Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series looking at ‘Postcards from Paradise’ from Revelation. Preacher: Bishop Cameron Venables. Bible Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this WeekBIBLE READING: Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”
Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Download in PDF format.
CONNECT: How can your life as worship anticipate Jesus’ return?
WARM-UP Questions
Have you ever met a Christian when you were away from home or in an unfamiliar place? What did it feel like to realise that you share ‘what matters of the highest importance’ in common?
How exciting do you find the prospect of joining in perfect unity with God and your brothers/sisters in Christ in God’s future Kingdom?
READ Revelation 7:9-13
Who is the ‘Lamb’ described in this passage? How many people are standing around the throne and before the Lamb? How does this fill you with great excitement?
How is it evident that the Gospel knows no cultural or racial boundaries? What is the implication for us in our role of evangelism?
What is the cry of the great multitude? What do you think is meant by this? (Try particularly to think about how you would explain this to someone who is not yet a Christian.)
What is the response of the angels? Why do you think they respond in such a way?
Why is God deserving of all praise and glory? Who is not? What do you think this looks like in our lives?
What do you find most challenging in giving God all praise and glory?
READ 1 Thessalonians 7:14-17
How have we been ‘made white’ in the blood of the lamb? Why is this the essential ingredient to having confidence of salvation?
As we anticipate our ultimate future together as the People of God, what do you think it looks like to serve God? Why is the idea of serving God something that should fill us with joy?
What are the bad things in this world which we will notexperience in God’s future Kingdom? How does the eradication of these things fill you with an eagerlonging?
As you reflect on the pain and suffering of this world – along with your own experience of that – what consolation is it to know that God will ‘wipe away every tear’ from your eyes?
How is Jesus both the lamb and shepherd? What does it mean to you to know that our Lord is both?
Where will you spend most of your time tomorrow? What does it mean for Jesus to be your shepherd?
How can we live as God’s people today in anticipation of our glorious – and glorifying – future?
APPLY This Week: How can you grow in unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ?
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you died for us so that we can be with you forever. Thank you that you promise to remove all that is sad, painful, and wrong. Please help us to follow you, love all your, and tell people that you are the God who saves! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
GOING DEEPER
For Families
‘A big, big crowd (Revelation 7:9-17)’ by Revelation for Kids
Sermons
‘Life after death’ by David Jensen
‘No more tears’ by Dick Lucas
‘Celebration: Washed, Serving, Comfort, Shepherd, & Shelter’ by Dominic Steele
‘Who are these dressed in white robes?’ by Grant LeMarquand
‘The Different Victory’ by Adam Mabry
‘The Great Multitude’ by Voddie Baucham
‘Revelation 7:9-17’ by Peter Lin
‘The Great Multitude’ by Richard Trist
Other Helpful Articles and Courses
Open Yale Course on Introduction to New Testament History and Literature (see Revelation Handout):
‘A multicultural multitude’ by Craig Keener
‘The book of Revelation and Work’ by Theology of Work
WITH CHILDREN
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