NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR AUGUST 14, 2022 : TOPIC – A NEW CITY
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Sunday, August 14, 2022
TOPIC: A NEW CITY
Background & Lesson Scripture: Revelation 21:10-21
GOLDEN TEXT
The wall of the city had twelve foundations and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Revelation 21:14
Objectives: By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
▪︎ Describe the beauty and adornment of the New City.
▪︎ Explain the significance of some imagery used in the passage.
▪︎ Demonstrate willingness to communicate the reality of the New Jerusalem to unbelievers.
INTRODUCTION
People often find it difficult to live in a place that they are not familiar with. Sometimes, they wonder how the new place would be like in comparison with where they have always lived. However, if the new place is better equipped with all necessary amenities needed to make life comfortable, it will be preferred. There was a certain village pastor with very merger salary, which was not even consistent because of the financial constraints of the church. The so-called pastorium was a hut with no facilities to make life comfortable. Despite that, he and members of the family worked relentlessly for many years in the same church until he retired. The testimony is that he was able to train his three children to the university level. Miraculously, his first son gained employment in one of the fastest growing communication companies with lots of benefits. He built a house in the city, equipped with modern facility, invited his parents and handed over the keys of the house to them. In excitement, they sang and danced round the house and exclaimed, “This is indeed a new house! We shall live here until Christ comes.” By all standard, the new house was actually better than where they had lived all their lives.
Today’s lesson is a continuation of last week. It is John’s vision of the description of the New City, which is heavenly in origin but located on a renewed earth. John uses figurative language to describe the magnificence of the city. It was marked by security and adornment of precious stones that reflect God’s glory. In fact, the reality and beauty of the New City is depicted by the words of the hymn, “Jerusalem on High,” written by Samuel Crossman.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. Vision of the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:10-14
John’s vision was in succession and as it progressed, the nature and characteristics of the new heaven were revealed. According to verse 9, John was invited by one of the seven angels (who had the seven bowls full of the last seven plagues) to see the bride, the wife of the Lamb (the Church or God’s people). Immediately, he was carried away in the Spirit by an angel to the top of a high mountain from where he saw the Holy City and its splendour coming down from heaven (v.10). Verses 11-14 describe vividly the beauty and splendour of the New Jerusalem, the Holy City. Similar to the description given in verses 1-8, the description of this city shows that, not only will it come down from God, but it will also shine with His glory. Principally, verse 12 states that the wall of the city was built on twelve foundation stones on which were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Furthermore, each of the twelve foundations of the city also has the names of the twelve apostles (v. 14). Likewise, Ezekiel saw a vision of the new heaven with its radiance, the dimensions and adornment (Ezekiel 40). All the imageries used in the passage are symbolic. They are reflections of the beauty of the Holy City, God’s dwelling place.
The subject matter of John’s vision here is the church of God. It is presented as both the bride and the wife of the Lamb in her glorious, perfect, and triumphant state, with a resemblance of Jerusalem. The city was described as shining with the glory of God like jasper stone and as clear as crystal. Surely, this is a picture of God’s place of abode for His people. John also examined the gates of the city with twelve pearls. On each was the name of the twelve tribes of Israel. Truly, the heavenly city is a perfect place where God and His people will dwell permanently. In fact, the beauty of the New City is enough to inspire Christians to maintain a godly lifestyle and relationship with God so that we will reign with Christ in the holy city, God’s dwelling place.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Let the class members describe the beauty and adornment of the New City using their own words.
2. How can the description of the New Jerusalem serve as motivation for godly lifestyle for Christians today?
B. Measurement According to Standard. Revelation 21:15-17
Beginning from chapter 1 of the book of Revelation, the role of the angel whom Jesus Christ sent to John to reveal things that must happen cannot be over-emphasised. The angel testified to everything John saw about the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ (1:1-2). According to the description in chapter 21:15, the angel had a gold measuring rod with which he would measure the city, its gates and wall. The reason probably was to ascertain a particular standard (having a perfect square) as well as for security reasons. After the measurement, the city was perfectly square both in width and length of 12,000 stadia (2,400km) long and as high as the length. The angel also measured the wall, which came up to 60 meters high or 144 cubits (about 72 yards), according to the standard of measurement, which he used. Although it is not stated clearly the reason for the measurement but it may probably be for security and the necessity to meet a specified standard.
John’s vision was comprehensive and every aspect is significant. However, these figures should not be taken literally. They are symbolic, as there are so many numerical imageries in Revelation. Nevertheless, we should be careful not to imagine the New City or the New Jerusalem to be literally of this size. The point is that the city is real and not imaginary. The lesson here is that God has prepared a home for His people where we will dwell and reign with Him forever. The lesson also reminds us of the necessity of meeting standards whenever God gives us instructions whether they seem meaningful to us or not. When God told Noah to build an ark, He gave him specifications about the type of wood to be used, the length, width, height and the various apartments. Interestingly, Noah did everything just as God commanded him (Genesis 6:14-22). Consequently, obedience to God’s commands is the key to enjoying His blessings.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What is the significance of measuring the wall according to verse 17?
2. Why is it that many Christians are afraid of death even though they know that there is a beautiful home awaiting them in heaven?
C. Adornment of the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:18-21
John’s narration of the vision included the description of the beautiful city, and the different materials used. The narration includes the beauty of the wall, which was made of Jasper, while the city was made of pure gold described as clear as glass. Likewise, verses 19 and 20 give a vivid description of the different stones that were used for the adornment of the foundation at each stage. They include; jasper, sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, carnelian, yellow quartz, beryl, topaz, chalcedony, turquoise and amethyst. Also, the 12 gates of the city were made of 12 pearls with each from a separate pearl. According to the passage, the city had its street made of pure gold; shining as glass. Remarkably, the city is spiritually adorned, since it is not an earthly city but a heavenly one. The New City is a perfect place already prepared for believers. It is described as shining with the glory of God like jasper stone and as clear as crystal. The New City that is prepared like a bride for the groom is a perfect place where God and His people will dwell permanently. It is a place quite different from the so-called beautiful houses in our present world especially when we consider the foundation and the materials that were used. They are most superior building materials imaginable to man, a city not made of human hands. Consequently, we should prepare ourselves to be fit for such a place by living our lives to glorify God. When this is done, we will not be a misfit for the Kingdom of God.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What would you consider the most precious building materials today? Make a comparison with the materials used for the construction of the New City.
2. Why do you think the New City is described in such an impressive manner?
Commitment: Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to remain faithful to God so that you will be qualified to enter the New City.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
Let every class member write down all the building materials of the New City in the passage and describe this amazing city that awaits believers.
Prayer Points:
▪︎ Pray that Nigeria will be a new nation
▪︎ Pray that the Lord will give our leaders a new heart
▪︎ Pray that Nigerians will be new people
Take Home: Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson.