Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 5), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-4] The scroll in God’s right hand is his Word, his Will, his Eternal Plan, his Heavenly Roster, his Judgments—the symbol of authority in his Kingdom. The prophets saw this scroll (Daniel 7:10; Ezekiel 2:9-10), and even ate it (Ezekiel 3:1-4) in order to incorporate and proclaim parts of its contents (which John will do in his vision in Revelation 10:10). At first, John weeps because no one is found worthy to open it, read it. No one knows God and embraces his ways so fully as to be worthy of ruling the world as his viceregent. Do you believe that, truly, no one (including yourself) has been judged by God to be worthy of even looking into such things? Does it disturb you at all that humanity—as a whole, and every single individual—has fallen so far short of God’s glory?

• [5-7] Jesus alone is worthy to take up the symbol of God’s authority and begin to execute its judgments. The Lion-Lamb alone can rule and judge. As kings go, he is utterly unique. In what ways? Do you entrust your judgment to him? (Of course, whether you do or not, he is King and Judge.) What does it look like in your life, specifically, to trust Jesus as King and Judge? In other words, how might you do things differently if you ruled and judged the world? (Warning: this might lead to lamentation or repentance.) Can you rejoice that Jesus is this unique—and uniquely worthy—King and Judge?

• In this symbolic vision, the Lamb has “seven horns” representing perfect power, and “seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” What does Jesus’ power look like as recorded of his earthly life in the Gospels? Is the nature of his power fundamentally different now that he is in heaven? What can he see with his Spirit-eyes? What does it matter that he can see Spiritually? What does this help him to accomplish?

• [8] The 24 elders (probably angels) on the thrones in heaven represent God’s people like legal guardians, and hold the prayers of God’s people like golden bowls full of incense. God welcomes the prayers of his people, and they are a beautiful and pleasing aroma to him. Do you believe this, or do you think he is reluctant to hear your prayers, or…? What difference does it make for you to know how God truly considers your prayers?

• [9-14] The God-man, the slain-and-risen Lamb, is worthy with God’s own worthiness (see 4:11) to receive praise alongside the Father, because by his sacrifice he has made unworthy people to reign together with him. (Try to wrap your mind around that!) What does it mean for Christ’s people to be “a kingdom and priests to our God… [to] reign on the earth”? Does ruling with Jesus and like Jesus mean earthly wealth, palaces, comforts, and servants? Does the old Reformation doctrine of “the priesthood of all believers” just mean you get to enjoy your own individual access and relationship to God? What does a priest do? What does your priesthood look like?