The New Earth Revelation 21:1-6
Delivered to Smith Chapel UMC on May 2, 2010
What I Didn't Say
Shock--It has always been a shocker for me to discover we don't have a good description of Heaven in the Scripture. After listening to myriads of jokes about meeting St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, and hearing people talk about what they're going to do when they get to Heaven, I assumed we knew what we were talking about.
Upon further review, we have no clue.
Amnesia--Apparently, one of the best gifts we receive upon entering Heaven (whether it be through the Pearly Gates, floating on a cloud, or having been shot from guns) is the gift of amnesia. I'm glad no one will remember what a jerk I've been here on the current earth. Whew!
Judgment--I don't speak of judgment in this sermon, but whenever I think of entering Heaven, I think of judgment. As much as I get all hepped up over Paradise, I can't think of anything I look forward to less than judgment by The Almighty. Anything that I've done here can't stack up very well to what He's done. It would be great at that point for Jesus to tell me to pick a card...and when I do to have it read, "Go to Paradise, go directly to Paradise, do not pass Go, do not collect $200...just your amnesia."
I'll need the amnesia just to get over the judgment part.
