As we dive into week 3 of our series, 'The Other Side', we will discuss a topic that everyone wants to understand more about: Heaven. In our study today, we will delve into Scripture to explore what God teaches us in His Word about Heaven and what it will be like. As we learn more about Heaven, we will discover that it is greater than anything that we could imagine.
What do you think about when you think about heaven?
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SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Bible Study 1.Read Revelation 21:4. What does this passage of Scripture teach about what will be absent in heaven?
Revelation 21:4
4He 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.
2. What does this passage of Scripture teach about who will be present in heaven? 3. Read Revelation 21:9-27. What will heaven be like, according to this passage of Scripture?
Revelation 21:9-27 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 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.
4. Look back at verse 22. Why was there no temple in John's vision?
1. As you reflect on John’s description of heaven in Revelation 21, what stands out to you the most? Why?
2. What is the proper response to this teaching about heaven in Revelation 21?
3. After reading about what heaven will be like in Revelation 21, how would you explain to someone what heaven is like?
Who is someone you are currently reaching out to who is lost and in need of the hope of Christ, who you want to be in heaven with you one day? Share that person with your group and commit to inviting them to church with you this weekend. After everyone has shared, pray together. Pray for these people who are in need of Christ's hope, and that God would make Himself known to them.
Revelation 21:23 reveals that there will be no need for the sun and moon because God's glory will provide the light. This theme of light is evident throughout Scripture, beginning in the book of Genesis and continuing through to the book of Revelation. For the next few minutes, let's explore some of the places in Scripture where we learn about light and its significance.
The first place we in Scripture that we learn about light is in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. In fact, we learn about light in the very first chapter of this very first book of the Bible. Take a look at the account of creation found in Genesis 1, particularly as it relates to light.
1. Read Genesis 1:1-19.
Genesis 1:1-19
For In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. 6 Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” 7 And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. 8 God called the space “sky.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day. 9 Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. 10 God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. 12 The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day. 14 Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. 16 God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, 18 to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about light? (There is more than one answer to this question.)
3. What is the purpose of light?
4. Describe the feelings that come with being surrounded by light.
When we think about sources of light, we often think of the sun, moon, stars, or even light bulbs. While all of these sources of light are important for us today, they are not the greatest source of light. You see, in the New Testament, Jesus Himself, the one who was there at the creation of the world, called Himself “the light of the world.”
1. Read John 1:1-5 and John 8:12.
John 1:1-5
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 8:12
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
2. In what way was Jesus involved with creation, including the creation of light?
3. What does John 1:1-5 reveal about the light of Christ?
4. What is the benefit of walking in the light of Christ, according to John 8:12?
As Jesus taught a listening crowd one day, He revealed to them that they had a job to do. You see, when He changes our hearts and we place our faith in Him, His light shines through us. He calls us to shine His light into this world that is full of darkness and in need of His hope.
1. Read Matthew 5:14-16.
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
2. Summarize Jesus’ teaching in this passage of Scripture.
3. What is the impact of shining His light in our world around us?
4. In what ways can followers of Christ shine His light in our world today?
As followers of Christ, we are called to shine the light of Christ everywhere around us. What is one way you can shine the light of Christ in your world this week? Share that with your group. After everyone has shared, pray together, asking God to help each one of you as you seek to shine His light in a dark world that is desperately in need of it.
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