Study Questions – Revelation #11

Kyle Bartholic   -   May 4, 2023

Revelation CGS – Week 11

The Lamb who is worthy.

Revelation 5:1-14

 

INTRODUCTION:  Chapter 4 recorded a vision of God the Creator. Now comes a vision of God the Redeemer, the Lamb who has conquered through his death. The last chapter ended with the worship of the Creator and this will end with the worship of the Redeemer. These two chapters are very important for an understanding of the message of the book. There are mysteries in life. We feel ourselves caught up in the world’s evil and misery and we cannot break free. Some of us become rigid determinists and we all, at times, feel a sense of hopelessness and helplessness in the grip of forces stronger than we. The world’s agony is real. And the world’s inability to break free from the consequences of its guilt is real. This chapter, with its seals that no one can break stresses human inability. But it does not stop there. More important is the fact that through the Lamb the victory is won. The seals are opened and God’s purpose is worked out.[1] This is such a crucial reminder for us today. We are wired for justice because God created us in his image, and he is a God of justice. However, we are sinful. And that means even our best efforts towards justice are and will not be righteous on their own merit. Often, we are left confused, struggling, and feeling defeated. We are bewildered by the complexity of the world. But there is One who sees everything. Heaven is the vantage point from which it’s possible to survey all things. The Lamb on the throne is described in verse 6 as having “seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Seven is a picture of completeness. Seven eyes, therefore, represent complete sight. Jesus has the full picture. He misses nothing. He understands everything.[2] The whole of our human experience does not go unnoticed by him.

 

But we are left asking, can the Lamb truly do anything about it?

 

When men want symbols of power, they conjure up mighty beasts and birds of prey. Russia elevates the bear, Britain the lion, France the tiger, the United States the spread eagle—all of them ravenous. It is only the Kingdom of Heaven that would dare to use as its symbol of might, not the Lion for which John was looking but the helpless Lamb, and at that, a slain lamb.’[3] The very images of this vision remind not only of his ability to see perfectly but of the nature of his power. In the great reversal, John looks for a conquering lion and finds a lamb standing, powerful and able, even though it had been slain. The one that defeated death now stands as the only one who is worthy not just to open the scroll but also to rule in ultimate victory. That is good news! The vision of chapters 4 and 5 teaches us that we have hope because the Lamb has victory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GETTING STARTED – Chapters 4 & 5 serve as a primary reorientation to the way we see ourselves, the circumstances of our lives, and even the nature of God. As you begin your group time, share about a time in your life when an experience or a conversation dramatically or significantly shifted or reoriented your perspective.  – For me (Kyle), it was always powerful to watch students experience life through other people’s shoes on service trips to other cities or countries. Those experiences helped put their lives into perspective. Watching their growth was always a powerful reorientation for me.

 

 

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.[4]

  1. When you read Chapter 5, what stands out to you? If you had to summarize this chapter’s main idea, how would you express it in your own words?
  2. How does this chapter prompt you towards faithfulness? How does it reorient your perspective on your circumstances (both positive things and challenges)?
  3. How does the rule of the sacrificed Lamb subvert the ideologies of the world?
  4. How does the rule of the sacrificed Lamb challenge the culture of our churches?
  5. The meaning of the cross includes the mission to the nations. What are the implications of this for you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 94.

[2] Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective (pp. 56-57). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

[3] Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 97–98.

[4] Questions adapted from: Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective (p. 60). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.