Bible Study January 8, 2025
The New Heaven and the New Earth
21 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
If these verses look familiar they are I used them yesterday. As I woke up this morning I was thinking about my mother and dad. They died in 1986 thirty days apart. They had both been sick and suffered from cancer. I see a number of reports and information on those suffering from cancer. Our parents were not unique, many families have faced cancer in the lives of a loved one.
As a pastor I usually do message series over a period of time and try to look at topics as deeply as I can. My next series beginning on January 19th will focus on heaven. I mention this as I will be sharing about several thoughts on heaven and offering people a way to enter into heaven.
Today I remember hearing and maybe even said it “My mother (dad) is no longer in pain.” But then I asked myself “What about those who have passed the same thing has been said but what if their eternal home is not in heaven. Look at verse four above “no more pain.”
The pain of death on earth is nothing compared to the death in an eternal hell. So, what is my point in this? We need to spread the gospel message to as many as we can, as soon as we can. I will be meeting later today with a son and his dad concerning the Celebration of Life service for his mom and dad’s wife. I do not know yet of her spiritual condition I can only hope at this point that she was a believer and had put her faith and trust in God.
Last Saturday night we had a young lady speak who is involved with Circuit Riders and she explained a simple plan to share the Gospel with others. You might check out what Shiloh Allen said from the video on our Facebook page. It is simple, concise , and to the point. The point I am trying to make is a simple one – you may be the only contact, opportunity a person has to find a relationship with Jesus. Make the offer that is what we are called to do.
God Bless you in you efforts.
Asbury Chapel 