The Slain Lamb: Hearing and Following God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: The Lamb’s Weakness Holds Heaven’s Strength

In a world obsessed with power, God’s throne room reveals a slaughtered lamb as the ultimate conqueror. This vision dismantles Rome’s violent empire and redefines strength through sacrificial love. The lamb’s seven horns symbolize perfect power, while its seven eyes see beyond surface appearances into eternal realities. Followers of Jesus are called to trust this upside-down kingdom where surrender becomes victory. The early church faced ridicule for embracing this paradox, yet their faithfulness shifted history. [34:16]

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne. (Revelation 5:5–6, ESV)

Reflection: Where does God’s kind of strength—seeming weakness fueled by love—feel most unnatural for you to embrace? How might surrendering control in one area this week mirror the Lamb’s way?

Day 2: Testing the Voice Against the Heart of Jesus

Visions and impressions require discernment. The slain lamb becomes the litmus test for every spiritual message: does it align with Christ’s self-giving nature? Voices that breed fear, shame, or superiority contradict the throne room’s atmosphere. Like early believers surrounded by pagan chants, Christians today must filter cultural noise through the Lamb’s character. Peace, conviction wrapped in grace, and life-giving correction mark the Spirit’s tone. [46:26]

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. (1 John 4:1–2, ESV)

Reflection: When has a thought or message left you feeling heavy with condemnation instead of hopeful conviction? How does the Lamb’s response to failure guide your discernment?

Day 3: Writing Visions to Run With Obedience

Habakkuk’s command to “write down the vision” mirrors John documenting Revelation for persecuted churches. Recording God’s words—whether dreams, scriptures, or promptings—anchors us when doubts arise. The early church’s survival depended on clinging to these written promises amid Roman oppression. Like Diane’s dream foretelling workplace injustice, clarity comes when we steward divine encounters intentionally. Ink and obedience walk hand in hand. [26:58]

Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:2–3, ESV)

Reflection: What God-prompt (dream, scripture, nudge) have you neglected to write down or act on? What first step could you take today to “run with it”?

Day 4: Forgiving When the World Demands Revenge

Diane’s choice to forgive professional betrayal mirrors the Lamb refusing retaliation. The throne room scene equips us to absorb injustice as Jesus did—transforming pain into redemption’s currency. Early Christians nursed plague victims and rescued discarded babies, disarming Rome through radical love. Every act of mercy declares which kingdom we serve. Forgiveness isn’t passive approval but active warfare against darkness. [55:06]

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:44–45, ESV)

Reflection: What relationship or situation tempts you to demand “justice” on your terms? How might praying for that person/system shift your heart toward the Lamb’s rhythm?

Day 5: Enthroning the Lamb in Life’s Competing Kingdoms

The throne room isn’t a distant metaphor—it’s the center of our daily choices. Careers, ambitions, and even good desires become idols when they displace the Lamb’s rule. Like Pergamon’s believers navigating emperor worship, we must audit what “statues” we bow to in our schedules, spending, and anxieties. Peace comes when the slain Lamb occupies the seat we fight to control. [58:13]

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33–34, ESV)

Reflection: What practical decision (time, money, relationship) this week could visibly demonstrate the Lamb’s throne priority? Where do you sense resistance rising—and what truth dismantles it?

Sermon Summary

John sets a small church in Pergamon inside the shadow of Rome’s throne, where Domitian wears the titles king of kings and lord of lords and rules by violence, wealth, and slavery. Revelation 4–5 lifts their eyes to another throne room. Lightning and song surround the One on the throne, a sealed scroll waits in his right hand, and the cry goes up, Is anyone worthy to open it? Expectation reaches for a lion from Judah, but the vision centers on a small Lamb that looks slain. The angels answer the question with worship, worthy is the Lamb who was slain. The picture lands like a key. Rome extends power by the sword, but God’s kingdom advances by self‑giving love. The Lamb looks weak, yet the seven horns announce perfect strength and the seven eyes perfect sight. The rule of heaven is not domination, but the cross.

The vision also shows how God speaks. The Spirit often uses pictures, dreams, and visions that need interpreting. Scripture turns on such moments, from Jacob to Joseph to Daniel to Peter, and God still does this. A simple picture, like a yellow peacock, can open what words cannot. So the first question is, what does it sound like? Often like a picture that carries a thousand words.

The second question is, how do they know it is God? Jesus is the filter. The Spirit reminds of all Jesus said and speaks of things to come. So the plumb line is, would Jesus say this? His kingdom rejects fear, shame, and pride. He does rebuke, but even correction carries love and hope, not condemnation.

The third question is, how do they respond? My people hear my voice, and they follow. Hearing is easy, doing is hard. The early church followed the way of the Lamb in concrete ways, caring for the sick in plagues, feeding the poor, rescuing discarded infants, and building hospitals. Love looked weak, but it overcame evil. A modern echo shows the same path. Diane dreamt a staff meeting where a CEO said, listen to her, she’s right. After real humiliation and unjust redundancy, the dream named the injustice and then called her to forgive, not retaliate. Costly obedience sweetened her spirit and, in time, God lifted her up. So the final call stands clear. Who sits on the throne of the heart? Career, wealth, even good gifts, or the slain Lamb? The Spirit invites a reordered life that seeks the kingdom first and looks like Jesus in action.

Key Takeaways

1. God still speaks in pictures God often communicates in dreams and visions that carry symbol and story. These images need interpreting, but they can name the heart and point the way with clarity a sentence cannot match. Scripture is full of such moments, and the same Spirit still paints today. Pay attention to the picture language God uses. [36:08]
2. Test every word by Jesus The Spirit sounds like Jesus and points to his kingdom. Words that stir fear, pride, or condemnation can be set aside, even if they feel intense. Correction from God will carry the shape of his love and the aim of his peace. The question remains steady, would Jesus say this? [44:27]
3. The slain Lamb redefines power The Lamb looks weak, yet bears seven horns and seven eyes, perfect strength and sight. God’s rule advances not by domination, but by cruciform love that heals, feeds, and welcomes. What seems powerless breaks the back of evil because it carries heaven’s authority. Power in the kingdom looks like the cross. [42:23]
4. Obedience is where hearing becomes faith Hearing is easy, doing is hard, yet growth lives in the doing. The Spirit often asks for forgiveness, mercy, and costly love right where resentment or fear feel strongest. Obedience turns revelation into formation, and God meets the risk with unexpected provision and fruit. My people hear my voice, and they follow. [47:55]
5. Put the Lamb on the throne The heart will enthrone something, even good gifts like family or work. The call is to dethrone rival loves and center the slain Lamb, trusting that all else will be added in its proper place. When Jesus holds the center, priorities reorder and love gains the strength to endure. [56:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:46] - Intro and resources
[27:57] - Prayer to begin
[28:52] - Life under Rome imagined
[31:29] - Revelation’s throne room
[34:33] - The Slain Lamb appears
[35:09] - Three questions for hearing God
[36:08] - God speaks in pictures
[39:33] - Rome’s throne vs God’s kingdom
[40:24] - The way of self‑giving love
[43:22] - How to test the Spirit
[47:55] - Doing what God says
[49:19] - Early church mercy and witness
[51:23] - Diane’s dream and obedience
[56:35] - Put the Lamb on the throne and pray

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Revelation 5:6-10 (ESV)
6 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. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 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. 9 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, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Observation Questions

What details in Revelation 5:6-10 describe the Lamb’s appearance, and how do they contrast with typical symbols of power (e.g., lions, emperors)? [34:16]
According to the sermon, how did the early church practically live out the “way of the Lamb” in their culture (e.g., caring for the sick, feeding the poor)? [49:19]
What example did Diane’s dream provide about testing whether a message aligns with Jesus’ character? [54:11]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God use a slain Lamb (Revelation 5:6) as the central image of His kingdom’s power instead of a lion or warrior? How does this redefine what true strength looks like?
The sermon contrasts Rome’s rule (violence, wealth, slavery) with God’s kingdom (self-giving love). How does the Lamb’s “seven horns and seven eyes” (v. 6) address the fears of a persecuted church?
Diane’s dream called her to forgive instead of retaliate. How does obedience to God’s voice, even when costly, align with the Lamb’s example in Revelation 5? [54:54]

Application Questions

The Lamb’s “weakness” overcame evil through love. What area of your life (e.g., work, family, conflict) feels powerless right now? How could you intentionally respond with self-giving love instead of control or fear? [42:23]
The sermon warns that good things (career, family) can become “thrones” in our hearts. What practical step could you take this week to ensure the Lamb—not other priorities—is at the center of your decisions? [58:50]
Diane’s obedience required forgiving someone who wronged her. Is there a relationship where you’re holding onto resentment? What would it look like to ask God for grace to forgive, even if it feels unfair? [54:54]
The early church cared for the sick and poor as a way of living like Jesus. How could you tangibly serve someone in need this month (e.g., time, resources, kindness) to reflect the Lamb’s love?
God often speaks through pictures or impressions. What recurring image, dream, or metaphor have you noticed lately? How might you prayerfully explore its meaning with Jesus as the “filter”? [36:08]

Sermon Clips

43s

“So whenever we think we're hearing from God, but it sounds like it's causing us fear or condemnation or shame, we can reject it. It doesn't mean that the spirit doesn't speak to rebuke us. Hands up if you've ever been rebuked by God. Yeah? The spirit speaks to call us to follow Jesus, so we can expect that God's gonna rebuke us, but it won't come with fear or condemnation. Have you noticed that? When the holy spirit speaks something that corrects us, we will feel God's love.”

from 00:46:15

#DiscernGodsVoice

42s

“It's not easy to do what god says sometimes, is it? It's not easy to follow the way of the lamb. It's not easy to lay your life down and forgive others as we've been forgiven. And it wasn't easy for Diane. She just lost her job. She had no money. She had nowhere to live, but she decided to keep following, to keep her spirit sweet, and to forgive and show mercy. It's no surprise now that years later, she's been promoted in an incredible way in her career.”

from 00:55:09

#ForgiveAndFollow

56s

“But in God's kingdom, it doesn't operate the way that Rome operated. Rome was known for its abuse of power and of violence. The kingdom of heaven is known for a who was slain. How did Jesus extend the territory of God's kingdom? It didn't come at the end of a sword. It didn't come at the of the oppression of the poor. How did it come? Lay down his life in self sacrificial love. Jesus talked about the kingdom being extended every time someone is healed, every time a poor or a hungry person is fed, every time a stranger is welcomed. That's what the kingdom looks like.”

from 00:40:07

#KingdomByLove

39s

“Christians were the ones who fed the hungry, who looked out for the widows and the orphans, the people who were the poorest of their day. Christians were the ones who collected the babies from the gutter when the Romans discarded them because they were of little value. This is a time and place where there's no welfare system, and the Christians picked up the charge. They didn't compromise. They kept following Jesus. And as they did, the church grew. As they did, the Roman Empire started to notice.”

from 00:49:32

#FaithInAction

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The Slain Lamb: Hearing and Following God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: The Lamb’s Weakness Holds Heaven’s Strength

Day 2: Testing the Voice Against the Heart of Jesus

Day 3: Writing Visions to Run With Obedience

Day 4: Forgiving When the World Demands Revenge

Day 5: Enthroning the Lamb in Life’s Competing Kingdoms

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

The Slain Lamb: Hearing and Following God's Kingdom

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