Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
(Printed by permission from Lifestone Ministries, Union Gospel Press)
HEART OF THE LESSON
This week our lesson looks into the heart of God and shows us what He has prepared for believers in His love for us. Our new home is marked by the dwelling of God Almighty with humble mankind. God desires to draw us to Himself, and now He tops it all with this climactic show of His blessing in providing a home for us in which He chooses to dwell. God is not distant anymore. He is close by.
1. The New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1-2). Our earth .will one day pass away. The Bible tells us that it will be rolled up like a scroll (6:14). John tells us that the sea will also disappear. A new heaven and a new earth, with a new city that God has specially prepared for His children, will come down from the holy throne of God. John saw this holy city in his vision. John wrote that this new city will be so glorious that it will be like a new bride adorned for her husband. The new city will be absolute perfection.
2. God makes His home (Rev. 21:3-4). Not only will the new city be beautiful, but God will dwell with mankind in that city. The presence of God will fill that new place. It will be marked with the holiness and the beauty that come from God alone. All over the world man is seeking God, and in the New Jerusalem God will be there. This shows us how far our God will go for us if only we will be united to the Groom by faith. In the new city, the inhabitants will be the people of God. There will be rejoicing, and there will be no more sorrow, pain, or crying, for all the marks of sin and its consequences are gone forever. It is amazing that when Godsteps in, the darkness of sin disappears. He is willing to do that for us even today as we wait for our entry into that celestial city. When Jesus was here on earth, people caught a glimpse of what it would be like to dwell with God. In the New Jerusalem, there will be no taint of sin to spoil the glory that comes with the presence of God Almighty. God and humanity will dwell side by side, and we will enjoy the presence of God in joyous fellowship just as He originally planned for us in the Garden of Eden. God and humanity will live in perfect harmony, for we will then live in sinless freedom. He is Lord of the new dwelling place.
3. All things are new (Rev. 21:5- 8). God will sit on the throne in the new city and ordain all things to be perfectly new. It will be transformed by His own command. In John’s vision Jesus loudly proclaimed the truth that He is the beginning and the end (the Alpha and the Omega). He also called all who are thirsty to come to Him for drink in order to be fully satisfied. He offered all who are thirsty springs of living water so that they will never thirst again. Rewards are also given to those who are overcomers. This is a reminder to us that we must stay with Jesus to the very end to enjoy all His blessings. God will reveal Himself to be our Father who meets every need that we have. Those who reject our God include cowards, unbelievers, murderers, followers of witchcraft, advocates of immorality, idolaters, and liars. They will be cast into the lake of fire. This is called the second death. They will miss the blessings of the New Jerusalem with God and His people.
Loading Comments