The New Heavens and New Earth -- Part 1

Q. 37 – What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.

3 Stages of existence

1. We come into existence in this world – body and soul
2. Our souls are separated from our bodies – intermediate state
3. Our body and souls are reunited – in the eternal state

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH -- REV. 21:1-4

1. The heaven we know and the earth we know has passed away.
2. The New Jerusalem is called “a bride”.
3. God is with His people.
4. The end of all pain, sorrow, disease, etc.

GOD CONFIRMS ALL THIS IS TRUE -- v. 5-7
1. I make all things new.
2. The words are trustworthy and true.
3. The First and the Last (1:18 and 22:13)
4. Our spiritual thirst will be satisfied.
5. I will be his God and he will be my son.

A SEVERE WARNING -- v. 8

THE GLORY OF THE CITY -- v. 9-14
The city is the Bride and the Bride is the city.

THE FOUNDATION, WALLS AND GATES OF THE CITY v. 15-21