Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 7), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-3] Chapter six closed with people hiding from God, just as Adam and his wife hid from God among the trees of the Garden “in the ‘cool’ (lit., wind) of the day” (Genesis 3:8) because they feared the judgment of his presence. Chapter seven opens with the mercy of God delaying final judgment until those who belong to God are “sealed” (authenticated and claimed as belonging to God through baptism). Being sealed means being enabled by God to stand in the judgment of his presence, confident in his gracious love, even though we cannot have self-confidence as sinners. Do you feel the tension between the fear of God’s judgment and confidence in his grace? Do you feel reluctant to step out of hiding and confess your sins to God? Do you feel assured that when you do, you will be made welcome and able to stand in God’s presence because of the forgiveness of sins that comes through Jesus?

• [4-8] John hears that the symbolic number (144,000 = 12x12x1000) of the representative people of God (Israel) are sealed, indicating the overwhelming, overflowing fullness of his redeemed people. The people are listed in a census that includes some unusual and important features: first is Judah, the fourth of Jacob’s sons, from whose tribe the Messiah comes; second is Reuben, the scoundrel firstborn; then we hear of the sons of the slave women coming before the more “legitimate” sons of Jacob’s wives. All sorts of rascals are sealed by God and made able to stand before him by his grace! Do you think there are certain kinds of people who are beyond God’s forgiveness, who couldn’t possibly be counted among God’s people? What would make them fundamentally different from other sinners who do (somehow) “qualify” for God’s forgiveness?

• [9] John sees that the redeemed people of God are an innumerable, international, multi-ethnic multitude. Can you begin to conceive of the variety of peoples you call “brother” or “sister” in the church? Is it a thought that brings you joy? Why do you think Jesus considers it important to reveal this to John (and us) in this vision?

• [10-14] Forgiven sinners are made able, not only to stand in God’s presence, and not only to rejoice in his salvation, but even to direct the angels in heavenly worship! How is this possible? What qualifies them for this? To what/whom do they owe this great privilege? Do you feel like it is only the “good” people who should be leaders in the church, only the “best” among us who deserve to lead in the worship of God? How do you feel about sinners—repentant and forgiven sinners—doing that?

• [15-17] The Lamb is also the Good Shepherd, who leads us to experience the presence of God as refreshment (Psalm 23) rather than as judgment. Have you been refreshed in your relationship with God through trust in Jesus? How can this refreshment make a difference in the way you live your daily life? Can you think of ways others in your life could be refreshed by hearing the Gospel with faith?