August 30, 2020 – Revelation 21 – 22

Lesson Date: August 30, 2020

Focal Scripture Passage: Revelation 21:1 – 22:21

AIM: To lead students to discover descriptions of the eternal home Jesus has prepared for His children, and to thank Him for that home and plan to tell others how they can know Jesus.

Before class: Read the notes on Revelation 21 – 22 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Write the word “Home” on the marker board or chalkboard. Look online or in magazines to find pictures of the interior of beautiful new homes. Bring those pictures to class. Ask a volunteer to look up John 14:1-3 and be prepared to read it to the class when called upon.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the class’ attention to the word “Home” written on the board. Tell the students that TV shows, websites, and magazines about home buying, building, or remodeling are very popular today. Those media sources include pictures of beautiful homes full of the latest and most desirable features. Show the pictures you have brought to class.

Ask: “If you were searching for a new home today, what features would you look for?” (the students may name features such as hardwood flooring, a modern kitchen, an open floor plan, a luxurious master bathroom, etc.).

Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read John 14:1-3. Tell the class that Jesus spoke those words to His disciples 2,000 years ago. He promised to go and prepare a place for us.

Tell the students in today’s lesson we will discover some of the features of the eternal home Jesus is preparing for His children.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Tell the class this is our last lesson from the book of Revelation.
   • Remind them that Revelation is about the terrible judgments God will send upon the earth during the Tribulation. God’s ultimate plan is to free the world from Satan’s evil influence and restore Christ to His rightful place as undisputed king of the universe.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Christ’s return at the end of the Tribulation, the battle of Armageddon, the Millennium, Satan’s final doom, and the judgment of all the unsaved at the Great White Throne Judgment).
   • Ask if any volunteer would be willing to recite last week’s memory verses (Rev. 21:3-4).
2. All Things New.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 21:1-2.
   • Ask: “What did John see in verse 1?” (a new heaven and a new earth).
   • Tell the students by this time the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. This is described in Revelation 20:11.
   • Ask: “What did John see in verse 2?” (New Jerusalem).
   • Ask: “How did he describe it?” (as beautiful as a bride at a wedding).
   • Read Revelation 21:3-4.
   • Ask: “What wonderful things did the voice from heaven announce?” (God will live among men, wipe away all tears, and eliminate death, sorrow, crying, and pain).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 21:5-8.
   • Ask: “What did the Lord announce in verse 5?” (He had made all things new).
   • Tell the students that through the judgments described in the book of Revelation the Lord will eradicate sin and sinners and do away with the present sin-cursed creation.
   • Ask: “What did He promise in verse 7?” (those who overcome will inherit all things and be His child).
   • Remind the students that overcomers are those who are genuine, redeemed, followers of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:5). That means the promises in verse 7 apply to all who are saved.
   • Ask: “Where will all those described in verse 8 spend eternity?” (in the Lake of Fire).
   • Who’s in and who’s out?
     • Tell the class that these last two chapters of Revelation describe the eternal home Jesus has prepared for His children.
     • Those who are genuinely saved WILL spend eternity with Christ.
     • Three times in these two chapters, however, He makes a point to tell us who will be excluded from His wonderful eternal home.
     • The unredeemed sinners described in verse 8 will NOT be in Christ’s eternal home.
   • Summarize: After sending Satan and all sinners to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire and destroying this sin-cursed world, Jesus will make all things new.
3. New Jerusalem.
   • Tell the students the rest of chapter 21 and the beginning of chapter 22 describe the “features” of the eternal home Jesus has prepared for His children.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 21:9-14.
   • Ask: “According to verse 9, what did the angel call John to see?” (the bride of Christ).
   • Ask: “What did John see in verse 10?” (New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven).
   • Ask: “What does verse 11 say about New Jerusalem?” (it has the glory of God and glows like a beautiful precious gemstone).
   • Ask: “What do verses 12-13 say about New Jerusalem?” (it has a great high wall with 12 gates, 3 on each side; the gates are named after the 12 tribes of Israel and an angel is posted at each gate).
   • Ask: “What does verse 14 say about New Jerusalem?” (the wall of the city has 12 foundations named after the 12 apostles).
   • Read Revelation 21:15-21.
   • Tell the students that John was given a measuring rod and told to measure the city. He found it to be a cube, 1,364 miles on each side! The city wall is 216 feet thick.
   • Ask: “What does verse 18 say about New Jerusalem?” (the wall is made of jasper and the city is made of gold so pure it is clear like glass).
   • Ask: “What do verses 19-20 say about New Jerusalem?” (the foundations of the wall are decorated with precious stones).
   • Ask: “What does verse 21 say about New Jerusalem?” (the gates are each made of a single pearl, and the street is pure gold that is clear like glass).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 21:22-27.
   • Ask: “According to verses 22-23, why is there no Temple, sun, or moon?” (because the Lord is personally present there and His glory gives light to it).
   • Ask: “What does verse 25 say about New Jerusalem?” (the gates are never shut and there is no night).
   • Who’s in and who’s out?
     • Ask: “According to verses 24 and 26, who WILL be in New Jerusalem?” (everyone who is saved).
     • Ask: “According to verse 27, who will NOT be in New Jerusalem?” (sinners, liars, and anyone not written in the Lamb’s book of life).
   • Read Revelation 22:1-6.
   • Ask: “What does verse 1 say about New Jerusalem?” (a pure river of the water of life flows out from the throne of God and the Lamb).
   • Ask: “What does verse 2 say about New Jerusalem?” (the tree of life is there, it bears fruit every month and its leaves are therapeutic).
   • Ask: “According to verses 3 and 5, what will NOT be in New Jerusalem?” (curse, night, candle, or light from the sun).
   • Ask: “According to verses 3 and 5, what WILL be in New Jerusalem?” (the throne of God and the Lamb, and the light of God).
   • Ask: “What do verses 3 and 4 say about those who inhabit New Jerusalem?” (they will serve the Lord, see His face, and have His name on their foreheads).
   • Summarize: New Jerusalem will be a glorious and magnificent dwelling place for the Lord and everyone who has been saved by faith in Jesus Christ.
4. Behold, I Come Quickly.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 22:7-11.
   • Tell the students that Jesus is speaking in verse 7.
   • Ask: “What does Jesus promise in verse 7?” (He is coming quickly and He blesses those who heed the prophecies written in the book of Revelation; see Rev. also 1:3).
   • Ask: “What does verse 10 say about when these prophecies will be fulfilled?” (the time is at hand: it could be at any time).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 22:12-15.
   • Ask: “What does Jesus promise in verse 12?” (He is coming quickly and bringing rewards to give to everyone according to their works).
   • Who’s in and who’s out?
     • Ask: “According to verse 14, who WILL be in New Jerusalem?” (those who obey the Lord’s commandments; in other words, everyone who is saved).
     • Ask: “According to verse 15, who will NOT be in New Jerusalem?” (sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters, and liars).
   • Read Revelation 22:16-21.
   • Ask: “According to verse 17, what do the Holy Spirit and believers ask Jesus to do?” (come).
   • Ask: “What warning does the Lord give in verses 18-19?” (don’t add to or take away anything from God’s Word).
   • Ask: “What does Jesus promise in verse 20?” (He is coming quickly).
   • Ask: “How did John reply?” (he agreed and asked the Lord to come).
   • Summarize: Jesus closed out His revelation by promising three times to come quickly. Believers should long for and pray for His return.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Direct the students’ attention to the word “Home” written on the board. Remind them that we began this lesson talking about features we would want if we were looking for a new home. Ask: “How would you feel if you found and were able to purchase a home that had all the features you wanted?” (excited and thankful). Tell the class we should be even more excited and thankful about the wonderful eternal home Jesus has prepared for us.

Ask the students to scan back through the chapters we studied today and name some of the features of New Jerusalem, our eternal home. Allow time for responses.

Tell the class there are two ways we should respond to the things we have learned today. First, we should thank Jesus for preparing such a wonderful eternal home for us. Secondly, we must remember that only those who are saved are going there. Because of that, we should plan to tell others about Jesus so they can enjoy our wonderful eternal home with Jesus.

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. Tell them to silently thank the Lord for the wonderful eternal home He is preparing for us. Tell them to make a commitment right now to look for and take advantage of opportunities to tell others about Jesus, so they, too, can join us in our wonderful eternal home. Voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Ask the students to memorize Revelation 22:12-13. Be sure everyone has a copy of the Sunday School Member Quarterly for the new quarter. Tell them next week we begin a six-month study of the first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis. The Daily Bible Reading Guide in their quarterly begins tomorrow.