A Tour of Heaven, Stop 6.

Baxter: Good news, everybody! The serious stops are behind us. From here on, the story gets REALLY good.

Pastor Rick: Before we go on, let me tell you about another friend of mine who was very sick. I went to see her.

Friend: So… I leave this body behind?

Pastor Rick: Yep.

Friend: And I get to be with Jesus?

Pastor Rick: Yep. That's God's promise.

Friend: I am ready. I can't wait!

Sam: She wasn't scared at all.

Pastor Rick: When you know how the story ends, you don't have to be.

CLANK! CLANK!

SLAM!

KA-CHUNK.

Pastor Rick: The angel locked Satan in a deep pit called the Abyss and sealed it shut for one thousand years.

Eli: LOCKED UP! YES!

Baxter: Whoa fact! The Bible mentions the thousand years SIX times in Revelation 20. And a thousand years is about four times longer than the United States has been a country!

Maya: So what happens during the thousand years?

Pastor Rick: Some people call it the millennium. With Satan locked up, Jesus is King of the whole world!

Stop 2: Jesus Is King!

Pastor Rick: People who love Jesus will rule with him. The prophet Isaiah described wolves and lambs living together in peace. Some Bible teachers believe that happens during the thousand years.

Sofia: Streets so safe kids can play anywhere?

Pastor Rick: Nobody mean. Nobody in charge except Jesus.

Pastor Rick: I believe it's a real thousand years. Some Christians see it a little differently, and that's okay. The most important thing is that Jesus is King, and if you follow him, you'll be with him.

Baxter: A lion and a lamb taking a nap together? Maybe I'll make friends with a rabbit.

(Probably not. But maybe.)

Stop 3: Jesus Wins!

Pastor Rick: At the end of the thousand years, Satan gets let out for a short time.

He gathers a huge army and tries one last time to fight against God.

FWOOOSH!

Pastor Rick: It doesn't work. Not even close.

Pastor Rick: The devil is defeated forever. He'll never bother anyone again.

Pastor Rick: Lots of cartoons show the devil ruling hell like a king. Not true!

Pastor Rick: The devil doesn't rule anything. He is punished, forever. He's dangerous, but he is NEVER in charge. God is always in charge.

All Kids: JESUS WINS!

Stop 4: Is Your Name in the Book?

Pastor Rick: The Bible says God keeps a special book called the Lamb's Book of Life. "The Lamb" is a name for Jesus. Everyone whose name is written in it will live with God forever.

Pastor Rick: Which reminds me of a funny story.

Pastor Rick: Years ago, I was the pastor of a tiny country church. A church member's relative died, and I was asked to lead his funeral.

Treasurer: I know he was a Christian.

Pastor Rick: Well… he told people he didn't want to follow Jesus.

Treasurer: I KNOW he was a Christian.

Pastor Rick: How do you know?

Treasurer: I've got the Lamb's Book of Life!

POOF (dust cloud)

Pastor Rick: Do you have the Ark of the Covenant back there too?

Treasurer: He was baptized here when he was eight years old. His name is in the Lamb's Book of Life!

It was the church's record book. (Pastor Rick wrote his own name in it later, just to be safe.)

Maya: But that's not the REAL book, is it?

Pastor Rick: Nope. The real Lamb's Book of Life is kept by God. Your name isn't written there because of a church record. Your name is written in it the moment you decide to follow Jesus.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also." John 14:1 (NIrV)