Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 4), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-2] John has a Trinitarian vision; he is brought to the enthroned heavenly Father by the Son (Jesus) in the Spirit. And various elements of the whole vision point to the three Persons and their works. What elements throughout this chapter can you see pointing to the Father? to the Son? to the Holy Spirit? Do you wish you could have a vision of God in Heaven like John has had? What do you think Peter meant when he said we have the “word more fully confirmed” even than eyewitness visions like this (2 Peter 1:16ff)? Can you be as assured of the reality of Heaven as John, who has seen it himself? Why or why not?

• [4] “[God] does not hoard authority. He is Enthronement himself, but in his enthronement he makes space for other thrones. God’s sheer sovereignty is a sheer sovereign generosity, a sovereignty so infinite that it can be shared without being diminished” (Peter Leithart). These thrones are closer in proximity to God’s Throne than anyone else. In this chapter, those occupying the 24 thrones are angels who have supervised God’s creation, administered the old covenant, and tutored God’s people. In the next chapter, we begin to see a transition to humanity occupying the thrones, as Jesus ascends to God’s throne and eventually welcomes the saints to reign with him and to judge even the angels. Where else in the Scriptures do you see this story developing, this story of a God who is undiminished by sharing his own authority with humans (even those who were usurpers!)? How is this story a surprise to you? How does this (true) story differ from all the stories of other (false) gods?

• [6b-11] Surrounding the Throne (and the 24 thrones) are the living creatures (lit. the living ones, or just the living) are cherubim. These angels were stationed at the entrance to Eden to forbid sinful humanity from entering God’s holy presence (Gen. 3:24). They are depicted similarly guarding God’s presence in the tabernacle/temple. (A search of the word “cherubim” through all the Scriptures produces interesting results!) Ezekiel (ch. 1) and John both see them having faces of an ox, a lion, a human, and an eagle. It seems that these heavenly beings somehow represent the goodness of the Genesis 1 kingdoms of earthly creatures that have the breath of life—including the livestock (domestic animals), beasts of the earth (wild animals), birds of the heavens, but not including the fish of the seas or the creeping things (like serpents). These Living are the worship leaders of all creation, the ones who initiate praise of the Holy God. How does God’s creation provide a spark for your worship? Why does life in particular provide the best spark? Do you always respond to God’s creation with praise of the Creator?

• Heaven is the Place where God’s holiness cannot be overlooked, but is known, revered, and celebrated appropriately. Heaven is the Place where things are as they should be—and as they shall be. Heaven is the Place where God sovereignly rules over all things, bringing about his new creation, even upon the earth that seems so unruly. How does having this true glimpse of Heaven impact how you assess your earthly life and present circumstances? What feels out of control in the world? Or, to put it another way, what feels under control? (Thanks, Jennifer, for those good questions!) Do you view Heaven as an escape from this world, as a place that is peripheral/irrelevant to this world, or as the Command Center of this world?

• God is “Holy, Holy, Holy… [the one] who was and is and is to come.” The Holy God is ever-present—never absent, never merely a wistful memory, never an empty hope for the future. His holy-holy-holiness is always the truest reality of our lives at any moment. Does that comfort you? Does it always feel like that? Why or why not?