THE CITY OF GOD
Revelations 7:9 to 17; 21:1 to 27; 22:1 to 17
AGAIN John saw the throne of God, and before it, and before the Lamb of God, stood a multitude of people so great that no man could count them. They were dressed in white robes, and branches of palm were in their hands, and they cried with a loud voice, "Salvation unto our God upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
And all the angels were standing around the throne, and around the four living creatures, and around the seats of the twenty-four elders; and the angels fell down on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever." Then one of the elders spoke to Jŏhn, and said, "Who are these dressed in white robes? and whence did they come?”
And Jŏhn answered, "My Lord, thou knowest who they are, and whence they came, but I do not know.”
Then the elder said, "These are they who have come up out of great trouble and sorrow, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For that cause they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth upon the throne shall spread his tent over them. They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst any more, nor shall the heat of the sun strike upon them. But the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall lead them as a shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
After this, Jŏhn heard a great voice out, of the throne, saying, L. "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men; and God shall dwell among men, and they shall be his people, and he shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death: neither shall there be weeping or crying, nor pain any more." And He that was sitting upon the throne said “Behold, I make all things new. I will give to him who is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
Then Jŏhn seemed to be standing upon a great and high mountain; and he saw a glorious city, the new Jē̇-rṳ́ sā̇-lem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Over the city was a rich light, like that which glows in some precious stone, clear as crystal. Around the city was a lofty wall, and on each side of the wall were three gates; for the city was four-square having twelve gates in all. Beside each gate stood an angel, and on the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Ĭś̝ ra-el. And the wall had twelve foundations, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lord. The wall was like jasper, and the city was built of pure gold, but a gold which seemed clear like glass. The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was one great pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.
Jŏhn could see no Temple in the city, and it needs none; for the Lord God and Jesus Christ the Lamb of God are its Temple. And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb of God is as a lamp in it. And the gates of the city shall not be shut by day, for there shall be no night there.
And the nations of men shall walk in the light of this city, and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it; and all the honor and glory of the nations of earth shall be brought into it. And into it shall never come anything that is evil, or unclean, or anyone who does what God hates, or anyone who makes a lie. But they only shall come into it whose names are written in the Lord's book.
And Jŏhn saw a river of water of life, clear as crystal, coming forth from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and flowing through the street of the city. On each side of the river was growing the tree of life, bearing its fruit every month, twelve times in the year; and the leaves of the tree were to heal all people of their diseases. And in the city the Lord God and the Lamb shall reign as kings.
When John had seen and heard all these things, he fell down to worship the angel who had showed them to him. But the angel said to him, "Do not worship me, for I am a fellow-servant with you, and with your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the word of the book: worship God.”
And the angel said to Jŏhn, "Do not seal up the words of what you have heard and seen, but tell them to all men: And the Spirit and the bride, the Church of Christ, say `Come.' And let him that hears say `Come.' And let him that is thirsty come; and whoever will let him take the water of life freely.”
Lesson 45. Paul at Rome.
Tell Story 19 in Part Seventh.
(Stories 20 and 21 may be omitted.)
1. What happened to Paul on the shore at the island of Melita? He was bitten by a poisonous snake.
2. What did Paul do, when the snake bit him? He shook it off and was not harmed.
3. What did the people of the island think when they saw no harm come to Paul? They thought that he was a god.
4. Who treated Paul and his friends kindly at Melita? Publius, the ruler of the island.
5. What did Paul do for the ruler Publius? He made his sick father well.
6. To what land did they sail from the island of Melita? To the land of Italy.
7. At what great city did Paul's long journey end? At Rome.
8. How long was Paul a prisoner at Rome? Two years.
9. What did he do while a prisoner? He preached the gospel.
10. What did Paul write at the end of his life? "I have fought a good fight.”
Lesson 46. Review on the Early Church.
1. In what city were the followers of Christ after Je'sus went to heaven? Jerusalem.
2. On what day did the Holy Spirit come upon the disciples? The day of Pentecost.
3. Who was the leader of the church in its early days? The Apostle Peter.
4. Who died because they tad a lie? Ananias and Sapphira.
5. What good man was stoned to death? Stephen.
6. What young man helped in the stoning of Stephen? Saul.
7. Who preached in Samaria after Stephen was killed? Philip
8. Where did Saul become a believer in Christ? At Damascus.
9. What good woman was raised to life through the prayer of Peter? Dorcas.
10. To what Cornelius or foreigner was Peter sent to preach the gospel? To Cornelius.
11. How was Peter set free from prison in Jerusalem? By an angel.
12. What church sent out the first missionaries to preach the gospel? The church at Antioch.
13. Who were the two missionaries sent out? Barnabas and Saul.
14. What island did Barnabas and Saul first visit in preaching the gospel? Cyprus.
15. By what name was Saul known after this? Paul.
16. Where were Paul and Barnabas first worshipped and then stoned? Lystra.
17. In what city was the gospel first preached in Europe? In Philippi.
18. Where was Paul made a prisoner? In Jerusalem.
19. On what island was Paul shipwrecked? Melita.
20. To what city was Paul taken as a prisoner after being shipwrecked? To Rome.