"The Prepared Place" - Pt2

Scripture Text: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." John 14:2-4 (KJV)

You may have noticed in the scripture text for today that I have added that 4th verse of John Chapter 14. Let me emphasize it because I think that it speaks volumes to our lesson here for today on Heaven. Jesus said, 
"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

What was he talking about? Well ol' doubting Thomas jumped in there and he said,

"Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (vs 6,7)

Now, I don't want to go into it any deeper than that yet because I want to talk to you this morning about Heaven.

When studying Prophecy I have seen some descriptions of Heaven that  boggle the mind. Let me just mention a few. What about the Throne Room of God? John says,

"...behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." Rev 4:2-5 (KJV)

Then John goes on to mention the Sea of Glass. Listen to this awesome spectacle of the Place that is Prepared for You and for me.

"...before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev 4:6; 8-11 (KJV)

Oh and what a glimpse of the Heavenly Host...

"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;" Rev 5:11 (KJV)

"And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Rev 7:1-3 (KJV)

And what about this...

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Rev 7:9-11 (KJV)

Oh but we're not finished. Look at what he WORD says about the Brightness of His Glory lighting all of Heaven...

"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." Rev 22:1-5 (KJV)

Friend, I know that I have gone long here this morning - but I could never tell you the story of Heaven like the WORD itself can. I don't know about you but what I read in these passages and others I didn't have time to mention here this morning - testify to the "Beauty" and "Majesty" of that "Prepared Place" waiting just on the other side for You and for Me.

The Biblical description of Heaven boggles the mind - and that's partially why many intellectuals and secularists can't seem to get hold of it: it's understandable and here's why.

People don't generally buy a car without at least kicking the tires. People don't generally purchase or even rent a home - sight unseen. It's our nature to be inquisitive - so why should anyone determine their eternal destination in any other way?

My first answer to that is, "What are your options?"

Well there are many which I won't elaborate on here today, but a quick synopsis reveals that people's beliefs in the after life stem all the way from a spirit that dies "with the body" and life is OVER FOREVER... to various levels of "greatness" in heaven according to your deeds here on Earth. There are those who believe that the afterlife means a reward of 72 virgins and a couple of camels and several goats. (not sure I got the number of camels and goats right, but I'm sure that wasn't at the top of their inventory list once they got there and start unpacking). I've even spoken with a couple who believed that when they die - if they were good in this life, they would be reincarnated as a bird and if they were bad they would be reincarnated as a dog. There are even those who really don't care one way or the other what happens when they die. But the ones that trouble me the most are the Christians. Those who have been in His presence in the sanctuary; those who have been saved from a life of drug addiction - or DELIVERED from alcoholism or the prognosis of death from a body filled with cancer. You would think that they, of all people, should believe and know "something" about that "Prepared Place".

Here's the answer: I mentioned it earlier in today's lesson.

Jesus said, "And whither I go ye know, (speaking of Heaven) and the way ye know."

That last part, "...and the way ye know;" was a "catch-phrase" to Thomas. That to him, was the clause filled with the fine print; the pause to scratch your head and go, "huh?"  What was Jesus talking about? Well, ol' doubting Thomas jumped in there and asked Him,

"Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (vs 6,7)

You see, it all came down to faith back then and it all comes down to faith today. Thomas didn't believe because he saw the pierce in Jesus side or the holes in His hands from the nails... that hadn't happened yet. Thomas believed because Jesus asked his disciples what people were saying about Him and they gave Him various answers as to what they had heard, but when challenged by Jesus "Whom do you say that I am?" Thomas heard Peter say with the greatest conviction, "You are the Christ, The Son of the LIVING GOD!". (ref., Mat 16:16)

But look at the verse in John about speaking of that same account. Peter here says, according to John,

"And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:69 (KJV)

You see my friend, that "Prepared Place" is "in you" even now. It is a very real place in Glory - but you cannot come to God accept through Christ. He is not JUST the KEY, He is The DOOR! That door my friend is framed by FAITH and covered with His Blood. No man will enter Heaven's Gates any other way. Do YOU BELIEVE?

Let's Pray.

Father, I know that I have gone long for many here today, but I ask that you will anoint this message by the power of Your WORD and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that many will solidify their faith in Heaven once and for all by believing that You are the Door and that it is  through Faith alone they can enter the gates of that City. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

 

 

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