RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS MANUAL (LESSON FIFTY) SUNDAY 13TH AUGUST 2017.

TOPIC:  WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?

MEMORY VERSE:  "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." - 2Corinthians 5:1 

BIBLE PASSAGE: Revelations 21:1-8

INTRODUCTION: 

  God created the Heaven and the earth in the beginning (Genesis 1:1). According to the Jewish notion, there are three heavens (2Corinthians 12:2). The first heaven is the air or atmosphere, where clouds gather and birds fly (Genesis 2:19; Lamentation 4:19).

  The second is the firmament, in which the sun, moon and stars are fixed (Jeremiah 8:2; Matthew 24:29). The third Heaven is the "The heaven of heavens" (Deuteronomy 10:14), the home or throne of God and His angels, the invisible realm of holiness and happiness; the home of the children of God. Heaven is eternal (2Corinthians 5:1) and it is a prepared place for a prepared people (John 14:2).   

LESSON OUTLINES

1. What is Heaven like?

2. Who are the inhabitants of Heaven?

WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?

  Heaven is a building of God and not man-made (2Corinthians 5:1). It is also called the kingdom of God and of Christ (Ephesians 5:5). Surely, it is the Father's House (John 14:2). It is a place of rest (Hebrews 4:9). Heaven cannot be measured (Jeremiah 31:37).

   Heaven is a high place (Isaiah 57:15), a holy place (Psalm 20:6), a happy place (Revelations 7:17), a place without death, tears, sorrow, crying or pain (Revelations 21:4). Heaven is a place without night or darkness (Revelations 22:3-5), a place without hunger, thirst or excessive heat or cold (Revelations 7:16). Heaven is a place of perfect satisfaction (Revelations 22:1-2). It is also a place of perfect righteousness (Revelations 22:3), a place of perfect government, ruled by God, the just One and the Lamb.

  It is a place of perfect communion (Revelations 22:4), where we shall behold His face and His Name shall be on our foreheads. Heaven is a place of perfect glory (Revelations 22:5).   

  

WHO ARE THE INHABITANTS OF HEAVEN?

Let us start listing those who can NEVER be there.

1. The devil and the fallen angels will never enter there (Revelations 20:10; Jude 6).

2. The unrighteous (1Corinthians 6:9-10), thieves (Luke 12:33), liars, whoremongers and the fearful will not enter (Revelations 21:8) and anyone in whose life is found the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

3. Careless Christians and everyone whose name is not found in the book of life (Matthew 25:24-30; Revelations 20:15).

The following are already there:

1. God the Father (Matthew 6:9), Jesus Christ our Lord (Acts 3:20-21) and holy angels (Matthew 18:10).

2. Enoch, Elijah, Moses and Abraham (Genesis 5:24; Matthew 17:3; Luke 16:23).

3. The Saints of old, all those who have died trusting in Jesus (1Thessalonians 4:14). 

CONCLUSION

  Heaven is the holy abode of holy God. Only holy people will get there (Hebrews 12:14). Do you want to go to Heaven? Live holy. 

QUESTIONS:

1. What type of place is Heaven?

2. Who will not get there?