Lesson 3 - Heaven - the Christian's Destiny.pptx

SBS – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace

1. Heaven - the Christian's Destiny Adult Bible Lessons 2nd Quarter 2024 CPAD, Magazine: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of salvation, holiness and perseverance to reach heaven. Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon April 21, 2024 Lesson 3

2. 2 (DIZ, 2023 )

3. “But our city is in heaven, where we also wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil 3.20) GOLDEN TEXT 3

4. The believer must live the Christian life with his mind focused on heaven as his legitimate hope. PRACTICAL TRUTH 4

5. Second - Gn 1.1; Mt 3.2; Rev 21.10 The wonderful biblical reality of Heaven Tuesday - 1 Ts 4.17; cf. Eph 1.3,20; 2.6 We will forever be with the Lord in Heaven Wednesday - 1 Co 9.24; 2 Tim 4:8 There is a prize to be achieved: Heaven Fifth – Hb 12.23; Gal 4.26; Phil 3.20 Heaven: God's home and holy lands Friday - John 14.3 The promise that we will be with Christ in Heaven Saturday – 1 Cor 15.26,54; Is 61.3; 65.19 A new reality experienced in Heaven DAILY READING 5

6. BIBLE READING IN CLASS 6

7. BIBLE READING IN CLASS Philippians 3.13,14,20,21; Revelation 21.1-4 Philippians 3 13 - Brothers, as for me, I do not think that I have achieved it; but one thing I do, and that is, forgetting the things that are behind and reaching forward to those that are before me, 14 - I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 20 - But our city is in heaven, where we also wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 - who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, according to his effective power to subject all things to himself. 7

8. Revelation 21 1 - And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. 2 - And I, John, saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3-And I heard a loud voice from heaven, saying: Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, for he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 - And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor outcry, nor pain, for the former things have passed away. 8

9. INTRODUCTION It is impossible for the natural man to discern spiritual things, since they can only be discerned spiritually (1 Cor 2:14). Therefore, human wisdom presents several misleading conceptions about heaven, to the point of denying its existence. However, the Christian is guaranteed the glorious promise of enjoying heaven as his home in eternal life with God (John 11:25,26; 14:2,3; Acts 1:11). In view of this, our purpose is to show heaven as a glorious destination for every Christian pilgrim. 9

10. Keyword : Heaven 10

11. 11 I – HEAVEN: THE TARGET OF EVERY CHRISTIAN

12. I – HEAVEN: THE TARGET OF EVERY CHRISTIAN 1. Defining sky. The Hebrew word shamayim , which means heaven, heavens (Gen. 1:1), appears 419 times in the Old Testament. The Greek term ouranonos , heaven (Mt 3.2; Rev 21.10), appears 280 times in the New Testament with two meanings: 1) as firmament, universe, atmosphere; 2) sidereal and starry heavens, region above the sidereal heavens, seat of the order of eternal and perfect things where God and celestial creatures dwell. In translations of the Bible into Portuguese, the word shamayim was translated as “height”; and ouranos , as “something high”. Both words are used to refer to three distinct locations: 1) atmospheric sky (Dt 11.11,17); 2) universe or firmament of the heavens ( Gn 1.14; 15.5; Hb 1.10); 3) abode of God (Is 63.15; Mt 7.11,21; Rev 3.12). Of the three places applied to the word heaven, the most important for the Christian is the third, the dwelling of God. 12

13. 2. Heaven according to Paul's teaching. The apostle Paul was caught up to the third heaven. It is no coincidence that this heaven is emphasized in the apostle's letters as a heavenly place, the home of those saved in Christ Jesus, where we have an assured destiny: that of being with the Lord forever (1 Thess 4:17; cf. Eph 1:3,20; 2.6). Therefore, living in Christ, the believer develops a relationship in the sphere of the kingdom, so that, even if he has not gone to heaven, his entire vocation is heavenly at the present moment in his life. In this way, the power that is in his life comes from heaven and enables him to win every day. 13

14. 3. The Christian's aim. Once saved, we no longer belong to this world. Therefore, Paul teaches that he continues towards the target, that is, the finish line where the athlete reaches the prize (1 Cor 9.24; 2 Tim 4.8). Thus, the apostle pursues the prize with determination, freedom, commitment and with his eyes fixed on the Author of Salvation ( Hb 12.2). Likewise, the Christian starts to have heaven as his target because of the sovereign vocation, which comes from above, that is, from God through Jesus Christ. His target reveals the result of a new life and, therefore, the believer turns to the things of heaven (Col 3.2). The expression “our nation is in heaven” summarizes this new reality well (Phil 3:20). By mentioning this expression, the apostle shows that we have a heavenly citizenship ( Eph 2:19). To live the fullness of this citizenship, the Christian makes a pilgrimage to something perfect, absolute, in which his dejected body will finally be transformed into the glorious body of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:44; 1 John 3:2). 14

15. The Christian starts to have Heaven as his target because of the sovereign vocation, which comes from above, that is, from God through Jesus Christ. SYNOPSIS I 15

16. 16 II – THE DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF APOCALYPSE

17. 17 II – THE DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF APOCALYPSE 1. The new heaven and the new earth. After the opening of the seven seals, according to Revelation 6, in which disorder, tribulation and judgment predominated, the picture subsequently revealed is that of a new eternal state. The apostle John says that the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, the sea is no more; This sky (also ouranos ) is astronomical space, it is not the eternal habitation of God. Then, the apostle contemplates a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21.1).

18. 18 The Greek adjective kainós (new), which appears in the text, brings the idea again with respect to form; fresh, recent, unused. In this sense, the new heaven is an unprecedented, unusual, and unknown place. Isaiah prophesied the creation of new heavens and a new earth (Is 65:17); the apostle Peter confirmed this hope (2 Peter 3:13). This place is the Christian's destiny, a completely redeemed new home, without any resemblance to the old world, for “behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).

19. 19 2. The beautiful city as our new home. In verse 2 (Rev 21), the apostle John makes mention of the descent of the Holy City and only from verse 9 onwards does he begin to describe the beauty of this city. Through passages from the New Testament, the New Jerusalem can be described as the dwelling place of God, the homeland of the saved, a place where the saints will dwell ( Heb 12.23; Gal 4.26; Phil 3.20). Therefore, we believe and affirm that this beautiful city will be a place where God and the Lamb are his temple; the glory of God will illuminate it, and the Lamb will be its lamp (Rev 21:22,23).

20. 20 In the New Jerusalem there will be no pain, sadness or suffering (Rev 21.4). Furthermore, after the resurrection (Revelation 20:4), and when all things are consummated, this Heavenly Jerusalem will descend from heaven and will remain forever on the new earth. The apostle John describes the Heavenly New Jerusalem as the place of the redeemed who inhabit the glorious City. Therefore, for us, the vision described in Revelation 21 refers to Heaven as eternity, the New Jerusalem as the New City, our new sinless created home, where eternal blessedness will be enjoyed by the saints forever and ever.

21. The New Jerusalem can be described as the dwelling place of God, the homeland of the saints, the place where the saints will dwell. SYNOPSIS II 21

22. III – HEAVEN: THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY 22

23. 23 III – HEAVEN: THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY 1. We will be where God is. In Revelation 21, there is a fulfillment of the Christian journey in which the believer will be where God dwells, as our Lord said he would come and take us to be with the Father (John 14:3). In that place, we will dwell with God in His tabernacle, for we will be His people and He will be our God (Rev 21:3). All of this will become reality in the future, when our union with God will take place without hindrance, fulfilling all the expectations of both the Old and New Testaments (Lev 26.11-12; Ez 43.7; 2 Cor 6.16; Rev 7.15).

24. 24 2. The tears will cease. One of the most glorious blessings we will enjoy in heaven is that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. These tears symbolize sadness, suffering, human tragedies and other various evils that will have no place in this new reality of life, as all first things are past (1 Cor 15.26,54; Is 61.3; 65.19). All of this will be possible because there will also be a transformation in the physical world, so that it will be entirely transformed and freed from corruption, as Paul clarified regarding the redemption of the material world (Rm 8.21).

25. 25 3. Heaven as eternal rest. The expression “rest” has nothing to do with boredom, as in Heaven there will be constant activities: worship (Rev 19.1-8); service (Rev 22.3); unlimited learning (1 Cor 13.12). This is a completely different dimension from what we currently know. Therefore, when we say that Heaven will be a place of rest or rest, it is because the believer will rest from his fatigue, tiredness and exhaustion present today (Revelation 14:13); we will be fully satisfied in communion with each other and with our Lord (Mt 8.11; Rev 19.9). This resting place is the end of our Christian journey, it is the experience of the abode of the redeemed. Therefore, our entire Christian life today must be lived with our minds focused on the eternal reality of Heaven as true hope (Col 3.2).

26. Heaven is the Christian's resting place and the end of our spiritual career. SYNOPSIS III 26

27. 27 CONCLUSION To live the heavenly hope it is necessary to be born again, live in Christ and transform the mind. It is necessary to have a new nature (John 3:12). Without this, it is impossible to believe in spiritual things, as these can only be discerned spiritually (1 Cor 2.14). Therefore, let us continue our journey to Heaven of glory, the goal of everyone saved in Christ, according to the divine rules established in the Word of God (1 Cor 9.24; 2 Tim 4.8).

28. 1. Of the three places applied to the word Heaven, which is the most important for the Christian according to the lesson? Of the three places applied to the word heaven, the most important for the Christian is the third, the dwelling of God. 2. What does the apostle show with the expression “our homeland is in heaven”? By mentioning this expression, the apostle shows that we have a heavenly citizenship ( Eph 2:19). 3. According to the lesson, how does the apostle John describe the new Jerusalem? The apostle John describes the Heavenly New Jerusalem as the place of the redeemed who inhabit the glorious City. Reviewing the content 28

29. 4. Name one of the most glorious blessings we will enjoy in Heaven. One of the most glorious blessings we will enjoy in heaven is that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. 5. According to the lesson, how should our current Christian life be lived? The current Christian life must be lived with the mind focused on the eternal reality of Heaven as true hope (Col 3.2). Reviewing the content 29

30. 30 References CPAD. A CARREIRA QUE NOS ESTÁ PROPOSTA: O Caminho da Salvação, Santidade e Perseverança para Chegar ao Céu . Rio de Janeiro: Casa Publicadora das Assembleias de Deus (CPAD), 2024. (Lições Bíblicas, Adultos CPAD). DIZ, Ana Brandão. Religião cristã para cima imagem criativa fotográfica de alta definição | Foto Premium . , 2023. a. Disponível em: https://br.freepik.com/fotos-premium/religiao-crista-para-cima-imagem-criativa-fotografica-de-alta-definicao_113778259.htm. Acesso em: 14 abr. 2024. DIZ , Ana Brandão. A Visão do Trono de Deus - Voz no Deserto . , 2023. b. Disponível em: https://www.voznodeserto.com.br/a-visao-do-trono-de-deus/. Acesso em: 14 abr. 2024.

31. 31 KAPLAN , Aryeh (ORG.). Bíblia Antigo Testamento: A Torá Viva - Os cinco livros de Moisés e as Haftarot : uma tradução baseada em fontes judaicas tradicionais, com comentários, introdução, mapas, tabelas, gravuras, bibliografia e índice remissivo. 3a ed. São Paulo: Maayanot , 2000. SOCIEDADE BÍBLICA DO BRASIL (ORG.). Bíblia De Estudo Pentecostal - Almeida Revista e Corrigida . 6a ed. Rio de Janeiro, RJ: SBB, 2014. SOCIEDADE BÍBLICA DO BRASIL (org.). Bíblia De Estudo Plenitude Revista E Atualizada . Barueri, SP: SBB, 2005.

32. LESSONS: Lesson 1- The Beginning of the Walk Lesson 2 - The Choice between the Narrow Gate and the Wide Gate Lesson 3 - Heaven - the Christian's Destiny Lesson 4 - How to Conduct Yourself on a Walk Lesson 5 - The Enemies of the Christian Lesson 6 - Our Spiritual Weapons Lesson 7 - The Danger of Murmuring Lesson 8 - Confessing and Forsaking Sin Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation on the Path Lesson 10 - Developing a Consciousness of Holiness Lesson 11 - The Biblical Reality of Hell Lesson 12 - The Blessed Hope: The Mark of the Christian Lesson 13 – The Celestial City 32 SBS – Sunday Bible School Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon Renewed in Grace

33. Thanks Celso Napoleon 33 [phone] [email protected] Renewed in Grace