Revelation 21:3

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Revelation 21:3

Emmanuel/Immanuel

July 12, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Revelation 21:3

Think about the Biblical history of the actual presence of God in relationship to His people. Early on God would reveal himself specifically to an individual here and there, like Abraham or Moses. With Moses, God’s word would be passed to the masses through this one man. Later God took up residence in the tabernacle and then the temple. But the average Joe couldn’t get close to God’s presence in the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest, only once a year. Then Jesus brought God near through the incarnation. But even then He was only one person and could only be at one place. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, God sent his Holy Spirit to take up residence in a spiritual way in the life of every believer and every church. Make no mistake, this is a huge leap forward and a tremendous blessing. But there is yet one more level of closeness to God still to come. In the new heavens, new earth future we will live in the literal, physical up-close presence of God. We will move from faith to sight! This being with God and God with us thing is huge. It’s living life forever, intimately plugged into the source of life itself.

PRAY: Precious Lord, we were created to be with You! But sin, my sin, has caused separation between me and You. Salvation through Your Son Jesus and brought us back together. Together spiritual for now, and together physically later. Lord, I can’t wait for later! Help me to spend us much time and make as much progress drawing near to You in this life so that I’m truly ready for the most important aspect of the next life, being with You! Amen.

Revelation 22:5

July 21, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Revelation 22:5

There have been many summer nights that we're out enjoying the evening, the kids are running around or riding their bikes, and the sunlight begins to fade. We call to the kids, "It's getting dark. Time to go inside" and it's immediately followed by cries of disappointment! Can you imagine the day we will be in God's presence, and there will never be darkness again! There will be no more disappointment, and there will be no end to the reign of Christ. In this life, we experience lesser examples of "ruling" like as parents calling our kids in at dark. But in Heaven, Christ has chosen US to rule WITH HIM! Our rule here on earth is often marked with disappointment, but as co-rulers with Christ we will experience pure joy in that responsibility. This concept of reigning with Christ forever should motivate us to live for him here and now, and to encourage others to remain faithful to Christ as we await his return. PRAY: Lord Jesus, we await your return and look forward to the day that we will reign with you forever in your light that never fades! We thank you for how good and merciful you are, and we thank you for choosing us to rule for eternity with you! Amen.

Revelation 22:4

July 20, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Revelation 22:4

In the story of Moses receiving the ten commandments from God, he interacts directly with God, but God tells him "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). But when we enter into Heaven, there is a radical transformation that takes place. We will see God face to face! How can this be? How can we, mere humans, be in the presence of a perfectly holy and righteous God? The transformation is not because of anything we have done, but because God has identified us as His own. By writing His name on us, He has imprinted His character on us to reflect His divine glory and righteousness. In our service and worship to Him, we will see God’s face and our face will reflect that we are HIS! PRAY: Lord God, it is hard for us to imagine now what it will be like to see you face to face. We fall so short of your glory, but in your infinite grace and mercy you have chosen us to be yours! Help us in this life to abide more with Jesus, to walk closer to you, to reflect more of your image while we are still in these imperfect bodies. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Revelation 22:3

July 19, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Revelation 22:3

I just don’t think we can fully grasp how beautiful and powerful and holy and worthy and amazing God is. Our sin distracts us--blurs our vision of Him. But when we literally see Him, Holy Trinity, with sin and curse removed, we are going to completely loose our minds in holy wonder! We are going to see instantly and completely that God is everything, that God is Life, that God is our satisfaction and our joy! We won’t be able to take our eyes off Him! We will have an all-consuming desire to worship and serve Him alone! He will be our obsession! We will need all of eternity to take Him in because the depths of His perfection and love and worthiness will require it. The Wonder of God will immediately consume us and all our earthly questions about what heaven will be like and what we will do there will be swallowed up in one instant when we see Him, worship Him, serve Him, face to face. PRAY: O Lord, I really do see you now “through a glass dimly.” I don’t get as passionate about You as I get about the superbowl or my favorite musician or artist. Forgive me. It’s only because my sin keeps me blind to the reality of all that You really are. But one day Jesus, that is going to change. Please enlarge my heart, even now, to begin to see You as You truly are. Help me to get my life properly and fully surrendered to You, as it will be forever in the new heavens and new earth! Amen.