The Coming Glory | Sunday, May 4, 2025

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:1–5)

Most people believe in heaven—but what the Bible actually promises is far more glorious, and far more tangible, than the floaty clouds we imagine.

Almost Everyone Believes in Heaven

A lot of people have questions about heaven, and lately I've found the subject coming up often as I interact with people. Most people actually believe in it. Pew Research surveyed 11,000 Americans in 2023 and found that 71% believe in heaven. Twenty years earlier, in 2003, Barna found 76% believed, and of those, 64% believed they would go to heaven when they die. It might not surprise you that less than 1% of Americans think they'll experience the alternative.

Among those who attend Protestant or evangelical churches, the belief is almost unanimous. So if you're a regular member here at Cross Connection Church, it's highly likely you believe in heaven and that you'll go there when you die. I don't think that's a wrong belief—it's a good one to have.

Wrongheaded Views About Heaven

What is also highly likely is that, among Christians, most people have very wrongheaded views about heaven. They believe they're headed there, but they don't understand it well. I apologize if that sounds offensive, but a big part of the reason is faulty or non-existent teaching on the subject. We haven't focused on heaven since I've been pastor here—though about ten years ago we did a series on hell, which has led people to ask, "When are you going to talk about heaven?"

As we've been studying the kingdom of God—a major part of Jesus' stated mission was to preach the good news of the kingdom—I thought it would help us to consider what the Bible actually says. Most people who believe in heaven have some faulty understanding of it.

Where do those faulty ideas come from? Often they're just assumptions we've picked up and stored in the memory bank of our minds without ever examining whether the Bible says anything about them. They come from cultural sayings and from pop-culture depictions in movies. Ask someone to describe heaven and they'll picture some ethereal, floaty place up in the clouds—insubstantial, intangible, something you can't grab hold of. It is May the 4th, after all—a cloud city where everything is great. That's the kind of image people imagine.

A City, Not a Cloud

People will add details: pearly gates and streets paved with gold. Most of you have heard those. But many can't tell you that those images come from Revelation 21, where the apostle John records a vision of a place in the future. And is that place heaven? Not exactly. John does not identify it as heaven. He identifies it as a city—the holy city, the new Jerusalem—and he says it comes down from God out of heaven to here.

So the place with pearly gates and golden streets is coming out of heaven, but it is the heavenly city, the kingdom of God. It is not going to remain in that conceptual form we call heaven. It comes from that place to this place—to what John sees as a new heaven and a new earth. This kingdom, this new holy city, is coming down from heaven, from God, to the earth. That can be very different from how most people imagine heaven, and it causes confusion.

Why Heaven Confuses Us

This is confusing for several reasons. First, none of us has ever been there. I recognize there's been much research, especially over the last 50 years since the advent of CPR and other medical technologies, on what are called near-death experiences. Cognitive scientists and physicians acknowledge that something is going on they can't fully explain. In America, one in five people have had a near-death experience, which means several of you in this room probably have. You don't talk about it much, because you don't want to be "that guy"—like the person everyone knows who only ever talks about aliens.

The last time I taught on this, ten years ago, two people came to me that same Sunday and described their experiences, and they were pretty awesome. John Burke, a pastor in Texas, wrote Imagine Heaven and more recently Imagine the God of Heaven, documenting verifiable experiences that can't be explained any other way than as conscious, out-of-body near-death experiences.

Second, there's not a lot written about it. Even though heaven and the kingdom of God are mentioned often—nearly 200 times in the Gospels alone—not much detailed information is given. Third, what is written doesn't do it justice, because human language simply can't capture the glories of the kingdom. As the great prince of preachers Charles Spurgeon said, "The concept of heaven breaks the backs of words."

When Words Fall Short

Imagine trying to explain your favorite ice cream flavor to someone who has never tasted ice cream. Even if you're skilled with words, you'll struggle. In the same way, when John and others in the Bible try to describe this kingdom that is not of this world, we read it and still feel confused. The glories of heaven cannot be captured by an earthly language that falls so far short.

So is it even worthwhile to consider it? I think it is—but we must keep in mind that anything we say will fall short until we see it. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says we see dimly as in a mirror—or as through frosted glass. You can make out the form but not the detail. Someday we will see face to face, in all its glory, and it will be shocking and awesome. Paul describes a man—many theologians believe he means himself—who was caught up into the third heaven and heard things that could not be uttered. The glories there break the backs of words.

"Behold, I Make All Things New"

What little we do know is quite glorious. In Revelation 21, John sees the holy city, the new Jerusalem, moving from outside this realm into this place. He says he saw a new heaven and a new earth, the first having passed away.

This has caused many to ask whether all of this will be annihilated. I think not. The word translated "new" can also mean fresh or renewed—not that this is done away with, but that it is transformed. John sees this place completely renewed, no longer under the curse and stain of sin, no longer affected by the brokenness that came in Genesis 3.

The word "heaven" is challenging because it's a general Greek word, ouranos. It can mean the sky we see every day—the clouds, the blue—the first heaven. It can also mean everything beyond our atmosphere, the cosmos and the universe—the second heaven. When the Hubble and now the Webb space telescopes send back images of the grandeur of the cosmos, we glimpse that second heaven. But Paul speaks of being caught up to the third heaven, using that same word to describe the place where the temple and kingdom of God currently are, outside of this place.

A Real Realm Beyond Us

This is hard for us, living in 2025 on the other side of the Enlightenment and the scientific revolution. We've been thoroughly indoctrinated by materialism, naturalism, and physicalism, told for 200 years that nothing exists beyond the physical. We struggle to conceive of anything we can't touch, see, taste, or hear. That's a real problem even for cognitive scientists, who know consciousness exists but can't explain it—they call it the hard problem of consciousness.

But Christians throughout history have believed this is not all there is, that this world was made by a God who exists outside of it, in what we'd call the third heaven—a spiritual, incorporeal realm beyond our senses. Paul says he's seen it. John is seeing it come and touch this place in Revelation 21.

And not for the first time. The first time that place touched this place was when Jesus came in his first coming. According to the Bible, there is only one person who has ever come from that place to this place to tell us about it and show us how we can become part of it—and that's Jesus. Here John sees that place coming again, and when it does, this place is radically transformed. Point one: one day Jesus will make all things new. That's why he tells John, "Write these things down, for they are true and faithful." This is something you can bank on.

A New Creation Begins in You

Here is the awesome evidence that this place exists: when you become a Christian, God begins that renewing work in you first. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5 that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away. In fulfillment of God's promise through Ezekiel (36:26), God gives you a new heart and puts a new spirit within you. You may not see it fully formed immediately, but over time—by his Spirit, his grace, and his Word—you take on a new form, until others notice and say, "There's something different about you." That is the evidence of the new creation.

Sometimes we doubt he'll complete that work. But Paul assures us in Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." Keep that phrase—"the day of Christ Jesus"—in mind.

When we trust in Christ and his finished work, his kingdom begins a new work in us. We have a citizenship in a new kingdom and are subjects of a new King who is not here yet—but that doesn't mean he never will be. Paul says in Philippians 3:20, "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Walking with Christ makes you homesick for a different home. I love this place, but as a Christian there's a growing sense that this is not really my home, and I'm longing for another.

Groaning for a New Body

Paul continues in verse 21: Christ "will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body." In Philippians 1 he says he doesn't know whether he'd rather stay or depart and be with the Lord. Maybe you feel that increasingly as your body groans. Mine groans every morning, especially in the first hundred steps. I'm 45—if it's like this now, what will it be at 65? My whole body is groaning for another home. But we have this promise: he will transform this lowly body to be conformed to his glorious body.

How and when? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:51, "Behold, I tell you a mystery." For us, "mystery" suggests something that cannot be known—an unsolved mystery. But the biblical word, mysterion, means something not known until it is revealed, and the whole point is that it will be revealed. The Greek word for revealed is apokalypsis—apocalypse, revelation. It's like Christmas gifts under a tree: a mystery awaiting the day they're unwrapped.

Paul says, "We shall not all sleep"—that is, not all of us will die—"but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." Then will come to pass the saying, "Death is swallowed up in victory." This is a mystery that will be revealed on the day of the Lord. When will that be? I don't know—and anyone who claims to know the date should be ignored. There have been many, and they've always been wrong. Only God knows, and his knowledge is good enough for me to wait in.

The King Will Reign Forever

When he comes, he won't just make you and me new—he'll make all things new. John saw a new heaven and a new earth. I believe he'll restore creation to its pre-fall, pre-sin, pre-curse glory, the way God made it when seven times in Genesis 1 he said, "It is good." But in Genesis 3, sin entered through the temptation of the devil. Humanity rebelled, and we lost dominion over this place. Many theologians believe we ceded that dominion to that spiritual entity, so that now this world lies under the sway of the wicked one. Ephesians speaks of the principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age.

That same being tempted Jesus, taking him to a high mountain and offering him all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would bow down. Jesus refused—not because he won't one day take them, but because he will, in fulfillment of the prayer he taught us: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Point two: one day Jesus will rule and reign forever and ever. And it will take place here. The kingdom called the new Jerusalem will come from God out of heaven to earth. It's not that we float off to heaven; the kingdom comes to earth, and the Lord reigns forever.

Revelation 11 records it: "Then the seventh angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" That seventh trumpet is the last trumpet—the same one mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4. These prophetic landmarks let us piece together how it all joins. Different prophets see the same event from different perspectives—like dozens of cameras around a football field, each catching the same play from a different angle.

Repent, for the Kingdom Is at Hand

Because of the certainty of this, what was Jesus' message? The same as John the Baptist's in Matthew 3: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." One chapter later, in Matthew 4, Jesus says the same. As the King of that kingdom, he came and called us to turn and repent. Only those who turn from the course of the wicked one and turn to him in faith will receive his grace, forgiveness, and entrance into the kingdom when it comes.

Ultimately, Jesus will reign forever on a renewed earth where there is no more sin, suffering, sorrow, or tears. Revelation 21:3–4: "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with men... and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Our Eschatological Hope

This is our eschatological hope—from eschaton, the word for the last things. Point three: one day God will restore right order and undo the effects of the curse and stain of sin. I can't think of better news. As beautiful as this world is, it pales beside what it was before the fall and what it shall be when his kingdom comes. There is still horror here—natural evils like fires, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis; malevolent evils like war, rape, and murder. This world is under sin and under the curse. But one day God will undo it.

In light of this, what is creation's response? It groans. Romans 8 says the whole creation was subjected to futility and decay because of sin, but it groans for the apokalypsis—the revealing—of the sons and daughters of God. When we are transformed in the twinkling of an eye, all of creation is looking forward to it. And it's not just creation: Romans 8:23 says we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of the body.

Store Up Treasure and Seek First the Kingdom

It's easy to lose sight of these true and faithful promises amid the busyness and brokenness of a fallen world. The psalmist speaks of passing through the valley of Baca—the valley of bitterness—and through the valley of the shadow of death. That's where we are. But we have this hope: we shall be with him in his kingdom forever, as Psalm 23 promises.

Point four: one day, perhaps sooner than we expect, Jesus will come again. When? How? I have no idea. But these words are true and faithful, so I can bank on them. Remember the global financial crisis of 2008–2009—institutions too big to fail that failed, investments suddenly uncertain. This world is uncertain under the brokenness of sin, but there is a bank of eternal securities far more certain. That's why Jesus said, "Store up your treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Yes, we groan, longing to see the Lord and his kingdom. We wonder what happens to loved ones who die, where they are now, and how we ought to occupy our time here. Those are important kingdom questions we'll take up next time. For now I'll say this: seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be taken care of. Do not worry about tomorrow. Set your mind on things above, not on the things of this earth, because he will come again. He has promised it.

Closing Prayer

God, thank you for the little peek we have into the glories of the kingdom. In response, we say as your people, "Come, Lord Jesus." Three times in the very last chapter of the Bible you said, "Behold, I am coming quickly," and we respond, Maranatha—come quickly. But until you come, would you cause us to be ambassadors of your kingdom, manifesting its glory. In your presence is fullness of joy, so cause joy to be manifested in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters. Lord, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control—cause these virtues of your kingdom to abound in us as we represent you this week, at work, at school, wherever we are. Would you cause joy and peace to be the things we're known for, and not gossip or fear, but trust in the true and faithful sayings of your Word. For we ask this in Jesus' name, and all those that agreed said, "Amen."