Lesson 154 - Elementary
Memory Verse
"God shall wipe away all tears" (Revelation 21:4).
Notes
The Holy City
One day while John was on the island called Patmos, looking over the sea and talking to God, he saw a wonderful sight. It was the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven. This was a City far more beautiful than anything John had ever seen before. It was made of gold so pure that it looked like glass. Even the streets were paved with gold. It was also a very large City. The angel of the Lord took a golden reed and began to measure the City. It was about 1,500 miles long; and the length, width and height were the same. We cannot say it is like any city we have seen or studied about, for there is no city so large or so beautiful. It would probably take days, weeks, and months to see all in such a large city. In [1CO:2:9], we read, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Before Jesus went away to Heaven, He told His disciples and followers that He was going away and that He would prepare a place for them. He also said, "in my Father's house are many mansions.” No doubt this made Jesus' followers happy to think that Jesus was building a home for them.
The Walls of the Holy City
There is a wall around the City. It is very high. The foundation is decorated with many different kinds of precious stones. And in these stones are found the names of the twelve Apostles. There are also twelve gates, three on each side.
The Gates
The gates of the Holy City are made of pearl. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written upon the gates. Nothing ugly, unclean, or impure, can enter this holy place. Neither can any liar go in at the gates. No sin can enter there and no one can climb the walls. Isn't it wonderful to think we shall never hear any ugly or bad words there? We shall never hear Jesus' name spoken irreverently, the thing that has hurt us so much in this life. All the boys and girls, little children, every one will be praising Jesus and saying, "Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God” [REV:19:1]).
Only those who have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life can go inside. Every saved boy and girl, man and woman will go in.
Inside the New Jerusalem
Inside this beautiful City we shall rejoice forever in the presence of Jesus. On the banks of the River of Life is the Tree of Life. From the Tree of Life we are to eat of twelve different kinds of fruit. We shall have this fruit to eat all the time, for it is always ripe.
There we can have all the good things Jesus has prepared for us. Best of all, we can sit down and talk with Jesus Himself and look into His face. Imagine for a moment being at your play and having Jesus pass by. Oh, the joy you would know if He should stop and lay His hand on your head and bless you! John once ate with Jesus and leaned on His breast. He loved Him so much.
All tears are wiped away. Tears in our eyes are caused by pain and suffering. But in Heaven there is nothing that will bring tears of sorrow to our eyes. Nothing shall hurt or make us afraid in all that great Holy City.
No Night There
The City of God has no need for candles, electric lights, moon or stars, to give light, for there is no night there. Neither does it need the sun to give light, by day, for the glory of God lights it. People walk about in the light of God.
"Surely I Come Quickly”
When Jesus had showed John all these things He said, "Surely I come quickly.” This aged prisoner, John, replied, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” And all those who love God and whose hearts have been made pure by the Blood of Jesus, may also say, "Come, Lord Jesus.”
Questions
1. Who say the Holy City coming down out of Heaven? [REV:21:2].
2. Who stands at the gates of the City? [REV:21:12].
3. How many kinds of fruit are found on the Tree of Life? [REV:22:2].
4. Of what are the gates made? [REV:21:21].
5. Do you feel that Heaven is a beautiful, holy place?