Hello, friends, welcome to 00:00:20.62\00:00:21.95 another Wednesday night Bible study 00:00:21.98\00:00:23.92 here at the 3ABN Worship Center. 00:00:23.95\00:00:27.16 This is A Sharper Focus. 00:00:27.19\00:00:28.52 Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in. 00:00:28.56\00:00:30.66 We're continuing on our study of the topic of heaven. 00:00:30.69\00:00:33.43 Who wants to be in heaven? Say amen. 00:00:33.46\00:00:34.80 Amen. 00:00:34.83\00:00:36.16 And you know, I tell you, the day is coming. 00:00:36.20\00:00:37.57 We've been talking about this for 00:00:37.60\00:00:39.53 at least most of my adult life, 00:00:39.57\00:00:41.87 and I believe there are Christians 00:00:41.90\00:00:43.24 of generations past 00:00:43.27\00:00:44.61 and some are now sleeping in Jesus, 00:00:44.64\00:00:46.54 waiting for the Lord to come to take them home. 00:00:46.57\00:00:49.08 Heaven is something that we need to talk about 00:00:49.11\00:00:51.58 because this world is not our home. 00:00:51.61\00:00:53.25 Can we all say amen to that? 00:00:53.28\00:00:54.65 This world is not the place 00:00:54.68\00:00:56.02 that God intends for us to stay eternally. 00:00:56.05\00:00:59.75 And so, thank you so much 00:00:59.79\00:01:01.32 for becoming a part of our audience. 00:01:01.36\00:01:03.26 Get your Bibles and invite your friends 00:01:03.29\00:01:06.29 so that we can sit down 00:01:06.33\00:01:07.66 and study the Word of God together. 00:01:07.70\00:01:09.90 In just a moment, I'll tell you 00:01:09.93\00:01:11.27 how you get a copy of our lesson 00:01:11.30\00:01:12.77 to follow us along. 00:01:12.80\00:01:14.14 But before we do anything, 00:01:14.17\00:01:15.54 we always begin with a word of prayer. 00:01:15.57\00:01:17.07 So let's bow our heads together. 00:01:17.11\00:01:19.67 Heavenly Lord, thank You for the goodness 00:01:19.71\00:01:22.64 that we will receive tonight as we study Your Word together. 00:01:22.68\00:01:28.25 We pray that You will strengthen us. 00:01:28.28\00:01:30.45 We pray that our minds and our hearts will be opened 00:01:30.49\00:01:33.39 to understand Your Word, 00:01:33.42\00:01:35.59 and to hear the voice of the Lord speaking to us 00:01:35.62\00:01:38.46 on a personal level. 00:01:38.49\00:01:40.50 So come Lord to those who have tuned in 00:01:40.53\00:01:42.36 to the program, speak to them and strengthen them we pray, 00:01:42.40\00:01:46.27 in Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:46.30\00:01:49.67 Now, before we sing our theme song, 00:01:49.70\00:01:51.27 which is Victory in Jesus, just to let you know 00:01:51.31\00:01:53.64 where you can get a copy of the lesson, 00:01:53.68\00:01:55.54 go to this website asf.3abn.org 00:01:55.58\00:02:00.35 and download lesson number 26. 00:02:00.38\00:02:03.08 Now some of you may have downloaded them 00:02:03.12\00:02:04.95 last week, but I update them. 00:02:04.99\00:02:07.12 So last week, we had 8 questions, 00:02:07.16\00:02:10.29 now if you download the newer one, 00:02:10.33\00:02:11.89 which is under the same title, The Truth about Heaven 00:02:11.93\00:02:15.43 and the New Earth, it is 17 questions. 00:02:15.46\00:02:19.07 So download the new one, 00:02:19.10\00:02:20.80 because chances are we're going to get 00:02:20.84\00:02:22.47 to go to the second half of the questions, 00:02:22.50\00:02:25.61 and also any past lessons of any topics 00:02:25.64\00:02:28.68 that you may have missed they are there, 00:02:28.71\00:02:31.45 but there's also another tab, a video tab 00:02:31.48\00:02:33.65 and some people don't know it's there. 00:02:33.68\00:02:35.35 It's right to the right, click on that tab 00:02:35.38\00:02:37.32 and you can look at all the videos 00:02:37.35\00:02:38.95 from the very first program 00:02:38.99\00:02:40.42 we've done all the way up to the present. 00:02:40.46\00:02:43.29 Well, let's sing our theme song tonight, 00:02:43.32\00:02:45.49 Victory in Jesus. 00:02:45.53\00:02:47.43 I heard an old, old story 00:02:56.47\00:03:00.08 How the Savior came from glory 00:03:00.11\00:03:03.91 How He gave His life on Calvary 00:03:03.95\00:03:07.58 To save a wretch like me 00:03:07.62\00:03:11.35 I heard about His groaning 00:03:11.39\00:03:15.16 Of His precious blood's atoning 00:03:15.19\00:03:18.96 And I repented of my sins 00:03:18.99\00:03:22.73 And won the victory 00:03:22.76\00:03:26.53 Oh, victory in Jesus 00:03:26.57\00:03:30.24 My Savior forever 00:03:30.27\00:03:34.11 He sought me and bought me 00:03:34.14\00:03:37.91 With His redeeming blood 00:03:37.95\00:03:41.62 He loved me 'ere I knew Him 00:03:41.65\00:03:45.45 And all my love is due Him 00:03:45.49\00:03:49.22 He plunged me to victory 00:03:49.26\00:03:52.93 Beneath the cleansing flood 00:03:52.96\00:03:56.73 I heard about a mansion 00:03:56.77\00:04:00.50 He has built for me in glory 00:04:00.54\00:04:04.37 And I heard about The streets of gold 00:04:04.41\00:04:08.14 Beyond the crystal sea 00:04:08.18\00:04:11.91 About the angels singing 00:04:11.95\00:04:15.58 And the old redemption story 00:04:15.62\00:04:19.52 And some sweet day 00:04:19.55\00:04:21.42 I'll sing up there 00:04:21.46\00:04:23.32 The song of victory Key change. 00:04:23.36\00:04:26.96 Oh, victory in Jesus 00:04:27.00\00:04:30.80 My Savior forever 00:04:30.83\00:04:34.57 He sought me and bought me 00:04:34.60\00:04:38.27 With His redeeming blood 00:04:38.31\00:04:42.18 He loved me 'ere I knew Him 00:04:42.21\00:04:45.88 And all my love is due Him 00:04:45.91\00:04:49.68 He plunged me to victory 00:04:49.72\00:04:53.42 Beneath the cleansing flood 00:04:53.46\00:04:57.26 He plunged me to victory 00:04:57.29\00:05:00.96 Beneath the cleansing flood 00:05:01.00\00:05:04.27 Amen. Amen. 00:05:07.64\00:05:09.20 That is a thought, a song that has gained popularity. 00:05:09.24\00:05:13.07 Also, if you go to the same website I gave you, 00:05:13.11\00:05:15.21 asf.3abn.org, you can download the lesson. 00:05:15.24\00:05:19.35 Just look down the tabs 00:05:19.38\00:05:20.72 and you'll see the words Victory in Jesus 00:05:20.75\00:05:22.68 and you can have the lyrics for that song. 00:05:22.72\00:05:26.02 Now getting back to the topic of heaven. 00:05:26.05\00:05:29.19 Heaven is an interesting topic 00:05:29.22\00:05:31.03 because no one really knows 00:05:31.06\00:05:34.70 what's waiting for us in heaven 00:05:34.73\00:05:36.53 outside of what the Bible has revealed to us. 00:05:36.56\00:05:40.04 No one really knows. 00:05:40.07\00:05:41.40 Paul the Apostle has done his job by saying to us, 00:05:41.44\00:05:44.97 eyes have not seen, ears have not heard 00:05:45.01\00:05:48.94 and neither has it entered into the heart of man, 00:05:48.98\00:05:52.65 the things that God has prepared 00:05:52.68\00:05:54.08 for those that love Him. 00:05:54.12\00:05:55.48 So outside of what the Bible has revealed 00:05:55.52\00:05:56.95 about the description of heaven 00:05:56.99\00:05:58.32 in Revelation Chapter 21 and 22, 00:05:58.35\00:06:00.12 we really don't know what's there. 00:06:00.16\00:06:02.12 We just have the description of the New Jerusalem, 00:06:02.16\00:06:05.43 that's just the city. 00:06:05.46\00:06:07.76 That's not the whole of heaven, that's just the city. 00:06:07.80\00:06:12.77 The Bible talks about the fact 00:06:12.80\00:06:14.27 that there was war in heaven in the very beginning. 00:06:14.30\00:06:16.87 Satan did not prevail, neither did his angels. 00:06:16.91\00:06:19.27 But we don't really know much about 00:06:19.31\00:06:21.14 outside of the New Jerusalem. 00:06:21.18\00:06:22.81 The Bible, I believe, is silent on that. 00:06:22.84\00:06:25.58 And I believe one of the reasons is, 00:06:25.61\00:06:27.42 the Lord is waiting to wow His saints. 00:06:27.45\00:06:31.62 Right? 00:06:31.65\00:06:32.99 Because we had all the description, 00:06:33.02\00:06:34.36 you'll say, okay, well, this is that and that is this. 00:06:34.39\00:06:37.23 But the reality is the truth about heaven, 00:06:37.26\00:06:40.06 it's amazing that 00:06:40.10\00:06:41.43 we're going to get to heaven one day 00:06:41.46\00:06:42.80 and we're going to see heaven in a way we... 00:06:42.83\00:06:45.57 Well, let me just rephrase that we're going to see heaven, 00:06:45.60\00:06:48.14 because we've never seen heaven before. 00:06:48.17\00:06:51.17 What we also learned when we began the lesson 00:06:51.21\00:06:53.78 is no one has seen God, 00:06:53.81\00:06:57.81 no one has gone to heaven to see God. 00:06:57.85\00:07:01.62 There's a lot that's being talked about. 00:07:01.65\00:07:03.49 There's a movie now call Heaven is for Real, 00:07:03.52\00:07:06.72 and heaven is for real, amen to that? 00:07:06.76\00:07:08.39 Amen. But we don't really know. 00:07:08.42\00:07:11.09 We don't really know because until we are changed, 00:07:11.13\00:07:13.73 we will never know what is in heaven. 00:07:13.76\00:07:16.63 And a person who has not yet been changed, 00:07:16.67\00:07:19.33 cannot go to heaven and see what is there. 00:07:19.37\00:07:22.90 So tonight, we're going to begin 00:07:22.94\00:07:24.27 with question number four, because we got up 00:07:24.31\00:07:26.17 to question number three last week. 00:07:26.21\00:07:28.44 And that's amazing out of eight questions 00:07:28.48\00:07:30.28 we got up to question number three, 00:07:30.31\00:07:32.05 but we were finishing the prior lesson also. 00:07:32.08\00:07:34.85 And by the way, I want to just say hello 00:07:34.88\00:07:36.38 to those of you who are viewing and especially a couple 00:07:36.42\00:07:39.89 we met had a chance to talk to in Carbondale. 00:07:39.92\00:07:42.29 If you're watching tonight, just want to say hello to you. 00:07:42.32\00:07:45.03 But question number four. 00:07:45.06\00:07:46.59 Let's begin with that and see what the Bible reveals to us. 00:07:46.63\00:07:50.00 Here it is. 00:07:50.03\00:07:51.90 What specifically does the Bible describe 00:07:51.93\00:07:54.54 as being in heaven? 00:07:54.57\00:07:57.91 What specifically does the Bible describe 00:07:57.94\00:08:00.91 as being in heaven? 00:08:00.94\00:08:03.98 And let's turn to Revelation Chapter 3. 00:08:04.01\00:08:07.22 Revelation 3:12. Revelation 3:12. 00:08:07.25\00:08:11.55 By the way, it's called Revelation 00:08:11.59\00:08:13.22 because it's the revelation of Jesus. 00:08:13.25\00:08:15.96 All that is revealed in Revelation 00:08:15.99\00:08:17.76 brings us into a clearer picture about Jesus. 00:08:17.79\00:08:21.03 Here it is, Revelation Chapter 3. 00:08:21.06\00:08:22.60 I want you to notice 00:08:22.63\00:08:23.97 the wording of this because it's very important. 00:08:24.00\00:08:26.03 It's not saying everybody is going to go 00:08:26.07\00:08:27.57 but notice the first three words. 00:08:27.60\00:08:29.64 Let's read that together. And it's on the screen. 00:08:29.67\00:08:31.84 Are you ready? Here we go. 00:08:31.87\00:08:33.21 The Bible says, "He who does," what? 00:08:33.24\00:08:35.94 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar 00:08:35.98\00:08:40.82 in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 00:08:40.85\00:08:46.59 I will write on him the name of My God, 00:08:46.62\00:08:50.96 and the name of the city of My God," which is the what? 00:08:50.99\00:08:55.46 "The New Jerusalem, 00:08:55.50\00:08:56.83 which comes down out of heaven from My God. 00:08:56.87\00:09:02.14 And I will write on him My new name." 00:09:02.17\00:09:06.34 So now, if you think about this, 00:09:06.37\00:09:08.24 the text in answer to the question, 00:09:08.28\00:09:11.21 what specifically 00:09:11.25\00:09:12.58 does the Bible say is in heaven? 00:09:12.61\00:09:14.55 Let's go back and you will see clearly. 00:09:14.58\00:09:17.59 I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. 00:09:17.62\00:09:22.92 So, what is in heaven? 00:09:22.96\00:09:24.99 The temple of God is in heaven. The temple of God is in heaven. 00:09:25.03\00:09:29.83 We'll find out more about that. 00:09:29.86\00:09:31.23 Also, the city of God is in heaven. 00:09:31.27\00:09:34.40 The temple is there, 00:09:34.44\00:09:35.77 and the city of God is in heaven. 00:09:35.80\00:09:37.41 And by the way, what is that city called? 00:09:37.44\00:09:40.78 Let's go back to this. 00:09:40.81\00:09:42.14 What is it called, say it together? 00:09:42.18\00:09:43.85 The New Jerusalem, there are a lot of people 00:09:43.88\00:09:45.71 that like to go to the Middle East. 00:09:45.75\00:09:47.32 I haven't gone yet. 00:09:47.35\00:09:48.68 I'm looking forward to going 00:09:48.72\00:09:50.05 because a lot of Bible history there, 00:09:50.09\00:09:51.49 a lot of good information. 00:09:51.52\00:09:53.39 People have gone there and have said, 00:09:53.42\00:09:55.16 I feel so much closer to the Lord 00:09:55.19\00:09:57.26 because I've seen the Jordan River, 00:09:57.29\00:09:59.66 I've seen the Dead Sea, I've seen... 00:09:59.69\00:10:03.26 All the list goes on and on and on and on. 00:10:03.30\00:10:06.07 Mount Sinai, the pyramids, the Temple Mount, 00:10:06.10\00:10:11.94 the walls in Jerusalem. 00:10:11.97\00:10:14.01 There's so much description there, 00:10:14.04\00:10:16.24 that it's a wonderful thing that you can go to Jerusalem. 00:10:16.28\00:10:20.62 They're in the Middle East now, 00:10:20.65\00:10:22.65 and look at some very interesting things about it. 00:10:22.68\00:10:25.72 However, I'm looking forward. 00:10:25.75\00:10:28.06 If I never go to the Jerusalem existing today, 00:10:28.09\00:10:31.26 I cannot wait to go to the New Jerusalem. 00:10:31.29\00:10:33.50 What do you say to that? Amen. 00:10:33.53\00:10:35.36 The New Jerusalem where there is no war, 00:10:35.40\00:10:40.47 there is no sickness, there is no death. 00:10:40.50\00:10:42.74 That list goes on and on and on. 00:10:42.77\00:10:44.97 Something I wanna point out. 00:10:45.01\00:10:46.37 Someone read this before 00:10:46.41\00:10:47.74 and I was kind of perturbed by this because 00:10:47.78\00:10:50.31 when you see the Bible text say, 00:10:50.35\00:10:53.11 I will write on him and then I will write on him, 00:10:53.15\00:10:57.09 not only the name of My God 00:10:57.12\00:10:58.82 and the name of the city of My God. 00:10:58.85\00:11:00.66 But I will write on him My new name. 00:11:00.69\00:11:03.12 Somebody once used that text 00:11:03.16\00:11:04.63 and said God believes in tattoos. 00:11:04.66\00:11:07.13 That's not what that is. That is not what that is. 00:11:07.16\00:11:10.23 What that means is simply God is, 00:11:10.27\00:11:13.54 God is describing His ownership of us. 00:11:13.57\00:11:17.41 God is describing His ownership of us. 00:11:17.44\00:11:20.84 As the Bible talks about the mark in the forehead 00:11:20.88\00:11:24.98 or in the hand, 00:11:25.01\00:11:26.45 the seal of God in the forehead. 00:11:26.48\00:11:28.65 What is in the forehead is the brain, the mind, 00:11:28.68\00:11:31.69 reason why it talks about the seal of God 00:11:31.72\00:11:33.25 or the mark of the beast on the forehead or on the hand. 00:11:33.29\00:11:35.89 It talks about by a scent 00:11:35.92\00:11:37.49 and by our work, but there's no tat... 00:11:37.53\00:11:40.06 God is not going to be tattooing us. 00:11:40.10\00:11:41.63 Can you say amen to that? Amen. 00:11:41.66\00:11:43.13 I mean, I know you could just do it by the thought, 00:11:43.16\00:11:45.90 but they're not going to be people 00:11:45.93\00:11:47.27 walking around with tattoos of God, 00:11:47.30\00:11:48.64 whose name is that on your forehead? 00:11:48.67\00:11:50.01 That's God's name. What's on your arm? 00:11:50.04\00:11:51.37 That's the name of the New Jerusalem. 00:11:51.41\00:11:52.77 That's not what the Bible is suggesting. 00:11:52.81\00:11:54.74 So glad to know that it's not what the Bible is saying. 00:11:54.78\00:11:58.58 But what is true is in heaven, the temple of God is there, 00:11:58.61\00:12:02.62 and the New Jerusalem is there. 00:12:02.65\00:12:05.45 Let's go to question number five, 00:12:05.49\00:12:06.99 question number five. 00:12:07.02\00:12:09.52 What does Jesus describe or where does Jesus describe 00:12:09.56\00:12:14.10 as the origin of His mission? 00:12:14.13\00:12:18.00 Now, this is very important. 00:12:18.03\00:12:19.73 I think in a few weeks, 00:12:19.77\00:12:21.10 I'm going to get to the specifics about 00:12:21.14\00:12:22.47 describing the walls and the gates and all of that. 00:12:22.50\00:12:26.17 Oftentimes, when we talk about heaven, 00:12:26.21\00:12:27.71 that's what we talk about 00:12:27.74\00:12:29.08 describing the walls and the gates. 00:12:29.11\00:12:31.31 And they're made of pearl and all the different levels 00:12:31.35\00:12:34.45 and the names of the disciples and the apostles. 00:12:34.48\00:12:36.58 That's what we often talk about. 00:12:36.62\00:12:38.35 But there's so many more interesting facts 00:12:38.39\00:12:39.95 about heaven that we don't often get, 00:12:39.99\00:12:42.26 and I want to talk about those before 00:12:42.29\00:12:44.53 we get to the actual architecture 00:12:44.56\00:12:46.66 of what the Bible describes as the New Jerusalem. 00:12:46.70\00:12:48.96 All right. 00:12:49.00\00:12:50.33 So here's the question, what does Jesus describe 00:12:50.37\00:12:51.77 as the origin of His mission or where? 00:12:51.80\00:12:54.70 John 6:38, John 6:38, 00:12:54.74\00:12:58.07 and some of you are already there. 00:12:58.11\00:13:00.18 And here's what the Bible says. 00:13:00.21\00:13:02.11 Jesus said, "For I have come down from," where? 00:13:02.14\00:13:06.21 "From heaven, not to do My own will, 00:13:06.25\00:13:09.05 but the will of Him," who did what? 00:13:09.08\00:13:11.25 "Who sent Me." 00:13:11.29\00:13:12.62 Now, why is this text important, 00:13:12.65\00:13:13.99 you may ask yourself? 00:13:14.02\00:13:15.36 Some people may say, well, 00:13:15.39\00:13:16.73 we know that Jesus is from heaven. 00:13:16.76\00:13:18.09 Not everyone knows. 00:13:18.13\00:13:19.46 Some people believe that Jesus began on earth 00:13:19.49\00:13:22.56 through the birth that Mary gave to the child. 00:13:22.60\00:13:26.63 Some believe that that's when He started. 00:13:26.67\00:13:29.10 And let me add another interesting fact, 00:13:29.14\00:13:30.47 I mentioned this a few weeks ago, 00:13:30.51\00:13:31.84 but it serves the purpose to be mentioned right here. 00:13:31.87\00:13:34.38 Some people say, well, in the Old Testament, 00:13:34.41\00:13:35.91 you cannot find the name of Jesus. 00:13:35.94\00:13:41.08 One of the names that the Bible gives 00:13:41.12\00:13:43.85 in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament, 00:13:43.89\00:13:46.59 His pre-condescension name is talked about in the Bible. 00:13:46.62\00:13:51.16 You want to see it? You want to see it? 00:13:51.19\00:13:53.09 Let's go to... Let's go to Daniel. 00:13:53.13\00:13:56.93 Let's go to the Book of Daniel. Let's go to the Book of Daniel. 00:13:56.97\00:14:00.70 Let's see His pre-condescension name 00:14:00.74\00:14:02.90 because when Jesus was being born, 00:14:02.94\00:14:07.88 the commission 00:14:07.91\00:14:12.21 was call His name Jesus, 00:14:12.25\00:14:14.68 for He shall save His people from their sins. 00:14:14.72\00:14:17.69 That was His mission name. Call His name Jesus. 00:14:17.72\00:14:22.46 He will save His people from their sins. 00:14:22.49\00:14:24.96 But He had a pre-name 00:14:24.99\00:14:26.39 and sometimes we get it backward, 00:14:26.43\00:14:28.16 some people, let me just go ahead 00:14:28.20\00:14:29.53 and show it to you. 00:14:29.56\00:14:30.90 Why am I in Matthew when you guys are in Daniel? 00:14:30.93\00:14:33.10 Hold on, I'll get there. I'm back and forth. 00:14:33.13\00:14:36.54 Okay, here we are. Daniel Chapter 12. 00:14:36.57\00:14:40.78 Let's look at Daniel Chapter 12. 00:14:40.81\00:14:43.48 All right. Okay. 00:14:43.51\00:14:47.72 Daniel 12:1. 00:14:47.75\00:14:50.62 The Bible says, at that time, what's the next word? 00:14:50.65\00:14:55.86 Michael shall stand up. 00:14:55.89\00:14:59.89 The great prince who stands 00:14:59.93\00:15:01.50 watch over the sons of your people, 00:15:01.53\00:15:04.13 and there shall be a time of trouble 00:15:04.17\00:15:05.67 such as never was 00:15:05.70\00:15:07.17 since there was a nation, even to that time, 00:15:07.20\00:15:10.31 and at that time your people shall be delivered 00:15:10.34\00:15:13.78 everyone who was found written in the book. 00:15:13.81\00:15:16.51 Michael, the one above the angels, 00:15:16.54\00:15:20.02 the highest of angels, when Paul the Apostle says, 00:15:20.05\00:15:24.55 the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with the shout, 00:15:24.59\00:15:27.92 was with the voice of the archangels. 00:15:27.96\00:15:31.79 That's Michael. 00:15:31.83\00:15:33.46 He's higher than all the angels. 00:15:33.50\00:15:35.63 He's the one above all the angels. 00:15:35.66\00:15:37.00 He's the highest. 00:15:37.03\00:15:38.77 He's the commander of the heavenly host. 00:15:38.80\00:15:41.57 The Bible describes him as such in the Old Testament. 00:15:41.60\00:15:44.01 So many people today ask the question, 00:15:44.04\00:15:45.74 how do we know that Jesus is Michael? 00:15:45.77\00:15:48.11 Well, the more appropriate question is, 00:15:48.14\00:15:49.51 how do we know that Michael is Jesus? 00:15:49.54\00:15:52.68 Because Michael, pre-condescension, 00:15:52.71\00:15:55.28 the pre-condescension name Jesus, 00:15:55.32\00:15:57.75 the post-condescension name, 00:15:57.79\00:15:59.65 the word condescension meaning when He came to walk among men, 00:15:59.69\00:16:04.46 call His name Jesus. 00:16:04.49\00:16:06.70 The Old Testament calls Him Savior, 00:16:06.73\00:16:09.06 the Old Testament calls Him Redeemer. 00:16:09.10\00:16:11.77 All the things that He would do. 00:16:11.80\00:16:13.13 Go with me to Isaiah 44. 00:16:13.17\00:16:14.54 Since we're on this thought, 00:16:14.57\00:16:16.10 I'll give you another New Testament text. 00:16:16.14\00:16:17.77 Go with me to the Book of Isaiah. 00:16:17.81\00:16:20.41 Isaiah. And, it's okay. 00:16:20.44\00:16:25.41 Isaiah Chapter 44. Isaiah Chapter 44. 00:16:25.45\00:16:28.62 Okay, let's look at verse 6. 00:16:37.03\00:16:40.70 Isaiah 44:6. 00:16:40.73\00:16:44.37 The Bible says, "Thus says the Lord, 00:16:44.40\00:16:49.00 the king of Israel, and He is Redeemer, 00:16:49.04\00:16:53.98 the Lord of hosts, 00:16:54.01\00:16:56.58 I am the first and I am the last. 00:16:56.61\00:16:59.88 Beside me there is no God." 00:16:59.91\00:17:03.89 Powerful, who's saying the king of Israel and his Redeemer, 00:17:03.92\00:17:07.89 the Lord of hosts? 00:17:07.92\00:17:09.39 What are they saying about themselves? 00:17:09.42\00:17:13.46 I am, say that with me, I am. 00:17:13.50\00:17:17.83 Now, it's an amazing topic to discuss. 00:17:17.87\00:17:20.40 A lot of people that tumbled 00:17:20.44\00:17:21.97 and tripped over the Trinity must understand that 00:17:22.00\00:17:25.37 the Lord our God is one God. 00:17:25.41\00:17:28.14 That's the Godhead. 00:17:28.18\00:17:29.61 So the Lord Jesus, before Abraham, 00:17:29.64\00:17:32.61 He said that to the Jews, 00:17:32.65\00:17:33.98 before Abraham was, what did He say? 00:17:34.02\00:17:36.15 I am. 00:17:36.18\00:17:37.65 So the great I am has always been 00:17:37.69\00:17:39.55 that the self-existing one. 00:17:39.59\00:17:42.79 Let's go to the Book of John. 00:17:42.82\00:17:44.43 Let's go to the Book of John and see a couple more things 00:17:44.46\00:17:46.16 about this beautiful Savior that we have. 00:17:46.19\00:17:49.40 John Chapter 1. 00:17:49.43\00:17:50.77 You know, there are three books 00:17:50.80\00:17:52.13 in the Bible that are like Genesis. 00:17:52.17\00:17:54.40 Genesis 1 is one of those, John 1 is the other. 00:17:54.44\00:17:59.97 And who can tell me what the third one is? 00:18:00.01\00:18:01.54 I don't often ask for answers, 00:18:01.58\00:18:02.91 but who can tell me the third one is? 00:18:02.94\00:18:04.31 There're like three Genesis in the Bible. 00:18:04.35\00:18:06.28 Genesis 1, John 1 and Hebrews 1. 00:18:06.31\00:18:12.09 Hebrews 1. 00:18:12.12\00:18:13.46 Matter of fact, Hebrews goes further back. 00:18:13.49\00:18:15.72 Let's just look at John 1. 00:18:15.76\00:18:17.59 The Bible says here in John 1:1, 00:18:17.63\00:18:19.26 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God 00:18:19.29\00:18:24.10 and the Word was God." 00:18:24.13\00:18:27.10 John 1:1, "In the beginning 00:18:27.14\00:18:28.94 was the Word and the Word was with God 00:18:28.97\00:18:31.14 and the Word was God." 00:18:31.17\00:18:32.87 Notice, in the beginning was the Word, 00:18:32.91\00:18:35.04 the Word was with God and the Word was God. 00:18:35.08\00:18:38.98 Clearly, all things, I want to look at verse 2, 00:18:39.01\00:18:43.72 "He was in the beginning with God. 00:18:43.75\00:18:46.65 All things were made through Him or by Him" 00:18:46.69\00:18:48.62 as the King James Version says, "and without Him, 00:18:48.66\00:18:51.99 nothing was made that was made." 00:18:52.03\00:18:55.80 Verse 4, "In Him was life, unborrowed, underived." 00:18:55.83\00:19:01.44 Unborrowed, He didn't borrow life. 00:19:01.47\00:19:04.67 If He borrowed life, 00:19:04.71\00:19:06.04 all things could not have been made by Him, 00:19:06.07\00:19:08.94 He would have been made and then He would have 00:19:08.98\00:19:11.78 continued the process of making. 00:19:11.81\00:19:14.22 The Creator is the only one 00:19:14.25\00:19:16.18 that has the right to redeem His creation, 00:19:16.22\00:19:19.12 not the created. 00:19:19.15\00:19:20.86 The created cannot redeem the created. 00:19:20.89\00:19:23.29 The Creator redeems the created. 00:19:23.32\00:19:25.13 Amen? 00:19:25.16\00:19:26.49 Last verse and verse 4, "In Him was life, 00:19:26.53\00:19:29.66 and the life was the light of men. 00:19:29.70\00:19:35.64 And the light shines in darkness 00:19:35.67\00:19:37.61 and the darkness did not comprehend it." 00:19:37.64\00:19:40.51 So, in the answer to question number five, 00:19:40.54\00:19:42.68 where does Jesus describe as the origin of His mission? 00:19:42.71\00:19:45.41 Where is the origin of His mission? 00:19:45.45\00:19:46.88 Somebody tell me. Heaven. 00:19:46.92\00:19:48.28 Heaven. He began there, He began there. 00:19:48.32\00:19:52.22 That's why Revelation describes Him as the Lamb slain 00:19:52.25\00:19:55.32 from the foundation of the world. 00:19:55.36\00:19:57.99 He was there in the very beginning. 00:19:58.03\00:20:01.16 And therefore, another beautiful fact 00:20:01.20\00:20:03.00 we find out about heaven is He came down from heaven. 00:20:03.03\00:20:06.47 I only can imagine what He left to come down here. 00:20:06.50\00:20:12.47 He didn't leave, 00:20:12.51\00:20:13.84 He didn't leave just the New Jerusalem. 00:20:13.88\00:20:16.21 There's so much more 00:20:16.24\00:20:17.58 and we'll get a chance to see that. 00:20:17.61\00:20:19.05 Once in a while I get enamored by. 00:20:19.08\00:20:21.28 And I think Ralph is, 00:20:21.32\00:20:22.88 like Ralph is somewhat of an astronomer. 00:20:22.92\00:20:25.22 He loves the study of the stars 00:20:25.25\00:20:26.96 and he and Lynn Winslow did a program 00:20:26.99\00:20:30.29 not too long ago talking about the stars 00:20:30.33\00:20:32.23 and the constellations and I have a lot of picture, 00:20:32.26\00:20:34.80 pictures on my iPad of different nebulas 00:20:34.83\00:20:38.17 and different planets and constellations 00:20:38.20\00:20:40.64 that are just mind boggling to think how far away they are. 00:20:40.67\00:20:44.57 And I think that when we get to heaven, 00:20:44.61\00:20:46.47 we're not just going to be 00:20:46.51\00:20:47.84 isolated in this little small city. 00:20:47.88\00:20:50.55 It's going to be huge, but that's not, that's not it, 00:20:50.58\00:20:52.88 that's the beginning stage. 00:20:52.91\00:20:54.65 I believe that is the entrance 00:20:54.68\00:20:56.02 into all that we have never seen 00:20:56.05\00:20:57.85 and never beheld with our eyes. 00:20:57.89\00:20:59.95 Let's go to question number six. 00:20:59.99\00:21:02.22 Question number six. All right. 00:21:02.26\00:21:07.40 Here we are. 00:21:07.43\00:21:09.40 What does the Bible teach us about God's throne? 00:21:09.43\00:21:13.13 What does the Bible teach us about God's throne? 00:21:13.17\00:21:17.27 Psalms 103:19. 00:21:17.31\00:21:21.28 Psalms 103:19. 00:21:21.31\00:21:23.85 You know, when you think about the study of heaven, 00:21:23.88\00:21:25.21 you think, oh, great, 00:21:25.25\00:21:26.58 we're going to talk about the fruit 00:21:26.61\00:21:27.95 and the river of life, 00:21:27.98\00:21:29.72 the leaves of the tree that bear fruit all year long, 00:21:29.75\00:21:34.16 and the leaves of the tree 00:21:34.19\00:21:35.52 are for the healing of the nations. 00:21:35.56\00:21:36.89 We are going to study that. 00:21:36.93\00:21:38.26 But let's look at some of the, 00:21:38.29\00:21:39.63 often not talked about facts about heaven. 00:21:39.66\00:21:42.50 Psalms 103:19. And here's what it says. 00:21:42.53\00:21:45.50 "The Lord has established His throne," where? 00:21:45.53\00:21:48.87 Heaven. 00:21:48.90\00:21:50.24 "In heaven, 00:21:50.27\00:21:51.64 and His kingdom rules over all." 00:21:51.67\00:21:55.14 Whenever you think that your world is in trouble. 00:21:55.18\00:21:58.35 Remember that God's world is not in trouble. 00:21:58.38\00:22:01.62 Amen? His kingdom rules overall. 00:22:01.65\00:22:04.42 That's why in Daniel 00:22:04.45\00:22:05.79 when it talks about the stone that hits the image 00:22:05.82\00:22:07.79 replaces all the kingdoms of the earth 00:22:07.82\00:22:10.49 and His kingdom lasts forever. 00:22:10.53\00:22:13.19 It shall never be destroyed. 00:22:13.23\00:22:15.86 But something that's very important. 00:22:15.90\00:22:17.77 His throne is where? In heaven. 00:22:17.80\00:22:21.37 Let's go now to Isaiah 66:1. 00:22:21.40\00:22:24.21 Isaiah 66:1. This is a fascinating thought. 00:22:24.24\00:22:28.04 I have a very imaginative mind 00:22:28.08\00:22:30.35 and the picture that came to my mind, 00:22:30.38\00:22:32.31 I'll describe to you after you read this text. 00:22:32.35\00:22:34.88 Isaiah 66:1. 00:22:34.92\00:22:39.45 The picture that came to my mind is amazing, 00:22:39.49\00:22:42.96 because usually when some, 00:22:42.99\00:22:44.53 if somebody is sitting on the throne, 00:22:44.56\00:22:47.50 if somebody is sitting on the throne 00:22:47.53\00:22:51.53 and they have their legs hanging down, 00:22:51.57\00:22:55.04 you think, well, 00:22:55.07\00:22:57.07 you get the picture in just a moment. 00:22:57.11\00:22:58.44 Here it is. 00:22:58.47\00:22:59.81 Now we know that His throne is in heaven. 00:22:59.84\00:23:01.41 But look at Isaiah 66:1, 00:23:01.44\00:23:04.08 "Thus says the Lord, heaven is My," 00:23:04.11\00:23:07.52 next word, "throne, and earth is My," what? 00:23:07.55\00:23:11.29 "Footstool." 00:23:11.32\00:23:12.82 I like the way these questions are asked. 00:23:12.85\00:23:14.96 Where is the house, that you will build Me? 00:23:14.99\00:23:20.00 And where is the place of My rest? 00:23:20.03\00:23:23.47 Isaiah 66:1. 00:23:23.50\00:23:25.13 Where is the house that you will build Me? 00:23:25.17\00:23:27.44 You know why the Lord is asking that question? 00:23:27.47\00:23:30.21 Can you build Me a house? 00:23:30.24\00:23:32.31 Now just think about this for a moment, 00:23:32.34\00:23:33.91 if He's sitting on His throne, 00:23:33.94\00:23:35.28 which He is, if His throne is in heaven, 00:23:35.31\00:23:38.58 and the earth is His footstool, 00:23:38.61\00:23:42.55 I don't want to be sacrilegious at all. 00:23:42.58\00:23:45.82 But that's a long way. 00:23:45.85\00:23:48.42 If you think about yourself sitting 00:23:48.46\00:23:50.23 because if you look at the pictures of the kings, 00:23:50.26\00:23:51.83 and this is in the context of the kings, 00:23:51.86\00:23:53.66 whenever they sat on their throne, 00:23:53.70\00:23:55.13 they had a place to rest their feet. 00:23:55.16\00:23:58.20 Throne in heaven, divine legs, 00:23:58.23\00:24:02.20 earth is His footstool. 00:24:02.24\00:24:04.54 God is far greater, 00:24:04.57\00:24:07.38 far encompassing than our minds, 00:24:07.41\00:24:10.85 far more encompassing than our minds 00:24:10.88\00:24:12.71 can ever fathom and ever imagine. 00:24:12.75\00:24:16.58 I mean, earth is so small. 00:24:16.62\00:24:19.59 And that's why He asked the question, 00:24:19.62\00:24:21.22 where is the house that you will build for Me? 00:24:21.26\00:24:23.02 Oh, man, I tell you. 00:24:28.26\00:24:29.80 So let's answer the question. 00:24:29.83\00:24:31.53 What does the Bible teach about God's throne? 00:24:31.57\00:24:34.04 What did you put down? 00:24:34.07\00:24:35.70 His throne is in heaven and add this other component. 00:24:35.74\00:24:39.44 The earth is His footstool. 00:24:39.47\00:24:42.08 The earth is His footstool, 00:24:42.11\00:24:45.18 the place where He rests as the king does, 00:24:45.21\00:24:47.55 where He rests his feet. 00:24:47.58\00:24:50.19 Question number seven. Question number seven. 00:24:50.22\00:24:54.92 Here it is. 00:24:54.96\00:24:56.46 What further details 00:24:56.49\00:24:58.49 does the Bible reveal about heaven? 00:24:58.53\00:25:01.60 What further details 00:25:01.63\00:25:03.53 does the Bible reveal about heaven? 00:25:03.57\00:25:06.94 One of the reasons I took on this study 00:25:06.97\00:25:09.20 and I really got into looking through the Bible, 00:25:09.24\00:25:11.57 looking at all the words about heaven and throne 00:25:11.61\00:25:13.58 and the dwelling place of God, 00:25:13.61\00:25:15.54 is because I need, 00:25:15.58\00:25:19.01 I need to know why this place is so glorious. 00:25:19.05\00:25:23.08 I need to know what's there, at least what is revealed, 00:25:23.12\00:25:26.22 and the Bible says those things 00:25:26.25\00:25:27.59 that are revealed belongs to us, 00:25:27.62\00:25:30.13 and to our children, but the things 00:25:30.16\00:25:31.49 that are not revealed belongs to God. 00:25:31.53\00:25:33.46 At least I know this. 00:25:33.50\00:25:35.00 Second, 1 Kings Chapter 1. 00:25:35.03\00:25:36.93 1 Kings 22:19. 00:25:36.97\00:25:40.54 1 Kings 22:19, and here's the answer. 00:25:40.57\00:25:44.61 "Then Micaiah said, 00:25:44.64\00:25:48.24 'Therefore hear the word of the Lord." 00:25:48.28\00:25:52.31 And notice what he said. 00:25:52.35\00:25:53.82 "I saw the Lord sitting on His," what? 00:25:53.85\00:25:58.85 "Throne, and all the hosts of heaven standing by," 00:25:58.89\00:26:04.29 where were they standing? 00:26:04.33\00:26:05.86 "On His right hand and on His left." 00:26:05.89\00:26:09.76 Where were they standing? 00:26:09.80\00:26:11.13 On His right hand and on His left. 00:26:11.17\00:26:13.97 In other words, when you look at the king, 00:26:14.00\00:26:15.44 all his retinue was standing around him, 00:26:15.47\00:26:17.71 what were you saying? 00:26:17.74\00:26:19.07 His angels are there. 00:26:19.11\00:26:20.51 And I thought to myself, okay, let's go to Isaiah. 00:26:20.54\00:26:23.78 Let's go to Isaiah Chapter 6. 00:26:23.81\00:26:26.58 Let's go to Isaiah and see a little bit more. 00:26:26.61\00:26:28.98 I couldn't put all the statements in here, 00:26:29.02\00:26:31.15 but we do have additional scriptures. 00:26:31.19\00:26:32.89 Let's look at Isaiah 6. 00:26:32.92\00:26:35.59 All right. Okay, get it. 00:26:35.62\00:26:38.96 Let's try to develop in our minds a picture 00:26:38.99\00:26:40.93 of the beauty of the Lord. 00:26:40.96\00:26:42.43 This is an amazing thing. It's an amazing thing. 00:26:42.46\00:26:45.27 Let's go back to the, here it is, okay. 00:26:45.30\00:26:49.00 Sitting on His throne, 00:26:49.04\00:26:50.37 all the hosts of heaven standing by, 00:26:50.41\00:26:51.97 on His right hand and on His left. 00:26:52.01\00:26:53.61 Look at Isaiah Chapter 6. 00:26:53.64\00:26:57.71 "In the year that King Uzziah died 00:26:57.75\00:26:59.51 I saw the Lord sitting on a throne." 00:26:59.55\00:27:03.05 What was it? 00:27:03.08\00:27:04.65 "High and lifted up 00:27:04.69\00:27:07.62 and the train of His robe filled the temple." 00:27:07.66\00:27:12.49 Now, I must make a statement right here. 00:27:12.53\00:27:14.73 I'm sure that the train of His robe 00:27:14.76\00:27:16.93 was far greater and longer than that 00:27:16.97\00:27:19.13 of Princess Diana or any monarch. 00:27:19.17\00:27:22.80 Think of that. 00:27:22.84\00:27:24.17 But look what it goes on further to say in verse 2, 00:27:24.21\00:27:26.78 "Above it, that is above His throne stood" what? 00:27:26.81\00:27:30.48 "Seraphim." 00:27:30.51\00:27:31.85 So when the Bible says 00:27:31.88\00:27:33.21 all the hosts of heaven standing by, 00:27:33.25\00:27:34.72 some of those hosts are seraphim and cherubim, 00:27:34.75\00:27:38.99 four winged angels and six winged angel. 00:27:39.02\00:27:42.49 Seraphim, four wings, cherubim, six wings. 00:27:42.52\00:27:47.60 Just get the picture now, powerful. 00:27:47.63\00:27:50.13 And these angels, 00:27:50.17\00:27:51.50 you got to just get a picture of these angels. 00:27:51.53\00:27:53.23 It only took one angel to take out an entire army. 00:27:53.27\00:27:57.54 Do you remember the story? 00:27:57.57\00:28:00.08 120,000 killed by one angel, 00:28:00.11\00:28:02.98 mighty angel standing far taller than Goliath. 00:28:03.01\00:28:08.35 One might, but all the hosts of heaven standing there. 00:28:08.38\00:28:10.69 Let's continue to go on. 00:28:10.72\00:28:12.05 And it says verse 2, 00:28:12.09\00:28:13.49 "Above it stood seraphim, 00:28:13.52\00:28:15.62 above it stood seraphim, each one had six wings." 00:28:15.66\00:28:21.10 I had it back way, had it the other way around. 00:28:21.13\00:28:23.43 "With two he covered his face, 00:28:23.47\00:28:25.10 with two he covered his feet and with two he flew." 00:28:25.13\00:28:29.10 With two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, 00:28:29.14\00:28:33.74 and with two he flew. 00:28:33.78\00:28:35.34 And what did he say? 00:28:35.38\00:28:36.95 Verse 3, "And one cried to another and said," 00:28:36.98\00:28:41.45 let's repeat this together. Are you ready? 00:28:41.48\00:28:44.02 "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts." 00:28:44.05\00:28:49.76 The whole earth is what? Full of His glory. 00:28:49.79\00:28:55.90 So the seraphim, six wing angel, 00:28:55.93\00:28:57.80 the cherubim, four wing angels. 00:28:57.83\00:28:59.50 I had it back, back with the last time. 00:28:59.53\00:29:01.80 I got that clear now. 00:29:01.84\00:29:03.17 So you look at this in verse, question number seven, 00:29:03.20\00:29:05.37 what further details 00:29:05.41\00:29:06.74 does the Bible reveal about heaven? 00:29:06.78\00:29:08.84 Where God is sitting on His throne, 00:29:08.88\00:29:11.08 the hosts of heaven 00:29:11.11\00:29:13.28 are on His right and on His left. 00:29:13.31\00:29:15.35 And who are the hosts of heaven? 00:29:15.38\00:29:17.05 Someone tell me. The angels are there. 00:29:17.09\00:29:20.19 And when you think of the judgement scene 00:29:20.22\00:29:21.89 that's given to us in Daniel Chapter 7. 00:29:21.92\00:29:24.16 Let's go there. 00:29:24.19\00:29:25.53 Daniel Chapter 7, 00:29:25.56\00:29:26.90 so we can get an expanded picture 00:29:26.93\00:29:28.26 of the hosts of heaven. 00:29:28.30\00:29:30.43 Daniel Chapter 7. Wow. 00:29:30.47\00:29:33.60 Whoo. Okay, Daniel Chapter 7. 00:29:39.74\00:29:44.18 And... 00:29:44.21\00:29:45.55 Let's look at verse 26. 00:29:51.29\00:29:55.46 Daniel 7:26, also verse 9. 00:29:55.49\00:30:00.46 First, yeah, let's start with verse 9. 00:30:00.50\00:30:03.37 Verse 9 of Daniel Chapter 7. 00:30:03.40\00:30:06.33 Daniel says, 00:30:06.37\00:30:07.70 speaking of the ancient of days, 00:30:07.74\00:30:09.07 "I watched till thrones were put in place, 00:30:09.10\00:30:12.24 and the ancient of days was seated. 00:30:12.27\00:30:15.94 His garment was wide as," what? "Snow. 00:30:15.98\00:30:19.71 And the hair of His head was like, pure wool. 00:30:19.75\00:30:23.95 His throne was a," what? "Fiery flame." 00:30:23.99\00:30:27.16 So not only is His throne in heaven, 00:30:27.19\00:30:29.22 but what is this throne? 00:30:29.26\00:30:31.16 A fiery flame. 00:30:31.19\00:30:33.50 This is the details, 00:30:33.53\00:30:34.86 are the details popping out now, 00:30:34.90\00:30:36.40 not only is this throne in heaven, 00:30:36.43\00:30:37.77 you know sometimes you see the throne, 00:30:37.80\00:30:39.13 oh, wonderful kingly throne. 00:30:39.17\00:30:40.70 But how many times have we seen a throne on fire? 00:30:40.74\00:30:44.37 And the king sitting on it. 00:30:44.41\00:30:47.21 And its train filling the temple. 00:30:47.24\00:30:50.11 And its footstool, the earth. 00:30:50.15\00:30:52.11 And all the hosts of heaven standing around him. 00:30:52.15\00:30:54.68 Let's keep going. 00:30:54.72\00:30:57.29 A fiery stream, verse... 00:30:57.32\00:31:00.36 Well, I didn't finish verse 9, 00:31:00.39\00:31:02.79 "His garment was white as snow 00:31:02.82\00:31:04.93 and the hair of His head was like pure wool. 00:31:04.96\00:31:08.90 His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels," a what? 00:31:08.93\00:31:14.17 "Burning fire." 00:31:14.20\00:31:15.74 You want to spend some time really soaking that up. 00:31:15.77\00:31:18.11 Read Ezekiel Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. 00:31:18.14\00:31:21.08 And it says in verse 10, "A fiery stream issued 00:31:21.11\00:31:25.11 and came forth from before him." 00:31:25.15\00:31:28.95 Now, how many are standing on His right and left? 00:31:28.98\00:31:31.65 Here it is. 00:31:31.69\00:31:33.66 A 1,000, 1,000 ministered to Him, 00:31:33.69\00:31:38.39 10,000 times 10,000 stood before Him, 00:31:38.43\00:31:43.03 can somebody say amen? 00:31:43.06\00:31:44.70 I mean think of it. 00:31:44.73\00:31:46.07 This text is, it fall so and far short, 00:31:46.10\00:31:48.97 the host of heaven standing by, well how many? 00:31:49.00\00:31:51.77 Nine? Fifteen? 00:31:51.81\00:31:53.71 Oh, no. 00:31:53.74\00:31:55.08 Thousand, thousands minister to Him 00:31:55.11\00:31:57.55 and 10,000 times 10,000. 00:31:57.58\00:31:59.68 When you'd multiply 10,000 times 00:31:59.71\00:32:01.35 10,000 you get millions. 00:32:01.38\00:32:05.09 The court was seated and the books were open. 00:32:05.12\00:32:08.22 So when you add the whole picture together, 00:32:08.26\00:32:10.16 He's sitting on a throne, His throne is a flaming fire. 00:32:10.19\00:32:14.10 The wheels of it are flaming fire, 00:32:14.13\00:32:16.20 and a fire issues a stream of fire issues 00:32:16.23\00:32:19.13 and come forth from before Him. 00:32:19.17\00:32:20.60 This ought to give you enough evidence to know that 00:32:20.64\00:32:23.77 no one has gone to heaven 00:32:23.81\00:32:25.47 stood in the presence of God and come back. 00:32:25.51\00:32:27.41 Right. 00:32:27.44\00:32:28.78 They would have been consumed before they got to heaven. 00:32:28.81\00:32:34.58 You got to be immortal before you go to heaven. 00:32:34.62\00:32:36.48 You cannot go to heaven. 00:32:36.52\00:32:37.85 Mortal men cannot exist in the presence of immortal God 00:32:37.89\00:32:41.36 because David the Psalmist says a mortal man cannot exist 00:32:41.39\00:32:46.70 in the presence of the immortal God. 00:32:46.73\00:32:49.93 Because the Bible says, our God is a consuming fire. 00:32:49.96\00:32:54.17 What will happen? What will happen? 00:32:54.20\00:32:55.97 You've seen those furnaces, where you throw stuff 00:32:56.00\00:32:57.74 and some of them are so flimsy 00:32:57.77\00:32:59.11 before it gets them they just... 00:32:59.14\00:33:02.34 God is not somebody. 00:33:02.38\00:33:05.48 Let me just pause here 00:33:05.51\00:33:06.85 and just tell you one of the reasons 00:33:06.88\00:33:08.22 I decided to get this deep in this study about heaven 00:33:08.25\00:33:11.35 is because I wanted the heaven to be seen, 00:33:11.39\00:33:13.56 not just as a wonderful place streets of gold, 00:33:13.59\00:33:17.09 gates made of pearl, 00:33:17.13\00:33:19.03 perfectly square fruit trees, 00:33:19.06\00:33:22.00 water that we're going to drink from. 00:33:22.03\00:33:23.83 I wanted us to get the magnitude 00:33:23.87\00:33:26.27 of the majesty of God as He exists today. 00:33:26.30\00:33:31.94 And help us to understand that to be in that kind of presence, 00:33:31.97\00:33:36.51 to be in the presence of that kind of God 00:33:36.54\00:33:39.95 is something that we have to prepare for. 00:33:39.98\00:33:42.78 See the preparation is now, 00:33:42.82\00:33:44.15 that's why this lesson is going to take a turn. 00:33:44.19\00:33:45.85 You're going to say, wait a minute, 00:33:45.89\00:33:47.22 that took a turn that I did not expect. 00:33:47.26\00:33:49.32 But the throne of God 00:33:49.36\00:33:50.69 is an awesome thing to consider. 00:33:50.73\00:33:52.36 I want to show you one more component. 00:33:52.39\00:33:54.20 Go with me now to Revelation Chapter 4. 00:33:54.23\00:33:57.40 Revelation Chapter 4, 00:33:57.43\00:33:59.47 the Bible says a lot about the throne of God, 00:33:59.50\00:34:02.14 the Revelation Chapter 4. 00:34:02.17\00:34:04.34 And now when you, 00:34:04.37\00:34:05.71 when you're reading all this, just consider this. 00:34:05.74\00:34:08.31 This is kind of a small picture 00:34:08.34\00:34:11.08 of what Jesus left to come down here. 00:34:11.11\00:34:16.15 Ministering angels. 00:34:16.18\00:34:20.59 Look at Revelation Chapter 4. 00:34:20.62\00:34:26.13 They were glorifying the Lord, they were ministering to Him. 00:34:26.16\00:34:29.33 When they minister to Him, what did they say? 00:34:29.36\00:34:31.63 Revelation Chapter 4. 00:34:31.67\00:34:33.00 I'm going to go quickly now, verse 1, 00:34:33.03\00:34:35.37 "After these things I looked 00:34:35.40\00:34:36.74 and behold a door standing open in heaven. 00:34:36.77\00:34:38.91 And the first voice 00:34:38.94\00:34:40.28 which I heard was like a trumpet, 00:34:40.31\00:34:42.04 speaking with me saying, 'Come up here, 00:34:42.08\00:34:45.31 and I will show you things which must take place 00:34:45.35\00:34:47.65 after this or shortly take place.' 00:34:47.68\00:34:50.29 Immediately I was in the spirit, 00:34:50.32\00:34:52.55 and behold, a throne set in heaven 00:34:52.59\00:34:55.72 and one sat on the throne.'" 00:34:55.76\00:34:57.46 Now when we read that, what kind of throne do we see? 00:34:57.49\00:34:59.83 Somebody talk to me, what kind of throne do we see? 00:34:59.86\00:35:04.23 A fiery throne, hosts everywhere. 00:35:04.27\00:35:06.94 When you get this picture, 00:35:06.97\00:35:08.44 do you just, do you just run up to that throne haphazardly? 00:35:08.47\00:35:11.74 Oh, no. 00:35:11.77\00:35:13.54 You know, you could understand why when Isaiah saw the Lord, 00:35:13.58\00:35:17.78 these men bow their face to the ground, 00:35:17.81\00:35:21.48 these men fainted at the glory of God. 00:35:21.52\00:35:24.75 This was not some frivolous vision they saw. 00:35:24.79\00:35:28.92 Goes on. And it says in verse 3. 00:35:28.96\00:35:33.13 "And He who sat there was like a jasper 00:35:33.16\00:35:35.76 and a sardius stone in appearance." 00:35:35.80\00:35:37.50 Now, we're getting something more about His appearance. 00:35:37.53\00:35:39.53 Not only was this flame, 00:35:39.57\00:35:40.90 His throne a flame of fire, but He's a flame of fire. 00:35:40.94\00:35:43.87 The wheels are a flame of fire. What does He look like? 00:35:43.91\00:35:46.37 Now John begins to describe who he saw. 00:35:46.41\00:35:50.65 He who sat there was like a jasper 00:35:50.68\00:35:52.48 and a sardius stone in appearance. 00:35:52.51\00:35:54.68 And there was a rainbow 00:35:54.72\00:35:56.25 around the throne in appearance like an emerald. 00:35:56.28\00:36:00.39 What was around the throne? Tell me. 00:36:00.42\00:36:02.06 A rainbow. 00:36:02.09\00:36:03.93 And then it goes on to say in verse 4, 00:36:03.96\00:36:06.70 "Around the throne were 24 thrones on them 00:36:06.73\00:36:10.07 and on the thrones were 24 elders sitting clothed 00:36:10.10\00:36:14.90 in white robes and they had crowns of gold 00:36:14.94\00:36:17.84 on their heads. 00:36:17.87\00:36:19.21 And from the throne proceeded," what? 00:36:19.24\00:36:21.84 "Lightning, thunders and a voice." 00:36:21.88\00:36:25.01 Okay, now we're getting some more. 00:36:25.05\00:36:26.92 Can you see the description of heaven here? 00:36:26.95\00:36:28.88 Flames of fire, wheels of fire, 10,000 times 00:36:28.92\00:36:32.65 10,000, emerald, sapphire, sardius stone. 00:36:32.69\00:36:38.13 And then as he looked at the throne, 00:36:38.16\00:36:41.03 what proceeded from it? 00:36:41.06\00:36:42.86 Lightnings and thunder. 00:36:42.90\00:36:45.87 And I can say this, 00:36:45.90\00:36:47.44 I don't think that voice was a small voice. 00:36:47.47\00:36:52.17 The voice of God probably 00:36:52.21\00:36:53.94 shook the heavens and the earth. 00:36:53.98\00:36:57.48 Okay, let's go on. 00:36:57.51\00:36:59.41 And then it says and there were seven lamps 00:36:59.45\00:37:01.52 of fire burning before the throne, 00:37:01.55\00:37:05.52 which are the seven spirits of God. 00:37:05.55\00:37:08.62 That is the complete work of the Holy Spirit. 00:37:08.66\00:37:12.46 Now let's get a different description of this throne. 00:37:12.49\00:37:14.66 Look at verse 6. 00:37:14.70\00:37:16.16 "Before the throne there was a sea of," what? 00:37:16.20\00:37:19.37 "Glass like crystal, and in the midst of the throne, 00:37:19.40\00:37:23.27 and around the throne 00:37:23.30\00:37:24.64 were four living creatures full of eyes, 00:37:24.67\00:37:28.38 in front and in back." 00:37:28.41\00:37:31.38 Is this becoming more descriptive? 00:37:31.41\00:37:33.62 In verse 7, 00:37:33.65\00:37:34.98 the first living creature was like a lion. 00:37:35.02\00:37:36.48 The second living creature was like a calf. 00:37:36.52\00:37:38.75 The third living creature had the face like a man. 00:37:38.79\00:37:41.56 The fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 00:37:41.59\00:37:44.43 And the four living creatures, each having six wings 00:37:44.46\00:37:47.03 were full of eyes around and within, 00:37:47.06\00:37:49.40 and they do not rest day or night. 00:37:49.43\00:37:53.03 What kind of angels were they, 00:37:53.07\00:37:54.40 six wings, we just read about a moment ago. 00:37:54.44\00:37:57.21 Seraphims. And what do they say? 00:37:57.24\00:37:59.61 They don't rest day or night. What do they say? 00:37:59.64\00:38:01.71 All the time together, holy, holy, holy. 00:38:01.74\00:38:06.01 Lord God Almighty, 00:38:06.05\00:38:08.25 Who was and is and is to come. 00:38:08.28\00:38:13.29 Whenever the living creatures give glory, 00:38:13.32\00:38:15.49 and honor, and thanks to Him 00:38:15.52\00:38:17.36 who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. 00:38:17.39\00:38:21.96 Whenever they do that, what happens? 00:38:22.00\00:38:23.43 The 24 elders fall down before Him 00:38:23.47\00:38:25.50 who sits on the throne, 00:38:25.53\00:38:26.87 and worship Him who lives forever and ever, 00:38:26.90\00:38:29.60 and cast their crowns 00:38:29.64\00:38:30.97 before the throne saying together, 00:38:31.01\00:38:34.14 you are worthy of God to receive glory, 00:38:34.18\00:38:36.88 and honor and power for You created all things. 00:38:36.91\00:38:40.42 And by Your will they exist and were created. 00:38:40.45\00:38:44.12 I hope you got 00:38:44.15\00:38:45.49 a more complete picture of heaven. 00:38:45.52\00:38:47.92 Just, this is just the throne of God. 00:38:47.96\00:38:51.63 This is just what's in the proximity, 00:38:51.66\00:38:53.76 in the vicinity of where God is. 00:38:53.80\00:38:58.03 Wow. Wow. 00:38:58.07\00:39:01.20 So we were there, 00:39:01.24\00:39:02.57 and then in England in London, and we went to the parliament. 00:39:02.60\00:39:05.61 And we saw this room 00:39:05.64\00:39:07.84 that just the moment we walked in, 00:39:07.88\00:39:09.51 our eyes were captured. 00:39:09.54\00:39:11.01 It just dragged our eyes through the whole room 00:39:11.05\00:39:13.75 and we could not leave the room until we saw every facet of it. 00:39:13.78\00:39:16.85 And we said, what is this room 00:39:16.89\00:39:18.25 and they said, this is the throne room. 00:39:18.29\00:39:21.32 This is where the Queen comes 00:39:21.36\00:39:22.99 when she's getting ready for a magnificent event. 00:39:23.02\00:39:25.76 The whole room is bigger than this. 00:39:25.79\00:39:29.80 Gold everywhere, finely carved, 00:39:29.83\00:39:33.54 beautiful, magnificent, ornate. 00:39:33.57\00:39:38.07 And they said you can walk up to the throne, 00:39:38.11\00:39:40.14 she's not on right now but when she's on it, 00:39:40.18\00:39:42.31 this whole, this whole wing is shut down 00:39:42.34\00:39:44.78 and there's security that you cannot even imagine. 00:39:44.81\00:39:47.75 How much security does Jesus have? 00:39:47.78\00:39:50.99 The host of heaven standing on the right and on the left, 00:39:51.02\00:39:53.99 1,000, 1,000, 10,000 times 10,000, 00:39:54.02\00:39:56.73 security, an understatement. 00:39:56.76\00:39:58.79 Let's go to question number eight. 00:39:58.83\00:40:00.76 Wow, we just took a little turn there. 00:40:00.80\00:40:02.76 But I think that turn was educational. 00:40:02.80\00:40:04.23 What do you say? Amen. 00:40:04.27\00:40:06.10 Question number eight. 00:40:06.13\00:40:07.70 How does David the psalmist describe 00:40:07.74\00:40:11.24 the Lord's dwelling place? The Lord's dwelling place. 00:40:11.27\00:40:16.44 After what we just read, 00:40:16.48\00:40:18.11 now this will come into clearer view. 00:40:18.15\00:40:20.08 Psalms 11, Psalms 11:4. 00:40:20.12\00:40:23.99 Psalms 11:4. This is one of the Psalms. 00:40:24.02\00:40:27.22 All right. 00:40:27.26\00:40:28.59 Here it is. 00:40:34.00\00:40:36.93 "The Lord is in His," what kind of temple? 00:40:36.97\00:40:40.87 "Holy temple, the Lord's throne 00:40:40.90\00:40:44.24 is in heaven, His eyes behold, 00:40:44.27\00:40:49.31 His eyelids test the sons of men." 00:40:49.34\00:40:54.12 Now, you got to pause 00:40:54.15\00:40:55.48 for a brief moment when you read that. 00:40:55.52\00:40:57.82 How does David the psalmist 00:40:57.85\00:40:59.19 describe the Lord's dwelling place? 00:40:59.22\00:41:01.06 The Lord is in His, what kind of temple? 00:41:01.09\00:41:03.43 Holy temple. 00:41:03.46\00:41:04.79 Right next to Psalm 11:4, the Lord is in His holy temple. 00:41:04.83\00:41:09.66 The Lord is in His holy temple, 00:41:09.70\00:41:12.57 the Lord's dwelling place is a holy temple. 00:41:12.60\00:41:15.90 All right. 00:41:15.94\00:41:17.27 Now when you think about 00:41:17.31\00:41:18.64 His eyelids testing the son of man. 00:41:18.67\00:41:20.01 I remember growing up, 00:41:20.04\00:41:21.38 and children are very interesting. 00:41:21.41\00:41:24.71 I was going to say creatures, 00:41:24.75\00:41:26.08 but children are very interesting. 00:41:26.11\00:41:28.58 When they don't think their parents see them, 00:41:28.62\00:41:31.65 sometimes parents go... 00:41:31.69\00:41:36.56 They glance and their eyelids tell the whole story. 00:41:36.59\00:41:41.90 They... I see them. 00:41:41.93\00:41:44.53 God, what that in essence saying, 00:41:44.57\00:41:46.30 is God sees everything. 00:41:46.33\00:41:49.30 That's all that saying. 00:41:49.34\00:41:50.87 As the writer of Hebrews says, there's nothing hidden, 00:41:50.91\00:41:54.11 everything is naked and open to the eyes of Him 00:41:54.14\00:41:57.68 with whom we have to give an account. 00:41:57.71\00:42:00.02 God sees everything. 00:42:00.05\00:42:02.02 That's why when the Bible 00:42:02.05\00:42:03.39 describes His throne as being holy, 00:42:03.42\00:42:04.75 we've got to live holy in the presence of a holy God. 00:42:04.79\00:42:08.22 Can you say amen to that? Amen. 00:42:08.26\00:42:09.92 Living holy in the presence of a holy God 00:42:09.96\00:42:12.26 and this is a very important point. 00:42:12.29\00:42:13.73 Living holy doesn't stop when we get there. 00:42:13.76\00:42:16.33 Living holy starts when? Down here. 00:42:16.36\00:42:19.30 If you serve a holy God, live holy. 00:42:19.33\00:42:21.44 Look at the next text. Psalms 115:2, 3. 00:42:21.47\00:42:24.74 Turn there, Psalms 115:2, 3. 00:42:24.77\00:42:27.51 Let's look at the next text. All right. 00:42:27.54\00:42:30.91 David the psalmist had a lot to say about God 00:42:30.95\00:42:33.05 and His beautiful temple, 00:42:33.08\00:42:34.62 about God and His dwelling place. 00:42:34.65\00:42:36.95 Here it is. Okay. 00:42:36.99\00:42:39.05 "Why should the Gentiles say, 'Where is their God?'" 00:42:43.26\00:42:48.13 What's the response? 00:42:48.16\00:42:49.50 "But our God is," where? "In heaven. 00:42:49.53\00:42:52.23 He does whatever He pleases." 00:42:52.27\00:42:54.67 Can anybody stop the hand of God? 00:42:54.70\00:42:56.30 What's the answer? The answer is absolutely. 00:42:56.34\00:42:58.37 God does whatever He pleases. 00:42:58.41\00:43:01.01 God is the one who makes the decisions, 00:43:01.04\00:43:02.81 who rises, who falls, who lives 00:43:02.84\00:43:06.51 and whose reign comes to an end. 00:43:06.55\00:43:08.85 God does whatever He wills. 00:43:08.88\00:43:10.82 Matter of fact, I like the way the psalmist, 00:43:10.85\00:43:12.95 the psalmist says it, or actually Isaiah says it, 00:43:12.99\00:43:15.52 he says, "Remember the former things of old, 00:43:15.56\00:43:18.09 for I am God and there is none like me 00:43:18.13\00:43:20.50 declaring the end from the beginning 00:43:20.53\00:43:24.20 in from ancient times, 00:43:24.23\00:43:26.37 things that are not yet done saying, 00:43:26.40\00:43:28.50 I will do all my pleasures." 00:43:28.54\00:43:30.87 So God is in charge. Amen? 00:43:30.91\00:43:32.67 Now, it's important to understand that 00:43:32.71\00:43:34.04 because God does whatever He wills 00:43:34.08\00:43:35.41 and we have to keep this in mind 00:43:35.44\00:43:36.78 that God never has a moment like we have, like, 00:43:36.81\00:43:39.41 what do I do now? 00:43:39.45\00:43:41.18 God doesn't have a... The economy is going downhill. 00:43:41.22\00:43:43.99 What do we do? God doesn't have those moments. 00:43:44.02\00:43:46.96 God is never caught off guard. 00:43:46.99\00:43:49.26 God doesn't have, oh, man, 00:43:49.29\00:43:50.69 I didn't think the devil would do that. 00:43:50.73\00:43:52.49 God doesn't have those moments. 00:43:52.53\00:43:54.40 He does whatever He pleases 00:43:54.43\00:43:55.76 and He understands before something comes to pass. 00:43:55.80\00:43:58.87 He sees the motion of how it is moving 00:43:58.90\00:44:01.00 and where it's headed, 00:44:01.04\00:44:02.37 and what's going to come to pass. 00:44:02.40\00:44:03.74 God is in heaven, He does whatever He pleases. 00:44:03.77\00:44:08.08 Let's put that down. Psalms 115:2, 3. 00:44:08.11\00:44:10.61 Where's our God? Where's our God? 00:44:13.68\00:44:17.15 In heaven. 00:44:17.19\00:44:18.52 So why does, that's why the Lord says, 00:44:18.55\00:44:20.39 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." 00:44:20.42\00:44:23.53 Don't make God on earth. 00:44:23.56\00:44:25.43 Because rust, because rust and dust and mods 00:44:25.46\00:44:31.90 will eat your earthly gods, 00:44:31.93\00:44:33.64 but the heavenly God is forever. 00:44:33.67\00:44:37.41 One other very important, 00:44:37.44\00:44:38.77 wonderful fact about the throne of God. 00:44:38.81\00:44:41.64 And then we're going to transition 00:44:41.68\00:44:43.01 to question number nine. 00:44:43.04\00:44:44.38 Psalms 119:89. 00:44:44.41\00:44:46.58 Are you all there for that one? 00:44:46.61\00:44:48.52 Psalms 119:89. 00:44:48.55\00:44:51.12 Something else about the Lord's dwelling place. 00:44:51.15\00:44:55.32 Here's what, let's read this one together. 00:44:55.36\00:44:57.73 It's very short. What's the first word? 00:44:57.76\00:45:00.56 "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled," where? 00:45:00.60\00:45:05.50 "In heaven." What word? 00:45:05.53\00:45:09.47 His written word, 00:45:09.50\00:45:10.84 His communicated word, His living word. 00:45:10.87\00:45:13.88 It is settled in heaven. 00:45:13.91\00:45:15.34 There's a lot of discussion 00:45:15.38\00:45:16.71 about what the Word of God says. 00:45:16.75\00:45:18.55 While men are trying to figure out 00:45:18.58\00:45:19.91 what the Word of God says, 00:45:19.95\00:45:21.28 the fact of the matter is, it's settled. 00:45:21.32\00:45:23.12 Where is it settled? 00:45:23.15\00:45:24.75 It's, where is it settled? In heaven. 00:45:24.79\00:45:26.86 It's clear, the truth of God is non-negotiable. 00:45:26.89\00:45:29.02 It's settled. 00:45:29.06\00:45:30.39 While men are trying to figure out 00:45:30.43\00:45:31.76 what it says, 00:45:31.79\00:45:33.13 the throne room in heaven, 00:45:33.16\00:45:35.13 the place of God, His dwelling place, 00:45:35.16\00:45:37.60 the Word of God is settled in heaven. 00:45:37.63\00:45:40.97 And how long do you think it's settled? 00:45:41.00\00:45:42.70 Somebody tell me, 00:45:42.74\00:45:44.07 how long do you think it's settled? 00:45:44.11\00:45:45.51 Forever. That's the first word. 00:45:45.54\00:45:47.54 Let's turn the page. 00:45:47.58\00:45:48.91 Let's turn the page and I'll open up another facet. 00:45:48.94\00:45:51.21 Open up another facet of heaven. 00:45:51.25\00:45:53.68 All right. 00:45:53.72\00:45:55.95 Some very interesting facts about heaven. 00:45:55.98\00:45:59.22 Now, let's look at question number nine. 00:45:59.25\00:46:00.59 When the Lord returns to prepare us for heaven, 00:46:05.59\00:46:10.27 what will He do? What will He do? 00:46:10.30\00:46:14.54 Let's go to the Book of Philippians chapter 3. 00:46:14.57\00:46:18.04 Philippians Chapter 3. 00:46:18.07\00:46:20.74 When the Lord returns to prepare us for heaven, 00:46:20.78\00:46:23.24 what will He do? 00:46:23.28\00:46:25.11 What will He do? 00:46:25.15\00:46:27.15 Okay. All right. 00:46:27.18\00:46:29.45 Some of you already know where I'm headed. 00:46:29.48\00:46:31.35 Well, I should say some of you already know 00:46:31.39\00:46:32.72 what the Bible text says. 00:46:32.75\00:46:36.29 And Paul the Apostle writes, 00:46:36.32\00:46:37.89 "For our citizenship is in heaven, 00:46:37.93\00:46:41.93 from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, 00:46:41.96\00:46:46.77 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:46:46.80\00:46:48.70 who will," together, "transform our lowly body 00:46:48.74\00:46:54.44 that it may be conformed to His," what? 00:46:54.48\00:46:57.48 "Glorious body, according to the working 00:46:57.51\00:47:00.92 by which He is able 00:47:00.95\00:47:02.32 even to subdue all things to Himself." 00:47:02.35\00:47:07.09 When the Lord returns to prepare us for heaven, 00:47:07.12\00:47:09.22 what will He do? 00:47:09.26\00:47:10.59 What is the answer? What's the answer? 00:47:10.63\00:47:14.73 What's the word that was used? 00:47:14.76\00:47:16.87 Transform, transform, the transformers, transform, 00:47:16.90\00:47:22.87 we will be the transformed. 00:47:22.90\00:47:25.37 Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed 00:47:25.41\00:47:29.84 by the renewing of your mind. 00:47:29.88\00:47:31.35 Now get this, our minds need to be renewed now, 00:47:31.38\00:47:34.75 because our bodies will be renewed later. 00:47:34.78\00:47:37.29 Our minds need to be transformed now 00:47:37.32\00:47:39.59 so that our transformed minds 00:47:39.62\00:47:41.92 will be united with our transformed bodies. 00:47:41.96\00:47:44.19 Amen to that? Amen. 00:47:44.23\00:47:45.69 You don't wait for you. 00:47:45.73\00:47:47.26 You know everything about is going to be... 00:47:47.30\00:47:49.10 Everything about us is going to become immortal. 00:47:49.13\00:47:52.10 But the transforming 00:47:52.13\00:47:53.47 of our mind is to take place, when? 00:47:53.50\00:47:55.10 Now. 00:47:55.14\00:47:56.47 So that our bodies, 00:47:56.50\00:47:59.47 when our bodies are transformed, 00:47:59.51\00:48:01.24 we would mentally and spiritually be ready 00:48:01.28\00:48:03.85 for that transformation. 00:48:03.88\00:48:05.55 That's what this life right here is now. 00:48:05.58\00:48:07.55 That's what this life is all about transforming, 00:48:07.58\00:48:10.29 be not conformed. 00:48:10.32\00:48:11.65 And that's very important because the world, 00:48:11.69\00:48:13.25 if you don't, if you don't do something 00:48:13.29\00:48:14.89 to significantly transform the way you think, 00:48:14.92\00:48:17.73 then the world will do everything 00:48:17.76\00:48:19.86 to conform you to the way that it thinks. 00:48:19.89\00:48:23.06 Because what's wrong in the world 00:48:23.10\00:48:26.50 is right in the kingdom of God. 00:48:26.53\00:48:28.67 What's right in the world 00:48:28.70\00:48:33.84 is wrong in the kingdom of God. 00:48:33.88\00:48:36.04 There's a dichotomy there. 00:48:36.08\00:48:37.95 There's a flipping of the chart. 00:48:37.98\00:48:40.95 Those things that are highly esteemed 00:48:40.98\00:48:42.98 among men are a reproach to God. 00:48:43.02\00:48:46.89 And those things that seem to be 00:48:46.92\00:48:48.52 praised among men. 00:48:48.56\00:48:52.46 This lesson is going to take a twist 00:48:52.49\00:48:53.83 that you don't see coming. 00:48:53.86\00:48:55.60 So when Jesus comes, what's the answer? 00:48:55.63\00:48:57.37 When the Lord returns to prepare us for heaven, 00:48:57.40\00:48:58.80 what will He do? 00:48:58.83\00:49:00.17 The answer again is, transform our bodies. 00:49:00.20\00:49:04.81 I want you to put down transform our bodies. 00:49:04.84\00:49:08.34 Because I made the point very importantly, 00:49:08.38\00:49:10.71 He's not going to transform our minds. 00:49:10.75\00:49:13.25 Our minds must be transformed now. 00:49:13.28\00:49:16.42 That's what this life is all about. 00:49:16.45\00:49:18.02 Get your mind together for heaven. 00:49:18.05\00:49:19.82 Get your mind in gear for heaven. 00:49:19.85\00:49:21.19 Start thinking, 00:49:21.22\00:49:22.56 set your affections on things above. 00:49:22.59\00:49:24.96 That's right. And that's very good point. 00:49:24.99\00:49:27.43 Very good point, my hun. 00:49:27.46\00:49:29.10 Our bodies don't get transformed 00:49:29.13\00:49:30.57 when we die, 00:49:30.60\00:49:31.93 our bodies get transformed when the Lord returns. 00:49:31.97\00:49:36.50 We go back to dust, 00:49:36.54\00:49:38.17 from dust thou art unto dust thou shall return. 00:49:38.21\00:49:41.01 That's what happens when we die. 00:49:41.04\00:49:43.21 But the transformation part takes place 00:49:43.24\00:49:44.81 when the Lord comes. 00:49:44.85\00:49:46.18 Let's go to the next question. 00:49:46.21\00:49:47.88 Okay, when we receive our transformed bodies, 00:49:47.92\00:49:52.25 what will we no longer do? 00:49:52.29\00:49:55.29 What will we no longer do? 00:49:55.32\00:49:58.53 When we receive our transformed bodies 00:49:58.56\00:50:01.10 what will we no longer do? 00:50:01.13\00:50:04.53 Okay, Revelation 21:4. Okay. 00:50:04.57\00:50:09.37 Yeah, this is a text that I'm looking forward to. 00:50:09.40\00:50:14.84 Revelation 21:4, 00:50:14.88\00:50:16.38 I think we all should read this one together. 00:50:16.41\00:50:18.41 Because one day we're going to see 00:50:18.45\00:50:19.78 this happening in our very presence. 00:50:19.81\00:50:21.62 Okay. 00:50:21.65\00:50:22.98 "And God," the Bible says, "will wipe away," what? 00:50:23.02\00:50:25.89 "Every tear from their eyes." 00:50:25.92\00:50:28.96 And this is what's not going to happen anymore. 00:50:28.99\00:50:30.79 "There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. 00:50:30.83\00:50:36.23 There shall be no more pain, 00:50:36.26\00:50:38.93 for the former things have passed away." 00:50:38.97\00:50:42.67 Amen? 00:50:42.70\00:50:44.27 No more crying, no more sorrow, no more death, no more pain. 00:50:44.31\00:50:47.41 No more that. Ah, my back hurts. 00:50:50.91\00:50:53.75 Oh, my leg. Oh, my knee. 00:50:53.78\00:50:55.58 What was that? Come on. 00:50:55.62\00:50:57.49 You all know what I'm talking about. 00:50:57.52\00:50:58.85 Right, Mike? 00:50:58.89\00:51:00.22 You know what I'm talking, right? 00:51:00.26\00:51:01.59 We got these things 00:51:01.62\00:51:02.96 that are happening in our bodies. 00:51:02.99\00:51:04.33 And we, uh, one day Mike is going to have a heart 00:51:04.36\00:51:05.89 that is all in rhythm top and bottom together. 00:51:05.93\00:51:08.03 That's right. 00:51:08.06\00:51:09.40 He's going to run and not be weary, 00:51:09.43\00:51:10.77 walk and not faint, because sometimes Mike has to. 00:51:10.80\00:51:14.17 He's a diligent person driven 00:51:14.20\00:51:16.67 but sometimes he has to put that in neutral. 00:51:16.71\00:51:19.51 When the Lord comes back, no more pain. 00:51:19.54\00:51:21.08 Why? 00:51:21.11\00:51:22.44 For all these things described here will be former things. 00:51:22.48\00:51:26.41 And Isaiah the prophet says, 00:51:26.45\00:51:27.78 "The former things will not be remembered 00:51:27.82\00:51:31.15 nor come into mind." 00:51:31.19\00:51:32.62 So we won't be flying to the nearest planet and say, 00:51:32.65\00:51:36.09 oh, my wing hurts, I better find a place to land. 00:51:36.12\00:51:39.26 We won't be running 00:51:39.29\00:51:40.63 through the streets of the New Jerusalem 00:51:40.66\00:51:42.20 or even the New Earth and say, oh, hold on. 00:51:42.23\00:51:46.37 Wait up, wait up for me. 00:51:46.40\00:51:47.80 We will run and not? Be weary. 00:51:47.84\00:51:49.80 We will walk and not faint. Run and not be weary. 00:51:49.84\00:51:53.04 Walk and not faint. 00:51:53.07\00:51:54.74 Pastor Brooks was telling a story 00:51:54.78\00:51:56.11 about his mother how 00:51:56.14\00:51:57.48 she had so many aches and pains. 00:51:57.51\00:51:59.35 He said one day my mom and I are going to be 00:51:59.38\00:52:01.02 able to run the full length of the streets 00:52:01.05\00:52:03.12 of the New Jerusalem and not even slow down. 00:52:03.15\00:52:05.62 What a wonderful day. 00:52:05.65\00:52:06.99 And for those of you who are getting old 00:52:07.02\00:52:08.36 and you got the walkers 00:52:08.39\00:52:09.72 and the canes and the wheelchairs, 00:52:09.76\00:52:11.49 and you have to get assistance 00:52:11.53\00:52:12.86 to go from one place to the next, 00:52:12.89\00:52:14.23 oh, that's going to end, 00:52:14.26\00:52:16.97 that transformed body will not no pain, sorrow, 00:52:17.00\00:52:20.24 death, crying, none of those things, 00:52:20.27\00:52:23.71 because that's what God is going to get rid of. 00:52:23.74\00:52:25.07 He's going to, 00:52:25.11\00:52:26.44 He's going to eliminate all of that, 00:52:26.47\00:52:28.31 from the experience of the saints 00:52:28.34\00:52:30.05 that reign eternally with Him. 00:52:30.08\00:52:32.08 Let's go to Isaiah 33:24, look at another component. 00:52:32.11\00:52:35.58 Isaiah 33:24. 00:52:35.62\00:52:37.52 Whenever we start getting a tickle in our throat, 00:52:44.76\00:52:47.56 let me just give you this hint, 00:52:47.60\00:52:48.93 you probably haven't thought about it. 00:52:48.96\00:52:50.40 You won't get a tickle in your throat in heaven. 00:52:50.43\00:52:54.10 As an indication that a cold is coming on. 00:52:54.14\00:52:56.87 You won't be going. 00:52:56.91\00:52:59.77 Oh, what's happening? I think I'm getting cold. 00:52:59.81\00:53:02.11 No more. Can I get an amen? 00:53:02.14\00:53:04.28 No more medication needed throughout eternity. 00:53:04.31\00:53:07.68 No more people lined up for shots. 00:53:07.72\00:53:10.42 Oh, there's the flu season, 00:53:10.45\00:53:11.85 there will be no flu season in heaven nor in the new earth. 00:53:11.89\00:53:15.06 And I have proof to that, together, 00:53:15.09\00:53:17.76 "The inhabitants will not say," what? 00:53:17.79\00:53:20.70 "'I am sick,' the people who dwell in it 00:53:20.73\00:53:23.67 will be forgiven their inequities." 00:53:23.70\00:53:26.50 No more sin, no more sickness. 00:53:26.53\00:53:31.97 I got to slow down, I'm getting in my knee up, 00:53:32.01\00:53:33.68 I'm about to get happy here. 00:53:33.71\00:53:35.61 But when I get sick, it happens at odd times, 00:53:35.64\00:53:38.61 but God is so gracious. 00:53:38.65\00:53:40.38 We had a wedding here not too long ago, 00:53:40.42\00:53:41.75 Mike and Celestine did their 15th rededication 00:53:41.78\00:53:46.35 for 15 years of marriage. 00:53:46.39\00:53:48.12 She's a singer, couldn't sing. 00:53:48.16\00:53:51.03 It was the most painful experience, 00:53:51.06\00:53:52.93 voice was shut, cold, crud, she was, 00:53:52.96\00:53:57.70 she was a bass voice, couldn't sing. 00:53:57.73\00:54:00.10 In heaven, she'll be able to sing. 00:54:00.14\00:54:01.97 Amen, Mike? No more colds. 00:54:02.00\00:54:04.57 No more problems. No more injuries. 00:54:04.61\00:54:08.38 The inhabitants will not say I am sick, 00:54:08.41\00:54:11.18 doctors and nurses I love you, 00:54:11.21\00:54:13.15 but you will be forever retired in the kingdom of heaven. 00:54:13.18\00:54:16.12 Amen. 00:54:16.15\00:54:17.49 No more need for the CDC 00:54:17.52\00:54:20.19 because God's got that all taken care of. 00:54:20.22\00:54:22.66 Okay, go to number 11. Go to number 11. 00:54:22.69\00:54:26.43 Got to look at my time here. Number 11. 00:54:26.46\00:54:31.40 Why is it important for us 00:54:31.43\00:54:33.50 to be transformed before we enter heaven? 00:54:33.54\00:54:38.07 1 Corinthians 15:50. 00:54:38.11\00:54:40.28 Why is it important for us 00:54:40.31\00:54:41.64 to be transformed before we enter heaven? 00:54:41.68\00:54:46.38 Okay, I'm gonna move on a little bit of pace here. 00:54:46.41\00:54:49.65 1 Corinthians 15:50. 00:54:49.68\00:54:51.85 This is a text that's often misunderstood, 00:54:51.89\00:54:53.82 terribly misunderstood, 00:54:53.86\00:54:55.19 and I'll take a little time to explain it. 00:54:55.22\00:54:56.56 But Paul the Apostle speaking of the two, 00:54:56.59\00:54:58.96 speaking of the earthly and the heaven. 00:54:58.99\00:55:00.33 He says, "Now I say, 00:55:00.36\00:55:02.13 now this I say, brethren, that," what? 00:55:02.16\00:55:04.50 "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, 00:55:04.53\00:55:09.00 nor does corruption inherit incorruption." 00:55:09.04\00:55:13.14 Now let's get this, flesh and blood. 00:55:13.17\00:55:15.81 Do we walk in the flesh or do we walk in the spirit? 00:55:15.84\00:55:19.75 Help me out. 00:55:19.78\00:55:21.12 Do we walk in the flesh or do we walk in the spirit? 00:55:21.15\00:55:23.18 We walk in the spirit. 00:55:23.22\00:55:24.55 And the Bible says, 00:55:24.59\00:55:26.72 do not yield to the lust of the flesh. 00:55:26.76\00:55:31.96 So we are living in the flesh. 00:55:31.99\00:55:33.83 But when Paul talks about flesh and blood, 00:55:33.86\00:55:36.20 he's not talking about 00:55:36.23\00:55:37.67 the physical dimensions of humanity. 00:55:37.70\00:55:39.43 He's talking about 00:55:39.47\00:55:40.80 the sinful dimensions of humanity. 00:55:40.84\00:55:43.71 That's why he says, 00:55:43.74\00:55:45.07 nor does corruption 00:55:45.11\00:55:46.98 inherit incorruption. 00:55:47.01\00:55:51.81 I got to go right to the next question 00:55:51.85\00:55:53.18 very quickly. 00:55:53.21\00:55:54.78 Okay, this body that's corrupt. 00:55:54.82\00:55:56.82 Not only are we in a corrupt world, 00:55:56.85\00:55:58.42 but our bodies are corrupt. 00:55:58.45\00:56:02.72 They said our skin cells dies, 00:56:02.76\00:56:04.79 our skin, our cells are dying by the thousands, 00:56:04.83\00:56:08.20 explosions are taking place in our bodies all the time, 00:56:08.23\00:56:10.97 new cells are being born. 00:56:11.00\00:56:12.53 But the important transition 00:56:12.57\00:56:13.90 is right here in the very next question. 00:56:13.94\00:56:15.60 Let's get to that very quickly. Question number 12. 00:56:15.64\00:56:18.81 How is the preparation 00:56:18.84\00:56:20.21 for heaven transformation described? 00:56:20.24\00:56:23.14 How is the preparation for heaven 00:56:23.18\00:56:24.61 transformation described? 00:56:24.65\00:56:26.38 I'm going to go to very quickly 00:56:26.41\00:56:27.75 just bring it up on the screen and here it is. 00:56:27.78\00:56:30.89 The transformation, "It is sown a natural body, 00:56:30.92\00:56:34.59 it is raised a," what kind of body? 00:56:34.62\00:56:36.36 "Spiritual body." 00:56:36.39\00:56:37.79 "There is a natural body 00:56:37.83\00:56:39.53 and there is a," what else also? 00:56:39.56\00:56:41.16 "Spiritual body." 00:56:41.20\00:56:42.63 Go to the very next text just directly. 00:56:42.66\00:56:45.73 And this is the difference, 00:56:45.77\00:56:47.34 "For this corruptible must put on," what? 00:56:47.37\00:56:51.07 "Incorruption, and this mortal must put on," what? 00:56:51.11\00:56:54.91 "Immortality." 00:56:54.94\00:56:56.28 Let me spend a moment to talk about 00:56:56.31\00:56:57.65 these three things that are very important here. 00:56:57.68\00:57:00.82 Flesh and blood, this sinful human being 00:57:00.85\00:57:03.15 that I am, this sinful flesh. 00:57:03.18\00:57:06.69 We're not going to go to heaven with this defective body. 00:57:06.72\00:57:09.56 We're not going to go to heaven with this body that has 00:57:09.59\00:57:11.99 ailments and sin, sinful tendencies 00:57:12.03\00:57:14.93 and thoughts that are corrupt, 00:57:14.96\00:57:17.30 and attitudes that are in conflict 00:57:17.33\00:57:19.27 with our testimony, all those things 00:57:19.30\00:57:22.27 will have been changed because this corruptible, 00:57:22.30\00:57:25.61 this mind that can be corrupted, 00:57:25.64\00:57:27.31 will put on incorruption. 00:57:27.34\00:57:29.44 The day is coming and I want you 00:57:29.48\00:57:30.81 to just embrace this, the day is coming 00:57:30.85\00:57:32.91 that we won't think bad thoughts anymore. 00:57:32.95\00:57:37.72 We won't think evil thoughts. 00:57:37.75\00:57:39.35 We won't think mean thoughts. 00:57:39.39\00:57:41.29 We won't think anything corrupt. 00:57:41.32\00:57:44.46 That's what that is saying. 00:57:44.49\00:57:45.83 This corruptible will put on incorruption. 00:57:45.86\00:57:48.60 We won't have a mind that's, 00:57:48.63\00:57:50.77 that people don't want to hear what's in it. 00:57:50.80\00:57:53.70 One day, my brothers and sisters, 00:57:53.74\00:57:55.20 we'll be just like Jesus. 00:57:55.24\00:57:56.74 Until that day, we pray that 00:57:56.77\00:57:58.21 you keep studying the word of God. 00:57:58.24\00:58:00.28 And if it doesn't make sense, 00:58:00.31\00:58:01.64 one day it'll come into A Sharper Focus. 00:58:01.68\00:58:04.25 God bless you. 00:58:04.28\00:58:05.71