This week, we heard the good news preached from Revelation chapters 6-8. In this passage, we see that evil is advancing, but Christ has won; we are assured that God always hears our prayers; and we are encouraged by the invincibility of the gospel of the Lord Jesus.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (chapter 7:9-12).
What are some situations where you recognize both the “already” of Christ’s victory over sin and death and the “not yet” of the fullness of God’s justice on the earth?
How does holding the “already” and the “not yet” in our minds help us grow in both confidence and dependence on Jesus?
Especially for children: What is something that you wonder about when you think about where Jesus is now and what it will be like when he returns to the earth? Your parents might have the same questions as you do!
Pray: Lord Jesus, Thank you for this writing that you have preserved for us through John and the church. Help us receive it as the blessing that it is. It fills us with joy to see you as are now in your resurrected body, reigning above all things for your people. It fills us with hope to see that those beloved who have passed through death are with you at your throne. It fills us with courage to see that no evil can stand before you. Please continue to enliven our imaginations and fill up our hearts’ affections with you.
We are encouraged to come to the images in Revelation in the same way that children experience a picture book. As you read the following verses, try to imaginatively enter into this scene which shows God and his people interacting through prayer:
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake (chapter 8:1-5).
How does it make you feel to see that God always listens when you pray and that he acts on the earth on your behalf?
Especially for children: Can you remember a time when you have prayed about something and God has helped you? What is something that you want to continue to pray about?
Pray: Father God, here is the silence of your listening. Here is the quiet of our anticipation. Here is the tender mystery of how you receive each one of our prayers. Thank you for this picture of our prayers coming before your throne. We are amazed to see them combined with the fire of your holiness and flung out of heaven to impact the earth. We ask today that your kingdom would come and your will would be done here as it is in heaven.
When we examined and confessed our sin together this week, we began by acknowledging God’s plans for the flourishing of his people from the very beginning. As you read back over this confession, be reminded of the elements of God’ four-part story. See if you can recognize the arc of God finishing in restoration what he started in creation:
Gracious God, you created this world to be our home--a place where we bear your image, grow, and flourish. We were made to be at peace with you, one another, and the place we live. But we foolishly rebelled against you. We decided to go our own way, alienating ourselves from you, fracturing relationships with one another, and plunging us into exile. We brought death and destruction into your perfect creation. But you do not abandon us. You sent Christ to undo our exile in his life, death, and resurrection. In him you declare us righteous and give us all that we need. Holy Spirit, bring us life and flourishing as we journey towards a world made new. Bring home to us. Amen.
What are some of God’s purposes for his people from the very beginning?
How have you seen God’s people living out these good purposes in the Bible? In history? In your lifetime?
Since God always finishes what he starts, what do you think restoration and growth look like in our individual lives and as a church?
What is something you would like to do as you put away fear and lean into confidence in Jesus?
Especially for children: What is a way that you have seen a friend or someone in your family grow and change to become more like Jesus?
Can you think of a way that you have grown and changed as you have put your trust in what Jesus has done for you?
Can you think of a way that you and your family can reach out to someone who needs friendship or encouragement this week?
Pray: Lord Jesus, how can we be afraid when you have done everything well on our behalf? Yet we often are afraid. We fear that we will mess up and lose some aspect of our identity. Help us to rest in the identity you give that can never be lost. We fear that we will fail if we try something new. Help us to rest in the work that you are doing and have promised to bring to completion. Help us to move out into our relationships, our church, and our work in playful confidence because the good news is permanent.
Next week we will continue reading and thinking about the book of Revelation, remembering that there are some things we know and some things we don’t know. What we do know is that Jesus has done it! He has defeated sin and death and has saved his people by his death and resurrection. Finish this time of reflection by prayerfully reading over the following verses, asking that Jesus will be glorified as his people hear and live according to his word:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).