Will You Avoid being Banned from the Heavenly City?

© 2021 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1-2)

Here, God gives the apostle John a preview of the future.  In this future scene, destruction of the previous heaven and earth have already occurred.

The prophecy of that destruction had been mocked by the unregenerate.  That mockery, itself, had been prophesied.

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? …” (2 Peter 3:3-4)

This ongoing mockery is rebuked by the following prophecy which cites fulfillment of an even earlier prophecy.

“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:5-7)

Fulfillment of the previous judgment by water showed the certainty of God’s coming judgment by fire.  Those, so judged, shall never occupy God’s heavenly city.

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

It was this heavenly city for which saints of old were yearning.  They anticipated it as their permanent habitation.

“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16)

God sent God the Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty of sin for His people.  Jesus’ statement is clear.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

John the Baptist confirmed this with the following statement:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

Will you be banned from the heavenly city or trust Christ as Lord and Savior?

.

You may leave comments for Tom & Kathy (website administrators) below.