Facing the Border - Gen 5:22-24 - John 14
Intro. Adam sinned, and we see in verse 5, the effects of the sin. Eight times the phrase “and he died” follows the record of a man. But in the midst of it all, a man is named who escaped death, Enoch. He did not taste death because he walked with God - Giving a wonderful Old Testament example of Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift....” In John 14 - We see the promise of Jesus that He is Coming again - not just to bring judgment on the earth, but first to receive his church unto himself. Those that have walked with him by His grace, that are alive and remain will be translated to join those who have gone before -
A little girl was walking with her daddy under a starlit sky. After several moments of silence, she remarked, "Father, I’ve been thinking. If the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, just imagine what the right side will be!" What a trip! You can be skeptical, and even doubt it in your mind - it won’t be long we will be facing the border!
I. Reality of Eternity -Enoch Believed it Jude vs. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
A. Based on God’s Promises
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
B. Blessings will Exceed the Present
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
C. Believers have a home in Paradise
1Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you
II. Requirements for Entrance - Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Immigration - When you enter a country, you must have permission to be there.
Papers must be in Order - As I approached the official border, the desk at immigration in Atlanta, I noticed that the man had a computer in front of him. He took my passport, scanned it and confirmed that I was a citizen and welcomed me home. My papers were in order! In order to receive that passport:
A. A Birth was Substantiated (Birth Certificate needed to receive papers)
I am talking about the new birth, born by the Spirit of God.
B. A Cleansing was sufficient - You have to have a clean record
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
1. Recognition - You must realize that you need to be cleansed
2. Responsibility - God provides the cleansing, but you must submit to it
God does everything we need, but He had not destroyed your ability to choose You may think a plane will take you to a destination, but if you do not occupy a seat, you will not make the destination.
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb, are your garments spotless, are they white as snow, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
When a soul turns to Christ, all that was accomplished at Calvary’s cross to save the world becomes effective on his or her behalf - And their name is recorded!
That gives us our Spiritual papers for heaven - There was a preacher who
had a trip planned to the Holy Land. He packed his bags, kissed his family goodbye, drove to the airport and flew from Florida to New York. But when he went to board his flight to Tel Aviv, he realized he did not have his passport - He was refused passage and was left behind! -
Are your Spiritual papers in order for Heaven?
III. Revealing of Possessions - After we arrive, something else will occur.
A. Declaration of Possessions - Do you have anything to declare -
1. These possessions will not be in hand, rather sent ahead:
Matt 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
2. These possessions will not be exposed by us, but by judgment day:
1 Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
B. Duty Free - Difference is, Possessions sent ahead will have no tariff, but the opposite - REWARD - crowns (Still in 1 Cor)
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1. Incorruptible Crown for those that Run Faithful - 1 Cor. 9
2. Crown of Rejoicing - those that we lead to the Savior - 1 Thess 2:19
3. Crown of Life - for enduring temptation - James 1:12
4. Crown of Righteousness - for those who love His appearing - 2Ti 4:8
5. Crowns of Gold - rewards to the saints - Rev 4:4
No tariffs - rewards for what is declared through our lives at the judgment seat
IV. Recognition of the Host -
When you arrive at your destination, it is natural to look for the face of someone you know - most times for someone special (From Brazil wanted to see my family)
A Sunday School teacher passed away. One of her students really missed her. One morning the little girl came to the breakfast table and told her mother that she had a dream about her Sunday school teacher. Mom inquired about the dream, and the girl told her that she took her through heaven. She said, “My teacher introduced me to Paul, David, Abraham and many others.” The mom immediately asked, “Didn’t she introduce you to Jesus?” To which the little girl replied “Oh no mama, I knew Jesus as soon as I saw him.”
We will not have any problem knowing our Lord. There are no pictures that are truly the image of our Lord, but we will know him
A. Place He is Sitting - Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;
B. Preeminence of His Lordship - He has always been God, always been a King!
Wise men - “King of the Jews”
Nathaniel - “King of Israel”
John (Rev 15) - “King of Saints”
David (Ps 24) -“King of Glory”
Daniel (Dan 4) - “King of Heaven”
But in Rev. 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
C. Possession of our Scars
1. Prophesied - Zechariah 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
2. Proven
John 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
3. Preserved! He has kept the scars as an eternal reminder to us!
Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,
I will know Him, and with Job I can say:
Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
When my life’s work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide
When that bright and glorious morning I shall see
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side
And His smile will be the first to welcome me
I shall know Him, I shall know Him, and redeemed by His side I shall stand
I shall know Him, I shall know Him, by the prints of the nails in His hands.
One of a kind - Nobody like my Jesus - I shall know him
Eternity is Real and my heavenly visa is secured - I know I am saved
I hope I have Possessions to cast at the feet of the Savior when I see the one who paid it all for me:
Do you have your visa?
Do you have anything to declare?
Are you ready to face the Lord?
A little boy who was on a train running the long trip between to cities. It was a hot, dusty day, very uncomfortable for traveling, and that particular ride was perhaps the most uninteresting day’s journey in the whole land. People were complaining all around, but the little fellow sat patiently watching the fields and the fences hurrying by, until a motherly old lady, leaned forward to ask with some sympathy in her voice, "Aren’t you tired of the long ride, dear? Aren’t you getting uncomfortable and bored?" The little boy looked up brightly, and smiled, "Yes, ma’am, a little. But I don’t mind it much, because my father is going to meet me when I get to the end of it!
