NBC Sunday School Manual For November 14, 2021 : Topic – PRAISE FOR GOD’S ETERNAL REIGN
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
November 14, 2021
TOPIC: PRAISE FOR GOD’S ETERNAL REIGN
Devotional Reading:
Background Scripture reading: Revelation 11
Lesson Scripture reading: Revelation 11:15-19
Golden Text: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11: “
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
i. Narrate John’s vision as stated in the passage.
ii. Explain the different ways believers can respond to God’s victory over the powers of darkness.
iii. Write down what they would do in order to give God praise for His eternal reign.
Introduction
The book of Revelation is unique in its writing because of the figurative language used. The symbols are representations or signs that God used to communicate a spiritual message in human language to John. Some of these symbols may have more than one meaning and often evoke powerful
responses. As a result, some people see the reading of the book as taking a journey to a distant country with strange customs and unknown language. Oftentimes, they give up the struggle to read and understand the message of the book. Apparently, John’s message in the book can help us to see beyond the surface meaning of things to their deeper and spiritual meanings. Therefore, they serve as doorways to understanding the sacred things of God. The introduction of the book shows that its message comes from God and from
Christ, who is supreme over all earthly rulers.
The focus of today’s lesson is the privilege of a full revelation of heavenly worship, which John had through sequences of visions at different times. Specifically, it was about the worship of the twenty-four elders at the sound of the seventh trumpet, which was sounded by the seventh angel. However, while the images in the passage fit the circumstances in John’s day, many believe that they also point to the “Great Tribulation” of the end time caused by a human leader wanting to play God.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A The Elders Worshipped God Revelation 11:15-18
The experience of John, the angel and the little scroll ended with a command to proclaim God’s message about many nations, races, languages and Hngs (Revelation 10:11). However, in chapter 11, John was given a stick, he was commanded to measure the temple of God and the altar and count those who have come to worship. According to verse 3, God promised to send two witnesses who will proclaim His message, even though they will be attacked and defeated. There was also a promise of a dramatic visitation (a life-giving breath) and terror, which eventually struck their enemies to death. In response to the victory, the
people will praise and worship God at the sound of the seventh trumpet by the seventh angel. Of course, there were great voices in heaven (probably the voices of the Cherubim) saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” In the same mood of worship, the twenty-four elders who sat on their thrones before God threw themselves down in worship. They acknowledged God because: He is the Almighty, the One who is and who was.
-▪︎ He has taken His great power and has begun to rule.
-▪︎ The heathen were angry but God’s wrath has come.
– ▪︎The time has come to judge the dead but reward God’s servants, prophets, saints and those who reverence God.
-▪︎ Those who destroy the earth shall also be destroyed.
It should be noted that the sound of the trumpets was a sign of God’s presence and activity. Therefore, it was a
time of praise worshi thanksgiving and victory over the powers of evil. One major truth from the passage is that God’s victory over wicked powers should be celebrated through songs of praise, sincere worship and testimonies. According to the New International Version (NIV) Commentary, the twenty-four elders are representatives of either the whole company of believers in heaven or exalted angelic beings who are worshipping and serving God there (Revelation 5:5-14; 7:11-17). Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that there was worship in heaven and God gave John the opportunity to see it in a vision. Therefore, the seventh trumpet fulfils the mystery of God (Revelation 10:7) that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (v.15).
Discussion Time 1
1. How do you like to praise, rejoice, and worship God? State at least three differences between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world.
2.Disouss the implication of verse 16 to believers.
B. God’s Temple Opened Revelation 11:19
John’s vision was in sequence and each stage was characterised by different experiences. The heavenly worship by the twenty-four elders was followed by the opening of the temple in heaven. He was privileged to see the ark of His covenant surrounded by flashes of lightening, rumblings pearls of thunder, an earthquake and a great hail storm. Of course, these items are symbolic and they represent different things. For instance, according to the Old Testament, the ark of covenant was carved out of the chest of acacia wood. The ark symbolises the presence of God among His people (Deuteronomy 10:1-2). It was also regarded as God’s throne and it led the Israelites through the wilderness and in battles. It was the most sacred of all the objects in the tabernacle, because it contains the two stone tablets, on which were written the Ten Commandments (1 Kings 8:9). The challenge is that God should be our focus whenever we are in worship. Apparently, the earthquake, flashes of light, pearls and the rumblings that John saw in the temple were as a result of the angel throwing the incense burner with fire from the altar to the earth (Revelation 8:5). They are the features of God’s awesomeness and majestic power. Throughout the book of Revelation, thunder and lightning always mark an important event connected with the heavenly temple. The challenge, therefore, is that Christians should continue to praise God for His eternal reign over the wickedness of this world and proclaim allegiance to the kingdom of our Lord and Messiah. The pressure to identify with the kingdom of this world should be resisted by believers because it will not stand the test of time.
Discussion Time 2
1. What is the significance of the ark of His covenant to the people of God? Is it still relevant today?
2. If possible, describe God’s
awesomeness, power and majesty in relation to worship.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
Class members should state some differences between God’s eternal reign and the reign of world leaders.
~▪︎They are to discuss some steps they would take to enhance worship that pleases God.
Take Home
-▪︎Only God can reign eternally.
-▪︎God deserves quality worship.
-▪︎God will surely judge all the nations and reward His faithful servants.
-▪︎God shall surely destroy the works of the enemies who destroy this world.
-▪︎God’s presence with us is sure