Revelation 6, 7: The Third Facet

Week 5, Saturday: The reason for all this rejoicing
John wants to know who these people are who are worshipping God in such numbers, and with such vigor. It’s important that we understand the answer to his question, because Jesus is using this vision of things in heaven to indicate to us the way He intends His Kingdom to come, conquering and to conquer, on earth as well.

No matter what we have to contend with along the way.

Read Revelation 7

Meditate on Revelation 7.9-12
1.      Let’s think a little more pointedly about the worship we’ve been participating in since chapter 4. We’ll focus on what we see in these verses, with an eye to what we’ve already observed. First, how would you describe the focus of this worship? How do you see that? If you had to draw a picture of someone who was participating in this worship, where would his face be turned? What would it look like? What would he be thinking in his mind?

2.      Now let’s think about the tone or atmosphere of the worship we see here. How many different terms can you think of to describe the atmosphere of worship in these verses, and in chapters 4 and 5? How do you see that?

3.      Finally, let’s consider the actions of those who are worshipping. Describe their posture, what they’re doing with their hands, mouths, and bodies. Taking together your observations from these first three questions, complete the following: “Jesus wants our worship on earth to reflect the worship we see in heaven. For me, this means…”

4.      Clearly a relationship exists between what these worshippers see, what they are wearing, and how they participate in worship. What does this suggest about how your own worship might become more like what we’ve been observing in chapters 4-7?

5.      The worship we see in these verses ascribes or attributes to God certain important matters. How would you explain each of the following?

-        “salvation”

-        “blessing”

-        “glory”

-        “wisdom”

-        “thanksgiving”

-        “honor”

-        “power”

-        “might”

My Reflection
Review your answers to questions 1- 5. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 = Very much, how much of your own worship is a reflection of what you see here and in chapters 4-6? Why did you choose that number?

The Glory of God
Review the words and explanations from question 5. What must it be like to experience God in His glory, that doing so elicits such powerful worship as this? How can we prepare for worship – daily and weekly – in order to meet God in His glory?

Glory to Glory
How is your understanding of God, as the focus of worship, being affected by these studies in Revelation? Do you think this may be a primary reason for Jesus giving us this book? Why or why not?

Memorize
Recite Revelation 6.1, 2. Pray through these verses in the light of everything we’ve seen so far in Revelation 4-7. Make the words your words. Tell the Lord how you plan to live for, serve, and worship Him as you “ride forth” with Him each day.

Closing Prayer
Praise the LORD!
Praise the name of the LORD;
Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!
You who stand in the house of the LORD,
In the courts of the house of our God,
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
For the LORDhas chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel for His special treasure.
For I know that the LORD is great,
And our LORD is above all gods.
Whatever the LORD pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places.

Psalm 135.1-6

T. M. Moore

The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.