Revelation 21:1 - 5, NIV84 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will

wipe every tear from their eyes wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ ”

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die,

so in Christ all will be made alive so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him.” 1 Corinthians 15:20 - 23, NIV84

Ascension

“After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said,

‘why do you stand here looking into the sky ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven.’ ” Acts 1:9 - 11, NIV84

1. Jesus is not absent

“Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20b, NIV84

1. Jesus is not absent 2. He is not alone

“This is why it says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captives in His train and gave gifts to men.’ ” Ephesians 4:8, NIV84

1. Jesus is not absent 2. He is not alone 3. He is enthroned in Heaven

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9, NIV84

1. Jesus is not absent 2. He is not alone 3 1. Jesus is not absent 2. He is not alone 3. He is enthroned in Heaven 4. He intercedes for us

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has

been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14 - 16, NIV84

1. Jesus is not absent 2. He is not alone 3 1. Jesus is not absent 2. He is not alone 3. He is enthroned in Heaven 4. He intercedes for us 5. He has poured out the Holy Spirit

“Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Act 2:33, NIV84

Advent

Is the world all we hoped it could be?

Is my life all I hoped it could be? Is the world all we hoped it could be? Is my life all I hoped it could be?