NUMBERLESS MULTITUDES - In chapter 7, the seer focuses our attention on a vision of numberless multitudes of people; in verses 1-8, the 144,000 of Israel are sealed; in verses 9-17, the multitude from every nation is described. Our passage will deal with the latter part of the vision.

SEEING AND HEARING -

A "seeing" opening - a great multitude from every nation and language; they’re all standing before the Throne and more specifically, before the Lamb;

A "hearing" section - a doxological proclamation about the Lamb

A "seeing" piece continued from verse 9 - various heavenly creatures surrounding the Throne and offering an act of worship by literally worshiping, falling on their faces, bowing the knee before Greatness

More hearing - Strong vocative address of praise: "(You) say Amen!" followed by a doxological poem of high praise and acclamation of the Lamb

A closing Q/A moment between the writer and his escort: "Who are these?" "These are . . ."

THE CARE OF GOD (NIB):

The graciousness of God to those who follow the Lamb is brought out in Revelation 7:16. This passage injects a theme of tenderness and comfort, seemingly lacking elsewhere in Revelation. We should take care not to miss the odd hints of God’s sustaining and enabling promise to support an enduring witness to Christ in the midst of death and destruction. But, as we have seen, the book of Revelation is realistic in its concern with power and the exercise of power that itself needs to be examined with the eye of vision and devoid of any cloud of sentiment.

Recall an event or an experience that had a gigantic gathering of people of a vast variety of languages, ethnic traditions and culture, and hues. Describe he cosmopolitan sense that such a grand gathering created.

Describe the sense of unity and togetherness that a large group of persons can create-at union halls, at multiple church congregations, or global events.

Try working interacting with three passages that share commonality on this Sunday-Psalm 23, John 10, and Revelation 7.

In Psalm 23 we have explored the idea of God as Shepherd of God’s people: The lord is my shepherd; in John 10 that metaphor is restated in christological formulation: I am the good shepherd. Now we hear the writer in Revelation move to the similar image / metaphor of Christ the Lamb as shepherd: for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd (7:17).

How might the preacher consider these variations and metaphor mixes in some sense of unity? You might begin with the metaphor, explaining how metaphors provide insights into the nature and action of God.

Spend some moments on each metaphor-first, God as Shepherd; describe the various twists and turns that God’s shepherding takes. Draw from personal, church experiences to corroborate God’s faithful shepherding.

Move to Jesus as the good shepherd in the same way.

Move to Revelation 7 and the Lamb who will shepherd us.

God’s faithful care of us as a shepherd cares for his sheep covers all of our journey-past, present, and future.

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible XII (Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1998), pp. 625-626