Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas

NT Framework - It Went Wrong

• Jeremy Thomas • Season 6 • Episode 193

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Here in this time and place, God has revealed Himself in His name, and there is a future that we will seek to fully understand Him. But till then, we dwell where it all went wrong.

More information about Beyond the Walls, including additional resources can be found at www.beyondthewalls-ministry.com 

This series included graphics to illustrate what is being taught, if you would like to watch the teachings you can do so on Rumble (https://rumble.com/user/SpokaneBibleChurch) or on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtV_KhFVZ_waBcnuywiRKIyEcDkiujRqP).

Jeremy Thomas is the pastor at Spokane Bible Church in Spokane, Washington and a professor at Chafer Theological Seminary. He has been teaching the Bible for over 20 years, always seeking to present its truths in a clear and understandable manner. 

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas and our series on the New Testament framework. Today, a smaller, bite-sized piece from the larger lesson. We hope you enjoy it.

SPEAKER_02:

Last things reflect first things. So, in between in this story, something went wrong. And why Christ came is to start the process of restoring things, to bring things back to their proper order.

SPEAKER_01:

So Revelation 21.

SPEAKER_02:

You see several contrasts here between the good and the evil. I've shown the diagram, right, where you've got the split, you know, between good and evil. And this, these two chapters depict that you've got this separation that will happen at the, let's just say, the final judgment, for lack of being specific. But this final judgment that separates good and evil forever, and never shall the twain ever meet again, right? In other words, one of the differences between Genesis 1 and 2 and Revelation 21 and 22 is this. In Genesis 1 and 2, there's this thing called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat it, you will surely die.

SPEAKER_01:

There's not one of those over in Revelation 21 and 22. There's just a tree of life, right? So is there any possibility for fall, a fall? No. So whatever the state is here, it's fixed.

SPEAKER_02:

It's a fixed order. You see verse 21, verse 1, a new heaven and new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there's no longer any sea. Well, we'll get into this next week because there's going to be a um glorification of nature. And we, you know, I mean, it's going to describe a lot of things here about the new heavens and new earth. I mean, there's things like rivers, you know, there's a tree, there's fruits, and stuff like that.

SPEAKER_01:

Um, do we have any of those things in this world? We sure do. Isn't that interesting? It's like, but there's no sea.

SPEAKER_02:

There's no sea, but there's uh you have to start connecting. You start asking yourself, why are there things in the new heavens and new earth that are very similar to our heavens and earth?

SPEAKER_01:

And then some things are different. Well, isn't it just like our resurrection bodies? That's because the same doctrine is being investigated here.

SPEAKER_02:

The glorification of the resurrection body and the glorification of nature are related doctrines. We're supposed to see how they work together. One of the big questions that theologians discuss is whether the new heavens and new earth will be entirely new or whether it will be derived from the present heavens and earth. In other words, will the new heavens and new earth just be a completely new creation, totally unrelated to this creation, because everything that's here is just totally destroyed, all the elements, everything, gone, or is the new heaven and new earth actually going to be derived from the elements from the previous creation? Well, let me ask you a question. What's the truth of your resurrection body? Is it entirely new and separate from the materials in this created order, or is it derived from them? This is how you learn to think scripturally. This is how you learn to solve problems, not by making it up, but by using things that we know surely to derive other ideas that can inform and help you be more precise in your thinking. And you see, yeah, streets of gold, right? River, trees of life, all this stuff going on. City, okay. Elements like Jasper, sardonycs, okay. What are these? Turk, what are these? Elements from our world. This is teaching us how God is going to create all things new. And um, you say, well, can God, you know, make all things new and not bring over any of the evil? Well, I mean, he does it. I mean, he's God. So it's not too hard from him. He does it with our resurrection body, he'll do it with all of nature as well. So let's look at some of the split here, this final separation. Notice verse 3. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and he will dwell among them. What does God want? What did he want from the very beginning in Genesis? He wanted to dwell with man. He made us in his own image to have fellowship with him and communion with him. It says, and it's going to happen, and they shall be his people. And God himself will be among them. God himself. He will wipe away, of course, every tear from their eyes, no longer be any death, no longer be any mourning or crying or pain, which is the word toilsome labor. There'll still be labor, but not toilsome. The first things have passed away. Now, there are those who will indwell this place. Verse 7, he who overcomes will inherit these things. That means you'll have part in these things. And I will be his God and he will be my son. That's the language of the Davidic covenant. It's amazing how God makes this close, close relationship with us in the future. But, verse 8, not for the cowardly and the unbelieving and the abominable and the murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and so forth. See, they don't have any inheritance in the new Jerusalem, in the new heavens and new earth. It says their inheritance is in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. You see, the separation?

SPEAKER_01:

That's why it's so important to get right now with God. Because once things are set here, there's this a final separation.

SPEAKER_02:

A bunch of description of the city and the foundation stones and the gates and the pearl, you know, the pearly gates and all that stuff. And we'll talk more about that next week when we look at nature. But notice verse uh 2126 or 2125 and 26. In the daytime, where there will be no night there. That's the difference, right? And some of us are happy because I really don't like the dark during the winter here. I could just go for all light, you know. I just go for all light. That sounds good to me. No night there, for its gates will never be closed, and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it, and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

SPEAKER_01:

See that this is a very this is fine, this is finality, isn't it? This is finality. And it's it's serious. There's a place for those who have believed and are in the Lamb's book of life, then there's a separate place for those who have not. Continued in their uncleanness. Right? Uh let's look at another one. Verse 3, 22, 3.

SPEAKER_02:

There will no longer be any curse. There it is. See the fall. It's over. And the throne of God and the Lamb will be in it, and his bondservants will serve him. They will see his face. They'll see the face of God, and his name will be on their foreheads, and they will no longer be any night. And we know that, right? No, they will not need the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun because what? Because the Lord God will illumine them and they will reign forever and ever. What are we destined for?

SPEAKER_01:

To be little peasants or to be kings and queens? Kings and queens. Reigning forever with the God of the universe.

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you for joining us on Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas. If you would like to see the visuals that went along with today's sermon, you can find those on Rumble and on YouTube under Spokane Bible Church. That is where Jeremy is the pastor and teacher. We hope you found today's lesson productive and useful in growing closer to God and walking more obediently with Him. If you found this podcast to be useful and helpful, then please consider rating us in your favorite podcast app. And until next time, we hope you have a blessed and wonderful day.