Greg Laurie - The Best Is yet to Come!
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I heard a story about a very wealthy man who was near death. And he just wanted to take some of his possessions to heaven. So, he asked God, "Could you make an exception? I know we can't take it with us, but could you make an exception and allow me to take one suitcase with me to heaven, filled with whatever I want to take"? The Lord said, "All right, I'll make an exception for you".
So, shortly after that, the man died and arrived at the pearly gates, and he was met by Peter. Peter knew of the arrangement this man had already made with God, and Peter said, "Can I check to see what you've brought in your suitcase"? And the wealthy man said, "Sure," and Peter looked inside. The man closed it up. A little bit later, someone came out to Peter and said, "I have to ask you. We heard about this guy who brought his suitcase to heaven. Tell us, what was in the suitcase"? Peter said, "It's the funniest thing. This guy brought a suitcase filled with asphalt".
You get what I'm saying, right? Because the Bible says the streets of heaven are paved with gold. So, we're talking together about heaven, which is a real place waiting for us. It's not some mysterious atmospheric realm of smoke and mirrors. No, it's a real place for real people to do real things. There are things in this world that don't make sense to us, but we're longing, we're looking forward to another world, and that is the hope of heaven.
And now here are the closing words of the Apostle John in Revelation 22. Look at verse 1. "And he showed me a pure river of water of life clear as crystal proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. And in the middle of its street, on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there'll be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and its servants shall serve him. And they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads, and they'll need no night there. They'll need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever". Powerful words.
Now, if you're taking notes, here's a few things we learn about heaven from what we have read. Number one, heaven and the new earth are a place of satisfaction. Heaven and the new earth are a place of satisfaction. We will want for nothing. All of our needs will be met. Our thirst will be quenched, because verse 17 says, "Let him who thirsts come, and whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely".
Number two, heaven and the new earth are a place of sufficiency, sufficiency. Look at Revelation 22:2. "In the middle of its street, on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, and each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations". The Greek word used there for healing is therapeia. You can probably imagine what English word we get from that, therapy. There's therapeutic value in these leaves. Not that we'll get sick in heaven, but there's this life-giving power in the trees that are there. Here's a surprising thing.
Number three, heaven and the new earth are a place of service. Heaven and the new earth are a place of service. Look at verse 3. "His servants will serve him". There's going to be opportunities in heaven and the new earth. There's going to be things to do. You artists get ready. God's going to utilize your creative abilities. You people who are mechanical, there'll be a place for you, as well. You singers and vocalists and instrumentalists, get ready, because God's going to use all of your skills in the afterlife, and it's going to be a fantastic time. And you wonder if we might be able to finish some of the tasks that remained uncompleted on earth in heaven. You wonder if dreams that were shattered here will be ultimately fulfilled there.
Point number four, heaven is a place where tragedy turns to triumph. It's a place where tragedy turns to triumph. Sadness turns to joy. Disability turns to ability. Handicaps will be gone. Mental and physical disability is banished, and there'll be joy. Heaven is a happy place. Heaven is a hopping place. Heaven is a joyful place. The psalmist says, "In your presence there is fullness of joy, and on your right hand there are pleasures forevermore". Listen to this. You're going to laugh in heaven. Do you like to laugh? I love to laugh. I actually like to make people laugh, as well. And we're going to be laughing in heaven. Luke 6:21 says, "God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, because the time will come when you will laugh with joy".
The book of Revelation reminds us we win in the end. Let's read Revelation 22, verse 6. "And he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true.' And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show his servants that things which must shortly take place. 'Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book". Verse 8, "Now, I, John, saw and heard these things, that when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. And he said, 'See that you do not do that. I'm your fellow servant and of your brothers, the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' And then he said to me, 'Do not fear the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him be righteous still. He who is holy, let him be holy still. Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to his work".
It's worth noting that whatever you read what the Bible says about the future, there is always an exhortation to live a godly life. Let me say that again. Whenever you read what the Bible says about the future, there is always an exhortation to live a godly life. 2 Peter 3:11 says, "Since everything around us is going to be destroyed, we should live holy and godly lives". Listen to this. The reason we learn about the future is so we can live right in the present. But why should I keep these words? Verse 6, "Because they're faithful and true".
We've all had promises broken to us, haven't we? Husbands and wives make vows to each other to be faithful to each other. And those vows are violated. Or maybe your parents made promises to you, and they broke their promises, and it broke your heart. I want you to know something. God keeps his promises. Jesus never breaks a promise, because his words are faithful and true. And listen to this. He says, "I'm coming quickly"! Verse 7. The Greek term here for "quickly" has less to do with how soon he will come and more to do with the suddenness of the event when it occurs. So, when John uses this word "quickly," he's not using it in a sense of time as in hours or months, but in a sense of a series of events happening together in rapid succession, once they start.
The final events of the end times are all very close together. You could compare it to dominoes. Once the first domino falls, the others fall in rapid succession. First domino would be the rapture of the church, then the emergence of the antichrist, then the tribulation period, then the second coming, then the millennium and so forth. And so, Jesus is saying, "This is going to happen in rapid succession". And when that time arrives, the events will follow one another quickly. The whole machinery of history will be shifted into high gear and erase the judgment. So, we must keep his Word. He told us that. We must also do his work, do his work. He says in verse 12, "I'm coming quickly, and my reward is with me to give to everyone, according to his work". As I've already told you, the Bible promises rewards, crowns, acknowledgment for your faithful service to the Lord.
The Bible says, "Don't be weary in well doing. For in due season, we will reap, if we do not give up". And we hear that verse, "Don't be deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap. If he sows to the flesh, he'll reap corruption". So, when we hear, "You'll reap what you sow," we always think of it in a negative way, and there is a negative way that can play out in your life. But then the verse goes on to say, "But if you sow to the Spirit, you'll reap life everlasting". So, just as surely as the person who has sown to sin will reap the consequences of it, the person who has sown to righteousness will reap the blessings of it. Jesus says, "My reward is with me, and I'll give to everyone according to his works".
So, my question is are you working for the Lord? Not working for your salvation. Salvation is a gift from heaven to you. But because I'm saved, I should want to do something for the Lord, not working for salvation, but rather working from salvation. A faith that works will produce works. A faith doesn't won't. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord". Listen to this. The decisions and the lifestyle I choose in this life will impact me in the life to come.
You know, in Romans chapter 12, the Apostle Paul writes and says, "It is high time for you to wake up out of your sleep, for your salvation is nearer than when you first believed". Wake up. Why is it that when we fall asleep, we always deny it. Sometimes I watch cartoons with my grandkids, and my grandson Christopher said to me the other day, "Papa, why do you always fall asleep when we watch cartoons"? I said, "I don't". But actually, I do. Sometimes a person who's fallen asleep spiritually is the last to know. You know, when you're young, you're full of energy and passion, and you want to share your faith, and you want to read the Bible and do things for God. You want to change the world. But when you get older, you just want to take a nap. Older believers, listen to me. Wake up. Christ is coming back again. The hour is urgent. Let's be about our Father's business.
So, now Jesus gives us a stern warning here in the book of Revelation, chapter 22, verse 18. "If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the book of this prophecy, God will take away from the Book of Life, and from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book". Wow! Loose paraphrase, don't mess around with the book of Revelation. This would speak of those who would disobey, or disregard, or distort, or dilute Scripture. I mean, who are we to edit the Bible?
The story is told of Thomas Jefferson, one of our Founding Fathers, who had his own version of the Bible. It came to be known as Jefferson's Bible. Apparently, Jefferson went in with a pair of scissors and cut out all the parts of the Bible he did not agree with. He just sort of wanted the ethics of Christ, without the miracles and other things the Bible records. You can't just make up your own Bible and cut out what you don't like. Someone might say, "Well, what if you don't agree with what the Bible says on this topic"? Well, the simple answer is change your opinion, because the Bible is right. Our objective is not to conform Scripture to culture. It's to conform culture to Scripture, you see? But this warning that is given to us here would include disobeying God's Word. It would also include disregarding it, sort of tuning it out.
That's why Jesus would often use the statement, "He that has ears to hear, let him hear". Allow me to update that. Listen up, pay attention to what is being said. We all know what it's like to tune things out. Maybe someone is saying to us and something to us, and we don't want to hear it. So, we just tune it out. Jesus is saying tune it in. Listen to what I'm saying to you. Another way that we would do this is by distorting the Word of God, sort of forcing it to fit into the lifestyle that we have perhaps chosen. "Well, I don't know if I really agree with that interpretation. I've come up with my own interpretation". That's what the devil did with Jesus and what we call the temptation in the wilderness.
Remember, Satan quoted Scripture. He said to Jesus, "Go ahead and jump off of the temple, because the Bible says that his angels will give charge over you". And so, the devil quoted the Bible, but then Jesus quoted the Bible back in context to Satan, and Jesus said, "It is written, 'You shall not test the Lord your God.'" Now we come to the finale, Revelation 22:20. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely, I am coming quickly'". Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Jesus is giving his last recorded words in the Bible. Last words are important. If you knew you were going to die, you had to write down a final statement, what would your last words be? They reveal what's important to you. They give a glimpse into your character. Some parting comments that are recorded through history are surprising. Others are thoughtful. Some are just odd.
For instance, Karl Marx, one of the founders of communism, was on his death bed, and his housekeeper came and said to him, "Tell me your last words, and I'll write them down". Marx replied, "Get out of here. Last words are for fools. We haven't said enough," end quote. In contrast to Karl Marx there's Groucho Marx. His last words were, "Die my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do". And then he died. Pablo Picasso, the great painter, gave his last words. He said, "Drink to me, drink to my health, because you know I can't drink anymore". The Roman emperor, Julian, having attempted to reverse the official endorsement of Christianity by the Roman empire, gave his last words when he said, "You have won, oh, Galilean".
Now the words of people of faith are far different than the ones I just mentioned. When Stephen was being stoned, and his life was draining from him, his final words were, "I see the heavens opened, and I see Jesus standing on the right hand of God". And then he said, "Lord, don't lay this sin to their charge," reflecting our Lord's words when he hung on the cross of Calvary and said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". The last words of evangelist D.L. Moody were, quote, "I see earth receding, and heaven is opening. God is calling me". John Wesley said, "The best of all is that God is with us". Pancho Villa, the revolutionary, said, "Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something".
Well, Jesus did say something. He says in verse 20, "Surely, I am coming quickly". John is so overwhelmed, he offers this beautiful prayer: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus". In fact, the word "amen" means "So be it". So, John is saying, "Yes, so be it". Or as Saint Paul reminded us, "Let it be". That's Saint Paul McCartney. Bad joke. So, the Bible closes with an invitation, Revelation 22, verse 17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And he who hears says, 'Come.' Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely". Did you know that "Come" is one of God's favorite words? In the face of judgment on the earth, God commanded Noah to build an ark. And when it was built, the Lord said, "Come, come into the ark of safety, come".
Moses was standing in the midst of the people who had given their worship to the golden calf, and he said, "Let him who is on the Lord's side come and stand by me". God says, "Come and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they'll be as white as snow. Though they're red like crimson, they'll be as white as wool". Isaiah 55, the Lord says, "Hey, everyone that thirsts, let him come to the waters". Jesus, to an inquiring man, said, "Come and see". Jesus again said, "Come unto me, all you that are laboring and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest". Come. In fact, there are two words in the Bible that show us what our focus, as Christians, ought to be. The first word is "Come," and the second word is "Go". First, we come to the Lord, then we go out and tell others.
Now this beautiful promise of having your spiritual thirst quenched. In verse 17 of Revelation 22, "Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely". The closing verses of the Bible make it perfectly clear that salvation is a matter of the will. "Whoever will, let him come". It's an offer, it's an invitation. "Whoever will, let him come". It's a matter of the will. Or maybe I should say it's also a matter of the won't. You either will or you won't accept God's offer of forgiveness. And then when you accept that offer of forgiveness, you'll find the satisfaction you're looking for. Because there's nothing this world offers that will satisfy that deep thirst in your soul. Nothing this world offers will satisfy that homesickness or that spiritual thirst.
There's a doctor named Robin Smith, who wrote a book with the title, "Hungry: The Truth About Being Full". She writes about those who feel a great emptiness after they have experienced great success. She calls it being hungry for the high note. And she writes about Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston and their early deaths. And here's what she says, and I quote, "People say that drugs killed them. Drugs didn't kill them. What killed them is they were striving and hungry. They were striving to hit the high note again," end quote. And she's right about that. We're all striving and hungry and thirsty for truth, for a life that is worth living, and Jesus can give you that life, and you can have the hope of heaven.
So, let me ask you, in closing, are you sure you will go to heaven when you die? Is there any more important question than that? I don't think so. Heard about a man who died and went to heaven, and Peter met him at the pearly gates and said, "Okay, buddy, this is how it works. You need 1.000 points to get into heaven. Tell me all the good things you've done, and I'll give you points for each item". The guy thought about it for a moment, and he says, "I've been married to the same wonderful woman for 50 years. I kept my vows to her. I haven't even had an impure thought". Peter says, "That's good. I'll give you three points". "Oh, wait, three points. How many do I need to get in"? "You need 1.000 points. I'll give you three points for being faithful to your wife". "Oh, wow. Okay," the guy says. "I attended church, and I supported it with my prayer and with my tithes". Peter said, "Good, that's worth one point". "One point? Well, wait," the man says. "I started a soup kitchen and worked in a shelter for homeless people". Peter said, "Well, that's good for two more points".
Finally, the guy, completely exasperated, said, "Man, the only way I'm gonna get into heaven is by the grace of God". Peter said, "You've got it, that's worth 1.000 points". You see, get it? It's not something you do. And by the way, that's a fictitious story. I'm sure you know that. But it's a story to make a point. You don't get into heaven by what you've done. You get to heaven on the basis of what Christ has done for you on the cross. That's the only way into heaven. Did you know that God loves you? Did you know that God has a plan for you? Did you know that God wants you to join him in heaven one day? And if you want to join him, you must accept his offer. You must respond to the invitation.
Let's say I sent you a text, and I said, "Meet me for lunch at 12 at In-N-Out Burger". Now, if you respond, then great. We're gonna go and get lunch. If you don't respond, I'm going to assume you either didn't get the message or you don't want to meet me for lunch. And then if I get the dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. You know what I'm talking about? Dot, dot, dot. Oh, you're responding, then I get nothing? I'm thinking, "What happened? You were gonna say yes, and then you decided not to say yes. Maybe a better offer came up". Whatever. If you don't accept my offer, you're in effect rejecting my offer. God offers you forgiveness of all of your sin.
Maybe God has spoken to your heart, and you have seen your need for Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came from heaven to this earth. He was born in a manger. He died on a cross. He rose again from the dead. Why? Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you. Listen, I'm not talking about religion. I don't want to be a religious person. I don't think you want to be one either. I'm talking about relationship with God. Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life, and he knocks, and he says if you'll hear his voice and open the door, he will come in.
Question, have you asked Jesus Christ to come and live inside of you? You might say, "Well, I think so. I'm not sure". Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle of the night, do you think you would be aware of it? I'm sure you would. And in the same way, if Christ has come to live inside of you, you will know. And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in, yet. He's just a prayer away. All you need to do is say, "Jesus, I want this relationship with you. I want you to forgive me of my sin. I want to go to heaven when I die". Would you like to do that? Would you like Christ to come into your life? If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me? You could pray it out loud, or you can pray it in the quietness of your heart. But this is a prayer where you're asking Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord. Pray this with me now:
Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner, but I know that you're the Savior, who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead. Now come into my life. I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for hearing this prayer and answering this prayer, in Jesus' name, amen.
Did you just pray that prayer with me? If so, I want you to know, in the authority of Scripture, that Christ himself has come to live inside of you. And I would love to send to you at no charge something called the "New Believer's Bible". It's a very friendly translation of the New Testament you'll find very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of notes that I wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you've just made to follow Jesus. Let me send that to you at no charge. And let me be the first to say to you, congratulations and welcome to the family of God.