Revelation doesn’t give us the God we expect - it confronts and reshapes our understanding of power, victory, and what it truly means for Jesus to reign. In this message from Robyn Elliott, we explore the shocking moment when John hears about a conquering lion but turns and sees a slaughtered lamb, revealing that God’s power looks nothing like the empires and systems we trust in. The cross isn’t just how Jesus saves; it’s how Jesus rules.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever expected one thing and gotten something completely different - like thinking you were drinking Coke but it turned out to be Root Beer? How does that experience help frame the message of Revelation?

2. Why do you think Revelation uses strange, symbolic, and apocalyptic imagery instead of straightforward language?

3. What stood out to you most about the image of the lion turning out to be a slaughtered lamb?

4. Robyn suggested that power isn’t just found in governments or empires, but also in churches, families, workplaces, and relationships. Where do you see distorted power operating most clearly today?

5. What does it mean that Jesus has lion-like power but not lion-like character?

6. How does viewing Jesus’ crucifixion as his coronation challenge common ideas about success, strength, leadership, or victory?

7. Robyn said, “The cross is not just an atonement theory; it’s the way God rules.” What do you think that means practically for Jesus followers today?

8. Are there areas of your life where you’ve kept Jesus in the “salvation box” but not allowed him into other areas like politics, control, grudges, ambition, or relationships?

9. Revelation presents a kingdom built through vulnerability, sacrifice, and faithfulness rather than domination. Why is that vision both compelling and difficult?

10. If the Lamb is the clearest picture of who God is, how should that reshape the way we engage with enemies, conflict, politics, and power?