Small Group Bible Study Guide: “God Is On the Throne” (Revelation 4–5)
Bible ReadingRevelation 4:1–11 (ESV)> After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 5:1–14 (ESV)> Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Observation Questions- What is the first thing John sees when he is taken up in his vision, and what is the repeated focus in the throne room scene? ([53:32])
- What does the sea of glass before the throne represent, and how is it described in the passage? ([01:03:58])
- Who is found worthy to open the scroll, and what makes Him worthy according to the text? ([01:16:29])
- How do the elders, living creatures, and angels respond to the One on the throne and to the Lamb? ([01:09:07])
Interpretation Questions- The sermon says the vision of the throne room is meant to encourage persecuted believers, not to stir up fear or confusion. Why would seeing God on the throne bring comfort in times of chaos or uncertainty? ([51:56])
- The sea of glass is described as calm and peaceful, transforming a symbol of chaos into one of order. What does this say about God’s presence and His ability to bring peace into our lives? ([01:03:58])
- The Lamb is described as worthy because of His sacrificial love, not because of earthly power. What does this teach us about the kind of authority and leadership that matters in God’s kingdom? ([01:16:29])
- The sermon emphasizes that our hope and allegiance should be to the King on the throne, not to earthly systems or predictions. What are some ways Christians can get distracted from this, and what does it look like to keep our focus on Christ? ([01:25:27])
Application Questions- When you face uncertainty or chaos in your life, what is your first reaction? How might remembering that “God is on the throne” change the way you respond to difficult situations? ([51:56])
- The sea of glass shows that God brings peace to what once represented chaos. Is there an area of your life right now that feels chaotic or out of control? What would it look like to invite God’s peace into that area this week? ([01:03:58])
- The Lamb is worthy because of His sacrificial love. In your relationships or responsibilities, are there places where you tend to seek control or power instead of serving with humility? How can you follow Jesus’ example of sacrificial love this week? ([01:16:29])
- The world is full of predictions, theories, and fear-mongering about the future. Are there any voices or sources that tend to make you anxious or fearful? What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from those things to the unchanging reality of God’s reign? ([01:25:27])
- The sermon says our response to trouble should be different from the world’s—we are called to worship, trust, and live as citizens of God’s kingdom. What is one specific way you can respond differently to a current challenge, showing trust in God’s sovereignty? ([01:27:06])
- Worship is the appropriate response to God’s sovereignty and Christ’s victory. How can you make worship a more central part of your daily or weekly routine, especially when you feel uncertain or overwhelmed? ([01:28:14])
- The elders and living creatures continually worship God and the Lamb. What is one practical way you can “join the eternal song” and center your heart on God’s reign this week, even in the middle of your normal routines? ([01:28:14])
