Sunday School Lesson

1. Revelation 21-22
The Final Act
“Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21:5
August 30, 2015
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
The Glory of God!
http://www.stephanieclaussen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/the-glory-of-god-1200x1160.jpg
1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFOtNWjTX5s/UdT_aGKSebI/AAAAAAAAAB0/ieKqL_IsJHg/s960/1031-wallpaper-slide-v2.gif

2. August Memory Verse:
James 1:12 NIV
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test,
that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who
love Him.
Lessons in September, October & November
Genesis
References
• Revelation: A Complete Commentary by William R. Newell, Word Bible
Publishers, 1935.
• Revelation: by Dr. Chuck Missler, a YouTube Video
• The MacArthur Study Bible NKJV, Nelson Bibles, 1997
The Challenge of Our Revelation Study
• Limited time (7 lessons)
• Focus on Jesus as Savior and not “End Times”
• Goals
– To stimulate you for a small group study
– Provide a framework for study
– Provide a general timeline of events
• Pre-Tribulation focus (Rapture before Tribulation)
• We do not all agree on this approach
Pre-Tribulation Timeline

3. Outline of Revelation (Rev. 1:19)
1. The Things which You Have Seen (Past)
– Revelation 1
2. The Things which Are (Present)
– Revelation 2-3
3. The Things Which Will Take Place After This (Future)
– Revelation 4-22
The Study Lessons in Revelation
1. Jesus’ Revelation: Rev. 1
2. The Letters to the 7 Churches: Rev. 2-3
3. The Throne Room of Heaven: Rev. 4
4. Worthy is the Lamb: Rev. 5
5. Redeeming Judgment: Rev. 9
6. Jesus Defeats Satan: Rev. 12
7. All Things Made New: Rev. 21-22
Introduction to Revelation 21-22
• Tribulation followed by Millennial Reign (1,000 Years)
• Satan released from “bottomless pit” after 1,000 years for final battle
• Fire from heaven devours Satan and they are cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone
• The Great White Throne Judgment Occurs
Pre-Tribulation Timeline

4. Summary of Great White Throne Judgment in Rev. 20:11-15
• All unsaved dead are standing before God
• Books are opened along with the Book of Life
• The dead are judged by the things written in the books according to their
works
• Death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire
• Anyone whose name was not written in the Book of Life is cast into the
lake of fire
Descriptions of Heaven
• Symbolism (allegory)
• Literal interpretation
• Use of simile (figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly
compared) using “like” or “as”
• Example: Beulah Land
– Isaiah 62:4
– Pilgrim’s Progress
Revelation 21:1-4
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."
A New Heaven and A New Earth
• Old heaven and old earth (old order of things) have been completely
destroyed
• Both had to be destroyed because of sin
– Satan as an angel in heaven challenged the Creator
– Man fell to the temptations of Satan on earth
Old Testament References to the New Heaven and New Earth
Isaiah 65:17
17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
Isaiah 66:22
22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the Lord,
"So shall your descendants and your name remain.

5. New Testament References to the New Heaven and New Earth
2 Peter 3:10
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens
will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat;
both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:13
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells.
Reasons for the New Heaven & New Earth
• Man was created to have a personal relationship with God
– Enjoy each other
• The dwelling place for this relationship has to be “perfect”
– No tears
– No death
– No pain
– No temptations
– No imperfections
Revelation 21:5-7
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.
What do overcomers inherit?
• “all things”.
• Believers (overcomers) inherit the fullness of the new creation
Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we
suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Who are the “Overcomers?”
• Greek is “nikao” – One who conquers or has victory
• All God’s true children
1 John 5:4-5
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has
overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only
the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

6. Revelation 21:8
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
– Some lifestyle traits of the unbelievers
– Second death is not physical (1st death) but spiritual and final in
eternal hell
Summary of Revelation 21: 9-21
The New Jerusalem description
• The New Jerusalem is described as a literal city with materials, dimensions,
etc…
• It descends from God out of heaven
• It will be the home of the Church
• It will be vast in size – a cube of 1,500 miles
• It will be lighted by the presence and effulgence (extreme brightness)of
God
Revelation 21:9-11
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last
plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the
bride, the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and
high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending
out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God.
The New Jerusalem
• The New Jerusalem takes on the characteristics of its inhabitants, the
redeemed
• It is described as the bride, the Lamb’s wife
• The Church in the new creation and new order now includes all the
redeemed (OT Saints and believers in Christ)
Description of New Jerusalem
(Revelation 21:11-21 Summary)
• Light was like a jasper stone – diamond
• 12 Pearl Gates– names of 12 Tribes of Israel
• 12 Foundations – names of 12 apostles
• Foundations of walls adorned with 12 stones that represent the breastplate
of the High Priest and the 12 Tribes
• Shape of a 1,500 mile cube
• Streets of gold, like transparent glass

7. Stones in Breastplate of High Priest
Picture of New Jerusalem
Picture of New Jerusalem

8. Revelation 21:22-27
22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its
temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the
glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who
are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and
honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night
there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But
there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination
or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Why no Temple in New Jerusalem?
• There is a Temple (heavenly throne) during the Millennium, but not in
eternity
• In New Jerusalem the glory of God and the Lamb is present and is the
Temple
• The presence of God fills the entire new heavens and the new earth
• Going to eternity will be entering the limitless presence of the Lord.
Revelation 22:1-2
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding
from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on
either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree
yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the
nations.
The Tree of Life in Garden of Eden
Genesis 2:8-9
8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man
whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree
grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in
the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The Tree of Life
• Tree of Life
– Symbol of God’s provision of immortality in the Garden
– Reminder to Adam & Eve that immortality was the consequence of
obedience
• Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
– As long as they did not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil,
they had access to the Tree of Life
Quote by Londyn Spivey
“One tree caused us to fall from grace, while a second tree made into a cross
redeemed us by grace.”

9. Revelation 22:3-5
3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall
be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name
shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp
nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever
and ever.
Seeing the face of God & the Lamb
I Corinthians 13:12-13
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part,
but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
– We are the reflection of His glory on earth
– Faith and hope are fulfilled in eternity, but love will continue
What should we see in the mirror?
• We should see a sinner saved by grace who reflects God’s glory
imperfectly
• In eternity, we will reflect God’s glory perfectly so that we can look into His
face as He looks into our faces.
“That Will Be Glory For Me”
by Charles H. Gabriel
When all my labors and trials are o'er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me.
O that will be glory for me,
When by His grace I shall look on His face.
That will be glory, be glory for me!
Eternity
The last invitation in the Bible:
Revelation 22:17
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!"
And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life
freely.

10. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to
pay the penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to accept Jesus as our Savior.

11. Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/