RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 18 AUGUST 2024

LESSON: FIFTY ONE (51)
TOPIC: NEW HEAVEN, NEW EARTH

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

BIBLE PASSAGE: Revelation 21:1-5.
[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.

MEMORY VERSE: 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.

INTRODUCTION: In the days of Noah, the world was destroyed with water, but God has promised that He would no more destroy the world with a flood (Genesis 9:11). The end of the world, described in 2Peter 3:10 as the day of the Lord will occur after the final judgement by God (Revelation 20:7-10). This scripture reveals that the universe will be destroyed by fire. Therefore, believers should bear in mind that this present world will not last forever (Matthew 5:18).

OUTLINES:
1. THE PASSING AWAY OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH
2. EMERGENCE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

1. THE PASSING AWAY OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH
The prophet Isaiah foretold the passing away of Heaven and earth (Isaiah 34:4; 51:6). This refers to the physical Heaven and earth – the material world and all it contains – but not to the inhabitants of heaven and earth. To “pass away” is to disappear or be no more.
The “heavens” in 2 Peter 3:10 refers to the physical universe – the stars, planets, and galaxies – which will be consumed by some kind of tremendous explosion, possibly a nuclear or atomic reaction that will consume and wipe out all matter as we know it. All the elements that make up the universe will be melted in the “fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:12). This will also be a noisy event, described in different Bible versions as a “roar” (NIV), a “great noise” (KJV), a “loud noise” (CEV), and a “thunderous crash” (AMP). There will be no doubt as to what is happening. Everyone will see and hear it because we are also told that “the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: How should believers prepare for the day when the world and elements would melt in fire?

2. EMERGENCE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH
In Revelation 21:1, John writes of a new heaven and a new earth in the eternal state, having seen that “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13). God will create a “new heaven and a new earth” which will include the “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2), the capital city of Heaven, a place of perfect holiness, which will come down from heaven to the new earth. This is the city where the saints-those whose names were written in the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 13:8) – will live forever. Peter refers to this new creation as “the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
Knowing that Heaven and earth will pass away gives us perspective in life. This world is not our home. “We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Jesus tells us to have the proper priorities (Matthew 6:19-20). Also Peter, after reminding us of the temporary nature of this world, says, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class members should identify common spots or stains which could tarnish a believer’s life of holiness.

CONCLUSION: Believers should remain faithful to the end because there is the hope of eternal life with God beyond this present world.

QUESTIONS
* Describe how the present heavens and earth will pass away.
* Will there be a new heaven and a new earth? Explain.

ASSIGNMENT: List five (5) things you must be doing now in preparation for the new heaven and the new earth. (2×5=10 Marks).