It is Done – Hypocrisy and Sin is Removed – the True Church is Revealed

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” ~ Revelation 21:1-2

The first heaven, earth, and sea had to be removed: then John could see the new Jerusalem, the true church of God!

Certainly after the final judgement day, when all will be destroyed and only God’s heaven remains: then in heaven only God and his true people will be seen. And the true people of God will not be divided into religious churches, divisions, sects or groups. None of those human organizational groupings will exist for God alone will be worshiped, and everyone will be one throng of worshipers around the throne of God.

So could it be that Revelation is showing us this final vision of what it will be like in heaven so that we can get the confusion of “many churches” cleared away from our spiritual vision? Maybe this was the intent from the beginning of the church?

“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” ~ Ephesians 1:9-11

But is it not the intent of God to have his people worshiping him the same way now, here on earth? God did not intend for any man to be exalted to an authority position where that they could divide up his people.

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” ~ Matthew 23:8-12

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are… …And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” ~ John 17:11 & 22-23

So certainly the scriptures show us that it is the intent of God to have his people be one undivided church in unity worshiping Him – just like Jesus originally built it. So the question is: If we are not now able to be one church, how will we be that when we get to heaven? How will we get along in heaven, if we can’t do that now? How will we be holy and without blame before the throne of God in heaven, if through the power of God we don’t have the faith to do that now?

“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” ~ Revelation 14:4-5

This is why in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, and 21 and 22, God gives us a heavenly vision of what the church is supposed to be like. When she is holy and following truth, she will become a heavenly place, right here on earth. She will not be defiled by the false bride churches ruled by men. God’s true people are not “not defiled with women” or with religious systems. They are pure and holy as one body in Christ. They are: “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” ~ Ephesians 2:6-7

But in Revelation, even John could not clearly see the true bride of Christ, until the spiritual harlot Babylon and the beast organizations of men were removed from his vision.

The removal of earthly things that cloud our vision of God and his purpose in us, needs to be completely removed. Prior to this vision of the church, Revelation had to remove many other things that had clouded the spiritual vision:

The seven headed, ten horned beast (that came up out of the sea of fallen people who once were Christian – Via the Catholic Church)
The false prophet beast like a lamb with two horns – fallen Protestantism (that came up out of the bottomless pit of earthly minded men)
The image to the beast, the eight beast (also of the earthly minded men)
The great spiritual whore Babylon (after coming up from the sea, also rules over the sea of people)
The dragon (of the bottomless pit of the earthly mindedness)

So now, not only these beasts and harlot spirit must be removed, but also the source of where they came from must be removed: the old sea of people and earthly conditions of men. And if any of these try to get into spiritual heavenly places around the church, then that also is shaken to remove them.

Yes there are even things around the true church (the heavenly places) that must be shaken! So we can see clearly what the new true heavens in Christ Jesus look like. Even Old Testament prophecy told of this.

“Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” ~ Isaiah 13:13

“The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.” ~ Joel 3:16-17

“For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” ~ Haggai 2:6-9

Also in the gospels Jesus told us of this happening spiritually.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” ~ Matthew 24:29-31

The purpose for the spiritual shaking is to insure that only the true and holy remain. Because the true Kingdom of God, which is a kingdom of holiness within, cannot be removed. It is an everlasting unchangeable kingdom!

“Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” ~ Hebrews 12:26-28

And so, it should not surprise us that in the spiritual book of Revelation, we also should see some spiritual earthquakes going on. Revelation is designed to shake up the earthly minded religious kingdoms and earthly teachings of religion. And even stars representing a fallen ministry, fall from the spiritual heavenly places in the church.

“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” ~ Revelation 6:12-17

In Revelation, earthly things represent the evil things from the hearts of evil men:

“He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.” ~ John 3:31
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, که به چیزهای زمینی فکر می کنند.)” ~ Philippians 3:18-19
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” ~ James 3:14-15

The church come down from heaven does not have bitter envying and strife. These things come from people who being like the troubled seas: toss and turn and churn up trouble. Therefore this sea must spiritually be removed also:

«وای بر انبوه مردمی که مانند سروصدای دریاها سر و صدا می کنند. و به هجوم امّت‌ها که هجوم می‌آورند مانند هجوم آب‌های عظیم! امّت‌ها مانند هجوم آب‌های بسیار هجوم خواهند آورد، اما خدا آنها را سرزنش می‌کند و از دور خواهند گریخت و مانند کاه کوه‌ها در برابر باد و مانند غلتان در برابر گردباد تعقیب خواهند شد.» ~ اشعیا 17:12-13

«و او به من گفت: «آب‌هایی که تو دیدی، جایی که فاحشه نشسته است، قوم‌ها و جماعت‌ها و ملت‌ها و زبان‌ها هستند.» ~ مکاشفه 17:15

That’s why the gospel “does out with the old and in with the new.” And with the new spiritual heavens and earth, then John could see the true church of God.

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” ~ Revelation 21:2

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:2-4

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” ~ Ephesians 5:25-27,31-32

And now once the church is presented true and faithful to Christ, then we also are able to see the presence of Almighty God in the church!

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” ~ Revelation 21:3

True Christians, both individually and collectively, are the New Testament Temple of God, where God comes down to earth to meet with us.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” ~ Ephesians 2:18-22

Now that God is present, then even in the depth of trials and suffering for the gospel, we can still be comforted by the promise of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26).

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” ~ Revelation 21:4

“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” ~ Isaiah 25:8-9
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Yes this comfort will be fully realized upon leaving earth and entering the eternal heaven of God. But even right now the “sting of death” which is sin, can be removed from our lives. This being accomplished along with the infilling of the Holy Spirit, gives us much needed grace and comfort right now!

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

Yes, he can make all spiritual things new right now! This also is part of his true and faithful Word.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

“And he said unto me, انجام شده است. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” ~ Revelation 21:6

It is done! Yes even now: It is done! When Jesus died on the cross, his last words to us were: “It is finished.” Jesus’ sacrifice does a complete work and still today will make all things new.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” ~ John 19:30

Are you able to receive this Kingdom that cannot be moved? Are you part of the true bride of Christ? Do you have spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear?

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” ~ Revelation 21:7-8

The first death, is the death to the soul that happens when it sins. The “sting of death” is when you return to sin, or have not ever been forgiven of sin, and you die that way. Jesus said if you die in your sins, “where I am you cannot come.” This is the second death, which is permanent separation from God for eternity.

Note: this diagram below shows where the twenty-first chapter is within the full Revelation message. After previously destroying the deceptions of hypocrisy, Revelation chapter 21 reveals the true bride of Christ, the true church. To better understand a high level view of Revelation, you can also see the “نقشه راه وحی"