What is the Bible?

My pastor preached a sermon Sunday about "Why do we have the bible"? Is it for religious guidance, historical information, moral lessons, or character studies? Well, that is what we use it for but we should be using it to reveal God to us and to see how God redeems His people for His kingdom. God is using His word to re-create us into His image. God is bringing His people to His place for His purpose. And you may ask, what is this leading us to? To God for His final blessing and judgment! In revelation God tells us through John: Revelation 22:12-14 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
His judgment: Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
And His final blessing:
Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Oh Lord, how we long to see You face to face. We eagerly await your return. We want to live with You through out eternity where there is no sin. Mold us for Your purpose for Your kingdom. Amen