Summary: GOD’S WORD IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE. SALVATION IS REAL. HEAVEN IS NOT A FAIRYTALE.

*CHRISTIANS HAVE HOPE BEYOND THE GRAVE, BEYOND THIS LIFE.

*WE ENJOY THE BLESSINGS OF GOD IN THIS LIFE, BUT THE GREATEST GAIN FOR THE CHILD OF GOD WILL BE WHEN THIS LIFE HERE IS OVER.

*THERE REALLY IS A FINAL DWELLING PLACE PREPARED AND RESERVED FOR THE CHILD OF GOD.

ITS NOT A STORY, OR A VAIN FIGMENT OF OUR IMAGINATION, IT IS ........

I. A REAL PLACE (v.2)

* JOHN - "...I SAW..."

* ABRAHAM - Heb. 11:8-10

* JESUS - "...I GO AWAY TO PREPARE A PLACE..."

* A REAL PLACE...

- TO DEPOSIT TREASURE

- WHERE MY NAME IS KNOWN

- WHERE THERE IS ROOM FOR "WHOSOEVER WILL"

II. WITH REAL PEOPLE (v.3)

* GOD WILL BE THERE

- THROUGHT CHRIST WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, BUT IN THIS REAL PLACE WE WILL EXPERIENCE TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH A REAL GOD

* GOD’S PEOPLE WILL BE THERE

- NOT EVERYONE WILL BE THERE, ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS

* JESUS WILL BE THERE

- WHEN I GET TO THIS REAL PLACE WITH REAL PEOPLE, I BELIEVE I WILL KNOW WHO I AM, WHERE I AM, AND HOW I GOT THERE. IT WAS BECAUSE OF JESUS

III. WITH REAL PROMISES (v.4)

*WE WILL TRUELY KNOW WHAT ETERNAL LIFE MEANS, WE WILL KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO HAVE ALL THINGS MADE NEW, WE WILL KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE JUST LIKE JESUS.

*****NOT ONLY IS IT A REAL REAL PLACE, WITH REAL PEOPLE, AND REAL PROMISES, BUT...*****

IV. IT TAKES A REAL PARDON TO GET THERE

* "...EXCEPT YE REPENT..."

* "...EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN..."

* THERE ARE 12 GATES INTO THIS CITY, BUT ONLY 1 DOOR - JESUS!!!!