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Revelation Five Series
Contributed by Diana Tyler on Oct 13, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus is worthy to take the scroll
In this chapter, John sees in the hand of Him who was seated on the throne with a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. He then sees an angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" But there is no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth able to open the scroll or to look into it. John starts to weep loudly because no one is found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. One of the elders said to John, "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."
John then sees between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders 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. The Lamb then takes 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."
The one on the throne is God Almighty. The Lamb is Jesus. When Jesus died on the Cross, He not only made it possible for us to be reconciled with God, but He also defeated death, hell, and the grave forever. In addition, the fact that He was willing to humble Himself to the point where He chose to go the Cross, God gave Him the name above all names that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth and every tongue should confess that He is Lord. Philippians 2:6-11 His sacrifice made Him worthy to take the scroll.
What is in the scroll and why are there seven seals? The answer is found in the next chapter.
What John sees and hears next is amazing. He sees and hears 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!"
He then hears 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.
Wow! Can you imagine seeing what John sees here? Thousands upon thousands of angels worshipping the Lord! Can you imagine the sound resounding through heaven with that collective worship? Jesus is indeed worthy to receive power and wealth and glory and honor and blessing forever and ever! Creation even worships God. The sun, moon, stars, the trees worship Him. The animals on earth and in the sea worship Him as well. The thought of an animal bowing his head to the earth in humble worship to Jesus is an amazing thought. The sea animals swimming in the ocean giving God praise as well. Interesting how the trees, animals, the sun, moon, and stars can give praise to the Lord so easily yet us as human being; created a little lower than the angels have a hard time praising the One who created us and gave us life. When will we ever learn to be more appreciative of God and what He has done for us? When will we be able to worship as freely as the wind and trees and flowers?