Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 14), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-5] The “144,000” represent an army of spiritually faithful witnesses (martyrs) to the Lamb who would follow him through death, to stand with him in his glory. This vision reveals to John and to the churches the heavenly perspective on those who suffer for the sake of their testimony—they are not tragic or meaningless failures, but conquerors because they belong to Jesus. With Jesus, apparent defeat is actually victory. Do you believe this? Why would it be difficult to view the persecutions of the church from this perspective? Can you imagine this making a difference to you if you were to face ridicule, rejection, or aggression because of your association with Jesus? Do you think you would follow the Lamb wherever he goes?

• [2-3, 13] The martyrs sing a song they alone are privileged to learn. They are “blessed” to die in the Lord. Many Christians who suffer persecution testify to this privilege. How could it be a privilege or a blessing to die for your Christian testimony?

• [9-11] Those who seek respite in a world that is hostile to Christ by associating with that world in its hostility to Christ will find themselves without relief in the inevitable, inescapable presence of the Lamb. Why are people hostile toward Jesus? What do people who reject Jesus want? Is it good that Jesus’ presence is inevitable and inescapable, eternally speaking? Good for whom?

• [14-20] The firstfruits of the crop of Christ’s faithful martyrs (v. 4) are seen here as being harvested by the Son of Man and his angels. The harvest is good; Jesus is “coming home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6). Even though it means death in “the winepress of the wrath of God,” it is not wrath for the martyrs—it is wrath for those who shed their blood. Can you imagine how a martyr’s death would be God’s wrath for the one who murdered him/her? Can you imagine how this would be good news for the one who is martyred, who entrusts him/herself to the justice and judgment of God in Christ? Have you ever prayed for God to judge his enemies in his righteous anger? Why or why not?