Bible: Revelation 21: 1-7

Main verse: 2THESSALONIANS 1: 5 part B – That ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer

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Every Thanksgivings, we all remember the love of God when He came into the world to die on the cross for human sins, including yours and mine.

We all know that we had done nothing worthy for Him to die for us. We were all sinners once with imperfect lives, but He dies for us anyway and He even granted us the wonderful opportunity to be able to live with Him in His heavenly kingdom in the future.

We don’t often remember His love and think about the heavenly kingdom, so today we are going to talk about it and use Bible verses to know of its marvelous glory.

REVELATION 21: 18-21 – And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass

It’s so wonderfully beautiful, so if we continue to stand fast in our faith in Him and follow Him to the end of our lives on Earth, we will surely be allowed to live there with Him for eternity.

It’s God’s dwelling, so it’s not easy to enter it. We know that because right here on Earth we have not been allowed to enter into some places of the rich and powerful, yet they still do not compare to God’s home.

For that reason, God has the intention to prepare us with His commands in the Bible so that we can be suitable for the life in His heavenly kingdom. Many people are glad to be U.S. citizens, even they have to spend nearly 1,000 dollars for the application process. Likewise we Christians should be rejoiced with the wonderful prospect of living in heaven in the future.

2THESSALONIANS 1: 5 part B – that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.

Surprisingly there are some Christians who are not as glad with the standards that God wants us to adopt for the future. We will use some verses in the Bible to encourage them to follow God’s instruction for the life with Him in His heavenly kingdom.

In the parable of the wedding of a king’ son, Jesus reminded us that whoever was invited into the kingdom of God must wear a righteous robe that was bought by His blood on the cross:

MATTHEW 22: 11-14 – And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

After having His righteous robe over us, we Christians must be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of God:

JOHN 3: 3 – Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Being born again means that we must shed our old selves and build up a new self in Christ with God’ standards. God has given commands in the Bible for us to follow in order to be changed anew.

We will use cooking techniques as an example that Christians must be prepared and change for the better. If we prepare our food carefully in order for it to be good and healthy for the whole family, then Christians should be prepared by God’s words for better life in Heaven.

If Daniel and his three friends must learn and study for three years before being able to stand in front of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, then Christians must be prepared in order to live in God’s heavenly home.

DANIEL 1: 3-4 – And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes. Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans

HEBREWS 12: 14 – Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

We Christians should encourage each other to learn how to live according to God’s standards while living on Earth so that later, we will be suitable for life in heaven.

EPHESIANS 5: 2 – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

May God help us in this undertaking so that on the day Jesus comes back to Earth, each one of us can be able to present before Him and then be allowed to live in the heavenly Kingdom with Him forever. Amen.