Weekly Sermons

Heaven Celebrates What the Hell-Bound Mock

Every generation faces the call to repent of their sins, trust Jesus, and follow him.  That has always led to emotionally difficult moments for believers as they daily make choices based on the ONE BIG CHOICE they have already made to follow Jesus no matter the cost! 

As Christians we are called to make daily choices based on the ONE BIG CHOICE we made when we trusted Jesus and committed to follow Him no matter the cost!

Read Revelation 14:1-5   

V. 1                 The 144,000            -           Mission Accomplished!

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in Heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.                       -Hebrews 12:22-23

The 144,000 witnesses have finished their exceptionally successful time of witnessing, and they are ready to reign with Christ on earth!

“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”  -Lk. 15:7

 

“Likewise I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”        -Jesus in Luke 15:10

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.                                                                                              -Hebrews 12:1-2

V. 2-5             The 144,000            -           Maturity Affirmed!

What traits of the 144,000 are celebrated in Heaven?

 

1.        Their purity!                       

Mocked on earth, purity is prized in Heaven!

2.        Their passion for Jesus

Mocked on earth, being a Jesus Freak is prized in Heaven!

3.        Their lives were lived to make a difference

Mocked on earth, leading others to Jesus is prized in Heaven!

That garden of the Lord’s brothers and sisters includes, yes it includes, it certainly includes not only the roses of martyrs but also the lilies of virgins, and the ivy of married people and the violet of widows. There is absolutely no kind of human beings, dearly beloved, who need to despair of their vocation.

-Augustine, Ancient Christian Commentary, p 219