Living with God

Introduction:

John 14:1-3 - God wants us to dwell with Him!  The greatest thing about heaven is that God will be there! This should be a source of comfort and hope! Rev. 21:3 - Imagine living in the actual presence of God! Ever been in the presence of the president? Feeling of importance; anticipation; excitement! Now, imagine being in the presence of God! We’re talking about living with Him through the luxury of His home throughout all eternity!  Paul believed he would live with God. Phil. 1:21-23. To be with Christ is to be in the presence of God. When a faithful Christian dies, our spirit is taken into the care & keeping of God. Colly Caldwell:  We do not die in the grave.  We do not cease to exist.  We are alive and well in the presence of God.

I. Living with God Described:

A.    God is powerful!  God is caring!  God loves us more than any other person!

B.    In heaven, God will identify us with Himself personally. Rev. 21:3; 22:4

C.    In heaven, God will take care of and provide for us … forever!

1.     21:4 - Nobody cries; nobody dies; no sadness; no grief; no pain.

2.     21:19-21 - It is a city of incredible wealth

3.     21:16 - The city is 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles long; 1500 miles high.

4.     21:18 - The whole city is made of pure gold that is transparent.

5.     21:22 - God lives there--everyone can see Him and Christ.

6.     21:27 - Nothing influenced by evil is there; there is no deceit there.

7.     22:5 - no night because the God/Christ constantly illuminate the city.

II. Some things to remember when reading the Revelation account:

    1. The picture of heaven drawn in Revelation 21 and 22 is a symbolic picture
      1. 1 Cor. 15:50 - physical does not exist in the spiritual realm.
    2. Then what does that picture in Revelation mean?
      1. It describes an enormous conflict that caused suffering and death
    3. What would picture of heaven mean to Christians of the late first century?
      1. God's place is a secure place of peace where there is no suffering.
      2. Where God lives there is no fear, no dying, no sorrow.
      3. No one can hurt you there, and you are never vulnerable.
      4. There are no enemies, there are no dangers, there is no need.

III. What physical symbols would God would use today to explain what life with Him is like?

A.    All pain and rejection would cease to exist.

B.    There is no death or sorrow where God lives. There is no evil where God lives.

C.    There is no insecurity where God lives.

D.    Where God lives there is love, acceptance, joy, and peace.

IV. Living with God is a conditional Thing.

A.    Existence w/o God is unthinkable!

1.     Existence with God in eternity is conditional upon our dwelling with God NOW!

2.     Most NT passages that speak of living with God discuss a “present” relationship with the Lord.

B.    See 1 John 4:12-16.  Conditioned on our love; confession; and belief.

C.    Jhn. 14:23 – Jesus said it is conditioned upon our obedience.

D.   There will be no dwelling with God eternally unless we dwell with Him now.