Journey--Grow- Garden in Heaven (Perspective)
We are journeying with Jesus and the adventure is full of twists and turns. We learned last week that even when things seem out of control, we can wait on God, trusting His promise that He works for our good. Remembering God’s promises can help us–
Hebrews 12:1 | Therefore… let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race (or the journey) God has set before us.
One of God’s promises is also our final garden. Let’s check it out!
Revelation 22:1-5 | Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.
The best garden is one in Heaven that surrounds the throne of God. It is shown to John in Revelation 22 because it is where every disciple’s earthly adventure ends. God takes John to the garden to remind him and us who read revelation today of the promise of eternity.
Eternity is forever with God in Heaven and there is only one way there–
John 17:3 | And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
You might remember that Jesus is the gate to the path that leads to eternal life. You can’t just believe in God the Father and not His Son. Jesus said it this way–
John 12:44, 48 | Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me… But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.”
Heaven is waiting for those who have chosen to journey with Jesus by way of –
Realizing they are a sinner in need of a Savior
Recognizing that Jesus is that Savior
Responding to Jesus’ invitation to “Come”
Those of us on the journey–
1st Peter 1:4 | and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
God gives us a glimpse into Heaven so we know what we are looking forward to–
Revelation 21:3-4 | I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Knowing the promise that waits at the end of our earthly adventure helps us when the journey is difficult. God uses the promise of what’s to come to prune our perspective–
2nd Corinthians 4:18 | So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
When we’re facing a time of earthly trouble through trial or testing, the final garden gives us the perspective that this trouble is temporary (2nd Corinthians 4:17).
When we’re hurt by the people around us who don’t know Jesus, the final garden gives us the perspective that enduring through their persecution will be worth it (Matthew 5:11-12).
When we’re tempted to pursue worldly pleasure, success, or wealth, the final garden gives us the perspective that these pursuits are meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:11) because they are empty and temporary things that will fade away (1st John 2:15-17).
Keeping our hearts set on the final garden and the promise of eternity with Jesus keeps our perspective (our way of thinking and seeing) exactly where it needs to be–
Colossians 3:1-3 | Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Perhaps most importantly, the final garden reminds us that eternity is coming and not everyone will be allowed to enter–
Revelation 21:27 | Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
As you journey with Jesus, keep your mind set on the promises of Heaven and walk in the eternal perspective that it gives you.
How does a person get their name written in the Lamb’s Book of LIfe? Is your name there? How do you know?
What will Heaven be like? Are you looking forward to it? Why or why not?
How can keeping Heaven – the end of our adventure – in mind change how you live each day of the journey?
How does it change how you deal with struggle?
How does it change how you deal with people?
How does it change where you focus your time and effort?