Cleveland County herald., 1920-03-18
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNI)AY(SCIl)()L
 LESSON tBy REV. F. B. FITZW-ATER, D. D., Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.l Copyright 1920, Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR MARCH 21
JOHNS PICTURE OF WORSHIP
 IN HEAVEN.
LESSON -TEXT-Rev. 7:9-1z.

IN F7EAN EN.
 LESSON TEXT-Rev. 7:9-17.
 GOLDEN TEXT-Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, a2d power. and might be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen-ReV. 712
 PRIMARY TOPIC The Heavenly Home.
 JUNIOR TOPIC.-A Glimpse of Heaven. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC A Vision of the Glorious Future.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC Permanent Message of the Book of Revelation.
 !. The Worshipers (vv. 9-14).
 1. Who they are (vv. Q, 1D. (D Redeemed men (v. 9. They are main- fy GentiIes-"of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" They are those to whom the gospel of the kingdonS" has been preached by converted Israelites (Matt. 24 :1D. In the first part of chapter seven we saw God sealing his chosen ones from Israel. They were sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads, which doubtless means the supernatural en- doWment of the Holy Spirit on the last days (Joel 2:2S-32,. While this was partially fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, it's larger realization is still future (Acts 2:15-21. This out pouring is for the equipment of the Jews for their divinely ordained mis- sion, namely, to preach the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world. Ic hn Jews with the unctfon of the Holy Spirit, the innumerable multitude from all nations will receive Christ, the slain Lamb, for their redemption. (2) All the angels cv. ID. These angels indorse this ascription of praise offered by these redeemed men by saying Amen"
 9 Whence came these redeemed? (vv. 13, 14). They came out of the great tribulation (v. 14). After the rapture of the Church q Thess. :13- 1S), awful days of suffering and trial shall come upon the world GIT Thess. 2:7, S). It is the time of sorrow when the anti-Christ shall hold sway; such days as were not before nor shall be after in which if not short ened no flesh could be saved (Matt. 24 :15, q, 9; of. Dan. 7:S; 9:26, 27).
 3. What they say (vv. 10, 12). CD Salvation to our God and the Lamb (v. 10). They ascribe their salvation to God through the sacrifice of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. CD "Blessing." They acknowledge that all blessings come from him. (3) "Glory." They acknowledge him as the glorious one and the one to whom all glory should be given. (D "Wisdom." He is in- fnitely wise and all wisdom comes from him. (5) Thanksgiving, be- cause salvation was provided by him. (6) Honor" Their hearts went out to him in high esteem. CD "Power and might" They recognized that all power inhered in him.
 II. The BIessedness of the Worship CTS (vv. 13-1O.
 1. They are before Gods throne (vv. 9. 15). They are in heaven and near the throne of God. Jesus Christ is now preparing mansions for those who shall go to heaven (John IA :1-3).
 9 Clothed with white robes {vv. 9, 14). Their white robes suggest their character. They have been made such In the blood of the Lamb. The only way for a sinner to be made ready for heaven is through the blood Of Christ. s',fe
 3. They bear palm branches (v. 9. The significance of the palm is found in the use that the Jews made of it at the Feast of Tabernacles. It was a time of great joy, because it repre- sented the gathered harvest. The bearers of the palm branches will ex- perience the blessedness of not only being in heaven, but of enjoying re- wards for their work on earth.
 A. They serve God day and night (v. 15). Heaven is not place of idleness, or altogether of singing Gods praises but a place where real, vital service is rendered to God; in- deed, there are nobler fields of en- deavor awaiting us beyond this life. This life is but a training school in which we are made ready for service in heaven.
 5. God dwells among them (v. 15). To get to heaven at all would be truly blessed, but to be there and have God to dwell among us will be wonderful.
 6. Hunger no more nor thirst (v. 16). Here life is one continuous round of hungering and thirsting. In heaven we shall neither hunger nor thirst, for Jesus Christ, the Lamb, shall feed us. The straits and necessities of life will then be over.
 '. Neither shall the sunlight or heat come upon them (v. ID.
 8. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (y. ID.