25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers.
Lesson 25 God brings everything to its climax– John Bible reference – Revelation 1 verses 4- 8; 4 verses 1-10; 5 verses 1-14; 19 verses 1-10; 21 verse 1 to 22 verse 21. Revelation is the only book of prophecy in the New Testament. It was written at a difficult time when the Christian church was persecuted. From chapter 4 Revelation explains events at the End Times. The story of God’s special people is still going on today. Beginning in Old Testament days it goes right on through the New Testament. It is not finished yet! Revelation tells how everything will end.
Ask, what did the angels promise the disciples who watched Jesus being taken up into heaven after His resurrection appearances? (Acts 1 verse 11, “… This Jesus, Who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way …”).
God promised Jesus will come again from heaven. Revelation tells important facts about heaven. It shows what will happen in the future when Jesus returns. God is working out His plan. It will be finished. It will succeed. John, the fisherman-disciple of Jesus, Matthew 4 verse 21, wrote Revelation. He was exiled to the island of Patmos. He was punished because he had preached “God’s word and the truth that Jesus revealed”, Revelation 1 verse 9. The Spirit of the risen Jesus was with John as he worked, probably digging heavy stone. Jesus showed John these events. John wrote them down. Divide the class into eight groups. Every group will read part of Revelation and answer two questions. The whole class can discuss their answers.
Group 1: Have two students read, Revelation 1 verses 1-2, “This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave Him this revelation in order to show His servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to His servant John by sending His angel to him, and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ”
Who gave us the book of Revelation? (God, Jesus Christ, an angel, John).
When will the things shown in Revelation happen? (Very soon.)
History follows God’s time. We do not know the date when these things will happen, but they will. They are the next item on God’s agenda. First, God’s special people are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people everywhere. Next, Jesus will come back. 97
Group 2: Have a student read, Revelation 1 verse 7, “Look, He is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see Him, including those who pierced Him. All peoples on earth will mourn over Him. So shall it be!”
Who were the people who “pierced” Jesus? (The Roman soldiers, at the Jewish leaders’ demand).
Why is it important Jesus comes “on the clouds”?” (Because it was what God promised through the angels.)
God can always be trusted to do exactly what He has said He will do.
Group 3: Have a student read, Revelation 4 verse 11, “Our Lord and our God! You are worthy to receive glory, honour and power. For You created all things, and by Your will they were given existence and life”.
Look earlier in the chapter and see who said these words. (The twenty-four elders, verse 10)
To whom did they say these words? (God on the throne, verses 2 and 10)
The twenty four elders probably represent the twelve Old Testament patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc., and the twelve New Testament apostles – Peter, Andrew, James, John, etc. These men are the “spiritual fathers” of God’s special people; the Old Testament Israel and the New Testament Christians. All worship the living God Who called them to follow.
Group 4: Have two students read, Revelation 5 verses 9-10, “They sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals. For You were killed, and by Your sacrificial death You bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation and race. You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they shall rule on the earth””.
What event is meant here by “Your sacrificial death”? (Jesus’ crucifixion)
In what two ways are God’s special people described? ( 1. “People from every tribe, language, nation and race”. Now made into 2. “a kingdom of priests to serve God”)
We learn in chapters 6-8 there are judgements from God written on this sealed scroll. These judgements are very bad for people but Jesus’ death makes Him able to “buy” people safely from these judgements. No-one can buy their own safety, but Jesus can change anybody. All kinds of people are in His kingdom. They have been changed. They have chosen to live under Jesus’ rule.
Group 5: Have three students read, Revelation 5 verses 12-14, “and sang in a loud voice: “The Lamb Who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honour, glory and praise!” And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, in the world below, and in the sea – all living beings in the universe – and they were singing: “To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honour, glory and might, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures answered, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshipped”.
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Where were lambs used in the Old Testament stories we have heard? (At the Passover, painting the door frames with blood. And in the temple sacrifices people made as part of their worship of God).
Why is Jesus called "the Lamb Who was killed"? (Because Jesus' blood is now the protection for His chosen people. Jesus is the One Who helps people come to worship God).
No wonder heaven is so excited! Everyone sings praises to God and to Jesus, the Lamb, for such a great salvation.
Group 6: Have a student read, Revelation 19 verse 1, “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a large crowd of people in heaven, saying, “Praise God! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God!”
How is this “Salvation” described in verses 7-9? (As the wedding feast of the Lamb).
Do you know the Hebrew word for “PraiseGod”? Can you guess? (Hallelujah!).
This chapter is the only one in the New Testament that uses the word, “Hallelujah” translated as “Praise God”. Early Christians used “Hallelujah” to express their thanks to God for His goodness in saving them. Everyone is invited to Jesus’ wedding in heaven. Everyone who believes He is God’s Son – the Saviour God gave to the world – will be there. It will be the greatest party ever. God’s special people make up the bride of Jesus Christ.
Group 7: Have two students read, Revelation 20 verses 11-12, “Then I saw a great white throne and the One Who sits on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence and were seen no more. And I saw the dead, great and small alike, standing before the throne.Books were opened, and then another book was opened, the book of the living. The dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books”.
Who do you think is the One sitting on the judgement throne? (To Cornelius, Peter preached that theJudge was Jesus. Jesus is the One God appointed to be the Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10 verse 42.
In Athens, Paul preached that theJudge was the Man God raised from the dead. Jesus will judge on the day God has chosen. Acts 17 verse 31).
Why does John write “great and small alike” will stand and be judged? (He is saying that no-one can avoid it. Everyone is exactly the same before God).
The throne is “great” because there is nothing as majestic and awesome as it.
It is “white” because it shows God’s absolute purity.
And it is just one throne because only one person is able to be Judge for all – Jesus! p.99
Group 8: Have four students read, Revelation 21 verses 1-4, “”Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and earth disappeared, and the sea vanished. And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God’s home is with human beings! He will live with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them, and He will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared””.
What three new things are mentioned in these verses? (a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem).
How far away from God will people be? (No distance at all. God will be with them. His home will be with them).
There are eleven words in verse 3 (in English) that describe heaven for God’s special people. What God has been working towards will have finally come to reality. The eleven words are, “He will live with them, and they shall be His people”. “He” is “God” and “His people” means everyone who believes in Jesus. Have the students say these words together: “God will live with them, and they shall be His people”,
Revelation 21 part of verse 3.
Repeat it several times to learn it.
You may chose to use this summary of the whole course:
The Creator God called people to follow Him. The first people chose not to. God still loved them and promised a way back for them into friendship with Himself.
God called Abraham to be the father of His special people. As the family grew they forgot to honour God. Famine drove them to slavery in Egypt although God provided food for them through Joseph, the brother they had rejected.
Moses led God’s people out from Egypt using the protection of a lamb’s blood.
God gave His people laws to live by. Sometimes they obeyed and sometimes they did not. God kept encouraging them through His prophets. He gave them a king when they wanted a human leader.
The human kings let God down and let the people down. King David was the best of them. God promised that one day in the future a king like David would reign from His royal city, Jerusalem.
Other nations conquered Israel and Judah. The Israelites were scattered. The people of Judah were carried into exile.
After a long time God moved Cyrus to let God’s people rebuild Jerusalem. Ezra and Nehemiah led the spiritual and civic restoration.
God was silent for 400 years except for His written Old Testament word. Most people had forgotten that. They had a system of “do’s” and “don’ts” to live by. They hoped God would accept them.
Angels announced God was entering the human race as the baby Jesus. He would live and He would die to become the Saviour for the world. Jesus death would make people
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right with God. God raised Jesus from the dead to life to show His power and to show Jesus is the Saviour. Some people who had followed Jesus in His life believed this message. They knew Jesus was more than human. They believed Jesus was God the Son in human form. After Jesus ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit came on to the “believers”, God’s special people began to go anywhere and everywhere telling others about this Jesus. In most places some joined them while others did not. It was difficult. The Christians suffered persecution. Yet the story continues today. All over the world Jesus is building up His special people. Through His apostles, and the New Testament added to the Old, God has given to all who believe the hope of life in heaven with Himself. Those who believe are baptised. The believers still witness about Jesus everywhere they can. When they meet together they eat bread and drink wine to remember Jesus death and resurrection. They look back towards the cross. And they look forward to Jesus’ coming again. This is the Bible’s Big (true) story. Hallelujah! Remember to teach the ACTIONS and VIDEO overview
found and demonstrated on the homepage
and introductory lesson.
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