Read Time:4 Minute, 9 Second

We are not going to heaven, per se, but to the New Jerusalem who is the bride and who is the House and the City of God purposed from eternity.

Purposed in Eternity, Revealed Now

This is a mystery, purposed in eternity and now revealed to the church and through the church.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2. if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by REVELATION He made known to me the MYSTERY (as I have briefly written already,4. by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the MYSTERY OF CHRIST), which in OTHER AGES was not made known to the sons of men, as it has NOW been revealed by the SPIRIT to His holy APOSTLES and PROPHETS: that the GENTILES should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,7. of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,9. and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the AGES has been HIDDEN IN GOD who created all things through Jesus Christ;

to the intent that now the MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD might be made KNOWN by the CHURCH to the principalities and powers in the HEAVENLY places, according to the ETERNAL PURPOSE which He ACCOMPLISHED in Christ Jesus our Lord,12. in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.13. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15. from whom the WHOLE FAMILY in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His SPIRIT in the INNER MAN,

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to COMPREHEND with all the SAINTS what is the width and length and depth and height—19. to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.20. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,21. to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3

God’s Eternal Purpose. The reason for everything. The New Jerusalem.

1. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.2. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.4. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”5. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”6. And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.7. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Revelation 21:1-7

Membership of the church is God’s work

Yet another mystery. A work of the Spirit from eternity

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.28. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.29. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.30. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Romans 8:27-30