C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, Eternal Plan of God for Man, May 5, 2019
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C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Eternal Plan of God for Man.
May 5th, 2019.
II. WORSHIP IN ETERNITY (Isa. 35:10; 65:18; Rev. 7:9-12; 21:22; 22:3-4)
To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God. To feed our minds with the truth of God. To purge the imagination by the beauty of God. And to open our heart to love God alone. This is what would happen throughout eternity. We must begin practising it now.
A. NO TEMPLE (Rev. 21:22; 22:3-4)
But I saw no temple i in it, for the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (21:22)
i. Rev. 21:22: Concerning the heavenly Jerusalem, that Holy City, the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb would be her temple. Why?
a. The presence of the Triune in the Holy City illuminates all;
b. The throne of God serves as a wall (fence) round the Holy City and it is very high;
c. To this end, anywhere a person may be in thy Holy City, the throne of God would be clearly seen.
ii. Therefore, everybody has full grace, free access and equal opportunity to worship God in that City. Worshipping God anytime and anywhere without the intervention of any priest or mediator. Jesus Christ, the Saviour, Redeemer, exalted High Priest would be there visibly.
iii. God’s thone and the Lamb will be clearly seen throughout every part of the Holy City (Rev. 22:3-4), hence the need for no temple in the City.
iv. The One who was regularly visited in the temple here on earth, is now readily filling the entire city with His awesome presence. Why is then the need for the temple any longer?
v. When we turn our heart towards God with no hypocrisy or deceit, true worship will take place.
vi. Worship in eternity will put our focus on God alone, totally, completely and permanently, as we acknowledge Him that He is the sovereign Lord of the Universe and our lives, and the very center of our eternity.
B. NATURE OF WORSHIP (Isa. 35:10; 65:18; Rev. 7:9-12)
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God (Rev. 7:11).
i. In Isa. 35:10; 65:18; Rev. 21:1-5, the following statements are evident:
a. Jerusalem was created a city of rejoicing and, her people, a joy.
b. The ransomed (redeemed) of the Lord thy would inhabit the Holy City shall obtain joy and gladness.
c. God shall wipe away all tears and there shall be no more pain, death, and mourning, weeping or groaning.
ii. The beauty and glory of that Holy City is enough for joy and gladness of the redeemed and beloved of God (cf. 1 Cor. 2:9). Likewise, the redeemed shall be full of happiness, saying, “At last, we are saved.”
iii. Therefore, as the angels in heaven, the Four beasts and the twenty-four elders are glorifying God, the redeemed of God would be praising Him. (Rev. 7:10-11;*15:3-4).
iv. We have no other work in the Holy City than to sing HALLELUAH and HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! to God who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb (Isa. 63:7). For then, Satan, the source of sorrow would have been in hell. Then, our worship shall be based only on praising and and adoring the Lord God the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb (2 Jn. 8; Heb. 2:10).
v. We will be worshipping God for His faithfulness and awesome power. The redeemed of the Lord, beloved of God, and the saints will worship God in His holiness. Only the triumphant community will be allowed in the worship.
LESSONS DERIVED
1. Nothing can be compared to why would be happening over there when we would eventually worship God in our eternal home.
2. You cannot afford to miss this eternal opportunity to worship the only God. So, accept Jesus Christ now, and be faithful to Him till eternity comes.
QUESTIONS
1. What should be our focus as we worship God, here on earth?
2. How shall the worship I. heaven be, and can we partake of it?
SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTION
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1:
i. We must worship God to give adoration and honour to Him.
ii. While worshipping God, we must bow down to give Him respect in all humility.
iii. We must have it at the back of our mind that worshipping God is the sign of love, hope, and total dependence on Him, for provision, security, and assistance in all aspect.
iv. Worship is necessary because it takes our focus off ourselves, and directs it on God, acknowledging that He is the sovereign Lord of the universe and our lives.
v. Worship prepares us to receive God’s Word.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2:
i. Everybody will have free access and equal opportunity to worship God in eternity.
ii. People will have the grace to worship God anytime and anywhere, without the intervention of any Pastor or Priest.
iii. The throne of the Almighty God who used to visit the temple on earth will be seen clearly, from every part of the Holy City.
iv. The beauty and glory of the Holy City will be joy and gladness to the redeemed and beloved of God.
v. Only the redeemed and beloved of God shall partake of the worship in heaven.
LIFE APPLICATION
The believers who are redeemed from sin and challenges of the world, will bring their glory and honour into the heavenly city, and give all their glory and honour into the heavenly city, and give all their glory and honour to the Lord who gave them great salvation. There is no temple in the heavenly city, because the presence of the Lord will be everywhere. And everybody will be filled with the Spirit of God and His Presence. There will be an unbroken worship, communication, and sharing with God. No matter what service or work the believer engage in, throughout the universe, he will be in an unbroken fellowship and communion with God. Therefore, there will be no need for a temple and its ceremonies to pull the human mind to the worship of God.
CONCLUSION
The throne of God is a white throne, which stands for purity, holiness, and righteousness. The throne of God is a great one. We must never forget that, no impurity and unrighteousness can reach that throne, because no imperfection can live with God. Therefore, our imperfection must be removed so that we will be able to stand before Him in eternity. In addition, we will never be without the presence and glory of God; we will be able to share with God, face to face, to fellowship and commune with Him. We will have grace to praise and worship Him throughout eternity. That has been the import of this two-week lesson. May we be rapturable, in Jesus’ name.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS FOR WEEK TWO
Mon. Apr. 29: Bless Lord, All (Psa. 103:22)
Tue. Apr. 30: Benefit of Praising God (Acts 16:25)
Wed. May 1: Believers must give Him All Glory (Rev. 4:11)
Thur. May 2: Behold Angelic Beings Worshipping the Lord (Rev. 7:11)
Fri. May 3: Behold Angelic Beings Worshipping God (Rev. 19:4)
Sat. May 4: Behold God is New Jerusalem’s Temple (Rev. 21:22).