Vision for Mission: Nurturing an Apostolic Heart

82

Vi s i on for Mi s s i on: Nur tur i ng an Apos to l i c Hear t

I. The New Jerusalem, the River of Life, and the Tree of Life

1. The new heavens and new earth

a. Revelation 21 teaches the same as 2 Peter 3.11-13.

b. The final destiny of believers is a redeemed earth.

(1) Our final destiny is not to “die and go to heaven” but God’s own regenerated and new earth “where heaven has come down to earth,” (See G. E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993]). (2) “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,” Rev. 21.3

2. The City of God, the New Jerusalem

a. Comes down out of heaven to the new earth

b. No need for temple or light: the Lamb is sufficient

c. Symbolism of enormity and palatial beauty: humongous: 1500 miles high, wide, and deep!

(1) Hundreds of thousands of streets, if not millions: what about elevators?

(2) Built by the Master’s craftsmanship to the Master’s exacting specifications, John 14.1-6