A Revelation of the Coming Kingdom
The Need for Heavenly Mindedness
9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the ….kingdom …of Jesus Christ (Rev.1:9)
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING HEAVENLY MINDED
A. The idea that it is possible to be “too heavenly minded to be any earthly good” has crippled the church of walking in the
fullness of her inheritance. If we are to be any earthly good for the Kingdom of God it is imperative that we fix our eyes on
our heavenly inheritance.
B. When we speak of heaven, we are speaking of the place where God’s rule is perfectly manifest. It is the place of
His throne (dwelling place) where His kingdom is unopposed and his leadership is perfectly demonstrated. God’s ultimate
desire is to manifest His kingdom perfectly on the earth as it is in Heaven (Matt. 6:10). This will happen in fullness in the
age to come as God merges the realm of heaven with the physical realm of earth. In it’s ultimate manifestation, Heaven
comes down to the earth and is known as the New Jerusalem.
9having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10that
in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in
heaven and which are on earth--in Him (Eph.1:9-10)
3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle (dwelling) of God is with men, and He will dwell with
them (Rev.21:3)
C. The Bible speaks of our “citizenship” being in heaven. While we live on this earth we are to find our primary
identity in heaven, as citizens of God’s kingdom (Heb.13:14; John 17:16; Heb.12:22-23; Psalm 87:3-5; Philip 4:3; Gal.4:26)
20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philip.3:18-21)
D. While we live on this earth, we are called to live as ambassadors (representatives) of the kingdom which is to
come. We are called to represent the kingdom to which we now belong (Rev 1:9; Acts 1:8; ) and which is going to fill the
earth (Is.9:6-7; Dan 2:44). If we are unfamiliar with the “heavenly country” (Heb 11:16) to which we belong, how can we
adequately represent it? We will always represent that which we are most familiar with.
II. A REVELATION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM (REV.21-22)
The final chapters of the book of Revelation provide a stunning description of the New Jerusalem. This glorious city is to
be the eternal dwelling place of God with man as Heaven comes to earth at the end of the age. The vision of the New
Jerusalem in the book Revelation gives us a picture of the full manifestation of the Kingdom of God on the Earth as God
fully joins the earthly and heavenly realms together in Christ (Eph.1:10). It is God displaying the Bride – His gift to His
Son, Jesus. God promised that He would write the name of the New Jerusalem on those who overcome (Rev.3:12) as a
sign that we belong there – but why should we want to belong to that City?
A. A Perfectly Prepared City
1. The New Jerusalem is going to be at the heart of the new Heavens and Earth. It is the complete restoration of Eden as
God comes down from Heaven to dwell with man on the earth in open communion forever.
2. It is the culmination of a plan that God has had in his heart since before the foundation of the earth and has not
been put together by happenstance. God is the perfect architect and has designed and prepared the perfect place for
us to dwell together with Him forever. It cannot be improved upon. (See John 14:2-3)
B. An Enduring City
1. The New Jerusalem is pictured as a City with foundations (cf.Heb.11:10). This is the ultimate house built on the
rock that will endure every storm (Matt 7:24-27). Those who find their identity in this city will never be shaken.
2. In contrast to cities of John’s day that were typically built with foundations of dirt and walls of mud bricks or rocks,
this enormous city is built out of purified gold and precious stones that cannot be destroyed by fire. It is built to last.
Forever!
3. With walls that are approx. 1380 miles high, made of diamond-like material (jasper), and twelve gates guarded by
angels, the City of God is the ultimate fortress City. Those who live there are absolutely secure.
C. A City of Light
1. The new Jerusalem is portrayed as a City of dazzling brilliance possessing the very glory of God (Rev.21:11). The
brightness of her light is described as being like a dazzling jasper stone in the same way that God’s glory is described in
Rev.4:3.
2. The city is illuminated by the open display of God’s glory eliminating any need for artificial (lamps) or natural (sun
and moon) illumination and making night meaningless. As the very radiance of God’s glory (Heb 1:3), Jesus, the Lamb
of God is described as being the source of light in the New Jerusalem (Rev.21:23).
3. In the New Jerusalem, we will be able to approach that which is unapproachable to sinful humanity
(1 Tim.6: 15-16) and in His light (which has both spiritual and physical properties) we will possess perfect understanding
of God and His ways.
9For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9)
4. In God’s eternal kingdom darkness has no place which is why no-one who is unholy or unrighteous may enter
the New Jerusalem on pain of death (Rev.21:27).
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Eph.5:8)
5. The light of this City will illuminate the nations providing both physical light and revelation of God and His ways
to the nations as the knowledge of God’s glory fills the earth (Habb.2:14).
D. A City of Life and Freedom
1. In the New Jerusalem the effects of sin are completely removed and the curse is completely removed (Rev.22:3). The water
of life and the fruit of the tree of life are once again freely available to those who live in the City (Rev 22:1-2 cf. Gen.3:22).
2. Elsewhere in scripture we see that the river of living water which flows from God’s heavenly throne, flows
throughout the earth bringing life to everything it touches (Eze.47:1-12; Zech 14:8; Isa.35:6). This river appears to have
both spiritual and physical properties, bringing life, renewal and pleasure to everything it touches.
4There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
(Psalm 46:4)
8They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. (
Psalm 36:8)
38He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."(John 7:38)
3. The New Jerusalem is a city that is set free from all the negative consequences of sin. There will be no more
death, sorrow, crying or pain. In contrast to Babylon the Great that falsely promises only temporary freedom from sorrow
(Rev 18:7 cf. Rev 18:8,19). The new Jerusalem offers a permanent freedom from physical, emotional and spiritual pain
as God gives us perfect understanding of His ways and wipes away every tear (Rev.21:4).
..when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away….12For now we see in a mirror, dimly,
but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (1 Cor.13:10-12)
E. A City of Authority over the Nations
This city will be the governmental center for the whole earth. All nations will walk in the light of this City (under the leadership
of Jesus) and will pay tribute to its King (Rev.21:23-24) as the Kingdom of God grows to fill the whole earth.
F. A City and a People
1. The New Jerusalem is described as both a City and a Bride (Rev.21:9-10). A City can be no more than the sum of
its inhabitants and the New Jerusalem is both the people and the structures of the City. The extent to which the City
reflects the glory of God is the extent to which the people carry that Glory.
2. Not only do we see a City prepared but we see a people prepared. This vision gives us hope that the Bride truly
has made herself ready (Rev.19:7). We will possess the very Glory of God in both body and spirit (Rev.21:11) as we rule
with Jesus forever (Rev.22:5) in our perfected, resurrected bodies that look like Jesus.
G. The Dwelling Place of God with Man
1. The Shape of the City is a perfect cube (1380miles3), resembling the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem temple and
is described as the tabernacle of God recalling the Tabernacle of Moses. It reminds us that God’s ultimate intention has
always been to live in the midst of His people.
2. The New Jerusalem itself is the Holy of Holies of the New Heavens and New Earth as the manifest presence of God fills
the City. Those who have access there will enjoy full and open communion with God with none of the restrictions that
existed in both the Tabernacle of Moses and Solomon’s Temple.
22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (Rev 21:22).
III. CITIZENS OF A HEAVENLY COUNTRY
13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and
blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14)
A. As citizens of another country, we are called to live in this world as foreigners. If we are truly living as foreigners
to this present world system (which is at war with God’s kingdom) we should to invest our resources (time, talent and
money) in the country to which we belong and in which we are going to live forever.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For
all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the
world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 1:15-17)
B. One of our biggest problems is that we are generally more familiar (and fascinated) with the things of this world than the
things of heaven. Jesus told us that our heart (resources and affections) would follow our treasure. We will always give
ourselves to that which is most valuable to us.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break
in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt.6:19-21)
IV. BOOK OF REVELATION: A TALE OF TWO CITIES
A. The book of Revelation is a tale of two cities: Babylon the Great and the New Jerusalem – the culmination of
righteousness and the culmination of wickedness. They are portrayed as a harlot and a bride respectively. One city is
destined for eternal destruction and the other for eternal life. At the end of the age, we will either be part of one city
(kingdom) or the other. The book of Revelation is a call to the church to come out of the intoxicating, temporal pleasures
of the present world system (Babylon) and give herself to something that is going to last forever.
B. If we say yes to the visible and temporal treasures of this world we will be at war with God. If we say yes to the
superior (yet presently unseen) pleasures of God’s kingdom, we will be at war with the world and will suffer great trouble.
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world
makes himself an enemy of God.(James 4:4)
4And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you
receive of her plagues. 5For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities (Rev.18:4-5)
C. The testimony of the saints of old is that the superior pleasures of the age to come are incomparably greater than the
suffering that must be endured to attain them. They were able to say this because they had a clear understanding of the
City of God that is coming to rule the whole earth.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,
embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For those who say such things
declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come
out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them (Heb.11:13-16)
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called ..And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he dwelt
in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same
promise; 10for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb 11:8-10)
24By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26esteeming the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward (Heb.11:24-26)
14 …men of the world who have their portion in this life, they are satisfied with children, and leave the rest of their possession
for their babes. 15As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
(Psalm 17:14-15)
D. The only thing that will keep us steady through the great temptation and tribulation that is going to fill the whole
earth, is if the reality of the unseen realm and that which is to come becomes greater to us than that which is seen and
at hand.
E. Filling our minds with the reality of the Heavenly realm gives us power to overcome sin and endure tribulation.
Paul continually reminds the saints to meditate on their eternal destiny and prays that they will have understanding of
the glorious future that awaits them in the age to come.
19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable (1 Cor. 15:19)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Col.3:1-4)
18the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling (Eph.1:18)
[Meditating on Heaven] is the highest excellence of the Christian temper; it is the way to live most comfortably; it will be the best
preservative from temptations to sin; it will enliven your graces and duties; it will be your best cordial in all afflictions; it will
render you most profitable to others; it will honor God; without it you will disobey the commands and lose the most
gracious and delightful discoveries of the word of God: it is also the more reasonable to have your hearts with God,
as his is so much on you; and in heaven, where you have so much interest and relation; besides, there is nothing but
heaven worth setting your hearts upon.(Richard Baxter – The Saints’ Everlasting Rest)
A heavenly mind is the freest from sin, because it has truer and livelier apprehensions of spiritual things. He hath so
deep an insight into the evil of sin, the vanity of the creature, the brutishness of fleshly, sensual delights, that temptations
have little power over him. …Earth is the place for [Satan’s] temptations, and the ordinary bait: and how shall these
ensnare the Christian who hath left the earth and walks with God? (R. Baxter.ibid)
Frequent believing views of glory are the most precious cordials in all afflictions. these cordials, by cheering our spirits, render
our sufferings far more easy, enable us to bear them with patience and joy, and so strengthen our resolutions, that we
forsake not Christ for fear of trouble. If the way be ever so rough, can it be tedious, if it lead to heaven? (R. Baxter Ibid)
V. HEAVEN IS COMING TO EARTH!
A. The book of Revelation, which describes the greatest time of trouble the world will ever see, also gives us the
clearest picture in scripture of Heaven coming to Earth and the rewards of the saints in the age to come. It is a glorious
picture of all that we are living for and is designed to fill us with great hope and confidence in our journey on this earth
knowing that our ultimate inheritance is not in this world.
B. We need to speak about it, sing about it and think about it. We need to become so heavenly minded that we
can be effective ambassadors of God’s kingdom.
6The LORD will record, when He registers the peoples: "This one was born there."Selah 7Both the singers and the
players on instruments say, "All my springs are in you." (Psalm 87:3-7)