So, what kind of God is on the throne? He has the marks of nails on his
hands. Not a golden crown on his head, but a crown of thorns. He's the
Jesus of the Gospels, who associates with us, broken, fallen people; who
washes our feet; who throws his arms around us to welcome us back
home; forgives us even as nails are being hammered into his hands and
his feet.

So awesome is this moment, this revelation, that the elders and creatures fall to their knees and pour out their praise – only now their praise is not only directed to the one who sits on the throne, but to the Lamb as well.  Worthy because he was slain. Victory through sacrifice. And through that sacrifice he has redeemed people from every corner of the earth and has made them to be a kingdom and a priesthood. Redeemed and re-made. And so redemption is not just about Jesus rescuing us from sin and death – it is also about restoring in us the image of God and re-affirming the call on our lives – the call to be his image-bearers in the world – a people whose lives reflect the glory of God. 
 

1.⁠ ⁠The sermon began with the idea that we need to spend time gazing at a work of art to appreciate its depth. What do you find challenging or helpful about taking time to sit with a passage like Revelation 4–5, rather than skimming over it?
 
2.⁠ ⁠John hears about the conquering Lion of Judah but sees a slaughtered Lamb. What do these two images reveal to us about who Jesus is and what he has done? Why do you think it’s important to hold both images together?

3.⁠ ⁠We can sometimes lose sight of the victory Jesus has already won and resign ourselves to the brokenness of the world. Where might we be tempted to do this, and how might the vision of Revelation 5 help us to live with hope in the here and now?

4.⁠ ⁠Jesus’ victory comes not through domination or force, but through self-giving love and sacrifice. Where do you see the world encouraging us to pursue power, success or influence in other ways? What might it look like to follow Jesus’ way in our own relationships, workplaces or communities?

5.⁠ ⁠The passage describes Jesus as rescuing us from sin and death, but also restoring us to our calling as a kingdom and priests: God’s image-bearers who reflect the life and love of heaven. What do you think this calling looks like in everyday life? Where might God be inviting you to live it out more fully?

6.⁠ ⁠In Revelation 5, the prayers of God’s people are pictured as incense before God’s throne. How does this image shape the way you think about your own prayers and the prayers of the church as a whole? What difference might it make to see prayer as participating in the life of heaven here and now?