Anticipating Heaven: Heaven and Beyond!

Heaven is a glorious paradise where we dwell in the presence of God, but that is not the final goal in God's plan of redemption. The final goal is a New Heavens and a New Earth where we dwell in glorified resurrected bodies! All human aspirations and dreams are wonderfully fulfilled... it's what we are hard wired for and it is forever!!

Isaiah 11:6-9,65:17,66:22-23
Revelation 21:1-8,22:1-5,5:9-10
2 Corinthians 12:1-4,5:6-8
Romans 8:17-25
Philippians 1:21,3:20-21
Luke 23:43,23:46
Acts 3:19-21
Matthew 19:28,5:5
Ephesians 1:10
1 Corinthians 6:2-3

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What happens to a Christian immediately after they die?
• What is the New Heavens and New Earth?
• How is this related to the present Earth?
• What will it be like?
• What are the implications for the fact that the reign of sin will be over?
• How should all of this affect Christians right now?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Holiness and (Is) Happiness

Heaven is a holy place; have you even considered that Holiness is Happiness and the sheer pleasure of living where there is no sin?

Isaiah 6:1-7
Psalm 11
Revelation 21:27,6:11
2 Corinthians 5:21
Philippians 3:8-9
Colossians 3:10
1 John 3:1-3
Hebrews 12:22-24
Ephesians 1:4

Perfect tranquillity and joy in heaven. — Charity, or holy and humble Christian love, is a principle of wonderful power to give ineffable quietness and tranquillity to the soul. It banishes all disturbance, and sweetly composes and brings rest to the spirit, and makes all divinely calm and sweet and happy. In that soul where divine love reigns and is in lively exercise, nothing can cause a storm, or even gather threatening clouds.

There are many principles contrary to love, that make this world like a tempestuous sea. Selfishness, and envy, and revenge, and jealousy, and kindred passions keep life on earth in a constant tumult, and make it a scene of confusion and uproar, where no quiet rest is to be enjoyed except in renouncing this world and looking to another. But oh! what rest is there in that world which the God of peace and love fills with his own gracious presence, and in which the Lamb of God lives and reigns, filling it with the brightest and sweetest beams of his love; where there is nothing to disturb or offend, and no being or object to be seen that is not surrounded with perfect amiableness and sweetness; where the saints shall find and enjoy all that they love, and so be perfectly satisfied; where there is no enemy and no enmity; but perfect love in every heart and to every being; where there is perfect harmony among all the inhabitants, no one envying another, but everyone rejoicing in the happiness of every other; where all their love is humble and holy, and perfectly Christian, without the least carnality or impurity; where love is always mutual and reciprocated to the full; where there is no hypocrisy or dissembling, but perfect simplicity and sincerity; where there is no treachery, or unfaithfulness, or inconstancy, or jealousy in any form; where there is no clog or hindrance to the exercises or expressions of love, no imprudence or indecency in expressing it, and no influence of folly or indiscretion in any word or deed; where there is no separation wall, and no misunderstanding or strangeness, but full acquaintance and perfect intimacy in all; where there is no division through different opinions or interests, but where all in that glorious and loving society shall be most nearly and divinely related, and each shall belong to every other, and all shall enjoy each other in perfect prosperity and riches, and honor, without any sickness, or grief, or persecution, or sorrow, or any enemy to molest them, or any busybody to create jealousy or misunderstanding, or mar the perfect, and holy, and blessed peace that reigns in heaven! And all this in the garden of God — in the paradise of love, where everything is filled with love, and everything conspires to promote and kindle it, and keep up its flame, and nothing ever interrupts it, but everything has been fitted by an all-wise God for its full enjoyment under the greatest advantages forever! And all, too, where the beauty of the beloved objects shall never fade, and love shall never grow weary nor decay, but the soul shall more and more rejoice in love forever!

Oh! what tranquillity will there be in such a world as this! And who can express the fullness and blessedness of this peace! What a calm is this! How sweet, and holy, and joyous! What a haven of rest to enter, after having passed through the storms and tempests of this world, in which pride, and selfishness, and envy, and malice, and scorn, and contempt, and contention, and vice, are as waves of a restless ocean, always rolling, and often dashed about in violence and fury! What a Canaan of rest to come to, after going through this waste and howling wilderness, full of snares, and pitfalls, and poisonous serpents, where no rest could be found!

And oh! what joy will there be, springing up in the hearts of the saints, after they have passed through their wearisome pilgrimage, to be brought to such a paradise as this! Here is joy unspeakable indeed, and full of glory — joy that is humble, holy, enrapturing, and divine in its perfection! Love is always a sweet principle; and especially divine love. This, even on earth, is a spring of sweetness; but in heaven it shall become a stream, a river, an ocean! All shall stand about the God of glory, who is the great fountain of love, opening, as it were, their very souls to be filled with those effusions of love that are poured forth from his fullness, just as the flowers on the earth, in the bright and joyous days of spring, open their bosoms to the sun, to be filled with his light and warmth, and to flourish in beauty and fragrancy under his cheering rays.

Every saint in heaven is as a flower in that garden of God, and holy love is the fragrance and sweet odor that they all send forth, and with which they fill the bowers of that paradise above. Every soul there, is as a note in some concert of delightful music, that sweetly harmonizes with every other note, and all together blend in the most rapturous strains in praising God and the Lamb forever. And so all help each other, to their utmost, to express the love of the whole society to its glorious Father and Head, and to pour back love into the great fountain of love whence they are supplied and filled with love, and blessedness, and glory. And thus they will love, and reign in love, and in that godlike joy that is its blessed fruit, such as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath ever entered into the heart of man in this world to conceive; and thus in the full sunlight of the throne, enraptured with joys that are forever increasing, and yet forever full, they shall live and reign with God and Christ forever and ever! Jonathan Edwards Heaven, a World of Love

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is Heaven a holy place?
• How can we go there if this is true?
• How will we be changed?
• What is it like to be perfectly holy?
• How is holiness and happiness related?
• What did you feel when heaven was being described?
• Do you want to go there?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: God's Home and Ours

Heaven is going home... to God's home, which is ours as well. What will you experience in heaven?

John 13:31-4:11,17:20-26
Psalm 23:6
2 Timothy 1:9
1 John 4:8

And this renders heaven a world of love; for God is the fountain of love, as the sun is the fountain of light. And therefore the glorious presence of God in heaven, fills heaven with love, as the sun, placed in the midst of the visible heavens in a clear day, fills the world with light. The apostle tells us that “God is love;” and therefore, seeing he is an infinite being, it follows that he is an infinite fountain of love. Seeing he is an all-sufficient being, it follows that he is a full and over-flowing, and inexhaustible fountain of love. And in that he is an unchangeable and eternal being, he is an unchangeable and eternal fountain of love.

There, even in heaven, dwells the God from whom every stream of holy love, yea, every drop that is, or ever was, proceeds. There dwells God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, united as one, in infinitely dear, and incomprehensible, and mutual, and eternal love. There dwells God the Father, who is the father of mercies, and so the father of love, who so loved the world as to give his only-begotten Son to die for it. There dwells Christ, the Lamb of God, the prince of peace and of love, who so loved the world that he shed his blood, and poured out his soul unto death for men. There dwells the great Mediator, through whom all the divine love is expressed toward men, and by whom the fruits of that love have been purchased, and through whom they are communicated, and through whom love is imparted to the hearts of all God’s people. There dwells Christ in both his natures, the human and the divine, sitting on the same throne with the Father. And there dwells the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of divine love, in whom the very essence of God, as it were, flows out, and is breathed forth in love, and by whose immediate influence all holy love is shed abroad in the hearts of all the saints on earth and in heaven. There, in heaven, this infinite fountain of love — this eternal Three in One — is set open without any obstacle to hinder access to it, as it flows forever. There this glorious God is manifested, and shines forth, in full glory, in beams of love. And there this glorious fountain forever flows forth in streams, yea, in rivers of love and delight, and these rivers swell, as it were, to an ocean of love, in which the souls of the ransomed may bathe with the sweetest enjoyment, and their hearts, as it were, be deluged with love! Jonathan Edwards Heaven, a World of Love

Think for a moment of how sweet and familiar the conception of heaven as the Father’s house makes it to us. There is something awful, even to the best and holiest souls, in the thought of even the glories beyond. The circumstances of death, which is its portal, our utter unacquaintance with all that lies behind the veil, the terrible silence and distance which falls upon our dearest ones as they are sucked into the cloud, all tend to make us feel that there is much that is solemn and awful even in the thought of eternal future blessedness. But how it is all softened when we say, ‘My Father’s house.’ Most of us have long since left behind us the sweet security, the sense of the absence of all responsibility, the assurance of defense and provision, which used to be ours when we lived as children in a father’s house here. But we may all look forward to the renewal, in far nobler form, of these early days, when the father’s house meant the inexpugnable fortress where no evil could befall us, the abundant home where all wants were supplied, and where the shyest and timidest child could feel at ease and secure. It is all coming again, brother, and amidst the august and unimaginable glories of that future the old feeling of being little children, nestling safe in the Father’s house, will fill our quiet hearts once more. Alexander MacLaren Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How does the Bible describe God's home?
• What is it like?
• What impact does God, who is Love, have on the experience of Heaven?
• What does it mean that Heaven is a renewal of our childhood?
• What else will you experience in Heaven?
• What is the pilgrim spirit as our forefathers used the phrase?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Seeing Jesus

The believer's sheer delight and longing for heaven is because we will see Jesus!

Revelation 5,1:13-17,21:22-23
Philippians 1:21-23
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
John 17:24
Matthew 17:2

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What is the biblical evidence that the believers long to see Jesus in heaven or that Jesus longs to see His people?
• Why is being person to person so special to us?
• What will it be like to see His glory and to have Him recognize you?
• Why is He described as a slain Lamb in heaven?
• What impact will that have on all believes?
• What if this doesn't move us?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: It's Really Quite Special!

Do you lack a positive anticipation for Heaven? This may partly be because you just don't know enough about Heaven to look forward to it. In this message we will explore Heaven as really quite special... to say the least!!

Revelation 4,5:11
Matthew 5:16,5:45,5:48-6:1,6:9,7:11,7:21,10:32-33,14:19,3:16-17,18:10,5:12,5:34
1 Peter 3:22,1:4
Luke 23:43,1:19
Hebrews 9:23-24,10:34
Acts 7:48-49

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why are folks not sure they actually want to go to heaven?
• What does it mean that heaven is a place, and God is there in a special way?
• Why are the current representations of heaven often unhelpful?
• What do we learn from the anthill and the resort?
• How about the King's throne-room?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Why We Should Think About Heaven

Do you think about eternity often? Probably not... but why not? Are you excited about going to heaven? If not really... why not? We will explore these questions and seek to anticipate Heaven!

Luke 12:13-34
Mark 8:36-37
John 14:6,3:16

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why should we think about eternity?
• Why should Christians think about Heaven?
• Why don't we think more about Heaven?
• What impact do our culture, technology, and relative wealth have on us?
• How does one get to Heaven?
• What does it mean that the way to Heaven is a Person?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

How Should I Live: Keeping One Thing Crystal Clear

As we study How Should I Live it is absolutely important that we are clear that salvation is not merited, but a gift! And our response is not a works righteousness but faith working through love and gratitude.

Romans 3:9-31
Matthew 21:28-32,7:22-23
Luke 12:21,18:19
Isaiah 64:6
Proverbs 4:19,11:5,12:26
Psalms 146:9,134:3,143:2
Jonah 2:9
Ephesians 2:8-9
Titus 2:14

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Who goes to heaven?
• Who goes to hell?
• How did Jesus turn the usual answer to these questions upside down?
• What are the realizations a person must come to in order to be saved?
• Salvation is a gift, a great gift, and expensive gift, a gift given by grace, a gift received by faith... explain how these were described in the sermon.
• What is the objective and subjective response to this gift?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Gospel in the Old Testament: The High Priest

In the Old Testament we clearly find the warning to never attempt to approach God alone... that is deadly. But when the ultimate High Priest is present you are called to approach boldly and full of assurance!!!

Exodus 29:1-28,28:1-38
Hebrews 9:23-24,5:1,9:22,9:11-12,8:1-2,2:17-18,4:15-16,7:22-28,10:19-22
John 5:39
Luke 24:44-45

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How was Aaron prepared to be the High Priest in terms of his clothes and sacrifices?
• Why was this significant, and how did it point to Christ?
• How is Jesus the ultimate and great High Priest in terms of: His person as God and Man, His sinlessness, His eternality, His sympathy, and the fact that He is both Priest and Sacrifice?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

2 Corinthians: My Grace is Sufficient for Thee

2 Corinthians includes Paul's vision of heaven and his thorn in the flesh. We will look at why Paul received this vision, and why Paul's thorn was not removed after much prayer. Often before God will use us in a great way, He will first put us in a position of dependence upon Himself.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Jonathan Powell
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Reductio ad Absurdum

Mark tells us that Jesus was faced with a pressing theological, and ultimate life, question. We will see the not only what He answers but how He based His answer... all of which is vitally important to us in many ways.

Mark 12:18-27
Acts 23:8
2 Timothy 3:16-17
John 5:39-40
Hebrews 11:13-16
1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why were the Sadducees sad?
• Why did they think their question was a good one to stump Jesus?
• What was Jesus' short answer?
• What did He say their mistake was?
• What can we learn for how Jesus used the Bible?
• Why do we have a hard time grasping what the age to come will be like?
• Why should we have hope as we look to the future?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Achieving Heaven: A Bright and Glorious Future

In the world of competing worldviews... the vision for the future of Christianity is breathtaking... for the others, theirs is pathetic. A New Heavens and a New Earth speaks to our deepest longings and is true!!

2 Peter 3:10-13
Romans 8:18-23,5:9-10
Revelation 21:1-8,22:3-5
Acts 3:19-21
Matthew 19:28,5:5,26:29
John 5:28-29
Isaiah 6:17,11:6-9

Are we to spend eternity somewhere off in space, wearing white robes, plucking harps, singing songs, and flitting from cloud to cloud while doing so? On the contrary, the Bible assures us that God will create a new earth on which we shall live to God's praise in glorified, resurrected bodies. On that new earth, therefore, we hope to spend eternity, enjoying its beauties, exploring its resources, and using its treasures to the glory of God. Since God will make the new earth his dwelling place, and since where God dwells there heaven is, we shall then continue to be in heaven while we are on the new earth. For heaven and earth will then no longer be separated, as they are now, but will be one (see Revelation 21:1-3). But to leave the new earth out of consideration when we think of the final state of believers is greatly to impoverish biblical teaching about the life to come. Anthony A. Hoekema The Bible and the Future

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why is the vision of the unbelievers worldview so sad and pathetic?
• What is the Bible's vision of the future?
• Why is the New Heavens and New Earth so exciting to us as humans?
• What are some of the things you look forward to?
• Why did the Pastor so emphasize to all of us to Get There?
• What is your hope that you will get there?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Achieving Heaven: Heaven is Being with Him

We will grow in our anticipation of Heaven as we grow in our love for Christ and long to see Him face to face.

Revelation 1:9-20,5:6
2 Corinthians 5:1-11
Philippians 1:21-23
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
John 13:33-14:6,17:24
Romans 5:7

It is interesting that the New Testament nowhere speaks of believers going 'to heaven' when they die. Instead, they go to be with Christ. Edward Donnelly

John Bunyan's Mr. Standfast, just before he dies, rejoices that 'I am going now to see that Head that was crowned with thorns and that face that was spat upon for me. I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith, but now I go where I shall live by sight and shall be with Him in whose company I delight myself.' Edward Donnelly

Sooner could a worm aspire to be a brain surgeon that a sinner expect to work his own passage to glory. Edward Donnelly

So then let 'Deserved' be written on the floor of hell, but on the door of heaven and life 'The Free Gift'. Richard Baxter

If you are in Christ, do not be afraid of death. He who has conquered that 'last enemy' is waiting for you on the other side. As soon as our souls pass into glory we will see Jesus. He who has known and loved us from before the beginning of time will welcome us into His immediate presence. We will not feel strange or out of place, but profoundly and permanently at home. We will know that we are where we belong, and everlastingly secure. Edward Donnelly

The joy of heaven is communing with Christ. The joy of earth should be communing with Him as well. Edward Donnelly

Modern Christians are ready to busy themselves in almost any religious activity but that of quiet communion with their Lord, regarded more a duty than a delight. They hope to go to heaven, claim to be looking forward to it eagerly. Yet the essence of the heaven they profess to long for is that communion with Christ in which they show so little interest! Something profoundly troubling underlies this spiritual apathy. Edward Donnelly

If we do not get to heaven before we die, we shall never get there afterward. Charles Spurgeon

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why is being with a person so superior to Skype?
• How does this impact our view of Heaven?
• What are the aspects of seeing and being with Jesus in heaven that are so special?
• What are the possible problems if we do not find this aspect of heaven attractive?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Achieving Heaven: Are You Sure You Want to Go to Heaven?

Many people believe there is a third option to choosing between heaven and hell: living in the here and now as if it won't end. Let's hear from three persons who have experienced heaven and get their view on why we need to make heaven our life-long goal.

Revelation 4,2:7
2 Corinthians 12:1-6
Luke 23:43
Ezekiel 1:26-28
John 17:22-24,14:1-3,14:6

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why do people not want to go to heaven?
• Who told us what heaven is really like?
• When heaven is called paradise, what is that word supposed to bring to mind?
• What does it mean that God's presence dominates heaven?
• Explain how glory, love, and holy describe God and the atmosphere of heaven.
• Do you want to go to heaven?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Love Gives

True love gives to its beloved. Jesus gave everything for us and the impact of this on us, when we grasp it, will be immense.

Luke 2:1-21
2 Corinthians 8:9
John 1:1-2,15:12-14
Galatians 2:20

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How was Jesus rich?
• In what way did He become poor?
• How are we poor?
• How has Jesus made us rich?
• What does it mean that love gives?
• How does all of this impact how we view Christmas?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: What Do You Want More than Eternal Life?

Is there anything you want more than eternal life? Do you realize how dangerous that is? Jesus speaks a word of warning and hope to us all in this passage in Mark.

1 Timothy 6
Mark 10:17-31
Romans 3:9-12
Luke 12:32-34

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What did the young man want more than eternal life?
• What are we tempted to put before God?
• Why are riches so dangerous?
• Why is it essential for us to realize that we cannot save ourselves and to come to God in our helplessness?
• Why did Jesus assure us that if we give up all, we will receive 100 fold?
• How does that work out?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

What Child is This: Pre-existence... or... Where Did He Travel From?

What child is this...? is the question the hymn writer asks. The answer begins in eternity past and in great glory. To appreciate what Jesus has sacrificed in just coming to earth we must look at the glory He had before His incarnation.

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John 1:1-18,6:38,14:9,17:5
Hebrews 1:1-3
Colossians 1:15-17
Revelation 4:1-6
Genesis 1
2 Corinthians 8:9

Love is in God, as light is in the sun, which does not shine by a reflected light, as the moon and planets do, but by its own light, and as the great fountain of light. And from God, love flows out toward all the inhabitants of heaven. It flows out, in the first place, necessarily and infinitely, toward his only-begotten Son; being poured forth, without mixture, as to an object that is infinite, and so fully adequate to all the fullness of a love that is infinite. And this infinite love is infinitely exercised toward Him. Not only does the fountain send forth streams to this object, but the very fountain itself wholly and altogether goes out toward Him. And the Son of God is not only the infinite object of love, but He is also an infinite subject of it. He is not only the Beloved of the Father, but He infinitely love Him. The infinite essential love of God, is, as it were, an infinite and eternal, mutual, holy, energy between the Father and the Son: a pure and holy act, whereby the Deity becomes, as it were, one infinite and unchangeable emotion of love proceeding from both the Father and the Son. This divine love has its seat in the Deity, as it is exercised within the Deity, or in God toward Himself. Jonathon Edwards Heaven, A World of Charity, or Love

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What was Jesus' life like in heaven before He came to earth?
• What does the Bible mean when it says Jesus was with God and He was God?
• From what you heard in this sermon, what would it be like to see God in heaven... what would you see, hear and feel?
• What are some of the contrasts between what Jesus experienced in heaven and what He experienced on earth?
• Why did He even come here... what motivated Him?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

1 Peter: Precious or Worthless?

Some see the Savior who was chosen by God to be precious and some see Him as worthless according to Peter. How and why and what are the implications of all of this?

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Matthew 2:23-46
1 Peter 2:4-10
Romans 9:30-33
1 Corinthians 1:18-24

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why do some see Jesus as precious and why do some see Him as worthless?
• How can people's opinions be so different?
• Which one is Jesus to you?
• Does your life reflect your words?
• What should our heart attitude be toward those who think He is worthless?
• What can we do to reach them?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Death is Gain: Our Stake in Heaven

How can you know you are going to heaven? How can you be really confident? Well, all who trust in Jesus have a stake in heaven...in fact many. In the west they used to stake a claim, which gave them legal rights to heaven. Christian, you have a claim staked in heaven as well. This message will examine many of the stakes we have in heaven.

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Revelation 19:7-9,21:27
John 3:14-18,14:2-3,17:24
Luke 10:20
Hebrews 12:22-24,10:32-35,6:17-20
Philippians 4:2-3,3:17-21
1 Peter 1:3-4
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Ephesians 2:19,2:4-6

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Death is Gain: Heavenly Rewards

What motivates us? Is it heaven and its treasures? Should heavenly rewards be a motivation for us? What kinds of things will be rewarded? What will the rewards be? Get prepared for some heavenly economics!

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Matthew 5:5,5:11-12,6:1-4,6:19-21,10:40-42
Romans 8:16-18
2 Timothy 3:12,4:6-8
Luke 12:33,18:22,6:35
1 Corinthians 3:8
2 John 1:8
Revelation 11:18,14:13
Hebrews 10:35
1 Peter 1:3-4

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Death is Gain: New Heavens and New Earth

Why did Jesus, the Son of God, come to earth? To save sinners...yes...but more! To take us to heaven...yes...but more! How about this?...Jesus came to fully restore the earth and universe to the original paradise intended by God!!! Yes, a New Heaven and a New Earth is the ultimate reason Jesus came and what a wonder and glory that will be!!

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Revelation 21:1-5,5:9-10
1 Timothy 1:15
2 Peter 3:10-13
Romans 8:18-23
Acts 3:19-21
Matthew 19:28,5:5,26:29
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Isaiah 66:22-24,11:6-9,65:17

Are we to spend eternity somewhere off in space, wearing white robes, plucking harps, singing songs, and flitting from cloud to cloud while doing so? On the contrary, the Bible assures us that God will create a new earth on which we shall live to God’s praise in glorified, resurrected bodies. On that new earth, therefore, we hope to spend eternity, enjoying its beauties, exploring its resources, and using its treasures to the glory of God. Since God will make the new earth His dwelling place, and since where God dwells there heaven is, we shall then continue to be in heaven while we are on the new earth. For heaven and earth will then no longer be separated, as they are now, but will be one (see Revelation 21:1-3). But to leave the new earth out of consideration when we think of the final state of believers is greatly to impoverish biblical teaching about the life to come. Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA