September 10, 2006
"The Kingdom of Heaven 2"
Heaven—A Place Prepared For You—Part 10
Selected verses
How literally should we interpret the Bible?
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
—John 17:17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
—2 Timothy 3:16-17
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
—Revelation 22:18-19
The Kingdom of Heaven
1. What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
Three views:
- A-millennialism—The kingdom of heaven is fully operational now.
- Post-millennialism—God's Kingdom will be fully revealed in eternity.
- Pre-millennialism—Jesus will reign over a visible kingdom here on earth.
2. Not everything God promised about the kingdom is fulfilled in our lives or in the church.
The Old Testament promised:
- The tremendous renewal of nature.
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
—Isaiah 11:6
- Sickness, aging, deformity and despair will be removed.
Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.
—Isaiah 65:20
- Worldwide peace and amazing prosperity. War will be eliminated and the industries of war will be turned to peaceful endeavors.
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
—Isaiah 2:4
The New Testament promised:
- The imprisonment of Satan.
And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
—Revelation 20:1-3
- The reign of believers with Christ over the nations.
I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
—Revelation 20:4
- After Christ's enemies are conquered, He would establish a new heaven and new earth.
That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
—2 Peter 3:12-13
Application: The Apostle Peter says very clearly that our understanding of heaven should affect the way we live our lives.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
—2 Peter 3:14
Friends, the study of heaven should have a life-changing affect. We dare not do this study out of idle curiosity. We must take these truths to heart and allow them to change the focus of our lives. This life is preparation for eternity. Are you getting prepared?
"The Kingdom of Heaven"
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- Who is the oldest person you have ever gotten to know? What insight about life did you pick up from him or her?
- What do you like most about coming home after you have been away for a long time?
Digging Deeper: Read Isaiah 11:1-11 and Isaiah 65:17-25
- Who is spoken of in Isaiah 11:1-5?
- What stories, teachings or sayings of Jesus come to mind when you read verses 1-5?
- What is being spoken of in Isaiah 11:6-11? What do these verses tell you about human relationships under the rule of this righteous King? What do these verses tell you about the cause and extent of this King's reign?
- In Isaiah 65:17 and following, what emotion will typify the relationships of the restored people of God? What accounts for this new state of affairs?
- What promises echoed elsewhere in Isaiah are summed up in Isaiah 65:17-25? (See Isaiah 2:4; 11:6-9; 14:1; 30:19; 32:18)
- How does the account of the original creation and fall contrast as a background to this passage? What do we learn about God's purposes?
Applying It To My Life
- How did God's new creation come about in your life? (Look at 2 Corinthians 5:17)
- What is our God's heart toward people who do not yet know Him? (Look at 2 Peter 3:9) How is God's patience a display of His love? (2 Peter 3:10) How should these truths affect our lives as believers? (2 Peter 3:11)