During Solomon’s reign, Israel enjoyed unparalleled peace and prosperity. Precious metals were so abundant in Jerusalem during his time that silver was considered as common as stones (1 Kings 10:27). In addition to the magnificent temple of marble and gold that Solomon built for God, he also constructed a lavish palace and courtyard plus entire cities to house his chariots and horsemen. Splendid flowering gardens with rare trees graced every town. Monarchs, nobles, and royalty came from around the world to visit and bring gifts. They longed to hear the profound wisdom that God had put in Solomon’s heart (1 Kings 10:24).

Among the many regal visitors was a rich and beautiful queen from the far- away land of Sheba. She wanted to see firsthand if the reports about Israel’s king were true. The Queen of Sheba tested Solomon with many hard questions and was stunned by his brilliant answers. Everywhere she looked, her senses were dazzled. But even Israel at its zenith was as nothing compared to the glorious kingdom God has prepared for you.

The Study

Fill in the blanks after reading each Bible text.

1. What did Jesus promise His people?

John 14:2 In My Fathers house are many           ; ... I go to prepare a           for you.

2. What do we know about this place Jesus is preparing?

Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I create        heavens and a new earth.

Hebrews 11:16 For He has prepared a        for them.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the        .

Isaiah 65:21 They shall build        and inhabit them.

NOTE: Talk about amazing! God has prepared for His people new heavens, a new earth, and a new holy city. The righteous will inherit a glorious mansion in the city built by Jesus (John 14:2), plus a fabulous country home on the new earth that they will build themselves (Isaiah 65:21).

3. What more do we know about the holy city?

Revelation 21:16 The city is laid out as a            ; … And he measured the city with the reed:______ _____  furlongs.

Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of           from God.

Revelation 21:10, 12 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, … had a great and high wall with           gates. 

Revelation 21:18The construction of its _______was of________.

Revelation 21:21 The street of the city was pure           .

NOTE: The holy city is square, and the distance around it is 12,000 furlongs, or 1,500 miles (a furlong is one-eighth of a mile). It comes down from heaven to the new earth and will land where the Mount of Olives now stands (Zechariah 14:4). Each of its 12

gates are made of a single pearl (Revelation 21:21), and the city’s jasper walls are 144 cubits (Revelation 21:17) or 216 feet wide (a cubit is 18 inches).

4. What does the Bible say about the city’s water and food supply?

Revelation 22:1 He showed me a pure          of water of life.

Revelation 22:2 On either side of the river, was the tree of___________, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

NOTE: An inexhaustible, pure river of water flows out of the throne of God, and the tree of life yields a different fruit crop each month. This fabulous fruit and its leaves provide the antidote of death and perpetuate eternal life. In addition, God’s saints will raise their own food at their country homes (Isaiah 65:21). The diet of God’s people will be what it was before sin entered the world—fruits, grains, and nuts (Genesis 1:29, 31). The taste will be indescribably delicious, and the nutritional value will be perfect.

5. How will living in heaven be different from living here on earth?

A. Isaiah 35:5 The eyes of the           shall be opened.

B. Isaiah 35:5 The ears of the           shall be unstopped.

C. Isaiah 35:6 Then the lame shall           like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb           .

D. Isaiah 65:25 They [the beasts] shall not nor destroy.

E. Isaiah 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, … And a _______ ________shall lead them.

F. Isaiah 35:1 The desert shall …          as the rose.

G. Isaiah 33:24 The inhabitant will not say, “I am         .”

H. Revelation 21:4 There shall be no more          , nor sorrow, nor crying.

6. What kind of bodies will the saints have?

Philippians 3:20, 21 The Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His           body.

7. Is Jesus’ body real, or is He a spirit?

Luke 24:39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a______ ______ ______           ___flesh and bones as you see I have.

NOTE: Jesus’ body after His resurrection was real, with flesh and bones that you could touch and feel. The disciples at first thought He was a spirit when He appeared suddenly to them, but after they felt Him and watched Him eat (Luke 24:40-43), they knew that He was real. Forty days later, Jesus led them out to Bethany and ascended to heaven (Luke 24:50, 51). The angels who appeared to the disciples said to them, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. Since His incarnation, Jesus is forever linked with the human race, as well as being divine.

8. What other encouraging promise is found?

Acts 3:20, 21 And that He may send Jesus Christ, … whom heaven must receive until the times of           of all things.

NOTE: Praise God, every glorious good thing that was lost by the entrance of sin will be restored in God’s new kingdom. All people will genuinely love, trust, and support each other. As a result, there will be no more violence (Isaiah 60:18), and no more betrayal, abuse, disloyalty, dishonesty, backbiting, insecurity, depression, danger, disappointment, or heartache. It will be joyful, happy, contented, abundant living for eternity.

9. Will sad or painful memories from this life trouble people in heaven?

Isaiah 65:17 The former shall           be remembered or come to mind.

NOTE: The words “come to mind” are better translated “move upon the heart.” The Lord is here promising that the sorrows of earth will not bring sorrow to His saints in heaven.

10. Will people from earth recognize each other in God’s new kingdom?

1 Corinthians 13:12 Then I shall           just as I also am known.

NOTE: We will indeed recognize each other by our appearance, walk, mannerisms, speech, etc. Our abilities to discern each other will be improved in heaven. Heaven will be an utterly fantastic family reunion.

11. What other thrilling promises does God give us regarding His coming kingdom?

A. Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall … come to Zion with singing, With everlasting           .

B. Psalm 16:11 Are           forevermore.

C. Zechariah 8:5 The streets of the city Shall be full of boys and girls______ in its streets.

D. Isaiah 40:31 They shall run and not be           , they shall walk and not           .

E. Isaiah 40:31 They shall mount up with           as eagles.

NOTE: The saints will be able to fly like angels at speeds faster than light. Since they inherit all things (Revelation 21:7), they may visit other worlds, taking only moments to get there. According to Scripture, God has made other worlds that are unfallen (Job 1:6; Hebrews 1:2; 11:3).

12. Can we adequately describe God’s new kingdom with words?

1 Corinthians 2:9 Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the____________ of_________the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

NOTE: You and I in our present state are not able even to imagine the wonderful things God has prepared for His children. No words, thoughts, or even dreams can truly picture the fantastic joys and bliss of heaven. No matter what we may suffer on earth, being in heaven will outweigh all of earth’s trials (Romans 8:18).

13. What is the highest reward of God’s new kingdom?

Revelation 21:3 God Himself will be           them.

NOTE: Believe it, and stand in awe! God will actually live in the new earth with His people. Nothing can compare to this for sheer delight and glory.

14. What will exclude people from God’s heavenly kingdom?

Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that_________.

Revelation 21:7 He who            shall inherit all things.

NOTE: Sin defiles and cannot be allowed into heaven, else rebellion might start all over again. (See Supplement entitled “The Kingdom of God.”)

15. What can I do about sin?

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to______                       from all unrighteousness.

NOTE: If I ask Jesus to forgive my sins, He forgives me and cleanses me from sin and makes me His child.

16. What did Jesus say is the formula for success in this life and the next?

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the            of            and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

NOTE: This is exactly what King Solomon did when God asked, “What do you want?” His first thought was for God’s kingdom and His righteousness. In return, the blessings of a glorious kingdom followed. This will happen for us too when we seek first God’s kingdom.

YOUR RESPONSE

Recognizing that God is in full control of earthly events, are you willing to let Him have full control of your life?

ANSWER:        

SUPPLEMENT

This section provides additional information for further study.

The Kingdom of God

The Bible is a record of two kingdoms in constant conflict—the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Jesus made the kingdom of God central in His preaching. There are over 100 references to the kingdom of God in the New Testament alone, and many are contained in Jesus’ parables. From His teachings we learn that God’s divine kingdom is divided into two different categories—the spiritual and the literal.

Citizens of the spiritual kingdom of heaven have God ruling and reigning in their hearts. Before conversion, the throne in our hearts is occupied by Satan, sin, and self. But after we accept the forgiveness and power of Jesus, that bondage is broken. This is why Paul says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts … For sin shall not have dominion over you.” Romans 6:12, 14. “But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Luke 11:20.

As soon as a person accepts Christ, he instantly becomes a citizen of God’s spiritual kingdom. This is why both Jesus and John the Baptist began their ministries by urging people to repent, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2; 4:17. “At hand” means available or accessible now. This is why Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20, 21. As soon as a person is baptized, he leaves Satan’s kingdom of darkness and joins God’s kingdom of light.

Every true follower of Christ is an ambassador to this world from God’s spiritual kingdom. Ambassadors from other countries often speak a different language, wear different clothes, eat different food, use different currency, and have different customs. In the same way, as Christian ambassadors we should be very careful to rightly represent our Lord’s kingdom by the way we eat, talk, dress, and spend our time and money.

Someday God’s people will inherit the literal, physical kingdom of God that is discussed in this lesson. It is this kingdom we are longing for when we pray in the Lord’s prayer, “Your kingdom come.” Matthew 6:10. God’s literal kingdom will be fully and finally established after the post-millennium judgment and battle described in Revelation 20.

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