Nov 12
5
Doctrinal Standard #38 (2 of 2 weeks)
- Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
- A. At the resurrection, believers, raised in glory, will be publicly recognized and declared not guilty on the day of judgment and will be made completely happy in the full enjoyment of God forever.
Memory Verses
- “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5, ESV).
Scripture
- Study Passage: Revelation 21,22
- Support Passages: II Peter 3:10-13, I John 3:2, II Corinthians 12:2-4, Isaiah 65:17, 66:22
- Bible Story: Revelation 21
Thoughts
- Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology (Pg. 1163-1164) states that, “scripture consistently portrays this new creation (heaven) as a place of great beauty and joy. In the description of heaven in Revelation 21 and 22, this theme is repeatedly affirmed. It is a ‘holy city’ (21:2), a place ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband’ (21:2). In that place ‘death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more’ (21:4). There we can drink ‘from the fountain of the water of life without payment’ (21:6). It is a city that has ‘the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal’ (21:11). It is a city of immense sixe, whether the measurements be understood as literal or symbolic. Its length measures ’12,000 stadia’ (21:16), or about 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometers), and ‘its length and breadth and height are equal’ (21:6). Parts or the city are constructed of immense precious jewels of various colors (21:18-21). It will be free from all evil, for ‘nothing unclean shall enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ (21:27). In that city we shall also have positions of rule over God’s entire creation, for ‘they shall reign forever and ever’ (22:5).”
- “But more important than all the physical beauty of the heavenly city, more important than the fellowship we will enjoy eternally with all God’s people from all nations and all periods in history, more important than our freedom from pain and sorrow and physical suffering, and more important than reigning over God’s kingdom – more important by far than any of these will be the fact that we will be in the presence of God and enjoying unhindered fellowship with him. ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes (21:3-4).”
- “When we finally see the Lord face to face, our hearts will want nothing else. ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you…. God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever’ (Ps. 73:25-26). Then with joy our hearts and voices will join with the redeemed from all ages and with the mighty armies of heaven singing, ‘Holy holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’ (Rev. 4:8).” [1]
Discussion Questions
- How would you describe what heaven will be like?
- How does scripture describe heaven? (Revelation 21,22).
- Why do you think people in heaven will fully enjoy God forever?
- Do you enjoy God here on earth? Explain
- Would you rather be in heaven or on earth right now? Explain
- Does your answer to the previous question reveal anything about your heart?
[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.
