The Shepherd & the Lamb
Summary
Today’s focus is on the profound image of the Lamb in Revelation 7—a symbol that stands at the very heart of Christian identity. Unlike the fierce or intimidating mascots of sports teams or even the world’s powers, the Lamb is gentle, vulnerable, and, most importantly, victorious through suffering. This Lamb, Jesus, is not just a distant figure but the one who has walked through pain, endured the cross, and now leads as our Shepherd. The vision in Revelation is not a denial of suffering but a naming of it, a recognition that pain, persecution, and chaos are real and present, both in the early church and in our lives today.
The Lamb’s victory is not in avoiding suffering but in transforming it. The suffering of the saints is not ignored or wasted; it is gathered at the altar, seen by God, and made sacred. The cries of “How long, O Lord?” are not dismissed but are met with the assurance that God is at work, that there is purpose in the pain, and that the story is not yet finished. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, is intimately acquainted with our suffering. He does not stand apart from our pain but enters into it, walks through it, and leads us out of it.
This is the paradox and the hope: the Lamb who suffered is also the Shepherd who leads. In the chaos and storms of life, when everything in us wants to pull away or wait for calmer days, that is precisely when we must cling to Jesus all the more. He is our leader, especially in the midst of turmoil. The promise is not immunity from suffering but intimacy with God through it. The Lamb shelters us, not by removing us from the world’s wrath and brokenness, but by holding us close, guiding us step by step, and ultimately wiping away every tear.
The vision of Revelation is not just for a select few but for a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue. God’s grace is limitless, extending to all who would come and find shelter in the Lamb. The call is to stay close to the Shepherd, to trust that even in the valley of the shadow of death, He is leading us through, preparing goodness on the other side. The Lamb is victorious, the Shepherd is present, and His grace is for everyone—receive it today.
Key Takeaways
- Suffering Is Not Ignored—It Is Sacred and Seen by God
The cries of those who suffer are not lost in the chaos of the world. God gathers every tear, every groan, and every longing for justice at His altar. Our pain is not meaningless; it is made sacred in God’s presence, and He promises that it will not be wasted or forgotten. [15:34]
- The Lamb’s Victory Is Through Suffering, Not in Spite of It
Jesus, the Lamb, did not avoid suffering but walked straight into it, transforming the very nature of pain and death. Our victory as followers of Christ is not found in escaping hardship but in sharing in His suffering, knowing that it is the pathway to glory. This is a call to embrace the paradox that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. [19:16]
- God’s Justice Is Coming, but His Shelter Is Available Now
The coming wrath and justice of God are real and sobering, but for those who are with the Lamb, there is shelter and safety. The invitation is not to hide from God but to find refuge in Him, trusting that He alone can make all things right and that His justice will be both complete and compassionate. [26:25]
- The Shepherd Leads Us Through, Not Around, the Valley
Jesus does not promise to take us around suffering but to lead us through it. In the darkest valleys, He is present, guiding each step, and preparing goodness on the other side. The call is to stay close, to follow even when the way is unclear, and to trust that His leadership is most vital in chaos. [22:44]
- God’s Grace Is Limitless and Inclusive
The vision of the multitude in Revelation is a reminder that God’s grace is not limited to a select few but extends to every nation, tribe, and tongue. No one is beyond the reach of the Lamb’s sacrifice; all are invited to find shelter, hope, and belonging in Him. This is a call to receive and extend that grace, knowing that God’s family is vast and His mercy unending. [28:30]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:35] - Reading Revelation 7:9-17
[02:38] - Prayer and Introduction
[03:51] - Mascots and the Lamb as Our Symbol
[05:55] - Why the Lamb? Suffering and Trust
[08:02] - Suffering Named and Honoring Mothers
[09:04] - The Lamb as Our Victory
[10:12] - The Reality of Suffering and the Seals
[12:31] - The Persecuted Church and the Fifth Seal
[14:03] - The Sacredness of Suffering
[16:31] - Jesus Has Been There—The Power of Shared Suffering
[18:07] - Suffering Is Not the End
[19:16] - Suffering as the Pathway to Glory
[22:44] - The Lamb as Our Leader in Chaos
[26:25] - The Lamb as Our Shelter in Wrath
[28:30] - The Multitude and the Limitless Grace of God
[31:00] - Staying Close to the Shepherd and Final Declaration
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Lamb Who Leads Us Through Suffering
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### Bible Reading
Revelation 7:9-17
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!” ... For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Revelation 7:9-17, what are some of the things the multitude experiences before the throne of God and the Lamb?
2. According to the passage, what does the Lamb do for the people who have come out of the great tribulation?
3. The sermon mentions that the Lamb is both gentle and victorious. What details in the passage show both the vulnerability and the victory of the Lamb?
4. The sermon says, “The Lamb’s victory is not in avoiding suffering but in transforming it.” What evidence do you see for this in the text? [[09:04]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “Suffering is not ignored—It is sacred and seen by God.” How does the image of the multitude in white robes and the mention of every tear being wiped away help us understand God’s view of suffering? [[15:34]]
2. The Lamb is described as both the one who was slain and the Shepherd who leads. What does this paradox teach us about the way God works in our pain and struggles? [[05:55]]
3. The sermon points out that God’s justice is coming, but His shelter is available now. How does this tension affect the way we live in the present, especially when we see injustice or experience suffering? [[26:25]]
4. The vision in Revelation is for “a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue.” What does this say about the reach of God’s grace and the kind of community God is building? [[28:30]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “Our pain is not meaningless; it is made sacred in God’s presence, and He promises that it will not be wasted or forgotten.” Is there a specific pain or struggle in your life right now that you need to bring to God’s altar? What would it look like to trust that God sees and honors your suffering? [[15:34]]
2. The Lamb’s victory comes through suffering, not by avoiding it. When have you tried to avoid pain or numb it instead of naming it and bringing it to God? What might change if you brought your suffering honestly to Jesus this week? [[18:07]]
3. The sermon challenges us to “stay close to the Shepherd, especially in the midst of turmoil.” Are there areas in your life where you’ve been tempted to pull away from Jesus because of chaos or pain? What is one step you can take to stay close to Him right now? [[22:44]]
4. The vision in Revelation is not just for a select few but for a multitude. Do you ever feel like God’s grace is for others but not for you? What would it look like to receive His grace personally today? [[28:30]]
5. The sermon says, “God does not promise immunity from suffering but intimacy with God through it.” How have you experienced God’s presence in hard times? If you haven’t, what would you like to ask God for in this area? [[10:12]]
6. The multitude in Revelation comes from “every nation, tribe, and tongue.” How can you be part of extending God’s grace to people who are different from you, whether in your neighborhood, workplace, or church? [[28:30]]
7. The Lamb leads us through the valley, not around it. Is there a “valley” you are walking through right now? What would it look like to trust Jesus to lead you step by step, even if you can’t see the end yet? [[22:44]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, especially for those who are in a season of suffering or uncertainty, asking Jesus the Lamb to be their Shepherd and to help them experience His presence and grace.
Devotional
Day 1: The Lamb is Our Victory Even in Suffering
In a world marked by pain, chaos, and uncertainty, the image of the Lamb stands as a powerful reminder that victory is not found in strength or violence, but in the sacrificial love of Jesus. The Lamb who was slain is the hero of our story, the one who has overcome suffering and death, and who invites us to share in His victory even as we walk through our own trials. When life feels overwhelming and suffering seems unending, remember that Jesus has already triumphed, and His victory is our hope. We are not alone in our struggles; the Lamb leads us through them, promising that suffering is not the end of our story. [09:04]
Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV)
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!”
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to remember that Jesus’ victory is greater than your current suffering, and how can you cling to that hope today?
Day 2: Your Suffering is Seen and Sacred
God does not ignore or minimize your pain; instead, He gathers every cry, every tear, and every moment of suffering as something sacred and precious. The prayers and cries of those who suffer rise like incense before God’s throne, and He promises that none of it is wasted or unseen. Even when you feel forgotten or overwhelmed, you are invited to bring your pain honestly before God, knowing that He cares deeply and is working in ways you may not yet see. Your suffering is not meaningless; it is held in the heart of the One who has suffered for you and with you. [16:31]
Revelation 6:9-11 (ESV)
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
Reflection: What pain or struggle do you need to bring honestly before God today, trusting that He sees and values your suffering?
Day 3: Suffering is the Pathway to Sharing in God’s Glory
Suffering is not a sign of God’s absence, but rather the very place where we are invited to share in the life and glory of Jesus. As children and heirs of God, we are called not only to partake in Christ’s victory, but also to participate in His suffering, knowing that this is the path to true transformation and hope. In the midst of pain, we are not left as orphans; the Spirit testifies that we belong to God, and that our suffering is shaping us for a future glory beyond compare. Hold on a little longer—God is completing His work in you, and your faith has a future. [19:16]
Romans 8:15-17 (ESV)
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that God is using your suffering to shape you for His glory, and how can you invite Him into that process today?
Day 4: The Lamb is Our Shelter in the Coming Storm
When the world feels unstable and judgment looms, the Lamb offers true shelter and protection—not from the reality of suffering, but through it. While many seek to hide from God in fear, those who belong to Jesus are invited to find refuge in Him, standing secure even as everything else is shaken. God’s justice will come, and on that day, it is those who are with the Lamb who will stand. His grace is limitless, reaching every tribe, tongue, and nation, and His shelter is available to all who come. [26:25]
Revelation 6:15-17 (ESV)
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Reflection: Are you seeking shelter in something other than Jesus when life feels overwhelming? What would it look like to run to Him as your refuge today?
Day 5: The Lamb Who Was Slain is the Shepherd Who Leads
Jesus, the Lamb who suffered, is also the Shepherd who walks with you through every valley, every storm, and every shadow. He does not promise to take you around suffering, but to lead you through it, guiding you step by step and wiping away every tear. Even when chaos surrounds you, He is present, carrying you, and inviting you to follow closely. His voice calls you by name, and no one can snatch you from His hand. Stay close to the Shepherd, for He knows how to lead you into life, hope, and peace. [29:50]
John 10:27-29 (ESV)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally follow Jesus, your Shepherd, more closely this week—especially in the midst of uncertainty or pain?
Quotes
God doesn't promise immunity from the pain but he does promise intimacy through it. Okay, were you asking God to take the pain away instead of asking God to remove every hardship, what if you ask him to redeem it? Does it make it easier? No, no it does not. [00:23:33] (21 seconds)
Suffering isn't the proof of God's absence. As many of us will look to, will say, how could a good God, where were you when? Suffering is not the proof of God's absence. It's the pathway. It's the pathway to sharing in God's glory. That's what Romans chapter 8 actually says. [00:19:30] (18 seconds)
You belong to the lamb, stay close to the shepherd, that's true for them, it's true for you, it'll be true on that day whenever it is. Stay close to the shepherd, he knows how to lead you. Psalm 23 doesn't say oh he takes you around the valley of the shadow of death, those of you know, no, he leads you through it. [00:37:41] (21 seconds)
Their suffering is sacred. Your suffering is sacred. It is seen by God. Their cries aren't ignored. Romans 8 actually even says, when we don't even know what to pray, the Holy Spirit is there interceding for us going, yes, I hear, I care. This is what we're praying about. [00:16:18] (25 seconds)
We don't have God, a father, who's never been there, who hasn't experienced it. This is the beauty of the lamb who was slain. He has. He has been there. He has done that. And that makes a difference. No one chooses suffering. But Jesus didn't avoid it. He walks straight into it. And when we follow the lamb, we're not following a God who's distant from our pain. [00:18:28] (30 seconds)
He doesn't just win the battle, he walks with us in it through every storm, every tear, everything that's going out, every shadow he leads our steps. The lamb is our leader even in chaos. That's when we have to go step by step even more. That's when we have to cling even more tightly. [00:25:13] (18 seconds)
Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the lamb. Salvation belongs to the lamb. The hero is the lamb. The lamb who suffered. The lamb who was slain. It's almost like those important moments where you get to game six, seven of the basketball game. And it's like, which God do you want to have the ball? The lamb. The hero. The suffering, slain lamb is our victory, even in suffering. [00:09:37] (34 seconds)
