May 6, 2007 

"Heaven on Earth?"

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Revelation 21: 1-6
 

Opening Illustration

People envision perfect world.

Early Christians envisioned world where God had solved all problems. (Slide)

Christians drew form OT images of world made perfect by God. (Slide)

Revelation written to churches in Asia Minor – Turkey

Churches suffering persecution by Romans. Revelation contains various coded messages about fate of Roman Empire.

Author wrote letter to give hope to churches.

Author has visions of perfect world – believed it would happen soon.

Before heaven on earth:

 world would suffer plagues,

Christians would suffer persecutions,

God would hold everyone who ever lived responsible for their actions

New heaven and new earth – they are fused, not separated.

New Jerusalem – Jewish image of heaven on earth.

Two most attractive aspects of this vision:

Humanity is forever in God’s immediate presence.

God does away with all sadness, pain and death.

Symbolism shows that New Jerusalem is the church. Church was frequently seen as replacement of temple and Jerusalem itself.

If church is New Jerusalem, then this passage tells us something about how life in the church was supposed to be heaven on earth.

What can we learn about heaven on earth now?

Part of heaven on earth involves working for healing of conflicts in the world. (Slide) 

Part of heaven on earth involves comforting the afflicted. (Slide)

Part of heaven on earth involves sharing our faith around the world. (Slide)

My vision of heaven on earth for our community:

No more worries about money

Generations in the church work together and have real significant relationships.

We effectively work to heal rifts in our community.

We effectively care for the needy and vulnerable in our society.