WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.120 Good morning. 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:10.040 Well, it's good to be here at First Baptist Church and Pickens, and I just want to say 00:00:10.040 --> 00:00:15.040 thank you to Daniel for allowing me to come and preach in his absence this morning. 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:22.359 It's good to see you, and it's always good to be wherever Laura's going to sing before 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:23.019 I preach. 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:25.480 She's been doing that all her life. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:32.740 And Tommy and Laura both, they really like First Baptist Pickens, and my wife, Wanda, 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:33.880 sitting there with them. 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:41.620 I failed to mention in the first service that my son pastors, he pastors Corinth Baptist Church 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:44.120 in Seneca, been there about 15 years. 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:50.659 And my grandson, he is a 10th grader here at Pickens High School. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:53.579 He's the water boy with the football team. 00:00:53.579 --> 00:00:56.019 And we're so proud of them. 00:00:56.299 --> 00:01:01.420 And then, of course, Laura and Tommy's daughter, Katie, she's a junior at USC. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:02.579 We're so proud of her. 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:05.259 And she's a Pickens graduate, too. 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:10.359 So Pickens has been a part of our life, although we were stuck off down in Slabtown. 00:01:10.459 --> 00:01:11.780 How many of you have heard of Slabtown? 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:13.799 How many of you have been there? 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:16.799 Some of you think you've been there, and you haven't. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:18.719 You've got to know where it's at. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:20.120 But anyway, I was there. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:26.519 I was a missionary out of the Piedmont Baptist Association in 1980. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:30.079 And Wanda and I went down there, and we were missionaries down there to start with. 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:31.560 We did start the church. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:36.219 It was back before we had all these church planters here and there, you know. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:37.400 But I was one. 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:39.960 And I did a lot of associational work. 00:01:40.080 --> 00:01:42.180 I helped plant three other churches as well. 00:01:42.800 --> 00:01:46.880 But I was pastor at Slabtown, like I say, for over 40 years. 00:01:47.100 --> 00:01:50.700 But I retired three years ago from pastoral ministry. 00:01:51.160 --> 00:01:55.580 And I've been trying to fulfill the calling that God put upon my life some years ago, 00:01:56.160 --> 00:01:58.219 which I call prophetic evangelism. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:01.500 And I teach and preach prophecy. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:08.759 And I've just finished up at a couple of churches teaching relevant prophetic fulfillment and signs of the times. 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:17.659 I'll be beginning to preach the book of Revelation at Glenwood Baptist Church come first Wednesday in January. 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:21.120 And I'll probably be there through March to do that. 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:24.659 It'll be every Wednesday at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:27.620 And it'll be a good experience. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:31.759 I've taught the book of Revelation in several venues around. 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:35.120 And it's my retirement calling, if you will. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:41.120 I know today my title of my sermon is The Realization of Heaven. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:46.280 And it comes from Revelation chapter 4. 00:02:46.980 --> 00:02:50.620 And if you want to turn there, we'll read this in just a moment. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:53.360 But let me just give you a word of prophecy this morning. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:58.180 We are living in a prophetic season. 00:03:01.180 --> 00:03:07.780 When Jesus ascended back to heaven, the last days started then. 00:03:08.600 --> 00:03:14.680 But in 1948, 2,000 years later, Israel was reborn. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:27.260 When Israel was reborn, what the Old Testament prophets referred to as the latter years, we were catapulted into those latter years. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:28.020 We are there now. 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:29.700 We are in a prophetic season. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:36.119 And the soon return of our Lord is not something that just could happen any time. 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:37.199 It's going to happen soon. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:45.879 And if you're aware of what's going on on this planet and familiar with Scripture, you know what I'm talking about. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:56.019 But anyway, I always try to put a word of prophecy in whatever it is that I'm preaching, wherever it is these days. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:57.740 I know a lot of people. 00:03:57.780 --> 00:03:58.620 Not a lot of people. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:00.340 I know a whole bunch of you out there. 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:05.340 And I've known Brian for so many years I can't remember. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:14.080 But some of the members I ran into yesterday and told them I was going to be here and they left town. 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:16.480 Now you can read into that whatever you want. 00:04:17.160 --> 00:04:21.759 Anyway, turn with me if you will, like I say, to the book of Revelation chapter 4. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:23.139 Let me have a word of prayer. 00:04:23.620 --> 00:04:25.379 Heavenly Father, thank you now for the opportunity. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:27.500 Thank you, Lord, for the words you've given us. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:30.759 And I thank you, Lord, for the presence of the Holy Spirit. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:33.120 And may he lead God and direct us. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:36.439 And we will give you the praise, honor, and glory in Jesus' name. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:37.000 Amen. 00:04:38.340 --> 00:04:41.259 Revelation chapter 1 is the introduction, the salutation. 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:43.120 John's on the Isle of Patmos. 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:50.379 And the Lord appears to him and shows him the things which were, is, and is to come. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:55.420 And chapter 2 and 3 is the church age. 00:04:55.780 --> 00:04:58.420 It really covers the last 2,000 years. 00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:03.640 And we find ourselves in Revelation chapter 3 in the present now. 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:04.939 Verse 20 says, 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:06.540 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 00:05:06.580 --> 00:05:08.699 If any man will hear my voice and open the door, 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:14.120 I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me. 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:15.500 That's where we are. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:19.680 The gospel's being preached around the world and people are being saved. 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:25.900 And we are standing at the very threshold of chapter 4, verse 1. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:27.400 May we start there. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:29.939 After this, after what? 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:31.179 After the church age. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:34.419 We are in the Laodicean church period. 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:35.259 The last one. 00:05:35.659 --> 00:05:36.899 It's coming to a close. 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:40.039 After this, John said, 00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:44.659 I looked and behold, a door was opened in heaven. 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:47.699 The Greek story is standing open. 00:05:47.819 --> 00:05:49.099 It didn't just open and shut. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:51.099 It's standing open. 00:05:51.100 --> 00:05:57.060 And the first voice which I heard was, as it were, a trumpet talking with me. 00:05:57.200 --> 00:06:03.160 Turn to 1 Thessalonians 4, you'll find Jesus descending from heaven with a shout voice for the archangel. 00:06:03.260 --> 00:06:04.700 And the trump of God. 00:06:04.780 --> 00:06:05.720 That's it, right there. 00:06:06.580 --> 00:06:08.500 This is a description of the rapture. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.519 The king of the church said, come up hither. 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:12.519 Come up here. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:19.560 And I will show you the things which must be hereafter. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:22.480 And immediately I was in the spirit. 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:26.100 And behold, a throne was set in heaven. 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:27.759 And one sat on the throne. 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:32.720 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:36.660 And the king of James says sardian stone. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.460 Other translations are cardilian stone. 00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:41.600 They're both the same interchangeable in the Greek. 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:44.460 And it's a brownish red color. 00:06:45.340 --> 00:06:50.040 And there was a rainbow round about the throne in the like unto an emerald. 00:06:50.220 --> 00:06:52.120 That's green and a symbol of mercy. 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:56.200 And round about the throne were 4 and 20 seats. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:58.160 Greek is thrones. 00:06:58.300 --> 00:06:59.240 4 and 20 thrones. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:05.480 And upon those seats or thrones I saw 4 and 20 elders sitting clothed in white raiment. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:06.740 Or white clothing. 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:08.960 This is the clothing of saints. 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:10.879 Born again people. 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:15.639 And they had on their heads crowns of gold. 00:07:15.980 --> 00:07:18.079 The Greek is the Stephanos. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:19.480 The crown is Stephanos. 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:21.400 It's the victor's crown. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:22.920 The victor's crown. 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:27.939 And out of the throne proceeded lightings and thunderings and voices. 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:33.480 And there were 7 lamps of fire burning before the throne. 00:07:34.019 --> 00:07:36.060 Which are the 7 spirits of God. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:38.399 7 is a completion number with God. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:39.519 This is a reference. 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:41.100 I'm not going to try to explain it to you. 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:42.740 Of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:42.899 --> 00:07:45.319 The Holy Spirit's a part of this as well. 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:47.600 Just like He is today as He dwells in us. 00:07:48.300 --> 00:07:50.399 And I feel the Holy Spirit here. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.240 I felt it in the first service. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:56.620 And when they sang the goodness of God just like you folks did a while ago. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:08:00.480 I could just feel the Holy Spirit leading us. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:02.340 And He wants to bless us today. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:07.000 And I think I said earlier that it's not by accident that you're here today. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:08.800 You didn't just decide to come to church. 00:08:09.340 --> 00:08:11.180 God arranged for you to be here. 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:12.400 He knows that you're here. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:14.480 And there's a word from the Lord for you. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:16.780 If you'll just keep your spiritual ears open. 00:08:16.779 --> 00:08:21.500 And before the throne there was a sea of glass likened to crystal. 00:08:22.099 --> 00:08:25.959 And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts. 00:08:26.659 --> 00:08:28.279 Some translations creatures. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:32.039 Full of eyes before and behind. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:34.559 And the first beast was likened to a lion. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:36.139 The second beast likened to a calf. 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:38.360 And the third beast had a face of a man. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:41.100 And the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:43.399 Some people say these are cherubim. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:45.579 But anyway. 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:50.519 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him. 00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:53.299 And they were full of eyes within. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:55.259 And they rest not day and night. 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:58.139 Saying holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:01.059 Which was and is and is to come. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:08.199 And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sit on the throne. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:10.480 Who liveth forever and ever. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:14.080 The four and twenty elders that represents the church now. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:18.000 Fall down before him that sit on the throne. 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:20.500 And worship him that liveth forever and ever. 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:23.980 And cast their crowns before the throne. 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:32.519 Remember Queen Elizabeth said she looked forward to casting her crown at the feet of Jesus. 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:38.299 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:40.960 For thou hast created all things. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:45.399 And for thy pleasure they are and were created. 00:09:45.939 --> 00:09:49.279 May God add his blessings to the reading of his word. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.759 The realization of heaven. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:54.000 The realization of heaven. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:10:00.939 The word realization means to understand something more fully. 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:04.260 It also means to obtain something. 00:10:04.920 --> 00:10:06.780 Now if you're a Christian in here today. 00:10:06.880 --> 00:10:08.640 You know Jesus Christ is your Savior. 00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:09.940 And Lord. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:14.380 Then you're going to obtain heaven one of these days. 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:16.440 It's the point of man wants to die. 00:10:16.540 --> 00:10:17.740 And then we stand before God. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:20.500 It's not an if or anything like that. 00:10:20.540 --> 00:10:21.800 It's just a matter of time. 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:24.080 And you will stand before God. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:26.200 And for those of you that know Christ. 00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:30.800 You will be obtaining heaven at that time. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.200 Now I want to ask a question. 00:10:34.400 --> 00:10:37.680 To kind of get our minds oriented. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:43.680 What will heaven be like? 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.040 Think about that a minute. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.820 What's it going to be like? 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:52.000 We've been to enough funerals. 00:10:52.140 --> 00:10:55.460 We know that there's no fear there. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.740 There's no worry. 00:10:56.940 --> 00:10:57.760 There's no pain. 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:58.700 There's no sickness. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.740 There's no sorrow. 00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:01.560 And the list goes on. 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:02.920 And that's true. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:05.860 But go a little further. 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:07.420 What's it going to be like? 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:09.300 What's it going to look like? 00:11:09.300 --> 00:11:09.320 What's it going to look like? 00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:15.620 I went to the Grand Canyon a few years ago. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:17.600 And I heard about the Grand Canyon all my life. 00:11:20.260 --> 00:11:21.379 I've seen pictures. 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.060 Documentaries. 00:11:24.260 --> 00:11:27.200 And National Geographic does the best in the world with pictures. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:31.320 But none of them really done it justice. 00:11:32.540 --> 00:11:34.480 When I walked up there to the rim. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.800 And I was on the rim too. 00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:36.540 And looked at. 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:40.500 You just have to see it. 00:11:40.579 --> 00:11:41.399 If you've never been. 00:11:41.599 --> 00:11:44.639 You've got to go see the Grand Canyon. 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:48.360 It's indescribable. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.399 Jesus said. 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:57.579 If it were not so. 00:11:57.659 --> 00:11:58.199 John 14. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.339 If it were not so. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.879 I would have told you. 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:03.179 Now you can believe Jesus. 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:08.239 It's something that we've got to realize. 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:10.739 That is real. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:11.139 Now. 00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:16.199 What's it going to feel like? 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:18.379 What's it going to feel like? 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.139 Is it going to be cold? 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:26.299 Do I have to wear a sweater there? 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.879 Is it going to be a little warm? 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.519 Do I have a little fan? 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:31.620 Then. 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:36.019 My son. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.340 He wears. 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:40.340 Short sleeves and shorts. 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:42.240 All winter long. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.860 I freeze to death. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:49.059 One and I remember. 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:50.259 First Baptist easily. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.699 On Sunday morning. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.600 I always wear a coat. 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:55.419 Long sleeves or something. 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.519 In the middle of the summer. 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.799 You freeze to death in there. 00:12:59.439 --> 00:13:00.740 I'm afraid it's going to freeze the gospel. 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:06.759 It's going to feel like something. 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:09.120 It's going to feel like something. 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:10.899 You say. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:11.960 Well it's going to be comfortable. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:12.379 Yeah. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:12.940 It'll be. 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.720 Special comfortable. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:15.200 I know. 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:15.519 But it. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.419 But I'm trying to get it across to us. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.039 It's going to feel like something. 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:19.759 To be there. 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.860 How about this? 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.759 It's going to smell like something. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:31.259 Every place has a smell. 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:34.360 My mama's home had a smell. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:36.259 I go to Home Depot. 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.080 Smells like lumber. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:40.440 When I graduated from high school. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.960 I had my favorite honeysuckle patch. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.580 It was a big old honeysuckle patch. 00:13:47.900 --> 00:13:49.060 And when I graduated. 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:49.860 I went out there. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:53.720 I had no intentions of ever going to school again in my life. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:55.200 I wanted to go to work. 00:13:55.300 --> 00:13:57.180 Buy me a brand new car. 00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:57.940 And I did. 00:13:57.940 --> 00:14:01.760 But when I jumped into that. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:04.340 Patch of honeysuckles. 00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:06.280 That graduation day. 00:14:06.900 --> 00:14:07.760 I laid back. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:09.340 I probably laid there an hour smelling. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.160 Freedom. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:13.540 Freedom. 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:18.180 Never dreaming that I'd go to school the rest of my life. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.600 But every time. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.640 I got a little honeysuckle patch in my backyard. 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:23.820 I go out there smelling. 00:14:24.140 --> 00:14:24.540 Freedom. 00:14:24.540 --> 00:14:24.720 Freedom. 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.240 Where'd you go? 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:31.920 Heaven's going to smell like something. 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.580 Surely there's no skunks there. 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:37.580 They're going to be healed. 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.200 All of them. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:43.500 Will it smell like roses? 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.780 Will it smell like perfume? 00:14:44.880 --> 00:14:45.200 I don't know. 00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:46.480 But folks. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:48.760 Heaven is going to have a smell to it. 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.320 Think about that. 00:14:52.020 --> 00:14:54.140 I'm trying to get us to realize heaven. 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:59.800 How about the sound? 00:14:59.900 --> 00:15:01.160 What's it going to sound like? 00:15:04.260 --> 00:15:08.200 Is it going to be silent? 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:09.400 So silent you. 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:11.340 I don't think so. 00:15:11.760 --> 00:15:15.160 Is it going to be as loud as a NASCAR race? 00:15:15.160 --> 00:15:18.260 Or one of these big rock concerts or something? 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:19.399 I don't know. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:21.220 But it's going to sound like something. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:24.960 I just got a feeling that there's going to be some beautiful music to hear. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:28.039 I can't imagine worship without music. 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.519 Although it can be done. 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.580 I just can't imagine it. 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:41.179 Heaven is going to feel like something, smell like something, and sound like something. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:45.519 We must admit we don't know everything about heaven. 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:51.819 The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12, verses 2 through 4, 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.139 he was caught up to the third heaven. 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.559 The third heaven is where God lives. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:57.679 The first heaven is the atmosphere around this planet. 00:15:57.819 --> 00:15:59.539 The second heaven is outer space. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.319 The third heaven is where God lives. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:03.000 This is where Paul was caught up to. 00:16:03.099 --> 00:16:03.919 Be absent in the body. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.979 Be present with the Lord. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.219 And that's where he's at. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.639 He said he couldn't describe it. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:13.039 Matter of fact, the translation of that there basically means, 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:16.159 if I tried to describe it, Paul says, 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:18.699 if I tried to describe it, it would be criminal. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:22.379 It'd just be a crime for me to try. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:26.220 I'd make such a blunder of trying to describe such a place. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.799 He said it's unlawful. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.220 Now the Bible does tell us a few things. 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:39.700 Genesis 1 tells us that heaven was created by God. 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.740 Matthew 6, 9 says this is God's home. 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.980 It's where God lives. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.379 2 Corinthians 12, 4, Psalms 20, verse 6, Revelation 7, 17 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:56.840 tells us that heaven is high, holy, happy, perfect, and a paradise. 00:16:56.840 --> 00:17:07.960 Hebrews 4, 3, Matthew 11, 28 tells us that heaven is a place of rest, 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.940 where you rest from your labors. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:13.759 Now I want to tell you, there's nowhere in the Bible that it says 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:16.519 that we will play a harp and ride a cloud all day. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.980 It's not in there, folks. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.600 If you were planning on that, I'm sorry. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.380 That'd be boring. 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:24.120 I don't think heaven's going to be boring. 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:31.459 Christians, you are going there. 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.879 You are going there. 00:17:35.179 --> 00:17:37.419 I think you need to try and realize it. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:40.799 When I was a young person, I didn't think about heaven whatsoever. 00:17:41.739 --> 00:17:45.279 But the older I get, and I know I don't look my age, 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:50.199 I think about it a lot. 00:17:51.479 --> 00:17:52.679 I think about it a lot. 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:55.360 Books that are about heaven, I read them. 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:57.660 I'd like to know all I can. 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:03.039 Along with what the Bible does tell us about heaven, 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:05.700 we can gather clues if we'll just think. 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.299 Just think. 00:18:09.860 --> 00:18:12.019 If you're not a Christian here today, 00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:15.279 let me say this to you. 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:17.720 You can go to heaven. 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:20.880 Now the alternative is hell. 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.460 I'm not going to be talking about hell today. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.140 I'm talking about heaven. 00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:28.440 Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.259 And anyone that comes, 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:32.039 no one that comes to the Father except by me. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:34.240 You're not going to heaven unless you go through Jesus. 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:39.079 Let me share a couple of realities with you 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:42.940 about heaven before we leave. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.640 First one is this. 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.559 Heaven is a real place. 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.400 Heaven is a real place. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:50.140 I quoted John 14 too a while ago. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.980 If we're not so, I would have told you. 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:54.580 Can everybody get their hand, hold it up like this, 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.799 and get your pincher and do that? 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.700 Now I want you to reach up here. 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.640 Everybody, get them up. 00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:00.200 Pinch yourself. 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:01.000 Right there on the cheek. 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.299 Ooh, pinch your heart. 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:02.740 Ooh. 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.559 Man, you're real, aren't you? 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.120 You're real. 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:09.819 This place is real. 00:19:10.959 --> 00:19:13.019 Folks, heaven is real. 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:15.279 It's real. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:24.219 It's not a figment of our imagination or fantasy land. 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.839 It's a real place. 00:19:26.719 --> 00:19:30.119 Abraham said, look for a city which has foundations, 00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:32.799 whose builder and maker is God. 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.759 It's a stable place. 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.559 It don't change. 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.519 It's permanent forever. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.139 That's exciting to me. 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:40.500 Have you made your reservations to go to heaven? 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:44.319 Second thing, second realization is this. 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:47.519 Heaven is a huge and a beautiful place. 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:51.400 Jeremiah 31, 37 says, heaven cannot be measured. 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:53.099 You can't measure it. 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.839 It's huge. 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.119 It's like angels. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:58.799 The Bible says the angels are countless. 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:05.460 Yet Lucifer fell from heaven and took a third of a countless number of angels with him. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:09.700 Now, if there's somebody who can tell me what a third of a countless number is, 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:11.379 I'll give you a prize of some kind. 00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:17.400 Some people think the new Jerusalem is heaven. 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.280 That's all it is. 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.400 But it's not. 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.520 It's a city. 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:23.440 It's 1,400 square miles cube. 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:25.200 Revelation 21, 16. 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:30.120 It says in Revelation 21, it comes down out of heaven toward the earth. 00:20:30.320 --> 00:20:31.500 It'll probably orbit the earth. 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.000 I don't know. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.359 But anyway, it's a city. 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.680 It's a city. 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:37.839 If there's one city there, maybe there are other cities there. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:43.680 Luke tells us in chapter 19, he says, Jesus said, I'm going to give you some of you over five cities, 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.900 some of you over ten cities. 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:49.359 Some people believe those are millennial cities on the earth. 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.619 But what if they're not? 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.400 What if they're in heaven? 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:55.559 Heaven's a big place, too. 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:58.099 It's the home of the saints. 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.419 It's the home of the church. 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:01.119 New Jerusalem is. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:05.639 But it's not heaven proper. 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:13.779 Even in your glorified body, even in that glorified body that you're going to have, 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:20.480 heaven will take your breath at just the beauty and the size of it. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.919 Guarantee it. 00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:25.480 Do you want to see heaven? 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.539 Do you know Jesus? 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:32.319 The third realization is this. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:35.399 Heaven is a populated place. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.319 Populated. 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:43.399 There'll be angels there, Revelation 5, 6, 5, 11. 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:49.339 There'll be creatures or beasts, whatever you want to call them in our text today. 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.500 They may be cherubim. 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.740 Who knows? 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:55.620 There'll be Old Testament saints there. 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.099 John 3, 29. 00:21:57.299 --> 00:22:00.799 They are the guest at the marriage supper, these Old Testament saints. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.460 Abraham, Isaac, all those people. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.039 Then there'll be the New Testament saints. 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:08.839 We've just read there in chapter, opening to chapter 4, the rapture takes place. 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.879 The church goes. 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:09.959 The church goes. 00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:14.879 Our loved ones will be there. 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:24.619 At funerals, preachers usually talk about the great reunion that's going to take place and see our loved ones that's gone on before us. 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:26.459 We will see them if you go to heaven. 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:30.860 Yes, heaven is a populated place. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:34.140 But I'm telling you what, there's plenty of room there. 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:37.240 Jesus says, lay your treasures up in heaven. 00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:43.160 Maybe he meant that you will have an outbuilding next to your mansion somewhere. 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.240 We've got a mansion, he said. 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.079 He's preparing it. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.940 And there's where you can lay up your treasures. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:53.539 The things you're doing here make a difference, even in heaven, folks. 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.039 Plenty of room. 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:57.460 Will you be there? 00:22:58.840 --> 00:23:00.019 A fourth realization. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.500 Heaven is a place of worship. 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:07.039 Our text, verses 8 through 11 there especially, getting started. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:13.779 Worship is a significant theme throughout the book of Revelation. 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:16.039 Over 30 mentions of it. 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:33.039 The most outstanding, magnificent, spectacular sight in heaven is the throne and most of all, the one that sits on the throne. 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.640 Jesus. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:37.500 Jesus is God. 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:38.980 Jesus told us. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:41.539 He said, if you've seen me, you've seen the Father. 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:45.539 What a sight that will be. 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:51.480 The throne is emerald green, symbol of mercy. 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.740 Listen. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:03.980 Worship goes on in heaven. 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.820 It's priority with God. 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:12.200 Everything in our Christian life stems from our relationship with the Lord. 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.240 You realize that? 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:19.200 Everything in our life stems from our relationship with God in worship. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.319 In worship. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.579 Romans 12, 1. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.039 Paul says, lay your lives on the altar. 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.019 A living sacrifice. 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.859 Holy, acceptable. 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:32.920 And to God, which is your, King James says reasonable. 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:35.160 The Greek says worshipful service. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:37.380 Everything we do. 00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:39.820 Christians, we need to lay our life out there. 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:43.600 He needs not only to be our Savior, he needs to be our Lord. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.560 Is he the Lord of your life today? 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:57.000 Our Bible study, our evangelistic efforts, whatever they are, our prayer life, church. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:25:01.920 It should be a worship experience for us. 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.380 How important is worship to you? 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:15.980 I have found in my years of ministry, now more than ever, so many Christians really don't know how to worship God. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:18.819 When I was a pastor, I began to preach about worship. 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:24.740 Worship is turned into entertainment for our modern world. 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:28.059 We're missing something. 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.519 Missing something that could make our lives so different. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:34.299 But there will be a lot of worship going on in heaven. 00:25:37.179 --> 00:25:40.460 And lastly, the one that I just mentioned. 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:43.799 Jesus, the one sitting on that throne. 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:51.339 I look forward to seeing Jesus in person. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:56.440 I told Brian earlier, I said, old Jack, his dad, I knew him a long time too. 00:25:58.919 --> 00:25:59.919 He's seen Jesus. 00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:01.299 He's seen him. 00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:06.559 All those loved ones that have gone on before you, they've seen Jesus in person. 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:08.059 Wow. 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.940 Wow. 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.059 Wow. 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:13.039 Well, I want to close. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:18.399 And Brian, and you prepare, and Jeff. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:22.220 I want to ask you, are you going to heaven? 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:25.480 I just scratched the subject this morning, folks. 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.480 Just scratched it. 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.200 Are you going to heaven? 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:31.919 Do you know Jesus? 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:35.639 Dwight L. Moody's favorite sermon was heaven. 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:40.680 I told this earlier, I'll tell it again. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:42.440 There was this church. 00:26:42.560 --> 00:26:46.220 They were about to have a guest preacher coming on a special Sunday. 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.019 It wasn't a revival. 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.340 It was a special Sunday. 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.759 And they had a gentleman there. 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.440 He'd come regular. 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:53.560 I mean, he was there every time the doors were open. 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:55.500 But he loved to praise the Lord. 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.060 Amen. 00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:56.960 Amen. 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.740 Hallelujah. 00:26:58.620 --> 00:27:01.980 Well, that church, they got used to him doing that. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.120 And they didn't think nothing of it. 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:08.119 But this preacher that was coming was a big-name, big-shot preacher. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.599 I mean, they were lucky to get him. 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:16.579 And so the preacher got to thinking, man, I don't want him to embarrass us. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:19.139 So he pulled him aside and said, listen, called him by name. 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:24.139 We love to hear you praise the Lord. 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:30.880 But I don't know how this preacher that's coming would feel about it. 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.520 I'll tell you what I'll do. 00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:34.200 And this old man, he had boots. 00:27:34.280 --> 00:27:37.720 He wore boots to church, and they were just nasty old boots, tore up. 00:27:39.060 --> 00:27:47.580 He said, if you will keep quiet during that service, I'll buy you a brand-new pair of boots. 00:27:48.780 --> 00:27:51.000 And the man said, wow, a brand-new pair of boots. 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:52.900 Yeah, I'll do it. 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:55.340 So everything was going, moving along. 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:59.740 So here comes the preacher, stands up there, and he announces his sermon. 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:02.140 Today I'm going to be preaching on heaven. 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.740 And boy, did he preach on heaven. 00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:06.420 He was tearing up. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:11.380 And about midway through, that old man, he stood up and said, boots are no boots. 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:11.920 Hallelujah. 00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:12.860 Praise the Lord. 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:15.900 Because he loved to hear about heaven. 00:28:16.040 --> 00:28:19.400 Well, that's what we need to be doing. 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.340 Thinking about heaven. 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:23.559 Looking forward to going to heaven. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.099 Are you prepared? 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:31.039 The thought crosses my mind. 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:35.000 I talked about what you're the first sight in heaven. 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:37.279 Where you're going to see Jesus on that old throne. 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:40.679 What about a person that's not a Christian? 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.740 What about a person that's going to hell? 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:45.659 What's the first sight they see in hell? 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.179 Think about that. 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.359 That just crossed my mind. 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:53.359 If the Lord's speaking to you and he's here, I feel his presence. 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:59.599 You might just want to come and thank him for the goodness. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.979 With that song talked about, that goodness of God. 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:05.119 Oh, he's been good to me and I know he's been good to you. 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.399 But whatever, would you come? 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.000 Jeff's going to come, stand down front. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.479 He's going to lead us in our singing. 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.559 And may God's will be done. 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.079 Thank you. 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:38.619 Thank you.