so He healed everyone who came to Him for healing. Only the will of God is done in heaven and there is no sickness in heaven. But on this earth, the will of God is not always done.

We have enemies. Satan is the head of a “host of spiritual forces of wickedness, principalities, and powers,” the Bible says (Ephesians 6:10-18). These are the enemies who steal, kill and destroy our lives (Jn.10:10) and work against the will of God. We are to resist them (James 4:7), put on the armor of God, and stand strong in the Lord. God has given us many mighty weapons to fight for the will of God.

This answer to why everybody isn’t healed still doesn’t satisfy, does it? If my loved one dies from some accident or by a murderer, or disease, why? How could this have been prevented?.. to read more, click on the following link... http://www.gracehouseclinton.com/2022/04/its-okay-to-fail

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The Attitude Everyone Should Have

If I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (Philippians 1:19-26)

Paul is in prison with the executioner sharpening his axe right outside his cell. This man loved to travel; he loved life and the open road. Yet here he is in prison writing an inspired epistle to this church; the theme of this letter is joy and peace. This is where he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” And, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Paul uses those two words over and over. He is like a bull standing between an altar and a plow saying, “I’m ready for either.” Paul was in a state of absolute shalom, having the peace of God. 

Attitude is important. Attitude determines altitude. Your attitude in life will determine your altitude in life, how high you fly, whether you live like a chicken or an eagle. Attitude does more to determine your quality of life than anything else, and probably quantity of life; more than the amount of money you make or have, your health, your career or anything else. Think of that. A positive attitude is good, but a faith attitude is better. Faith it till you make it. I didn’t say, fake it till you make it. It’s faith it till you make it. Put your faith in Christ and trust Him and you will have an attitude like Paul. 

Everyone should be able to say what Paul wrote here, the attitude Paul had. Ready for sacrifice or service, for death or life, the altar or plow: “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” The NLT says, “My life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.” Every person alive should have that as the overwhelming desire of their lives. As you read this passage can you speak this of yourself? If not, you need to repent. Make whatever adjustment you must to get there... to read more, click on the following link:
http://www.gracehouseclinton.com/2022/04/the-attitude-everyone-should-have

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