Revelation #10

Kyle Bartholic   -   April 27, 2023

Revelation CGS – Week 10

A vision of the Throne – The One who is worthy.

Revelation 4:1-11

 

INTRODUCTION:  This week in our study of Revelation, we begin the next section in John’s letter. It is a section that is focused on a vision of heaven. It should not be lost on us that the second vision in Revelation is not about “future events” that so many of us first think about in this book. No, just like the first vision, this second one gives us a clarified picture of God, the one who is worthy and the one who will have a final victory over all evil in the end. When John’s readers turned on their (metaphorical) televisions and opened their first-century equivalent of newspapers, this is what they saw: the power and pomp of the Roman Empire. Everywhere they looked, they saw the symbols of Roman might. They saw the eagle standard carried by Roman soldiers and fixed over public buildings. The coins they held in their hands had images of the goddess Roma. They saw grand building projects projecting the splendor of Rome. In Asia Minor, where John’s readers lived, the local elites welcomed the prosperity of the Pax Romana. They also saw militarism. They saw soldiers from the all-conquering Roman army. They feared invasion from the Parthians in the east. They heard stories of war and slaughter followed by famine and disease. If they had had eyes to see, they may also have seen injustice and murder. They could “enjoy” the blood of gladiatorial combat. They may have seen natural disasters and environmental catastrophes.[1] However, this vision reminds them and reminds us today that no earthly power or spiritual power will have lasting victory over God. He is the one who is sovereign, supreme, Holy, and the only one who deserves to be worshipped.

The visions in Revelation 4–7 can be called a “cycle” because they begin and end with worship in the heavenly throne room. The four living creatures, the elders, and the angelic hosts that sing praises to God in chapter 4 see the Lamb receive a scroll that is sealed with seven seals in chapter 5. As the Lamb opens the first six seals in chapter 6, threatening visions relentlessly erode readers’ sense of security, pressing them to join with all who cry out, “Who is able to stand?” (6:17). As if in response, John tells readers about the redeemed who are able to stand in the heavenly throne room, where they join the four creatures, the elders, and the angelic hosts in offering songs of praise to God and the Lamb (7:10–12). Only then is the seventh seal opened, bringing reverent silence (8:1). The cycle begins in the presence of God and the Lamb and returns to the presence of God and the Lamb.[2] When we consider this opening vision in chapter 4, we are confronted with the question of worship. Who and what do we worship? Who and what do we look to for security and provision? Who and what do we ascribe power and authority? Jesus reminds us through John that only he is worthy and that only he is worthy of our worship.

 

 

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, talk about worship. Some have defined it as “worthship.” That is what we ascribe worth to.  How would you define it? What are the things that you see your neighbors and even yourself worshipping?

 

 

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

 

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

 

Note: Revelation can be a tough book. Here are some questions that might help with discussion.[3]

  1. When you turn on your television or go online, what do you see? What messages, priorities and values are being conveyed? In what ways do these conflict with the gospel of Jesus Christ?
  2. In what ways does the worship of your church subvert the claims of the world?
  3. How does your participation in worship at church reorient or recalibrate your heart and mind to the perspectives of Christ?
  4. How does this chapter put your preoccupations in perspective?
  5. If one of your coworkers had to answer this question about what you worship, how would they answer that question?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective (p. 48). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

[2] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 76.

[3] Questions adapted from: Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective (p. 54). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.