1. Why do we - - - Misunderstand Heaven?
Revelation 21:21
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

2. Introduction We must ALWAYS keep a passage in its context.
Many times we do not pay close attention to the wording.
Study the chapter.
Study the terms and words used.

3. Revelation 21
V 1-2 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Bride adorned for her husband
Coming down out of heaven from God

4. Revelation 21
V 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
The tabernacle – place of worship – is with men
God will dwell with them
They will be His people
God will be their God

5. Revelation 21
V 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
God offers the water of life
It is offered to all who thirst

6. Revelation 21
V 9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."
The Lamb is Jesus
The bride of Jesus is the church

7. Ephesians 5 Study Ephesians 5:22-33
V 23 Christ is the head of the church
V 25 Christ loved the church
V 26 Christ sanctified and cleansed the church
V. 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

8. Revelation 21 V 10 Great city, coming DOWN, out of heaven
V 12 High walls, 12 gates
Message is this is open to everyone
There is a way to enter
You can enter, but you can not “sneak” in

9. Revelation 21
John 10:7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

10. Revelation 21 V 13 3 gates each direction All can enter –
Any nation, tribe, race, language
No matter where you come from

11. Revelation 21
V 21a The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl.
Jesus is the door to the church
He is the ONLY way to enter, others are thieves and robbers
V 21b And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
The street of gold = the value of entering the one, true way

12. Summary
Revelation 21
NOT about heaven, the eternal reward of the righteous
IS about God’s plan for the church to save the obedient
Context – chapters show that God defeated
The Beast – world governments; False Prophet – false teachers; Satan
They are thrown into the Lake of Fire, Second Death

13. Why does this matter?
1. It makes eternity focus on money, material wealth
Is it a selling point that there will be valuable stuff sitting around in heaven?
What is the value of gold or pearls in heaven?
2. Takes attention away from the real prize.
Eternity, the presence of God, with Jesus, with all the faithful people of God

14. Why does this matter? 3. It misses the point of this chapter.
God dealt with the beast, false prophet and Satan himself.
This chapter is about how God offers true salvation to God’s people.

15. Heaven is not about gold. It is about eternity with the righteous.
Why does this matter?
4. Many turn this passage into the opulence of heaven.
The selling point of heaven is not gold, pearls, jewels, wealth or beauty.
Heaven is not about gold.
It is about eternity with the righteous.
It is about God.