C.A.C Sunday School Manual For June 27, 2021, Lesson Eleven : Topic – GOD’S ULTIMATE REIGN OVER ALL

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

(Revelation 11:15)

Sooner than later, Jesus is returning to establish God’s total and perfect rule over all, no longer by proxy. Will you be there? You must give your life to Him, now.

Reading from Revelation chapter six, one would be able to understand the incidents that preceded the blowing of the trumpet by this seventh angel. Before the blowing of the trumpets, there were seven seals, which only the Lamb could open. Only Jesus, the Lamb of God, by the virtue of His sacrifices and open the seals, which are seven in number (Revelation 5:9, 10). When the seventh seal was opened (seal of seven angels with trumpets), seven angels showed up, and they were given seven trumpets. Each of them blew the trumpets, one after another, and when the last angel, which is the seventh, blew his own, there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The Kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of The voice of trumpets usually depicts the voice or sound of victory, power and dominion. When there is defeat, no one sings songs of victory, but of wailing or lamentation.

What the clause “The Kingdom of this world…” implies is that God has finally taken over the dominion, power and rulership of all things in heaven and on earth without any exception. It could be recalled that God did not kill Satan when he resorted to make war with mankind (Revelation 12:7-17). In the outcome of that, he succeeded in deceiving the unsuspecting Adam and Eve, and restricted their God-given dominion from them (Genesis 3).

But when Jesus Christ triumphantly went to the Cross, He ceased authority from the devil and subdued him by the power of the Cross and resurrection. He declared, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18).

Nevertheless, the devil still feels like someone who is still in charge, after all, he was not killed or imprisoned, he was still free to go about deceiving people, causing rancour and making prisoners of those who have permanently chosen to be on his side.

Would that continue unabated? No. God has determined the destiny of Satn. He would soon place him where he belongs. God would take over the total control and dominion of all things in heavens and on earth. The kingdoms of this world would be of God and Christ, ultimately and eternally. Would you be among those who would shout for victory when God finally and ultimately takes over the kingdom of this world from the prince of this world? God will help you to be in the number in heaven.

Devotional Bible Reading For Week One

Mon. 21: Praise God–He Reigns Forever (Exo. 15:18)

Tue. 22: Praise God–Dominion Belongs To Him (1 Chro. 29:11,12)

Wed. 23: Praise God–On His Holy Throne (Psa. 47:7-8)

Thur. 24: Praise God–He Establishes The Earth (Psa. 93:1,2)

Fri. 25: Praise God–We’re Co-Rulers With Him (Matt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30)

Sat. 26: Praise God–Our Sorrows Are Gone (Isa. 25:8; Rev. 7:17)

1. The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness; He will fully take over all, Very soon

2. Through His atoning death and glorious resurrection, Jesus conquered the earth. Base on this, God, the supreme authority of heaven and earth, would eternally take dominion of the kingdom of this world. Make sure you are part of that arrangement.

AIM: To show that God would soon take over the kingdom of this world, and He shall reign forever over all.

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the readers should be able to:

i. have understood and how know that believers shall reign with Christ for 1000 years as priest of God and Christ;

ii. show that those who are partakers of the first resurrection shall not partake in the second death (lake of fire);

iii. discuss that God shall reign with Christ eternally; and

iv. discuss that God shall tabernacle His people in His kingdom and be their God eternally.

To God be the glory for His immeasurable love and grace by which He feeds us with the undiluted Word of Life. Lesson Eleven, ADMINISTRATION OF THE EARLY CHURCH was concluded last week with the reaffirmation that Christ is the Head of His Church. The Church, as we discussed from God’s Word in the course of the lesson, comprises both Jews and Gentiles, with their leaders appointed by Christ’s Spirit. He has also given gifts for the growth and edification of the Church. May the truth discovered and lessons learnt reform and make us better disciples of Christ in preparation for His Second Advent. Amen.

Today, we shall be discussing the only one-week lesson in this series, titled, GOD’S ULTIMATE REIGN OVER ALL. We shall be examining Jesus’ superintendence over the entire world, in a peaceful reign in the Millennium as well as God. The lesson will also help us to better understand how God conceives the idea of eternity in the new heaven and the new earth. We shall see the lot of both the righteous and the unrighteous as each man will be judged according to what and how his works shall be. May we not be lost forever, in Jesus’ name.

INTRODUCTION TO EACH DIVISION

This is a week lesson, with just one division, and it is broken into two.

DIVISION I: GOD’S ULTIMATE REIGN OVER ALL

This is a week lesson with just one division, God’s ultimate reign over call. Rev. 20:1-6 and 21:1-8 are the two texts chosen for this lesson. Two crucial and critical issues were raised in this lesson. One, In the Millennium and Two, in Eternity. The word: Millennium is not found in the Bible, but it talks about the reign of Jesus Christ on the earth for a duration of 1000 years, after which eternity sets in, where we shall be with God and Christ forever: Millennium originates from the Latin word mille “thousand”. It is a thousandth anniversary.

A thing or somebody is ultimate when it is fundamental, final, supreme, total, the highest, unprecedented and so on. The reign of God is indescribable. Can God reign and any other creatures in heavens and on earth claim to be reigning at the same time? It is impossible. His dominion is everlasting and beyond questioning. That He permitted the devil to dominate as the god of this world is never a show of powerlessness, but for a specific purpose, perhaps it has to do with the fulfillment of His eternal arrangement from everlasting.

A. IN THE MILLENNIUM (20:1-6)

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection

Over such the second has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Rev. 20:6).

i. After the tribulation and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Christ shall bring down His throne, with the raptured saints on Mount Olive in Jerusalem, to govern the Earth in a peaceful Millennial Reign. He will reign with all the saints over those who would not be caught up to Heaven due to their refusal to accept His Lordship. All eyes shall see Him — the good, the bad, (Rev. 1:7).

ii. vv. 1-3: Satan (also called the dragon, that serpent of old,… the Devil) will be bound also for 1000 years in the abyss, so that he wouldn’t be there to deceive man and trouble the Millennia Reign of Christ with His saints. At this point, evil and good can no longer co-habit.

iii. Jesus is the great Stone that beaks all powers, authorities, and kingdoms, secular and spiritual, to establish His own righteous government with Jerusalem as the headquarters on earth (Dan. 2:31-44; 7:9; Zech. 14:4). This is the original plan of God with the patriarchs (Gen. 12:1-3; 18:18; Ex. 23:22; Ps. 72:17; Acts 3:25)

iv. v. 4: And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them… The kingdom age comprises the raptured (the resurrected and the translated) saints and the tribulation saints — those who refuse to bow to the devil in all forms. They shall serve as priests, rulers and mediators (Dan. 7:22,27).

v. v.5: But the rest of the dead did not live again… All unjust people from Adam through the tribulation (not minding their religions) will not have portion in this peaceful government. Their souls and spirits will be confined in the place of torment (Lk. 16:19-31; Rev. 21:8). Whoever doesn’t have his/her name in the book of life will be eventually cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). Liars, adulterers, etc., beware and be warned!

vi. v. 6: The first resurrection includes the righteous from Abel to the last tribulation saints. They shall be given glorious bodies (1 Cor. 15:52,53), and reign with Christ for 1000 years. They shall not taste the second death. What a glorious season with the Lord! (cf. CAC GHB 196).

vii. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s words will by no means pass away (Matt. 5:18,24:35, Lk. 16:17). Christ’s reign for 1000 years (Millennia) is word of God that is settled in heaven. Rather than doubting or debating it, we ought to be expectant, in full preparation to reign with Christ.

B. In ETERNITY (21:1-8)

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” (v. 3).

i. After the Millennia Reign, the Son shall handover to the Father to deliver judgment according to individuals’ works (cf. 1 Cor. 15:52,53). The righteous and the unrighteous are separated forever, new heaven and new earth created, then God would establish His eternal reign.

ii. v. 3: …tabernacle of God is with men… This is dream come true. In the OT, God met with His people and departed (Exo. 33:7-10). But God Almighty will finally dwell with His people forever according to His eternal plan. God seems far away now because of Satan and sin. Sing CAC GHB 833.

iii. vv. 4,5: And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes

Presently, sorrow and joy are mixed (Psa. 30:5). Very soon, when God shall fully take over in eternity, the bliss He first intended for man will be restored (Jer. 29:11). There will be no more sorrow (Isa. 25:8; 35:10).

iv. v. 6: I am the Alpha and the Omega. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet while omega is the last, signifying the beginning and end of all things. What God began through Christ will then be completed and perfected — restoration of all things. He makes all things new for His people (cf. v.5). Are you one of His people?

v. vv. 7,8: The die is cast. He who overcomes will inherit all things, without struggle as we do now. What a glorious experience! Conversely, the unrighteous, unfaithful and disobedient (Rom. 8:5-7; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:3) will be cast in hell (Matt. 8:12; Lk. 13:28). Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.

vi. You cannot afford to miss life in eternity with God, who has chosen to tabernacle with those that follow His path from this earth to eternity. Those who would not be with God shall be with the devil forever in fire, that means, everlasting punishment. That will not be your lot in Jesus’ name.

1. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, is coming back to displace all earthly and tyrannical government. It is better to stand with Him now and enjoy His uninterrupted reign of peace.

2. The omniscient God you are hiding from because of your sins is coming to live here permanently. It is better to endure all thing here and now, than to miss eternal relationship with the Creator. Only those who wash their garments will be with Him forever.

1. Who and who will participate in the Millennial Reign on earth?

2. “The tabernacle of God is with men.” Discuss.

* The Saints of the Lord (from the righteous Abel to the last tribulation saint).

* Those who encountered or experienced the first resurrection, who carried translated or resurrected bodies.

* Also, those who remain on earth, who have not died before the first resurrection and who do not go with the rapture shall be in that reign, but not as parents of Christ or rulers with Him, but as mere servants.

* Christ Himself as Lord of lords, King of kings shall rule in the Millennial reign.

ANSWER TO QUESTION 2

The tabernacle of God with men is talking about the Almighty and Holy God, pitching His tent to dwell with His people.

That would not be the first time He is doing that. He did it in the wilderness, when He asked Moses to pitch a tent called Tabernacle of meeting, where He could meet with the Israelites, His people.

He later on allowed that Tabernacle to be transformed and built into a more permanent structure – temple, known as Solomon’s Temple.

He later on allowed that Tabernacle to be transformed and built into a more permanent structure – temple, know as Solomon’s Temple.

God always loves to dwell among, and with. He is a loving Father. He wants to relate and have fellowship with His people. The only hindrance to that closeness and intimacy is sin, and appearance of evil and Satan (Isa. 59:1_2).

Jesus promised His disciples His continuous presence: Lo I am with you to the end of the world.

Christ’s eternal reign would make God’s presence more real and permanent with His people. He will gladly dwell with us.

It is obvious, when a king is set upon a particular kingdom, he rules over two kinds of people – the good people of the land and the wicked people. God’s eternal rule (ultimate reign) shall definitely be set upon two categories of people as described in Matthew 25:31-46 – the sheep and goats by Christ’s figurative described. The sheep will be ushered into eternal life and the goat into everlasting punishment. Where do you belong? Which is your destination of these two? Your relationship with God now will determine your position with Him in eternity.

We are grateful to God for seeing us through to the end of this series of the Sunday school. To God be the glory for all His wonderful and uncommon blessings through the instrumentality of His glorious and undiluted word. This is the last but not the least lesson in this series and it has really showed us the manner in which God’s eternal kingdom and supreme reign is going to come. Very soon, the kingdom of this world shall be for God and Christ. The devil, the old dragon shall have his cup full and run over. He would be captured and imprisoned for sometimes (1000 years) and later on, would be cast into lake of fire. The true believers shall be with God in His kingdom forever. I hope to see you in that everlasting kingdom, and we shall all be there in Jesus’ name. Until then, keep the flame of faith and righteousness burning.

WORK WHILE WAITING (WWW)

Reading Assignments In Preparation

For July To December, 2021 Sunday School Series

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS FOR WEEK ONE

Mon. Jun. 28: God Speaks From Jerusalem (Amos 1:1,2)

Tue. Jun. 29: God Will Deal Mercilessly With Syrians (Amos 1:3-5)

Wed. Jun. 30: Gaza Shall God Devour (Amos 1:6-8)

Thur. Jul. 1: God Promises To Devour Tyre and Edom (Amos 1:9-12)

Fri. Jul. 2: GOD Leads Ammonites Captive (Amos 1:13-15)

Sat. Jul. 3: God Will Strike Moab Dead (Amos 2:1-3

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS FOR WEEK TWO

Mon. Jul. 5: Judgment Of God On Judah (Amos 2:4,5)

Tue. Jul. 6: Judgment Of God On Israel (Amos 2:6-8)

Wed. Jul. 7: Judgment Of God On Their Unfaithfulness (Amos 2:9-16)

Thur. Jul. 8:

Judgment Of God Must Be Feared (Amos 3:1-8)

Fri. Jul. 9: Judged For Not Being Righteous (Amos 3:9-11)

Sat. Jul. 10: Judgment Of God On Altars Of Bethel (Amos 3:12-15)

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS FOR WEEK THREE

Mon. Jul. 12: God Will Punish Oppression/Oppressors (Amos 4:1-5)

Tue. Jul. 13: God Deals With His Incorrigible People (Amos 4:6-13)

Wed. Jul. 14: Great Cuts Down Due To Ungidliness (Amos 5:1-3)

Thur. Jul. 15: Good To Seek God And Live (Amos 5:4-9)

Fri. Jul. 16: God Judges Undue Exploitation (Amos 5:10-13)

Sat. Jul. 17: Grace Of God Abounds For Returning (Amos 5:14, 15)