The New Heaven and New Earth—God's Eternal Dwelling with His People
The People of God: Revelation 21
Revelation 21 and 22 depict the ultimate restoration of creation, where humanity is reunited with God in perfect fellowship. The imagery of the tree of life, once guarded after the fall in Genesis, reappears as a symbol of eternal life and healing for the nations. Through faith in Jesus, who embodies the tree of life, believers are transformed, not only receiving forgiveness but also growing to love righteousness and dwell with God forever. This hope of eternity begins now, as believers are called to live in humility, submit to God’s truth, and share the message of reconciliation with others, inviting all to experience the life and joy found in Christ.
Sermon Transcript
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” He then carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. The city had a massive high wall, with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. The city wall had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were on the foundations. The one who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used. The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold clear as glass. The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel: the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21)
Throughout the series, we’ve focused a lot on the destructive side of things—the ultimate destruction of wickedness and evil. And even though we know this is ultimately good because it preserves righteousness, it can feel heavy and discouraging to go through that week after week.
Today, I’m excited to move beyond that. I’m looking forward to exploring what comes next—what we often refer to as heaven. I’ll admit, heaven can feel abstract at times. We don’t have a lot of specific details or teaching on exactly what heaven is. So, this week and next, we’ll dive into Revelation 21 and 22 to unpack what the Bible says about heaven, casting some hope as we explore our eternal future.
Revelation 21 and 22 connect back in many ways to Genesis 3. If you’re familiar with the story of Adam and Eve, you know that God placed them in a garden with two significant trees: the tree of life, a life-giving tree, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God instructed them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, saying, "For on the day you eat from it, you will surely die." In the garden, there was a tree of life and a tree of death—one that represented good and one that represented disobedience and separation from God.
As the story goes, a serpent, later revealed in Revelation as the dragon, deceived Eve by questioning God’s command. The serpent suggested they wouldn’t truly die, leading Eve—and eventually Adam—into disobedience. They ate from the tree that represented death. Although they didn’t physically die immediately, their act of disobedience introduced mortality and, more tragically, a spiritual disconnection from their Creator. They lost their ability to walk with God face to face and were separated from His presence.
This brings us to today’s passage, where we focus on the idea of dwelling with God. Before sin entered the world, humanity was destined to live in both spiritual and physical connection with God. Revelation 21:3 speaks to this restoration:
"Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: 'Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and will be their God.'"
This verse describes a future moment when God and His people are united in an ultimate sense—not just spiritually but physically. Humanity will dwell with God as He intended.
So, who gets to experience this? Revelation 21:7 says:
"The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son."
This language introduces an interesting theme. Throughout Scripture, the concept of being God’s "son" is significant. In the Old Testament, Israel is referred to as God’s son. In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the Son of God. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for those who believe in Him to share in this relationship. By faith in Jesus, we are promised the same resurrection He experienced.
This promise is the essence of the gospel. As John 3:16 reminds us:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
All of the destructive judgment we’ve discussed in recent weeks is contrasted with the hope of eternal life through Jesus. It’s a profound reminder of God’s love and the future He has prepared for those who conquer through faith in Him.
As the story progresses, we see that it’s not just about having eternal life; it’s about becoming children of God. Just as Jesus is the Son of God, Paul tells us in Romans 8 and 9 that we, too, become sons—though younger sons, if you will—under Jesus, the Son of the living God.
That’s what’s happening here in Revelation. As we conquer evil in this world through the power of Jesus, we also become sons of God. It is this sonship that allows us to dwell with God for all eternity. So when we ask questions like, "What is heaven? What is eternity like?" we see a clear physical element to it. The New Testament authors, and certainly John in his vision here, describe a physical presence of God. Just as Adam and Eve were physical beings who walked in the presence of God, there will be something like that for us as well.
Looking ahead to Revelation 22:4, it says:
"They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads."
This points back to two significant ideas in Scripture. First, many passages emphasize that looking upon the face of God brings death. We talked about Isaiah’s vision a few weeks ago—how, when Isaiah saw God, he fell on his face and declared, "I’m ruined!" He expected to die because he had seen the face of the holy and righteous God as a sinful man. Standing in the presence of such holiness is terrifying for the unrighteous.
Yet, our relationship with Jesus transforms us. We aren’t just called righteous; we are ultimately made righteous. This transformation enables us to stand in the presence of God, to look upon His face, and to dwell with Him. This righteousness isn’t just about changing our behaviors; it’s about a transformation of our very desires.
People often ask me, "Can we sin in heaven?" It’s a fascinating philosophical question. The root of it is, "Do we lose our free will in heaven?" My answer has always been, "You could, but you won’t." Why? Because our transformation into Christlikeness goes beyond mere behavior modification. Our hearts are transformed to love righteousness more and more throughout our lives, until, in eternity, we fully desire righteousness.
Some people worry that heaven might seem boring because they associate it with the things they "can’t" do here on earth. But heaven is the place where, in every moment and in every way, your heart’s desires are fully satisfied—because your desires are perfectly aligned with Christ’s righteousness. You will be so transformed that you can stand in the presence of the Father, look upon His face, and yearn only for what is good and holy.
This transformation reminds me of Genesis 3. Before sin, Adam and Eve walked fearlessly with God. But when sin entered the world, their immediate reaction was to cover their shame and hide. They didn’t want to look at God, and they didn’t want God to look at them. Sin created a fearfulness in their relationship with God.
I think of Jeremiah 24:7, where the prophet sees two baskets of figs—one filled with rotten figs, so bad they couldn’t be eaten, and the other filled with ripe, sweet figs, the best you could imagine. The good figs represent God’s people, and the rotten figs represent those who are not His people. This motif of "they will be My people, and I will be their God" runs throughout Scripture.
Another example is the prophet Hosea. In Hosea 2, God commands Hosea to marry an adulterous woman and have children with her. One of their children is named Lo-Ammi, which means "Not My People." Yet God makes a promise: though they are not His people now, one day they will be. God takes what is broken and rebellious and purifies it from the inside out. He transforms hearts so that those who once ran from Him will now run to Him.
Sometimes Christianity is misunderstood as a religion of fear, especially when we look at the judgment passages in Revelation. People think, "If God is such a harsh judge, I better fall in line to avoid His wrath." But Christianity isn’t about fear. It’s about transformation. It’s about God taking people who are far from Him, making them righteous, and giving them new hearts that long for Him, His presence, and His righteousness.
Christianity is about loving goodness, loving righteousness, and allowing God to transform your heart. It’s about admitting there are things in your heart that aren’t good or righteous—things you don’t even love—and yet you still cling to them. Through Jesus and the work of His Spirit, those things are reconciled. This transformation leads you to wrestle with your sin and come to love righteousness.
Where you were once "not My people"—Lo-Ammi—you can now become God’s people. Instead of running from Him in fear, you run to Him in love. This idea appears throughout Scripture. Consider Leviticus 26, Jeremiah 7:23 and 31:33, Ezekiel 36:28—all of them emphasize the same theme: though God’s people rebel, there will come a time when we will turn to Him in perfect righteousness, and He will be our God, and we will be His people. This is the ultimate hope of eternity: dwelling with God, being with Him in perfection and righteousness.
There are beautiful consequences to this. One of the first is the reversal of the curse from Genesis 3. When sin entered the world, it brought curses—on the serpent, on Eve, on Adam, and on creation itself. Genesis 3 describes how the serpent was cursed, how Eve experienced pain in childbirth, and how Adam’s labor became toil. Even the creation was subjected to entropy, heading toward ultimate destruction.
But in Revelation 21:4, we see the reversal of this curse:
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away."
Think about how often sadness affects us. We weep over truly heartbreaking situations, but for many, sadness and depression are constant companions. Even when life isn’t particularly tragic, psychological fatigue can weigh us down. This is the reality of living in a broken world. While medications and treatments may help, the ultimate solution to all sadness is Jesus. In the presence of God, there will be no more tears, no more depression, no more sorrow—only joy.
Revelation also promises that death will be no more. This is extraordinary. In previous weeks, we’ve seen death as the ultimate judgment for those who reject God. But here, for God’s people, death is eradicated. Why? Because righteousness is restored. What Adam and Eve experienced before sin—eternal life with God—is now restored. Grief, crying, pain, and death—things tied to this fallen world—are gone forever. In their place, we find eternal righteousness, joy, and peace with God. This is what the world was meant to be, and what began in the garden finds its perfect fulfillment when we dwell with God for eternity.
One of the most beautiful promises in these chapters involves the tree of life. If you recall, the tree of life was at the center of the garden in Genesis. Now, it reappears in Revelation 22:1-3:
"Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse."
The tree of life ties directly to the curse in Genesis 3. In the garden, it was central—highlighting its priority and purpose. Genesis 3:22 tells us that the tree of life was for eternal life. After sin brought spiritual death—a separation from God—He, in His mercy, prevented Adam and Eve from eating from the tree and living forever in their fallen state. He placed cherubim at the entrance to Eden to guard the way back, as Moses explains: "Lest they eat from the tree and live forever."
This was an act of mercy. Eternal life without God would be eternal hell—an unending existence of pain and separation. By barring access to the tree, God protected humanity from an eternal state of suffering. Now, in Revelation, the tree of life reappears as the centerpiece of the new creation. It is no longer guarded or withheld but freely available. Its leaves bring healing to the nations, and its fruit symbolizes the restoration of eternal life with God. The curse is reversed, and humanity is brought back into perfect fellowship with its Creator.
It wouldn’t be life—it wouldn’t be heaven—without God. It wouldn’t be anything worth living. In His beautiful act of mercy, God removed access to the tree of life after the fall. But what’s fascinating is that, throughout the Old Testament, especially in the writings of Solomon, the tree of life reappears as a symbol.
For example, in Proverbs 3:18, wisdom is described as a tree of life. The tree of life represents eternity, value, and purpose, and wisdom serves as a life-giving guide—a kind of salvation for us. Similarly, in Proverbs 11:30, righteousness is said to produce the fruit of the tree of life. Pursuing God and His ways brings life, even eternal life.
In Proverbs 15:4, edifying speech is described as a tree of life. Speaking words of encouragement, building others up, and pointing people toward God and His righteousness are ways we experience eternal life even now. When we speak about wisdom and righteousness, we reflect the tree of life and point others toward Christ.
In Revelation 2:7, the tree of life is connected to the paradise—or garden—of God. Here, "paradise" and "garden" are the same word in the original languages, both Hebrew and Greek. The paradise of heaven is described as a restored Garden of Eden. The tree of life, which was in the center of the garden in Genesis, is now found in the eternal paradise of Revelation.
Revelation 22:2 tells us that the tree of life is for the healing of the nations. This is a profound promise. Those who have been purified, redeemed, and regenerated by Jesus are rewarded with the tree of life. Revelation 22:19 ties this reward to those whose names are written in the book of life:
"And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."
This is the only passage where the book of life and the tree of life appear together. It’s a beautiful literary climax. The book of life, written before the dawn of time, contains the names of all who will enter the eternal paradise. Now, this book is tied to the tree of life, which symbolizes eternal life and righteousness. Those whose names are written in the book of life are granted access to the tree of life. It’s a remarkable moment in the narrative.
The eternal place described here is both physical and spiritual. We often get images from popular culture—like spirits floating around playing harps—but that’s not the picture Scripture gives us. Orthodox Christianity has long held to the belief in a restored creation, a physical and eternal dwelling with God. It’s difficult to imagine living forever because we can’t fully grasp what it means to be in God’s presence. But in that presence, there is pure, unadulterated joy and the fulfillment of every desire for righteousness and wisdom.
These descriptions of eternity are communicated through symbols. For instance, in Genesis, the garden is often interpreted literally or figuratively, depending on how one reads the text. Some don’t view the garden narratives in Genesis 1–3 as literal history but as a symbolic story of beginnings. Revelation 21 reflects on the garden, but much of Revelation is clearly figurative, using symbols to help us understand deeper truths.
This symbolic language can make it challenging to fully imagine eternity. If our hope is tied to eternity, but it’s described in figures and symbols, does that make it less real? Not at all. The symbols point us to realities greater than our imagination—truths that are more profound than we can comprehend. Eternity with God is not diminished by symbolic language; rather, it is elevated as something we cannot yet fully grasp but can deeply hope for.
Maybe these texts are meant to speak to us in other ways, influencing how we live now. The New Testament authors clearly believed that understanding and believing in eternal life should affect the way we live our lives today. Many people argue that even if they don’t believe in eternal life, the idea of it—found in Christianity and other religions—is valuable because it inspires better living. This is a perspective similar to Nietzsche’s. He famously said that if God doesn’t exist, someone ought to invent Him. His point, as an agnostic or possibly an atheist, was that belief in God and eternal life was beneficial because it encouraged people to live better lives.
But I don’t think we should approach it this way. It’s not about inventing an idea of the Garden of Eden or eternal paradise just because we want to believe in something comforting. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that eternity has been placed in our hearts by our Creator. It doesn’t take much of a survey to see that nearly all humanity, across cultures and countries, has believed in the eternity of the soul. Even many atheists admit there is something metaphysical—something beyond the physical realm—when it comes to the human experience.
And yet, people are often tempted to deny the reality of biblical teachings on eternity because they assume it’s just symbolic. But here’s the thing: interpreting something figuratively doesn’t mean it’s not also real. The spiritual reality described in the Bible is meant to influence how we live in the physical world. Denying the reality of the spiritual undermines its power to shape our lives. It’s backwards thinking to say, "These are just symbols meant to inspire goodness, but they’re not real." You can’t truly believe in a spiritual reality without also believing in its truth. It’s the belief in its truth that changes your heart and, by extension, your life.
The spiritual leads to the physical. Following righteousness in the spiritual leads to righteousness in the physical. Without the conviction of the spiritual, there’s no lasting conviction in the physical. When we grasp this, the harder part to believe—the physical reality of eternity—comes to fruition as the ultimate result of the spiritual. In eternity, we will be spiritually and physically in the presence of God forever.
If you have questions about this or want to dive deeper into metaphysics, I’d love to grab a cup of coffee and talk. But let’s shift our focus to what living in the presence of Jesus and the tree of life means for us here and now. Believing in the reality of eternal life should impact how we live today.
Paul explains this beautifully in Romans 8:
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed in us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience" (Romans 8:18–25, CSB).
Paul explains that the sufferings of this life are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us. Creation itself longs for the redemption that is coming, groaning as if in labor pains. And we, as believers, also groan within ourselves, longing for the full realization of our adoption and the redemption of our bodies.
Hope is central to this passage. Paul reminds us that hope is for what we do not yet see. If we already had the fullness of eternity, there would be no need for hope. But because we long for something greater—something more beautiful than we can even imagine—we eagerly wait for it with patience.
This passage reminds us that whatever we experience now, even as redeemed people, is imperfect. As much as I love worshiping with you all and being in fellowship together, Paul would say, "This is nothing compared to what’s coming." He wants us to fix our eyes on the incredible spiritual reality that awaits us—a future far more glorious than anything we can conceive.
This, I believe, is why John’s description of eternity in Revelation is so symbolic. It’s not because eternity isn’t real but because its beauty and reality go beyond anything we can fully describe or understand.
It’s far more beautiful and wonderful than we could ever imagine. God has called us to have hope in this reality, a hope that reflects in our hearts, minds, and souls even now. Paul reflects on this world in light of the promise of the new heaven and the new earth, saying in verse 18 that this present time is "nothing compared to the glory" that is coming. He encourages us to wait and see it with our own eyes, reminding us that the mystery of eternity is a source of great hope.
In verse 24, Paul explains that all creation was cursed because of sin and is now groaning, waiting for the day of redemption. But he also says that we, as believers, have already received the "firstfruits" of salvation—a foretaste of what is to come. A part of eternal life is already within us because we believe in Jesus. This is a mind-blowing reality: eternal life is not only a future promise but also a present reality for those who follow Christ.
Now, this raises an important question: if eternal life is tied to the tree of life, as we see throughout the Scriptures, how does this align with Jesus’ words in John 14:6? He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." How can eternal life come from the tree if Jesus is the way to the Father?
Eastern Orthodox theology provides a fascinating perspective: it views Jesus as the tree of life. Even in the garden, the tree of life symbolized Jesus’ presence with Adam and Eve. This interpretation connects the tree of life with the Lamb’s Book of Life, which records the names of those who will eat from the tree of life. In the Lord’s Supper, we partake of the bread, which represents the body of Christ. This act of partaking in Jesus reflects the life-giving reality of the tree of life.
Solomon in the Proverbs also ties wisdom to the tree of life. Proverbs 3:18 says, "Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her." John and Paul further connect wisdom—or reason—with Jesus. John begins his Gospel by saying, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." The Greek word for "Word" is logos, which can mean reason, wisdom, or truth. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom, the very reason and truth of God made flesh.
In this way, Jesus is the ultimate tree of life. Everywhere the tree of life is mentioned in Scripture, it points to Him. Even in His death, we see this connection. The New Testament and the prophets describe Jesus as having died "on a tree." Why not simply say "on a cross"? Because the tree imagery points to the idea that Jesus died on the tree of death to demonstrate, through His resurrection, that He is the tree of life. This literary and theological connection is deeply meaningful.
As we’ve discussed throughout this series, the imagery in Scripture works together to communicate profound truths that mere data cannot convey. These images move our hearts in ways that simple facts cannot. And as we come to understand these images—this tapestry of biblical truth—we grow in our love for Jesus. He died on the tree of death so that, in His resurrection, He could prove that He is the tree of life.
Here’s the beauty of it: if you want the tree of life—if you want eternal life, heaven, and the joy of dwelling with God forever—it is available to you right now. This is what Paul speaks of in Romans 8. A part of that tree of life, which stands at the center of paradise, is already with you if you’ve received Jesus. His Spirit rests on you, and you’ve already begun to partake in the eternal life He offers.
You’ve been called by the Scriptures. You’ve been beckoned to come to Jesus. Have you ever thought about it that way? Paul tells us in Romans 10 that every time you hear the Bible, every time you hear about Jesus and His work of reconciliation, you’re being called. You hear how Jesus’ death covers the death you deserved because of your sins. And it’s not as though you can fix the guilt of your sins by simply doing good things. You might think, I’ll do better because I did wrong, but even when you do better, the guilt often remains. Why? Because the wrong was still done.
Jesus removes that weight of guilt. He heals your heart and makes you love righteousness. Through His forgiveness and reconciliation, He transforms you. He regenerates your heart, and in that transformation, you begin to love Him and His ways.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus Himself invites you:
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
This is such beautiful language. Jesus continues by saying, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Yes, there is still work to do, a burden to carry, but there is also rest in Jesus—rest not only for eternity but for now. That rest can begin in your life today.
John’s description of eternity in Revelation gives us convictions to hold onto and live by now. You always act according to what you believe. Think about it: every choice you make stems from what you believe you should do. Even when you sin, it’s because, in some way, you’ve justified that decision to yourself. Sometimes, those choices come from patterns you’ve adopted over time, but ultimately, our actions are tied to our beliefs.
This is why regeneration is so important. Through Jesus, your heart is transformed so you love what is right. John shows us what is eternally true, and Paul reminds us that a part of that eternal truth—the presence of God—is already available to us now. Paul says that if this is what eternity looks like, why not begin to experience it today by following Jesus?
John describes eternity as dwelling with God, seeing Him face to face, and worshiping Him. If that’s the reality of eternity, how are you dwelling with Him now? How can you say you want to dwell with God forever but don’t make choices to dwell with Him today? If you truly believe in the eternity of God, you will live in a way that reflects that belief.
Of course, we live in an imperfect world. Sometimes life gets in the way—jobs, illnesses, family responsibilities, depression, anxiety, or just the general difficulties of life. These things can hinder our ability to dwell with God. But here’s the thing: we need Him, and we need to desire Him. If you truly believe in eternity, you’ll pursue dwelling with God now. Pray for it. Seek Him. Don’t let the temporary things of this life overtake your desire to be with God.
If you don’t want to dwell with God now, do you really believe you’ll dwell with Him forever? I’m not questioning your salvation; I’m asking you to examine how your life aligns with what you say you believe. Bring your actions and beliefs into consistency. If you believe in eternal life with God, let that belief shape your life today.
I understand that we all go through seasons where we fall out of patterns—whether that’s prayer, reading Scripture, or gathering with the church. Life gets hard, and we might lose sight of God for a time. But if you truly believe in eternal life with God, let’s talk about making changes. Let’s figure out what needs to happen for you to return to dwelling with God now. This isn’t about ritualistically or religiously going through the motions but about loving the wisdom of God found in His Word.
How do you get there? Start by believing the truth about eternity: that you will dwell with God forever. Let that belief transform the way you live today.
As you grow to love the truth of eternity, you’ll want to seek it now. If you don’t know how to do that, I’d love to meet with you and help you. But the first step is a desire to dwell with God now.
Next, we’re told that in eternity, we’ll drink from the river of life. Think about Jesus sitting with the Samaritan woman at the well. She was an outsider, an enemy of Israel in many ways, and she asked, "Why would you, a Jew, even talk to me?" Jesus replied, in essence, "I see you drinking from this well, but you’ll get thirsty again. Come and drink my water, which leads to eternal life."
Do you see what Jesus is saying? Drinking from the river of life, whether figurative or literal, points to something profound. With the Samaritan woman, Jesus explains: "A time is coming when you will no longer worship in Jerusalem or on the mountains, but God the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth." Drinking from the river of life means worshiping God in spirit and in truth.
What does that mean? First, it means loving truth—seeking what is true, even when it challenges what you already believe. We’re often more concerned with affirming what we want to be true than pursuing actual truth. Think about it: when you hear a message, you tend to accept what aligns with your current beliefs and dismiss what doesn’t. That’s human nature, especially in our individualistic culture. But loving truth means being willing to set aside your preconceived ideas to recognize and embrace truth when it confronts you.
When you genuinely love truth, it changes you. You don’t dismiss something because it’s uncomfortable or unfamiliar; you examine it to see if it’s true. And when it is, you’re willing to make the necessary changes—even painful ones. This is what Jesus is calling us to do. He is the truth that confronts the life of sin we once lived. He shows us our insufficiencies, but He also promises to fill those gaps, to undergird our strengths by His Spirit, and to use them for His purposes.
To worship God in spirit and truth means submitting everything about yourself—your heart, your mind, your will—to the authority of God’s Spirit and His Word. That’s what Jesus was telling the Samaritan woman. It’s a call to humility.
Humility is choosing to place yourself under the authority of another. It’s different from humiliation, where someone else forces you into submission, tearing you down. Humiliation feels terrible, but humility is a deliberate act of honor to God. It’s when you look at a hard truth, count the cost, and acknowledge that it might hurt—your pride, your relationships, or even the things you love.
Humility is essential for becoming a follower of Jesus. It’s what allows you to confess that your way of thinking was wrong and that what Jesus says—what the Spirit of God reveals in Scripture—is right and true. That’s the turning point for every Christian: admitting that your perspective is insufficient and embracing the truth of God’s Word.
This is what it means to drink from the river of life and worship in spirit and truth. It’s not just a future promise; it’s something you can begin living now. Let humility guide you as you seek God’s presence and submit to His truth.
When you make that hard confession and begin to walk in it, that’s humility. That’s what it means to drink from the river of life. If you confess to be a follower of Jesus, understand this: drinking from the river of life is an eternal act, something we will do perfectly in eternity. It will be much easier then, but you can’t wait for eternity to start; you must begin now. That’s why Paul says, "If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Confession and belief lead to salvation and eternal life.
Before I close in prayer, let me remind you of this: Jesus died, rose again, and entered into the paradise where the tree of life stands by the river of life in the center of the new creation. In Revelation, John observes that "the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:2). This brings us back to the idea of the nations in rebellion against God and the one nation loyal to Him—His people, His Church.
We must not look at others as though they are simply from a different nation or as enemies. Even if they see the Church as their enemy, we are not called to divide or drive a wedge. The kingdom of God has open borders. Anyone can come in because the Lord draws people to Himself through His Word. And His Word is proclaimed through the mouths of His people. The nations are to be reconciled to God, and it is through your mouth that this reconciling Word is spoken.
If you don’t yet know those reconciling words, let’s learn them together. But understand this: you are called to dwell with God, to drink from the river of life in humility and submission, and to speak the truth about Jesus to the nations.
Prayer:
Let me pray for us.
Lord, we come before You, thankful for Jesus. Thank You for the tree of life. Thank You that, even though the tree of life was removed from human existence in the story of the garden, there has always been a way to experience Jesus—the giver of life.
Lord, may we dwell with You even now. May we yearn for fruitful times of prayer, for deep moments of reading and understanding the Scriptures, and for communion with You—not just knowing about You but knowing You as an intimate friend, a Father, and our Savior. May we drink from the river of life, which flows from Your presence, and may that bring us closer to You. Help us to love Your truth and to submit to it in every way.
Lord, I pray that every stumbling block in the hearts of those here today would be cast off. Break down walls, Lord. Even now, I pray for those who may have held onto pride, thinking they could live life their own way. May today be the day they take a step toward humility, confessing that Your way is right and true. May they move from simply believing in You to committing their lives to You, living according to the conviction they have in Jesus.
Lord, for those who have already kneeled before You, who are living in obedience to Your Word, I pray You would place a burden on their hearts for the healing of the nations. Not just the nations far away, but the people here in East Palmdale, in the Antelope Valley, in Lake LA, and Leona Valley—those who are lost, those destined for destruction. Give us a deep love for the lost, Lord, a love that drives us to share the reconciling Word of Jesus with them.
Lord, give us the words to speak. Lay this burden on us so that we can share the eternal hope we have in Jesus with others. And if there is anyone here today—whether in person or online—who has never taken that step of humility to say, "Maybe this Jesus is true," I pray that today would be the day. May they confess that Jesus is Lord. May they believe in His resurrection, which promises the resurrection of all who follow Him into eternal life. And may they be saved.
Lord, let this eternal hope not just remain a promise for the future but live within us now, giving us hope for this life. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
