Lamb And The Lion

Sermon for 12/10/2006

Revelation 5:1-7

Introduction:

Chronicles of Narnia Clip: 2:07:47 to 2:08:55 (#23 Scene)

WBTU:

A. Around this time of the year people are using the term advent. Season of Advent. Advent literally means “a coming.”

B. In the Middle Ages, the church would celebrate the comings of Christ in December. They would celebrate both the first coming and also his second coming. The first coming meaning his birth in Bethlehem and his second coming when he returns from heaven in triumph with all of his holy ones.

C. In the verses read this morning, we have a term that describes his first coming, a Lamb. Also we have a term that describes his second coming, the Lion.

Thesis: This morning let’s study these two terms, descriptions, titles of Jesus Christ in reference to Advent.

For instances:

I. A Lamb (Vs. 6)

A. Introduction.

1. In Revelation chapter 4, 5 we have described for us the throne room in heaven. WE have a description of the throne of God, no description of God (Revelation 4:2).

2. Immediately we have around the throne 4 living creatures, Isaiah calls them cherubim. (Revelation 4:6)

3. Beyond this we have 24 elders who sit on 24 thrones, the saints

4. Beyond this we have innumerable angels (Revelation 5:11)

5. Beyond this we have all living creatures. (Revelation 5:13)

6. This is the universe from heaven or God’s perspective. God on his throne, four living creatures or cherubim, 24 elders, angels, and all living creatures.

B. Now in the midst of this grand throne room, we come to our Scriptures this morning. Where is Jesus in all of this? We know he is there. Get to that in a minute.

C. Vs. 1- God the Father has a scroll in his hand.

1. What is this scroll? Many theories but the most logical to me is that this is God’s will for the earth. This is what God wants to do in the world. He is in control of history. He has providence over this world, gives people free will but at the same time he is Sovereign. This is a record of his plans and his purposes.

2. Written inside and on the back. IT is full, only written on back when full.

3. Sealed with seven seals. Don’t want to get into this a great deal, like a lot of the things in Revelation, this is rich in imagery. Close it with a string and then seal it together with a wax seal. Interestingly enough, in the case of a will, in the Roman society, the scroll for a will was sealed not just with one seal but with seven. 7 witnesses would place their signet rings into the wax to seal it.

D. Vs. 2

1. Amplified Version- [who is entitled and deserves and is morally fit] to break?

2. Who can execute this scroll?

E. Vs. 3-4

1. (Psa 24:3 NIV) Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?(Psa 24:4 NIV) He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.

3. John is upset because there is no one who is able. (Rom 3:10 NIV) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

F. Vs. 5

1. One of the elders. Only a redeemed person would know the joy of Jesus.

2. Get back to this later on.

G. Vs. 6

1. John is expecting to see a Lion, the one in vs. 5. It is not a lion but a lamb.

2. little lamb. The preschool class and nursery in some churches are called this.

3. Lambs were often used as sacrifices in the Old Testament era. On the day of Passover lambs were sacrificed and their blood put on the door frames. Many sacrifices required a lamb but each Israelite family sacrificed one lamb a year for the Passover.

4. (1 Cor 5:7 NIV) For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

5. As though it had been slain. Three things here:

a. This lamb was standing and alive even though it had been sacrificed, reference to resurrection. (Luke 24:5 NIV) In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?(Luke 24:6 NIV) He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:(Luke 24:7 NIV) ’The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’"

b. The marks of his sacrifice are still there. (John 20:27 NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."