May 4 2025, Sunday School Lesson

A New Heaven and a New Earth

Lesson Text: Revelation 21: 1-8

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17-25; John 14:1-11; II Corinthians 5:11-21

TIME: about A.D. 96

PLACE: from Patmos

Golden Text – “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” (Rev. 221:4)

Introduction

The concept of heaven, or its equivalent, is found in most world religions. The ancient Egyptians entombed their departed pharaohs with all the things they thought necessary for enjoying the afterlife. Ancient Greek pagan religion taught that righteous souls, after being ferried across the river Styx in Hades could be transferred to Elysium.

“Muslims understanding of the afterlife is based on vivid and literal pictures in the Quran. After an interval in the grave, the dead will be raised…With souls and bodies reunited, (they) will be taken to the day of judgment. Deeds will be weighted so exactly that nothing will be overlooked…Those for whom the judgment is adverse will burn in fire.

…Those for whom the judgment is favorable will enter the Garden (Paradise), with cool streams and beautiful maidens”

Scripture alone, however, gives us an accurate description of heaven, though many questions still remain.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. NO SEPARATION - Rev. 21:1-3

II. NO SORROW – Rev. 21:4

III. NO SIN – Rev. 21:5-8

QUESTIONS

1. What became of “the first heaven and the first earth” (Rev. 21:1)

2. What are some possible explanations for there being “no more sea” in heaven?

3. How does the New Jerusalem appear in John’s vision?

4. What is the significance of the tabernacle and God’s dwelling with men?

5. What will be absent from heaven that is common on earth?

6. How does John’s vision of the new heavens and earth give us assurance in the face of death?

7. Why are the words John heard “true and faithful” (vs. 5)

8. What does “Alpha and Omega” mean (vs. 8)? Why is God referred to in this way?

9. How is the theme of overcoming seen earlier in the book?

10. What kinds of people will end up in the lake of fire? How can they avoid this judgment?

ANSWERS

1. Whether descriptions of the new heaven and new earth given in the Bible depict a totally new order of things or a renovation of the old is matter of debate among scholars.

2. Some have suggested that the imagery here reflects the ancients’ representation of the sea as chaos and dread. Others note that the beast that blasphemed God and made war against His people arose from the sea (13:1-7). Scholars also note that several ancient apocalyptic writings speak of the destruction of the sea. Another points out that “from his exile on Patmos John could see the mainland, but was separated from his flock by the sea.

3. Rather than the usual picture of us going to heaven, John’s vision reveals “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven” (Re.21:2). Of course, the New Jerusalem must come down because God has created a new earth for redeemed humanity to dwell upon.

4. “In the wilderness wanderings the tabernacle or tent was a symbol of the abiding presence of God in the midst of his people.

5. A day is coming, however, when all sorrow will be obliterated. “In this brand-new home there will be no more death or pain or hospitals or funerals or grief or broken homes or broken hearts or broken dreams. There will be no more mental (disabilities) or physical handicaps or muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis or blindness or lameness or deafness. Heaven will be perfect in its quality of life”.

6. Such things as death, sorrow, crying, and pain are a part of the “former things,” namely, things characteristic of the old earth but things that will never be a part of the new earth. Indeed, “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Cor. 15:26). It is hard to understand why so many people reject Jesus Christ, thus forfeiting their opportunity to live forever in perfect happiness. Perhaps many think their personal goodness will merit eternal bliss. Apart from receiving Christ there is no hope (cf Johon 1:12), but because of Christ, we can face death with assurance (I Thess. 4:13)

7. As elsewhere (Rev. 14:13; 19:9), John was told to write down what he saw. “These words are true and faithful” (21:5), as are all words of Scripture, for they have been inspired by the Holy Spirit.

8. This can be said with certainty because God is Alpha and Omega (the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet), which is a metaphorical way of saying that He is “the beginning and the end”

9. In the letters to the seven churches, Jesus said that those who overcome will eat of the tree of life (2:7), not be harmed by the second death (vs. 11), be given the hidden manna (vs. 17), receive power over the nations (vs. 26), keep their names in the book of life (3:5), be a pillar in God’s temple (vs. 12), and sit with Christ on His throne (vs. 21).

10. In contrast to those who overcome are those who fail to be faithful disciples of Christ. Heading the list are the “fearful” (21:8), or the cowardly. This may include those who, because of suffering, trials, or persecution, fail to bring forth preserving fruit and fall away. The “unbelieving” may include those who have never come to faith in Christ or those who profess faith but do not really possess it. Some think it refers to “believers who have denied their faith under pressure. The abominable” may include those who have been involved in various vile, pagan practices. Obviously, “murderers” are those who have taken the lives of others especially Christians. “Whoremongers” could be translated “fornicators” or “the immoral,” referring to those guilty of sexual sins. Hebrews 13:4 says, “marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge”. “Sorcerers” are those who are involved in witchcraft and the occult. “Idolaters” are those who bow before pagan deities. In the context of Revelation, the worship of the Roman emperor may be in view. Since John emphasized the importance of truth in his writings, the presence of “all liars” in the lake of fire is understandable.