Touring the future Heavenly city

Revelation 21:9-10 9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” The New Jerusalem
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

Personal Note: Yesterday I flew home to my family after having buried my father's body last week. My dad is very much alive in the presence of Jesus. When Jesus returns, there will be a catching up of all the saints and my dad's soul/spirit will be reunited with a transformed, glorified resurrected body. As I think on the promises of scripture, I think about the city of God so often spoken of in the Bible. Revelation 21-22 gives the reader the most detailed description of that future heavenly home. If you have trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord, then what follows ought to thrill your heart. If you haven't trusted in Jesus as Savior and Lord, call upon Him and acknowledge your sin and separation from God, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 16:31) Why is what I just wrote so important? Because I would like to see you have the thrill that my dad, myself and other Christians have in knowing their ultimate destination - the future heavenly city! Check it out below!

Introduction & Review
In yesterday's post we listed some observations about the New Heaven's and New Earth.  We first of all noted 15 things that will be absent in the Eternal Heavenly Glory of Revelation 21-22.  Next we considered how the New Heavens and Earth are described by a theme of "better than", noting that in comparison to Genesis 3, God's aim is to have a "better than paradise".  These thoughts led us to the third consideration of how the New Heaven will be better than the current third heaven where believers go to now to be with the Lord.  We chose to pick up with today's post in further explaining how the New Heavens and Earth, particularly - the New Jerusalem, aid us in seeing just how glorious the Eternal heavenly Glory will be.

Pausing and reflecting on how the promise of heaven keeps our faith firmly planted in the ground
One morning I had occasion to share the text of Colossians 3:1-3 with some people: "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." This text can be equally used in practically applying the truths of the current heaven and the New heavens and earth described here in Revelation 21-22.  Reflecting upon both yields the same fruit - assurance, hope, encouragement and strength for the journey. 

Dr. John Piper notes concerning how Jesus functions as the anchor for the soul in Heaven in Hebrews 6:18-20 - "Now here is the burning question for me. Is the anchor of my soul as firmly attached to my soul as it is to the altar of God? In other words is the picture here of an anchor with its hook and chain bound unbreakably to the altar of God in the holy of holies so that nothing could loose it from that end, but with the rope just hanging out of heaven in the air? Is the only point of this text to say "Take hold of the loose end of this rope and you will have safety and firmness and assurance?" Piper later writes: "When he says in verse 19 that we have an "anchor of the soul" I think he means that the anchor is firmly anchored in heaven, and the anchor is firmly attached to the Christian's soul."1

The City whose builder and maker is God
We know from other scriptures that the concept of Heaven being likened unto a city is found throughout the Biblical authors.  According to Hebrews 11:9-10, Abraham the patriarch had been in search of it through faith.  We as Christians are already designated a citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem above. (Galatians 4:26; Philippians 3:20) Presumably these references are talking about the "third heaven" where believers in the Lord go when they die in Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:5-6; 12:4). Jesus then told his disciples in John 14:1-3 that He is going away to "prepare a place" which we can presume to be the grand city described in Revelation 21 and 22. 2   Evidently by being with Jesus through His Kingdom age (compare Revelation 20:1-6), where He is, we will be, and thus the whole point of Revelation 21-22 is to demonstrate that God in Christ with His people has come to tabernacle, and thus Heaven will characterize earth and earth's physical nature will characterize Heaven in the Eternal glory of these chapters. 

A quick tour of the New Jerusalem
We first of all note it is a Heavenly city. (Revelation 21:10-11) This is most likely the same city spoken of by Jesus in John 14:1-3. As a heavenly city is secondly a costly city, composed of solid diamond gemstones (Revelation 21:12) and other costly materials such as gems and transparent gold. (21:15-20) Thirdly it is a promised city, as seen by the names of the patriarchs and apostles inscribed on its gates and foundations. (Revelation 21:13-14)

The fourth thing we can note about this city is its size: 1500 miles in each direction, with the same length characterizing its height.  Quite literally this is a cube that is the size of North America or most of Europe.  The height of this city has led many sound interpreters to conclude that the city may be composed of multiple stories and levels. To wonder if there would be enough space to live, some rough calculations yield that if the New Jerusalem, with all of its levels being a mile of distance from top to bottom (and this 1500 levels high) had tracts of space laid out for 8 billion people, each person would easily have 250 acres! What we must realize of course is that God is a big God and that the whole point of large proportions in any of His creations is to display His glory. (Compare Psalm 19:1-6) So in being a heavenly, costly and promised city that is quite grand in scope, we can notice yet another trait, fifthly that this city is a God-centered city. (21:22-25) In as much as its studded gemstones and unfathomable beauty describe the New Jerusalem, without God as the light and the Lamb as the light, this city would never shine, would never be precious and would never be grand. We can note yet another trait, number six, that this city will be a life giving city. (22:1-5) Notice how this city has a healing tree, a river of life and unending light.

So let us quickly review what we have noticed thus far about the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21:9-22:5
1. Heavenly City
2. Costly City
3. Promised City
4. Large city
5. God-centered City
6. Living City


But now understand dear friend, John has been shown this glorious New heavens and earth with the glorious new Jerusalem, however right now that city is unoccupied.  Henceforth there is one last trait we must notice that will be true of this city, namely that God and the Lamb desire it to be an occupied city.  All those chosen in grace and so inclined to receive the free offer of such grace by faith will be in that city. Is that you? Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? If you haven't trusted in Jesus, please do so today!

Tomorrow we will consider the grand appeal to come and be a present citizen and future occupant of Eternal Heavenly Glory.

Endnotes:
1. http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/hope-anchored-in-heaven

2. Often in our songs of praise and even in our doctrines we tend to blend the truths of the third Heaven and the Jerusalem found here in Revelation 21:10-27 & 22:1-5. Clearly there are many similarities, however there are some differences to note as well.

Heaven - the Land of "better than" and "no more"

Revelation 21:4-5 "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

Personal note: As I noted yesterday, my dad went to be with the Lord several days ago. As he basks in the presence of Jesus, his 56 of 73 years of walking the Christian walk are deeply imprinted on my mind. These next several posts are written with the idea of purposefully reflecting on the teaching of the New Heavens and Earth in Revelation 21-22, as well as the Biblical teaching on Heaven in general. May the reader be blessed today as you read about how Heaven is the "better than land" and "the land of no more". 

Introduction & Review

In yesterday's post we did a brief overview of Revelation 21-22 to begin  a new series of posts. Though Revelation 21-22 occupies 2 of the 1189 chapters of God's Word, the "Age to Come" or what we're calling "Eternal Heavenly Glory" will know no end.  Here is a summary of the outline of Revelation 21-22 from yesterday:

I. Eternal Heavenly Glory Defined Revelation 21:1-3

II. Eternal Heavenly Glory Described Revelation 21:4-22:5

III. Final Invitation to Eternal Heavenly Glory 22:6-21

Yesterday we saw that in Revelation 21:1-3 a brief summary of the three main areas of Eternal Heavenly Glory to be described by John: New Everything (21:1); New City (21:2) and the throne of God and the Lamb (21:3). Those are the three main points John will use in this final vision of the New Heavens and Earth.  In today's post we aim to unpack that first element of "New Everything" (New Heaven's & Earth) in Revelation 21:4-22:5.

"The Land of No More"

Preachers of old have often referred to the New Heavens and New Earth in the Eternal Age to come as "the land of no more".  Consequently this title fits the context since so much referrence is made to what will not be present in the Eternal Heavenly Glory of these chapters.  By noting what is not in the glorious scene or what is "no longer" to remain, we can begin to grasp a little bit of what the Apostle John is communicating. Let the reader note the following things that will be "no more" or "no longer":

1. No longer any sea 21:1

2. No more death 21:4

3. No more mourning 21:4

4. No more crying 21:4

5. No more pain 21:4

6. No more past (i.e former things) 21:4

7. No more debt (i.e without cost) 21:6; 22:17

8. No temple 21:22

9. No sun 21:23; 22:5

10. No moon 21:23

11. No night 21:25; 22:5

12. Nothing unclean 21:27

13. No abomination 21:27

14. No curse 22:5

15. No lamps 22:5

As one preacher describes it: "No more sea means nothing to separate us; No more death means nothing to grieve us; No more pain means nothing to hurt us; No more night means nothing to frighten us and No more curse, therefore nothing to defile us."  

"The land of better than" 

Having considered what this heavenly glory will be missing, we can now consider what will be in the New Heavens and Earth.  Another theme that can be found in Revelation 21-22 is how this Eternal Heavenly Glory is better than anything we know of right now.  Oftentimes I have heard people say that the goal of God is to restore us back to paradise, being that in the first three chapters of Genesis we see paradise lost. I would suggest that God's goal is not merely to restore a paradise lost, rather His aim is to redeem that lost paradise and to make a "better than" paradise. A quick comparison of Genesis 3 and Revelation 21-22 will highlight this thought:

1. Genesis 3 there was death; Revelation 21:4 there is no more death and in 22:1 a river of life

2. Genesis 3 witnesses separation from God; whereas Revelation 21:3, 22:1 sees reconciliation to God

3. Genesis 3 see no access to the tree of life; whereas in Revelation 22:2 there is full access

4. Disease, sickness and pain come out of Genesis 3; whereas healing, wholeness and harmony come out of Revelation 22:2

5. Nothing but curse in Genesis 3; No more curse in Revelation 22:3

6. Broken fellowship persists in Genesis 3; Full fellowship in Revelation 22:3

7. Veiled faces of shame mark Genesis 3; unveiled faces mark Revelation 22:4

8. Darkness sinks into Genesis 3; No more Darkness in Genesis 22:5

9. Mankind lost his position in the first Adam in Genesis 3; All who are in the New Adam by Grace through faith are restored and more in Revelation 22:5

"Better than Heaven"

To add to this "better than theme", the New Heavens and Earth are going to be "better than heaven".  We know of 4 places in scripture defined by the term "heaven".  There is the 1st heaven or sky, the 2nd heaven or universe and the 3rd heaven or where believers go right now to be with the Lord.  In as much as the third heaven is a glorious place (2 Peter 1:11-12) beyond description (2 Corinthians 12:4), we know that the New Heavens spoken of here in these last two chapters of Revelation are beyond and better. 

To illustrate, when my family and I lived in Florida years ago, we would go sometimes to the part of Disney world called "down town Disney". That area was a little town-like place located immediately outside the park.  What many people don't realize is that one can enjoy a taste of the full Disney experience in places like Down Town Disney.  When we would go there we could spend all day without having to pay admission. We also would get on the park monorail and ride for free through the palatial hotel lobbies that dotted the outer perimeter of the vast acrage of Disney.  We could not get over how enjoyable it was. 

However a group of our friends decided to purchase tickets for Debi and me (they took the kids!) to enjoy The Epcot Theme Park and one of its Grandest Hotels. Let me tell you, the experience made Down Town Disney pale in comparision.  Though I had lived only an hour away from Orlando, when I got inside the actual park, I could see why people the world over will spend untold amounts of money to make what could very well be a trip of a life time.  And to think there were two other parks (The Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios) that we had not even seen!

Do you know dear friend, the place where our Christian loved ones and friends go now is undoubtedly glorious and comforting (Luke 16:19-21,25). Such a heavenly reality has gates to welcome us (2 Peter 1:11-12) and is saturated with the very presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:5).  Revelation 4-5 describes a little bit of what the activity and beauty of the third heaven is like, full of light, sound, singing and rejoicing over the glory of God the Father, the Lamb and the Spirit proceeding out from the midst of that throne.  The saints of old pine after it (Psalm 73:24-25).  However the new Heavens and New Earth are going to be "better than" heaven.  How so? To answer that question will require us looking at the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:10-27 and inside that vast metropolis in Revelation 22:1-5 tomorrow. 

The Wonder of future heavenly glory

Revelation 21:1-3 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them."

Personal note: A few days ago my dad passed away and is now in the presence of the Lord. For 56 of his 73 total years he walked the Christian walk and his ever-increasing home-sickness for heaven remains for me one of my fondest memories. His desire was to be with His Lord and Savior. Over the next several days I would like to present a series of posts that speak on the Bible's teaching on Heaven, particularly the last two chapters of Revelation. It is hoped that these posts provide comfort, clarity and an eternal perspective for readers. For anyone who knew my dad, his eternal perspective on things was refreshing and welcome in an age so preoccupied with things and self. 

Introduction: Two great preachers comment on the eternal heavenly glory of Revelation 21-22

I thought I would begin with two quotes from two great preachers who have been gifted by God to expound His word.  The first is from Dr. John MacArthur who writes concerning Heaven and the Christian:1

"Most Christians, I suppose, through the centuries could say with the psalmist in Psalm 73, "Whom have I in heaven but Thee and besides Thee I desire nothing on earth." That is the expression of the heart that longs for God. Much like Psalm 42 where the psalmist says, "As the deer pants after the water brook, so pants my soul after Thee, O God." The psalmist in the same Psalm 73 said, "Nearness to God is my good." He said, "God is my portion forever." Being preoccupied with the person of God, longing to be in the presence of God was on the heart of Christians. In fact, the pure in heart, according to the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes, are promised that they will some day see God. Through the centuries that desire to see God, to be in God's presence, to enjoy God forever, that desire that there is nothing in the world that can satisfy has been on the hearts of believers."

The second quote derives from the late Dr. W.A Criswell who penned in his opening sermon on Revelation 21 - "The Word is illimitable. The wisdom and truth and revelation of God is unfathomable. I’m like a diver that would go down into the depths of a southern sea to find pearls and gems on the floor of the ocean. And when I get down there, I am overwhelmed by the profuse, vast, illimitable treasures scattered all around me. Which jewel shall I take? And what jewel shall I leave behind? What shall I place in this sermon, and what of those thousand other things that I wish I had time even to mention? Ah, the riches of the revelation of God in Christ Jesus; how past finding out, how past exploring, how past understanding, much less exegeting and homileticizing and presenting and preaching, this rich, incomparably glorious Word of God!"2

A bird's eye view of Eternal Heavenly Glory in Revelation 21-22

With the opening thoughts above, it is very apparent that the final two chapters of the Apocalypose of John present to us scenes and realities that exceed imagination and which nearly escape human vocabulary.  If we were to view the entire Bible in terms of ages and time frames, we could assign at least five of them:

1. The Old Testament Age

2. The Church Age

3. The Tribulation Period or age

4. The Kingdom Age

5. The Age to Come 

The last age is to be an endless one.  Though it only occupies 2 of the 1189 chapters of God's Word, the "Age to Come" or what we're calling "Eternal Heavenly Glory" will know no end.  More will be said in future posts, however today I wanted to simply outline for the reader how Revelation 21-22 unfolds.

I. Eternal Heavenly Glory Defined Revelation 21:1-3

A. New Everything  21:1

B. New City 21:2

C. Throne of God and the Lamb 21:3

II. Eternal Heavenly Glory Described Revelation 21:4-22:5

A. New Everything described 21:4-8

B. New City described from afar 21:9-27

C. Throne of God & The Lamb inside the City 22:1-5

III. Final Invitation to Eternal Heavenly Glory 22:6-21

A. Appeal to heed the invitation 22:6-9

B. Warning to those who refuse the invitation 22:10-13

C. Blessing for those who welcome the invitation 22:14-21

Endnotes:

1. http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/66-80/the-new-heaven-and-the-new-earth-part-1

2. http://www.wacriswell.com/transcript/?thisid=9C63831F-2578-41A7-91CD49D7E17B1D48

P2 - Eight Awesome New Testament Generals

Hebrews 1:1-2 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world."

Introduction:

Yesterday we began exploring the eight General Epistles of the New Testament. The goal is to not be detailed but very brief in order to increase interest in this somewhat neglected part of the New Testament. Now why are Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1,2,3 John and Jude deemed the "General Epistles"? As noted yesterday, unlike Paul's Epistles, which are written to specific churches or unlike John's seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation, these 8 epistles are written to "general" groups of Christians spread over a wide area. Another pattern we noted about this collection of epistles or letters is that they are authored by all the headlining apostles: John, Peter and Paul (if we take him as author of Hebrews).1 

A further interesting pattern about these 8 books of the Bible is that two of them (James and Jude) were composed by two of Jesus' half-brothers according to the flesh. We considered the first two (Hebrews and James) in yesterday's post. Today we will round out this short survey of the General Epistles by considering the remaining six of the eight general epistles, their key points and verses and then close with a final exhortation to explore them further.

Epistle of 1 Peter

Peter the Apostle and one of the original twelve disciples dictated this letter through Silvanus (1 Peter 5:12) under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Peter's intentions was to encourage his readers to stand firm in the grace of God. (1 Peter 5:12)

Epistle of 2 Peter

If Peter's first epistle was all about standing firm in God's grace, then his 2nd letter is concerned about growing in God's grace, with 2 Peter 3:18 being the chief verse. Peter most likely directly composed this Epistle without the aid of a secretary (called in the Greek world an amanuensis). Peter's goal in his second letter is to warn his readers to be prepared for and to live in light of Jesus' return. 

Epistle of 1 John

The Apostle John composed this letter and the two others bearing his name. John's purpose was to write a letter that encouraged new believers on matters about their faith and urged unbelievers to place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The purpose and key verse of 1 John is found in 5:13.

Epistle of 2 John

This stands as the second shortest of all the Bible books and was written by the Apostle John to encourage readers to walk out their faith. The whole emphasis of this little 245 word letter is about the Christian walk, and the suggested golden verse is 2 John 1:6.

Epistle of 3 John

This short little letter, also written by the Apostle John, urges readers to maintain the health of their Christian walk. Though it is the shortest book of the Bible (219 words), 3 John is long on richness and themes. We could recognize 3 John 2 as the key or golden text of 3 John.

Epistle of Jude

This final general epistle was composed by Jesus' other half-brother according to the flesh - Jude. The key point of Jude's writing was to urge his readers to contend for their faith. (Jude 1:3)

The importance of the General Epistles to understanding the rest of the New Testament

The great late commentator A.T. Robertson who noted the following about the importance of the General Epistles: "Without them we should be deprived of much concerning three outstanding personalities in early Christianity. We should know much less of James, and Cephas, and John, they were reputed to be pillars" (Gal 2:9). We should know less also of the Judaic (not Judaizing) form of Christianity seen in the Epistle of James and Jude in contrast with, though not opposed to, the Pauline type. In Peter's Epistles we see, indeed, a mediating position without compromise of principle, for Peter in the Jerusalem Conference loyally supported Paul and Barnabas even if he flicker for a moment later in Antioch. In the Johannine Epistles we see the great Eagle soar as in his Gospel in calm serenity in spite of conflict with the Gnostics who struck at the very life of Christianity itself. 'The only opposition which remains worthy of a Christian's consideration is that between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, love and hate, God and the world, Christ and AntiChrist, life and death'. So we can be grateful for the preservation of these little Epistles which reveal differences in the development of the great Christian leaders and the adaptation of the Gospel message to changing world conditions then and now."2

Final thoughts 
Well that concludes today's post. I would encourage readers to take a closer look at these eight books of the Bible. You will find them to be very edifying to your faith. 

Endnotes:
1. I wanted to make a quick note about the Book of Hebrews, being that some classify it among Paul's letters and others classify it as a General Epistle. In the course of history the authorship of Hebrews has been discussed and debated. To this day we do not know the author with 100% certainty, although this writer personally believes Paul or perhaps less likely Apollos was the author. We know from some ancient copies of the New Testament that Hebrews was at times placed before, following or in the midst of Paul's 13 other letters. Either way, the one thing that is not in doubt is the authority the book of Hebrews possesses as a Divinely inspired book of the Bible. For today's post I will include Hebrews among the collection of what are called "The General Epistles" since a majority (not all) classify Hebrews as such.

2. J. A.T Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament. Volume VI. Introduction xiii. 

P1 - Eight Awesome New Testament Generals

Hebrews 1:1-2 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world."

Introduction:

When I refer to "eight awesome New Testament generals", I am speaking of the eight letters or Epistles commonly referred to as the General Epistles. The goal is to not be detailed but very brief in order to increase interest in this somewhat neglected part of the New Testament. Now why are Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1,2,3 John and Jude deemed the "General Epistles"? Unlike Paul's Epistles, which are written to specific churches or unlike John's seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation, these 8 epistles are written to "general" groups of Christians spread over a wide area. Another pattern we can note about this collection of epistles or letters is that they are authored by all the headlining apostles (John, Peter and Paul (if we take him as author of Hebrews). A further interesting pattern about these 8 books of the Bible is that two of them (James and Jude) were composed by two of Jesus' half-brothers according to the flesh. We could mention more interesting tid-bits, but for sake of brevity we will move forward. Below we will list out the first two of the eight general epistles and their key points and verses.   

1. The Epistle to the Hebrews

This letter (written by Paul, maybe Apollos or someone else) aims to show how the Old Testament was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The theme of "better" or "more excellent" weaves its way through the letter. Suggested key verse is Hebrews 10:19-22

2. Epistle of James

This letter, composed by Jesus' half-brother according to the flesh, was written to provide practical instruction in wisdom. Often nicknamed "The Proverbs of the New Testament", James was perhaps the earliest book written in the New Testament. James' Epistle is all about spelling out in detail the pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God. (James 1:26-27)

More next time.....

The Christian's need for fellowship in the local church

Romans 15:1 "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not justplease ourselves."

A person does not realize the value of a church family a lot of times until difficulties arise. In America the autonomy of self is held to a premium, which unfortunately affects the way many Christians view the Christian life. Christianity lived apart from the ministry of the local church is artificial and contrary to God's provision for growing believers in discipleship. In my own life, I have found as a person in the pew and as a pastor behind the pulpit the unequalled value of the fellowship of the local church for believers. Currently my family and I are processing the recent loss of my father. I can tell the reader first hand how invaluable my home church, my sister's home church and my mother's home church have been in providing the spiritual and moral support needed in difficult times. Truly the Spirit of God uses the fellowship of believers in the local church to be the hands and feet of Jesus to both His people and the world. 

To illustrate how much the New Testament speaks on the subject of the fellowship of the local church, we will consider verses from the New Testament Epistles. Why the Epistles? These were letters written by the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to churches. As we understand how the early churches expressed their fellowship, we can apply first century truth to twenty-first century life. Notice the following six reasons why Christians need the fellowship of the local church... 

1. Fellowship is needed when one is weak. 
Romans 15:1 begins our brief survey of the New Testament Epistles in regards to the need for the fellowship of the local church. When a Christian is in a season where they are spiritually, emotionally or physically weak, the church membership comes alongside to support and uphold that saint of God. At the end of Romans 15 we read Paul's assessment of the Roman congregation in verse 32 - "so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company." James 5:14 gives another example of how the fellowship of the local church can aid in strengthening those who are weak: "Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." So the Christian's need for the fellowship of the Christian church is valuable in times of weakness. 

2. Fellowship is needed because of Jesus.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, their fellowship was fractured. He introduces his first epistle to them with a reminder of how God had called them to be in fellowship with one another. Notice 1 Corinthians 1:9-10  "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment." Such a letter as 1 Corinthians ought to remind us that even in the first century, churches had troubles and could be at times difficult places to be. However difficult things may get, Christians should not just throw up their hands and give up. Paul was urging the Corinthians to get past their divisive ways and remember their calling by Christ to be His and each other's. 

The value of the fellowship of the local church for the Christian comes when we realize that the Holy Spirit connects each believer and each local body of regenerated saints to Jesus Christ. Inasmuch the local church is a fellowship of Christians, it is spiritually and supernaturally a fellowship of Jesus with His people and He with them.  

3. Fellowship is needed to reinforce individual Christian faith.
So we have seen that the Christian's need for fellowship in the local church is due to seasons of weakness and the fellowship of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:18 records the following prayer by the Apostle Paul for the Ephesians -  "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." Ephesians 4:11-12 records how the fellowship of the local church in conjunction with the ministry of the Word is designed to equip God's people to attain unto the unity so desired and prayed for by Jesus until He returns. Here we see then the third need for fellowship in the local church - strenghtening of the faith. Such a need is repeated for example in another Epistle, Colossians 1:10-12 "so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in theknowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." Without the local church, Christians who are able to gather together with God's people cannot hope to have the illumination and reinforcement of their faith. Willful isolation from Christ's body, the local church, stunts Christian growth and short-circuits Christian vitality.

4. Fellowship is needed for loving compassion.
Philippians 2:1-2 gives us the fourth need for fellowship in the local church - compassionate love. We read in Philippians 2:1-2 "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." I am not sure where I would be without my local church family. As a pastor and member of that body at the same time, I find that when I have been in need of a collective shoulder of compassionate love, our church has been there for me. This world is full of coldness and betrayal. The best place to find the genuine love of God is the local church. Whenever a church has begun to grow cold in the area of compassionate love, worldliness has seeped in and the church has lost its first love. (See Revelation 2:1-7). Jesus said that the world would know we are His disciples by our love for one another. 

5. Fellowship is needed for a solid testimony
The fifth reason Christians need the fellowship of the local church is for a strong testimony. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 "For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only inMacedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything." Whenever a church body is functioning as it ought, the Christian who is a member of that church can share with others God's love both experienced and learned. A testimony is how a Christian personally adds flesh and bone onto their witness of their personal walk with Jesus. The truth of the Gospel is the nails and the power of a testimony is the hammer that can be used by the Spirit of God to drive in the Gospel nails to the sinner's heart. Isolation cannot supply a solid testimony like involvement with a local church can. 

6. Fellowship is necessary because it is commanded 
We have seen that Christian's need the fellowship of the local church for the following five beneficial reasons:

a. Fellowship is needed when one is weak
b. Fellowship is needed because of Jesus.
c. Fellowship is needed to reinforce faith
d. Fellowship is needed for loving compassion
e. Fellowship is needed for a solid testimony

Sadly some Christians will curtail regular commitment to their local church, claiming that the above benefits can be achieved by themselves. When such a claim is made, this final reason for needing fellowship in the local church needs to be cited - namely it is commanded by our Lord. Christian fellowship is not optional, but mandatory. The Lord commands things to benefit us, not to harm us. Both Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25 both command us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves nor to allow the decitfulness of sin to jade our thinking and our hearts. 1 John 3:10-11 gives us the perfect antidote for fighting the corruption of sin: "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." Such connection to the fellowship of fellow believers is commanded and urged upon God's people not to hinder, but to help and benefit them in their Christian growth.

The only hope I find in my time of loss

Hebrews 12:22-24 "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel."

Introduction
As I write this post for today, I am beginning a new chapter in my life of living out the rest of my days on this earth without my dad being on it. My beloved dad passed away at 12:55 a.m on Tuesday (yesterday) January 13, 2015. Death's cold fingers and chilly waters had no sting as my dad breathed his last. He has traveled with angelic accompaniment the incalcuable distance from this world to the one beyond the stars and endless galaxies. (Luke 16:22; 2 Corinthians 5:6) Christ His Savior achieved the guarantee of death having no sting in the passing of the Christian from this life to the next. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). 

The above text brings much comfort to me in this hour of mourning and I hope today will equip readers with comfort or with the ability to comfort others with the hope of Jesus. We need hope in hours such as these. My daddy loved Jesus with all His heart (and still does, only moreso now!) More than ever, we must realize that the only hope found in eternal life, this life and the after-life is Jesus Christ. I dedicate this post in part to my dad and will refer to him quite a bit in developing the main thoughts I glean from the above text. May the Spirit give me strength to write and you the reader strength to read.

How the gift of eternal life brings the hope of Jesus Christ
When my father was 16 years of age, an evangelist came to do a series of revival meetings at the church where his father (my grand-daddy) pastored in Kentucky. As the evangelist preached and as my dad came under conviction, he gripped the back pew ever so tightly. For years my grand-daddy begged and pleaded with my dad to trust in Jesus as his Savior and Lord and told him that if he didn't do so, my dad would spend an eternity in torment. My dad as a young lad would ignore my grand-daddy's tearful pleadings. However the day my dad heard that evangelist make his appeal, the words of that preacher were attended by the Holy Spirit's inner working in his heart. It was not the preacher's voice that won my daddy to Christ; rather the Spirit Himself convincing him to trust in Jesus. According to what my daddy relayed to me, the day he trusted in Jesus, my grand-daddy literally lept the front pew where he was sitting. Finally! Prayer had been answered and a lost son was won to the faith!

What happened to my dad on that day? The Lord brought to him the gift of eternal life in saving faith. What is eternal life? John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." How is this miracle working of God in salvation received? John 3:16 answers: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The Spirit of God brought home to him the reality of Hebrews 12:22-24, which I would classify as the clearest explanation of the miraculous truth summarized by John 3:16.

Hebrews 12:22 begins: "But you have come to Mount Zion". Now order to "come to some place", there first had to been a place from whence one derived. If you read the verses prior in Hebrews 12:18-21, the scene is that of Mount Sinai, historically signifying the giving of the law of God and symbolically picturing the place of God's judgment. All the descendants of fallen Adam stand around the base of the Mount of judgment - thinking that they can get to the Judge on their own merit. No one can ever be reconciled to God by the law - since the law can only demand and not supply rightousness. The sinner has to be sentenced and pronounced spiritually dead at the judgment bar of God by the law of God. Furthermore, the sinner must be brought to see the awfulness of his sin by the Spirit of God and agree with the sentence by faith and repentance.

My daddy had this occur in his life some 56 years ago. He was "brought from" that place of well-deserved judgment (which all of us deserve) by the Spirit of God moving in his heart. The moment my daddy forsook his own merit and trusted in what was earned and acheived by Jesus by faith alone, he "came to" the gates of paradise in salvation" or "Mount Zion". God intervened in his human timeline and used an old evangelist preaching the only book that can convert the sinner to a saint to win my dad to Jesus. (Psalm 19:7; Romans 10:17) My dad was credited with Jesus' achievement and began walking as a new creation, a child of God by faith.

How the gift of eternal life gives hope for the remainder of life in this world

For 56 years my daddy walked and talked with Jesus. He poured over his Bible every morning and gradually developed into a man of prayer. Literally my daddy had the reality of Heaven-sent, God-called salvation brought to him and he was as-it-were brought into contact with the glories of heaven in his soul. A Christian who walks this earth walks with a growing home-sickness. When a person is converted in saving faith, the drama and reality of the Spirit of God bringing Jesus and that person into contact with one another at saving a faith is a miracle. The remainder of one's Christian walk is spent understanding and living out what took place at that moment in time. Such a verse as Hebrews 12:22 tells us that the Christian is made a heavenly citizen and participant in the Heavenly kingdom populated by myriads of angels. (Also see Philippians 3:20)

How the hope of Jesus Christ gives hope about the after-life
Now notice Hebrews 12:23 "to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect." When I read that last clause in verse 23, I marvel at the fact that those Christians who have passed on in Jesus are perfected in their immaterial spirit and soul. My daddy is among that company! What is the writer of Hebrews talking about here? We can think of the hope of salvation as a series of four stages: regeneration, sanctification, glorification and resurrection.

First, at saving faith in regeneration or the new birth, the spirit or innermost being of a person is set free from the penalty of sin. (Romans 5:1; 8:1).

Secondly, for the remainder of time here on earth, the process of sanctification sets the soul of the Christian (made up of the mind, emotions, will) free from sin's power. That is to say, though Christians retain the residual effects of sin's corruption in their soul in this life and will choose to sin, the point is they don't have to. Romans 7:14-25 captures the Christian's wrestling match with inner sin on the one hand and the desire to live for Jesus on the other hand.

So at salvation the Christ is set free from sin's penalty and in sanctification the Christian is set free from sin's power. With that understanding, we see thirdly that at death the Christian is set free from sin's presence - and event called glorification. Believers who die in the Lord go on ahead to be with Jesus and await the time He returns and they are re-united with a gloriously, resurrected, transformed version of their physical body. (2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The fourth and final stage will be the resurrection at Christ's return, wherein Jesus will rapture and resurrect those believers who died in Him, followed by the saints still alive here on the earth. Thus at resurrection, the putrification of the body caused by death will be reversed and annulled, rendering Christians with a glorified resurrected body likened unto Jesus' own. (1 Thesslonians 4:13-18)

My daddy is now in that company of glorified saints. His journey on this earth ended yesterday, however the next leg of his journey with Jesus is only beginning. He is among that company of saints who being perfected in their spirits await resurrection. He is rejoicing in who he is with and is experiencing the dimensions of Christ's glorious presence that no preacher nor any pen can hope to capture. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Hebrews 12:24 gives the greatest hope: "and to Jesus...". The same one Whom my dad was brought to in salvation is the one with Whom he is with right now. I find such hope in these verses because at salvation - heaven is tasted and glimpsed by faith and at death is enjoyed and experienced. Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there. My question to you dear reader: do you have this hope in Jesus? Unless you receive such hope by faith, you will not get to have eternal life. Nor will yoy have any remianing hope in this life. Nor can you expect to have hope in the after-life. Only in Jesus by faith can we have the hope of eternal life, have remaining hope in this life and have hope for the after-life. It is in this hope I cling and it is because of Jesus that I know I will see my daddy once again.