Revelation 7: Worship, Hope, and Eternal Communion
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the profound and awe-inspiring vision presented in Revelation 7. We began by setting the stage, explaining that Revelation 7 offers one of the most magnificent scenes in all of Scripture. This chapter reveals a heavenly throng from every tribe, tongue, and nation, standing victorious and worshiping the Lamb. We explored who these people are, how they arrived in heaven, and what their reward is.
We started by addressing the 144,000 mentioned in the earlier part of Revelation 7, clarifying that this number symbolizes all of God's redeemed people, both from the Old and New Covenants. This multitude is sealed by the Holy Spirit, secure in their salvation. We then transitioned to the second half of the chapter, which provides a glimpse into the end of time, after Christ's return and the final judgment.
In this vision, John sees a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and the Lamb. They are clothed in white robes, symbolizing righteousness and holiness, not by their merit but through the cleansing blood of Christ. This multitude is worshiping God, declaring that salvation belongs to Him and the Lamb.
We emphasized the God-centered nature of their worship, contrasting it with the often me-centered worship prevalent today. This multitude's worship is focused entirely on the grace of God and the redemption found in Christ. Their victory is God's victory, as every aspect of our salvation is dependent on Him. He calls us, preserves us, sanctifies us, and will one day glorify us in heaven.
We then explored the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in the New Testament church. John shows us that the promises made to Abraham and Israel are ultimately fulfilled in the church, comprising both Old and New Testament saints. This fulfillment is beautifully depicted in the vision of God's presence dwelling among His people forever, providing shelter, protection, and eternal communion.
We also discussed the concept of the Great Tribulation, explaining that it is not a separate event but an intensification of tribulation that has been ongoing since Christ's ascension and will continue until His return. This period of tribulation is characterized by persecution and suffering for the faithful, but it also sees the unstoppable spread of the gospel.
The sermon concluded with a powerful reminder of the hope and joy that await us in heaven. In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no more hunger, thirst, pain, or sorrow. God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes, restoring the intimacy that was lost in the Garden of Eden. This vision of eternal life in God's presence is a source of immense comfort and encouragement for all believers.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Multitude's Worship is God-Centered: The vision in Revelation 7 shows a multitude worshiping God and the Lamb, declaring that salvation belongs to them. This worship is entirely focused on God's grace and redemption, contrasting with the often self-centered worship prevalent today. True worship acknowledges that every aspect of our salvation is dependent on God, who calls, preserves, sanctifies, and will glorify us. [46:43]
2. Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises: The promises made to Abraham and Israel find their ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament church. This includes both Old and New Testament saints, showing that God's plan has always been to redeem a multi-ethnic people. This fulfillment is beautifully depicted in the vision of God's presence dwelling among His people forever, providing shelter, protection, and eternal communion. [01:06:05]
3. The Great Tribulation: The Great Tribulation is not a separate event but an intensification of tribulation that has been ongoing since Christ's ascension and will continue until His return. This period is characterized by persecution and suffering for the faithful, but it also sees the unstoppable spread of the gospel. Faithful servants of Christ have faced persecution throughout history, and this will continue until His return. [54:58]
4. Intimacy Restored: The vision of God wiping away every tear from our eyes symbolizes the restoration of the intimacy that was lost in the Garden of Eden. Through Christ's shed blood, our relationship with God is restored, and we will experience eternal communion with Him. This vision of eternal life in God's presence is a source of immense comfort and encouragement for all believers. [01:11:36]
5. Eternal Joy and Comfort: The new heaven and new earth will be a place of eternal joy and comfort, where there will be no more hunger, thirst, pain, or sorrow. God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and we will live forever in His presence, worshiping, serving, and glorifying Him. This vision of eternal life is a powerful reminder of the hope and joy that await us as believers. [01:02:15]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:22] - Introduction to Revelation 7
[29:28] - The 144,000 and God's Redeemed People
[30:33] - The Great Multitude in Heaven
[32:08] - Worship and Salvation
[36:12] - Daniel's Prophecy and the Kingdom of God
[39:36] - Fulfillment of Abrahamic Promises
[45:28] - The Multitude's God-Centered Worship
[46:43] - Dependence on God's Grace
[47:59] - God's Victory and Our Salvation
[54:58] - The Great Tribulation
[01:01:36] - The Redeemed Standing Before the Throne
[01:06:05] - Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises
[01:11:36] - Intimacy Restored
[01:13:37] - Eternal Joy and Comfort
[01:16:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 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!' 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.' Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, 'Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?' I said to him, 'Sir, you know.' And he said to me, 'These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 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.'"
2. Daniel 7:14 - "And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."
3. Isaiah 49:10 - "They shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them."
### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the multitude being clothed in white robes and holding palm branches in Revelation 7:9? ([32:08])
2. According to Revelation 7:10, what do the multitude cry out with a loud voice? ([32:08])
3. In Daniel 7:14, what is given to the Son of Man, and what is the scope of his dominion? ([36:12])
4. What does Isaiah 49:10 promise about the conditions for those led by the Lord? ([33:48])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the vision of the multitude in Revelation 7:9-17 reflect the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and Israel? ([39:36])
2. What does the elder's explanation in Revelation 7:14 about the multitude coming out of the great tribulation suggest about the nature of tribulation for believers? ([49:36])
3. How does the description of the Lamb as a shepherd in Revelation 7:17 connect to the imagery used in Psalm 23? ([09:57])
4. What does the promise of God wiping away every tear in Revelation 7:17 symbolize about the restoration of intimacy with God? ([11:01])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the God-centered nature of the multitude's worship in Revelation 7:10. How can you shift your own worship practices to be more God-centered rather than self-centered? ([46:43])
2. The sermon emphasized the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in the New Testament church. How does understanding this fulfillment impact your view of the church's role today? ([39:36])
3. Considering the ongoing nature of the great tribulation described in the sermon, how can you prepare yourself to remain faithful amidst persecution and suffering? ([54:58])
4. The vision of God wiping away every tear from our eyes in Revelation 7:17 offers immense comfort. How can this promise provide hope and encouragement in your current struggles? ([11:01])
5. The sermon highlighted the unstoppable spread of the gospel during tribulation. What specific actions can you take to contribute to the spread of the gospel in your community? ([55:29])
6. Reflect on the concept of eternal joy and comfort in the new heaven and new earth. How does this vision influence your daily life and priorities? ([02:15])
7. The sermon mentioned the restoration of intimacy with God that was lost in the Garden of Eden. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and experience this intimacy now? ([11:36])
Devotional
Day 1: God-Centered Worship
The vision in Revelation 7 presents a multitude worshiping God and the Lamb, declaring that salvation belongs to them. This worship is entirely focused on God's grace and redemption, contrasting with the often self-centered worship prevalent today. True worship acknowledges that every aspect of our salvation is dependent on God, who calls, preserves, sanctifies, and will glorify us. This God-centered worship is a reminder that our lives should reflect the same focus, giving glory to God in all we do. [46:43]
Isaiah 25:9 (ESV): "It will be said on that day, 'Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from self-centered worship to God-centered worship in your daily life? How can you ensure that your actions and thoughts give glory to God?
Day 2: Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises
The promises made to Abraham and Israel find their ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament church. This includes both Old and New Testament saints, showing that God's plan has always been to redeem a multi-ethnic people. This fulfillment is beautifully depicted in the vision of God's presence dwelling among His people forever, providing shelter, protection, and eternal communion. This unity in diversity is a testament to God's inclusive plan of salvation. [01:06:05]
Galatians 3:28-29 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
Reflection: How does understanding the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in the New Testament church change your perspective on God's plan for humanity? How can you embrace and celebrate the diversity within the body of Christ?
Day 3: The Great Tribulation
The Great Tribulation is not a separate event but an intensification of tribulation that has been ongoing since Christ's ascension and will continue until His return. This period is characterized by persecution and suffering for the faithful, but it also sees the unstoppable spread of the gospel. Faithful servants of Christ have faced persecution throughout history, and this will continue until His return. This understanding encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite challenges. [54:58]
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV): "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced tribulation or challenges in your faith journey? How can you remain steadfast and continue to spread the gospel despite these difficulties?
Day 4: Intimacy Restored
The vision of God wiping away every tear from our eyes symbolizes the restoration of the intimacy that was lost in the Garden of Eden. Through Christ's shed blood, our relationship with God is restored, and we will experience eternal communion with Him. This vision of eternal life in God's presence is a source of immense comfort and encouragement for all believers. It reminds us of the ultimate hope and joy that await us. [01:11:36]
Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
Reflection: How does the promise of restored intimacy with God in heaven impact your daily life and struggles? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God now?
Day 5: Eternal Joy and Comfort
The new heaven and new earth will be a place of eternal joy and comfort, where there will be no more hunger, thirst, pain, or sorrow. God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and we will live forever in His presence, worshiping, serving, and glorifying Him. This vision of eternal life is a powerful reminder of the hope and joy that await us as believers. It encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that our ultimate reward is with God. [01:02:15]
Isaiah 65:17-19 (ESV): "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal joy and comfort in the new heaven and new earth influence your perspective on current hardships? What can you do today to keep this hope alive in your heart?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "See, so much worship today is me-centered. Have you noticed that? Like, so much of our worship, we've designed it to be, to even lead us into the whole consumerism problem in the church today. Where we've made worship about me. You know, half the songs you hear on Christian radio, you could change Jesus to John and you're like, yeah, I don't see any difference. Y'all notice that? It's because we focus, especially in the West, we've made, following Christ, individualistic. We've made it about me, me, me. It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about Him." [47:25]
2. "Think about this. How close do you have to be to someone to wipe a tear from their eyes? How close do you have to be to someone to wipe a tear from their eyes? See, what God is doing is God is restoring that intimacy that he had with man in the garden. Do you remember in the garden, Adam and Eve, it says, walked with God. In other words, they had such a close, tight intimacy that the only way that Moses could describe it when he wrote the book of Genesis is that they walked with God. But what happened? Sin. Sin broke that fellowship. Sin broke that intimacy. Sin broke that connection. And Jesus Christ, through his shed blood, has restored it." [01:11:36]
3. "For the lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd. He will guide them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. John is actually quoting Isaiah 49 verse 10. If you want to look it up later. And again, what is he doing? He is applying Old Testament promises to New Testament church fulfillment. By directly quoting Isaiah, he's saying, hey, these promises that God made to Abraham, these promises that God made to Israel are ultimately fulfilled in the bride of Christ in the church." [01:08:55]
4. "The only way that you and I can be cleansed of our sins is by applying that atoning blood to our lives personally by trusting in the finished, finished work of Jesus Christ. The second thing I want to point out is this. I want you to realize that these verbs are past tense. In other words, these are completed actions. They have been washed. In other words, at the moment you and I believe, at the moment you and I place our faith and our trust in Jesus Christ, all of our sin is forgiven. Past, present, and future sin. Wash clean. Wash clean. Past tense." [59:34]
5. "So this picture in verse 15 is not like a localized temple building. This is rather the picture of God spreading his presence over us for all eternity so that we may dwell in him forever. Forever. But secondly, I want you to notice the blessing of God's presence. Look at verse 16 and 17. They shall hunger no more. Neither thirst anymore. The sun shall not strike them nor any scorching heat." [01:08:10]
### Quotes for Members
1. "So what John is saying is that Jesus Christ, the word, became flesh and tabernacled among us. Now, the Holy Spirit tabernacles within us. And one day at the consummation of the world, in the kingdom, He will tabernacle with us for all eternity. It's also the same word that is used in Psalm 91, probably a psalm that many of us have heard. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. John is trying to point out to us that how God's protection, how His shelter comes over us, His presence and protection shelters over us." [01:05:12]
2. "So Daniel is having a vision of God's throne, and he is describing what he's seeing, and it sounds very similar to what John sees. Listen to what he says in verse 14. And to him, this is Christ, this is the Ancient of Days, this is the Son of Man that Daniel is describing. And he says this, And to him, Jesus, was given dominion and glory and a kingdom. Remember, we've been talking over and over, about the kingdom that Christ, that was inaugurated at Jesus' resurrection, and will be consummated at His return. This is the same kingdom that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom, one that shall not be destroyed." [36:12]
3. "So, what is the great tribulation? What does it mean to be in the tribulation? I personally believe that we are currently in the tribulation. I believe that the entire tribulation period began at Christ's ascension and will be completed when Christ returns. But I also believe that that tribulation will continue to intensify until Jesus returns. Until his second coming. Now remember, Old Testament and New Testament prophecies often work in layers. We've seen this over and over again. How Old Testament and New Testament prophecies often work in layers. In other words, there's almost always a now fulfillment and a not yet fulfillment." [52:09]
4. "So, what we see is this multitude focusing their worship on the grace of God and the redemption that is found in Christ. See, so much worship today is me-centered. Have you noticed that? Like, so much of our worship, we've designed it to be, to even lead us into the whole consumerism problem in the church today. Where we've made worship about me. You know, half the songs you hear on Christian radio, you could change Jesus to John and you're like, yeah, I don't see any difference. Y'all notice that? It's because we focus, especially in the West, we've made, following Christ, individualistic. We've made it about me, me, me. It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about Him." [46:43]
5. "So this picture in verse 15 is not like a localized temple building. This is rather the picture of God spreading his presence over us for all eternity so that we may dwell in him forever. Forever. But secondly, I want you to notice the blessing of God's presence. Look at verse 16 and 17. They shall hunger no more. Neither thirst anymore. The sun shall not strike them nor any scorching heat." [01:08:10]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?