The Best is Yet to Come: Heaven Bound

You are listening to a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast supported by harvest partners for more ways to deepen and challenge your spiritual walk and roll and pastor breaks free online courses sign-up@harvest.org is a voice were destroyed to the return visitors to enjoy disability insurance to ability to think you will be gone mental ability to understand heaven is a place where we all want to go today pastor Greg Laurie helps us make sure having found is a happy place joyful. What joy is serious business of heaven working to get serious.

Talk about joy and relief. The moment we take our last breath on earth and our first year today on Greg Laurie is presenting his final message from a revelation is the part you can catch up online, one line story about a very well man was near death, and he just wanted to take some of his possessions have so yes, God could you make an exception. I know we can't take it with this, but could you make an exception that allow me to take one suitcase with me to heaven filled with whatever I want to take the Lord said, all right, I'll make an exception for use so shortly after that the man died in arrived at the pearly gates and he was met by Peter. Peter knew of the arrangement this man that already made with God and Peterson can I check to see what you brought in your suitcase and the wealthy man said sure and Peter looked inside them and closed it up little bit later someone came up to Peter and said I have to ask you, we heard about this guy who brothers suitcase. They haven't tell us what was in the suitcase. Peter said it's the funniest thing this guy brought a suitcase filled with asphalt. You get what I'm saying right because the Bible says the streets of heaven RP with gold so were talking together about heaven which is a real place waiting for us.

It's not some mysterious atmospheric realm of smoke and mirrors know it's a real place for real people to do real things in the final two chapters of Revelation, John uses the word city 11 times in specific reference to heaven. Again heaven is a real place for real people. Everything were going through right now is preparing us for that day. Don't forget Jesus said to his disciples. I go to prepare a place for you. By the way, the night that our Lord delivered those words was a night like no other. All the disciples could see that Jesus was heavy of heart. Then he dropped the bombshell that one of them was going to betray him, and he identifies Judas Iscariot as the betrayer and says to do this. Whatever you do, do it right now. So Judas leaves the room and Jesus says to the others. In John chapter 13 the time is come for me, the son of man to enter into my glory, and God will receive glory because of all that happens to me and God will bring me into his glory very soon, but you cannot come or I am going Peter protest what is going on here. He looks it would. Judas just that. He said listen, Lord, though all of these disciples deny you.

I will never deny Jesus as well since you brought it up. Not only will you deny me you'll do so three times over the rooster as crowed twice. So everything is unraveling before the eyes of the disciples, Judas is betrayed, our Lord. Peter's going to deny our Lord. That thinking what is going on and it's against the backdrop of that alarm, and panic that Jesus then says these familiar words recorded in John 14 let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You believe in God believe also in me.

In my father's house are many mansions that were not so I would've told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you on the myself there were. I am you maybe also Thomas is not understanding what Jesus is talking about Jesus goes on to say and where I go you know in the way you know Thomas is actually we don't know what you're even talking about Jesus and of course says I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes of the father, but by me. The apostle John was there with the 11 that night. John would often right of how he would lean on the chest of Jesus, probably so we would not miss a single word. Now, as we look at John he is banished to the island of Patmos.

Presumably he's there all by himself.

Maybe he's thinking back to this night when the Lord gave those words 60 years have passed and now John is actually at a personal glimpse of this place that Jesus has talked of I go to prepare a place for you.

John is seen it. John is been catapulted into the future any seeming eternity using heaven be seen how he seen the tribulation. The Antichrist, he sees angels he sees demons he sees everything and now, here are the closing words of the apostle John in Revelation 22. Look at verse one and he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb and in the middle of its street on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore 12 fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations in the be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve yeah and they will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads and on the no night there.

They'll need no lamp nor light of the sun for the Lord God gives him light and they shall reign forever and ever powerful words so Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of the new Jerusalem from an outside perspective here in chapter 22 we go inside to see what's actually waiting for us at John's description of heaven is actually getting clear.

He's described it as a kingdom he's described it as a city. Now he describes it as a garden in the first chapters of the Bible we see paradise lost when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. The final two chapters of the Bible describe the paradise that God has created for us in the haven't dealt your taking notes. Here's a few things we learn about heaven.

From what we have read number one heaven and the new earth are a place of satisfaction heaven and a new earth are a place of satisfaction we will want for nothing. All of our needs will be met.

Our thirst will be quenched, because verse 17 says let him who thirsts, come whoever desires let them take the water of life freely. Number two heaven and the new words are a place of sufficiency. Sufficiency look at Revelation 22, two in the middle of the street on either side of the river was a tree of life, which bore 12 fruits in each tree yielding its fruit every month.

The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations now remember because of the sin of Adam and Eve they and all of humanity was banned from the tree of life because they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I wonderfully get that will meet Adam and Eve and we could ask why did you have to either that forbidden fruit you want with these fruits are in other certain fruits. I favor certain foods.

I don't love kumquats don't get those don't like those oranges take them or leave them apples.

Kind of like, but I'll tell you I love peaches I love nectarines I love plums I love cherries I love berries I love bananas but in like them to write when I see someone eating and overly ripe banana.

It kinda grosses me out.

I like them when they're not quite green but just starting to get yellow but we all of our favorite fruits and I especially love the fruits of summer.

But here's what's interesting the leaves of this tree are there for the healing of the nations.

The Greek word use there for healing as therapy up can probably imagine what English word we get from that therapy.

There's therapeutic value in these liens out that will get sick in heaven but there is this life giving power in the trees that are there.

Why is it that all the things that taste good are not good for you at least taste good to me. I've already told you, I love hamburgers. I love all Mexican food. I love pasta, pizza, etc. those things are good eats, but you eat too much of that food you can gain a lot of weight well, I think, in heaven, where you have tasting delicious food.

I think I can say affordably.

There will be no keel in heaven affected friend revealed to me that is the main food of hell, but when you have these trees that are there for the healing of the nations and the curse is gone.

Verse three will be no more curse.

The curse brought sickness. The curse brought aging and worst of all, the curse that came upon humanity after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. The worst part was death itself.

In this is something that affects everyone. As I've often said one out of every one person's will die three people die every second hundred and 80 people die every minute 11,000 people die every hour so that's like the most depressing statistic I've ever heard. I know, but it's true. On any given day 250,000 people are entering in to eternity. But now we read death is gone. Heard a story about a mom and her little boy who were walking along the beach they came upon a Dead Sea goal line in the sand a little boy said mommy what happened to the Siegel wanting to protect him from the harsh realities of Dead Sea said, well, honey, the little Siegel was sick and so God took him to heaven, and the little boys to looking at the bird line on this and said will then why did God throw him back to the earth well.

Jeff will be gone.

The curse of death will be gone. We won't even talk about it anymore you hope you're enjoying this series were doing on the book of Revelation, and I'm very excited to tell you about a brand-new book that we have just released simply called Revelation, a book of promises I want to tell you how to get your own copy at the end of the program, but if you can wait just go to harvest.org to find out more about getting your copy of this brand-new book. This commentary on the book of Revelation called Revelation, a book of promises and no backdoor study. Here's a surprising thing number three heaven and the new words are a place of service heaven and the new work are place of service. Look at verse three. His servants will serve him. Yes, heaven is a place of rest, but I can only rest for so long. Pretty much every day. Take a short nap. I probably shouldn't admit this, but usually after lunch I'll maybe fall asleep for 12 minutes and then I'm revived. Now I'm ready to get back out and do things and so there's going to be opportunities in heaven and the new earth. There's going to be things to do you artist get ready God you utilize your creative abilities. You people more mechanical W Pl. for you as well you singers and vocalists and instrumentalists get ready because God's can use all of your skills in the afterlife and it's going to be a fantastic time and you wonder if we might be able to finish some of the tasks that remained uncompleted on earth, in heaven you wonder of dreams that were shattered here will be ultimately fulfilled their point number four. Heaven is a place or tragedy turns to trial. It's a place where tragedy turns to triumph. Sadness turns to joy. Disability turns to ability handicaps will be gone mental and physical disability is banished and the joy heaven is a happy place. Heaven is a hop in place.

Heaven is a joyful place.

The psalmist says in your presence there is fullness of joy and on your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

CS Lewis said and I quote joy. Is this serious business of heaven." I cannot agree more. Listen to this, you're going to laugh in heaven. Do you like to laugh.

I love the laugh actually like to make people laugh as well and I were going to be laughing in heaven. Luke 621 says God blesses you are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now because the time will come when you will laugh with joy the book of Revelation reminds us we win in the end of the other day. I did a post on all my social media accounts. I'm on Instagram Facebook, twitter, gotta follow me and I asked this question of the folks out there.

I said what are you looking forward to the most when you get to heaven here some of their responses amending Joey wrote me and said in some of these are pretty sad. I have to warn you, but also mixed with confidence and trust in God.

Joey wrote these words.

I'm looking forward to dancing with my 11-year-old daughter. She left this earth so unexpectedly. I miss everything about her.

Her smile or laugh her kind spirit or joy, the way she would call me Papa.

I can't wait to see your sweet face again. I promise when I get the heaven rights Joey I'll never let her out of my arms J then he says to his daughter. Daddy loves you so much. We will dance we will sing we will play hide and seek, you will be forever daddy's little girl Joe. You're going to see Jayda again. Kimberly right. She looks forward to seeing her grandparents again in heaven thanking them for praying for her and meeting her son Jacob who died when she was 4 1/2 months along in her pregnancy. She says I'm sure they've all played and laughed until they cried together. Mike writes these words in heaven. I'm looking forward to a new body. I know that sounds selfish but I've been paralyzed for 35 years. My health is been declining in the last four years.

I'm ready to be whole and complete what the Lord Mike you'll get that new body.

The God has promised you said he writes these words. This is a surprising one.

I'm looking forward to meeting my baby that I aborted at the age of 17. I hope you quote this in your sermon because I think it's something a lot of women need to hear. I love to share my story. The story of King and deep remorse, but ultimately a story of the forgiveness and healing that only God can give. Can I say a word about that. Are you woman who is pregnant and you're contemplating an abortion.

Can I just save you do not do that, you're taking the innocent life of an unborn child civil Greg the child was conceived out of wedlock.

Just what I was conceived out of wedlock.

I'm thankful my mother carried me to determine that child deserves to live in if you can raise that child then put the little one up for adoption. There's plenty of families out there that would love to adopt a child with this girls being very honest and she's saying it's a story of pain and deep remorse.

But let me say this. If you are a woman who is gotten abortion asked God to forgive you of that.

And rest assured in this truth that Sandy is brought to our attention will be reunited with your child again if you put your trust in Christ.

Bob writes I'm 83 years old and the thing I'm looking the most forward to when heaven is being with the sun that I lost just before his seventh birthday. This literally killed me then. Then he says you're aware of the pain writing to me because our son went to be with the Lord. 13 years ago. He says, but the Lord gave me life again and a few years later I invited Jesus to take it over. Bob also writes I'm an artist I'm looking forward to the beauty of heaven all Bob skin to be more beautiful than you can even imagine.

Carly writes I'm looking forward to see my baby girl Emily in April 2020. I was 40 weeks pregnant.

We found out sweet Emma no longer had a heartbeat due to her umbilical cord accident. I was induced and she was born.

The next morning we had to say hello and goodbye for now to our firstborn daughter that date. Heaven now feels so much closer. I can't wait to hear MSA mama for the first time. It's true when you have a love when that's close to you die. Heaven is closer. Isn't it less writes my wife died 4 1/2 years ago and I miss her so much.

We were married for 36 years and 11 months. We started going to your church in 1984 and I still go that's great, less when I get to heaven. I want to meet Jesus first and then find my wife and take her hand and take a 100 year walk just talked you'll see your wife again less and finally at the I save Edna for last because I found what you said, a bit humorous. I'm looking forward in heaven rights Edna so I can wear one outfit she doesn't like to change close apparently wearing one outfit. Never crying again being reunited with my friends and family. I dream of feeling at the foot of Jesus lay my head in his lap and thanking him and rejoicing that the sorrows of this world are over his or sad but hopeful, because are all putting their faith in Christ, Greg Laurie good reassurance about the loved ones waiting for us in heaven. Today's message is titled the best is yet to come.

You're listening to a new beginning. If you like to share this encouragement with a friend or listen again yourself find this program online@harvest.org again the title is the best is yet to come. Now, in tandem with our studies a revelation here on a new beginning. Pastor Greg has just released a brand-new book on Revelation takes us even further investigate. There's a lot of symbolism in Bible prophecy, you study the subject.

A great deal yes how much of that symbolism. Do we know for sure what it means and how much is open to interpretation were godly people do disagree well I think it's very important to understand Bible prophecy. There are constant X 13 nations to understand these things Jesus when he was speaking of an event called the abomination of desolation said, let the reader under Stanton. In the book of Thessalonians. Paul writing to the believers there. He says brothers I would not have you be ignorant. Then he went on to talk about the rapture so we don't want to be ignorant. We want to understand and the very word revelation means to on veil now. There are different ways that we can view these truths and I think godly people can and they do frankly disagree on some of these think know my position is I believe that there is an event called the rapture that can happen at any moment. I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. Now the tribulation period is last seven years starts with the emergence of antichrist. It ends with the return of Jesus Christ. I don't believe we as Christians will go through the tribulation. I believe will be ruptured before that time comes now that belief alone will affect you in the way that you live because if you believe you could be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and you see the signs of the time showing how close the tribulation. Could potentially be you realize of the tribulation period is close, then the rapture of the church is even closer so I can use the illustration of seeing Christmas decorations up and you know the goats overly now darling what is it August or something. I can't believe Christmas decorations are up against. What if I see the decorations for Christmas going up. It says this Thanksgiving is coming casino. Greg gets his Christmas is coming. Now I know. But if Christmas is coming Thanksgiving is coming even sooner because Thanksgiving precedes Christmas doesn't it.

So the point of it all is if I see signs of the times out there telling me that the tribulation period is coming and that means that Jesus is coming even sooner for his church. That belief alone will affect you in the way that you live I talk about that and a lot more in this brand-new book that I've just written called Revelation, a book of promises. It's hard cover. It's a thick one. This is going to be a resource that you keep it home and hopefully you consulted again and again in my prayer and my hope is it will help unlock this great book.

The final book of the Bible, the only book of the Bible. I might add it as a special blessing promised to the person who reads cheers and keeps the words of it and I want you to get this book I've just written simply called Revelation, a book of promises will send it to you for your gift of any size and hears Dave to tell you more.

Well thank you very much. It's a brand-new commentary from Pastor Greg hot off the press more than 400 pages in length. If you been less than clear on your understanding of last days events. You need to get this resource.

A Dave let me jump in really quick and not only are we offering this new book Revelation, the book of promises but we have this really cool graphic bookmark that we have put together that gives you a timeline of end times events so you probably wondered okay I know I've heard about the rapture and the tribulation.

In the antichrist and the second coming. What happens when will this very beautiful little visual bookmark shortly set out for you that's included in the book you're talking about right now. Yeah that's right it comes automatically to get in touch with your donation today and will thank you with a copy of Revelation, a book of promises and time is running out. We can only mention this.

A short time longer.

You can write us at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 seven phone number 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org Pastor Greg offers more deep encouragement from spinal message and final book of the Bible join us here on a new beginning. Pastors and Bible regularly and things really beginning Greg Laurie, a podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for daily devotions and learn how to become a harvest partner harvest.org