DEEPER LIFE SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FOR TODAY
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
YOUTH SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE
LESSON 1023
TOPIC: NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
Memory Verse: "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" (Revelation 21 : 1).
TEXT: Revelation 21:1-27
After the great white throne judgment, which is the final judgement on evildoers, the Lord will create a new heaven and a new earth. This will be a fulfilment of Scriptures as the present world will be burned up. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10). This present world is full of evil, darkness, ungodliness, lust, murder, lying and all manner of evil. Also, the atmospheric heavens are polluted by the activities of the devil. The godly groan under the harsh and hard conditions of the world and look forward to the new heaven and earth where righteousness and holiness reign. At the creation of the new heaven and the new earth, the plan of God to replace this polluted world will be ushered in to match His glory, righteousness and holiness. This He revealed to prophet Isaiah long ago. "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind" (Isaiah 65:17). The prophecy in this lesson demands wisdom of every youth because the glories of men that we see today will be burnt up by fervent heat. Therefore, Christian youths should not lay up their treasures on earth but in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLY CITY (Revelation 21:1-6; 2 Peter 3:7-14; Isaiah 25:8; 65:17; 66:22)
"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" (Revelation 21:1). John the beloved saw a new heaven and a new earth because the old earth and heaven passed away. This new heaven and new earth are called "the holy city, new Jerusalem". It will come from God, out of heaven, as a bride adorned for her husband. "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2). In this new holy city, God Himself will live with those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Question 1: Describe the new heaven and the new earth in your own words.
"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" (Revelation 21:4). This new creation is free from sin and evil. The consequences of sin are not in it. In the new holy city, there is no death, sorrow, pain, tears or separation from God. This city is great, holy and eternal; and Jerusalem is the capital. The city is referred to as the bride because of its virgin nature and beauty, free from sin. This is where Christ and all His saints will be forever. "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" (Revelation 21:5). In this new creation, all things will be new. God has power to create it. At this time, the promise of Christ will be fulfilled. "ln my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2,3).
DIMENSION OF THE HOLY CITY (Revelation 21:9-26)
"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21:10). The holy city called the New Jerusalem and is beyond human description in its beauty. The Scripture describes it as having the glory of God, clear as crystal, like clear glass, pure gold, transparent glass and no night there (Revelation 21:11,18,21,25)
Question 2: How would you describe the beauty of the holy City?
"Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal" (Revelation 21:11). The length, breath and height are the same and have .15,000 miles each. It has 2.25m square miles in one layer of mansion. The city has a good design and perfect symmetry. It has 12 gates with 12 angles, 12 tribes, 12 foundations, 12 apostles, 12 pearls, 12 thousand furlongs, 12 by 12 cubits (Revelation 21:12, 14, 16, 17,21). "And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald" (Revelation 21:19). The foundations are garnished with precious stones which reflect the glory of God. The city wall is of pure gold, clear as glass. It is without any temple. The Lord Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof' (Revelation 21:22,23). The redeemed shall bring their glory and honour into it. The city gate will not be shut. The pure river of the water of life proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. The tree of life by the side of this water bears twelve manners of fruits every month. The fruits and the leaves are for the healing of the nations. "And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it" (Revelation 21:25,26).
DECISION TO ENTER THE HOLY CITY (Revelation 21:7,8; Luke 13:3,5; John 3:3,5-7, 15-17,36; Hebrews 2:1-3)
"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" (Revelation 21:8), As we have seen in the word of God that the new heaven and the new earth are holy, not everyone will live there. In verse eight of our text, various people are mentioned who will not enter the new city. it is only for the overcomers.
Question 3: How can the following people enter the new city?
a) Sinners and backsliders
b) Believers
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21 : 7). To partake in the new city, sinners and backsliders must repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Their names must be in the Book of life. Believers must be overcomers on daily basis. They must overcome the worldly system, self, Satan, false prophets and their teachings, sins, temptations and persecutions. In this new city, the life of the redeemed will be glorious. It will be a lie of fellowship with God, rest, full knowledge, holiness, joy, service, abundance, glory and worship (1 John 3:2; Revelation 14: 13; | Corinthians 13: 12; Revelation 21:27,4; 22:3; 21.'6; Colossians 3:4; Revelation 5:12). Finally, in the light of todays study, believers must remain faithful and steadfast to the end. This is because "there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 2 1 : 27).