Magnifying Christ’s Majesty
Part I
Revelation 5:1-7
Purpose: To exalt Christ’s worthiness.
Aim: I want the listener to respond to Christ’s majesty with passionate worship.
INTRODUCTION: When Vance Havner once told a group of people that he was very optimistic about world events. Someone asked him how he could be with all the sin and suffering in the world. He answered, "Because I have read the last two chapters in the Bible and WE WON. There is no devil in the first two chapters of the Bible and no devil in the last two chapters of the Bible. And I’m proud to be a part of something that does away with the devil."
The glory of God that is described for us in chapters 4 and 5 is far beyond our imagination. As John set about to write these two chapters I’m sure that he felt a deep sense of frustration. How could he put in words what he had seen in God’s throne room? He must have felt like he had been given the task of describing a rainbow to a blind man, or a Beethoven sympathy to deaf person.
REVIEW:
1:1-20 I. John’s Vision of the Past “the things which you have seen”
2:1-5:14 II. Christ’s Vision of the Present “the things which are”
2:1-3:22 A. The testimony of the church on earth
4:1-5:14 B. The throne of God in heaven
4:1-11 1. God’s unchallenged authority
Vs.1-3,5a a. The sovereign One “One sitting on the throne”
Vs.5b b. The Holy Spirit “seven lamps of fire”
Vs.6a c. The sea of glass “a sea of glass like crystal”
Vs.6b-8 d. Four special creatures “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Vs.4,9-11 e. Saved sinners “twenty-four elders”
LESSON:
➽ 5:1-14 2. Christ’s unequaled glory
The focus of chapter four is the authority of either God the Father or the Trinity as a whole. As we come to chapter five the focus shifts completely to the glory of Jesus Christ.
➽ Vs.1 a. The title deed to the earth “a book”
Literally John saw a scroll [ Picture] but we don’t know if there was one scroll that was sealed seven times or if there were seven scrolls rolled up in each other, each one sealed with a wax seal. In other words, when a seal was broken it opened up one document was unrolled which then revealed another document sealed with a wax seal, and so forth.
“A Roman law required that a will was to be sealed seven times. The will of Caesar Augustus and Emperor Vespasian were sealed in this way. Some see this scroll as the ‘last testament’ of the One who died for us, containing the terms of His wrath upon those who reject His love and sacrificial death.” [“The Coming World Leader” by David Hocking, P.114]
Since the Greek language has no punctuation, verse 1 could read, “a book written within, and on the backside sealed with seven seals.”
Many years earlier Daniel was told: Daniel 12:4 “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” (NAU) Here in Revelation, that which was concealed to Daniel is revealed to us.
“The scroll of Rev 5 is a deed of redemption, and as such becomes effectively a will of inheritance. It is the legal document proving that a qualified Kinsman has paid the price to redeem the land once forfeited by His family. As each seal is broken, the deed of redemption reveals what must occur for the Kinsman-Redeemer to physically repossess the land, wresting it from enemy squatters, and returning it to those who were originally given dominion over it.” [From an online blog: http://revjc.blogspot.com/2005/02/scroll-of-seven-seals.html ]
The scroll contains the rest of the book of Revelation beginning in chapter six. So, what does the rest of the scroll reveal? The book of Revelation reveals the sinfulness of man and the judgments of God on this world, the defeat of Satan, and the renewing of this earth to the glory that God originally gave to it in Genesis chapter one. History is the story of the earth going from glory to glory. The earth begins with the glory of God being revealed in the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve ruling God’s creation. Sin corrupted and ruined God’s creation, but God had a plan to restore it. The book of Revelation unfolds the final epoch of history where Christ restores God’s glory to this earth and our position as rulers over His creation.
Isaiah sums up the book of Revelation this way: Isaiah 24:1-6 1 Behold, the Lord lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants. 2 …. 3 The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the Lord has spoken this word. 4 The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away. 5 The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. (NAU) Isaiah 24:23-25:1 23 Then the moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed, For the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, And His glory will be before His elders. O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. (NAU)
➽ Vs.2-4 b. Creation’s failure to redeem creation “no one…was able”
Vs.2 The strong angel probably refers to the angel Gabriel. His name means “Strength of God.” He is mentioned 4 times in the Bible—twice in the OT and twice in the NT. He revealed visions to Daniel in chapters 8 & 9 of his book and he announced the coming of Jesus to a priest named Zacharias in Luke 1:19 and to Mary in Luke 1:26.
The LOUD VOICE proves that the message was urgent and available for everyone to hear.
Vs.3-4 No created being was powerful enough to open or even look at the book. Notice that we have no strength of our own: Romans 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (NAU)
Jacob said, Genesis 32:10 I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; …. (NAU)
John the Baptist said, Mark 1:7 … “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. (NAU)
Mankind in general is not worthy, Romans 1:32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (NAU)
God the Father cannot open the book either, because He gave that authority to Christ. John 5:22-23 22 “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. (NAU) John 5:25-27 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. (NAU)
For centuries man has asked, “What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Where am I going?” The scroll that is in the hand of God answers all of those questions.
➽ Vs.5 c. Christ is powerful enough to redeem creation “Lion… has overcome”
Notice that it is one of the elders that speaks to John. The elders represent saved sinners. God only uses saved sinners to proclaim the Gospel! Saved sinners are the only ones who fully understand the greatness of God’s grace. Angels are never asked to proclaim the Gospel.
A LION pictures the strength and power to conquer. God told the Jews, Hosea 5:14 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver. (NAU)
Christ has unbelievable strength because He is “from the tribe of Judah” and “the Root of David” at the same time. Jacob told his son Judah, Genesis 49:8-10 8 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9 “Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? 10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (NAU)
Jesus’ human father, Joseph, was from the tribe of Judah which gave Jesus the right to sit on David’s throne. Psalm 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” (NAU)
Hebrews 2:14 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (NAU)
Jesus is also the “root” or source of David. Listen to how Jesus explained this to the Pharisees. Matthew 22:41-46 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet” ’? 45[a father does not call his son his master] “If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” 46 No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question. (NAU)
The only way to answer that question is to say that Jesus is BOTH the physical descendent of David and the Creator of David. Jesus is both man and God. Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” (NAU)
“Under Jewish law, real estate that had been forfeited by a man could be redeemed (bought back) by any near kinsman (Lev. 25:25). To redeem the earth, forfeited by man, the redeemer must be a kinsman (hence a man, not an angel) and must come forward with the purchase price in hand—something that no one in the universe could do except Jesus (see 1 Peter 1:18-19 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (NAU) .” [Gregg, S. (1997). Revelation, four views : A parallel commentary (Re 5:1-4). Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson Publishers.]
➽ Vs.6 d. Christ is worthy to redeem creation
Notice the CEV: Then I looked and saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne that was surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb looked as if it had once been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent out to all the earth.
Jesus is in the center of everything, as He should be.
Why is Christ worthy?
➽ #1 Jesus is standing “a Lamb standing”
When Jesus went back to heaven after paying for our sin, He sat down to show that His work of salvation was finished. Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (NAU)
When we see Jesus here He is standing because He is getting ready to act. God the Father said to Christ: Psalm 2:8 8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. (NAU)
➽ #2 Jesus is our sacrifice “as if slain”
John is told that Jesus is a lion, but when he turns and looks he sees a Lamb.
This is not the normal word used for lamb in the NT. The word here means “a little lamb.” “This word was used to refer to a pet lamb. The Passover lamb that was killed was not just any lamb. It was one that was carefully chosen and brought into the care of the family for 4 days so the children could love it. (see Ex 12:3,6) Then it was killed.” [“From Suffering to Singing” by Bob Marcaurelle Page 15]
This is true of Jesus. He lived among His followers for 3 ½ years before He was slaughtered.
Isaiah 53:2 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (NAU)
The only imperfections in heaven will be the scars of the Messiah, and the most beautiful sight in heaven will be the scars of the Messiah.
The first time that John the Baptist saw Jesus he pointed to Him and said, John 1:29 Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (NAU)
➽ #3 Jesus is all powerful “having seven horns”
“In Scripture, horns always symbolize power, because in the animal kingdom they are used to exert power and inflict wounds in combat. Seven horns signify complete or perfect power. Unlike other defenseless lambs, this One has complete, sovereign power.” [MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Re 5:6). Nashville: Word Pub.]
➽ #4 Jesus is all knowing “seven eyes”
This refers to the “Seven-fold Spirit of God” or the Holy Spirit that we have studied before. As Jesus begins His mission to reclaim the world He created He has all knowledge. He does not come to earth to learn anything. He comes to rule.
In chapter 4 we saw the unity of the Spirit and the Father on the throne. Here in chapter 5 we see the unity of the Spirit and the Son.
This is the “joy” that lay before Jesus Christ as He headed toward the
cross. Hebrews 12:2 … Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NAU)
➽ Vs.7 e. Christ proves His power and worth to redeem creation
“He came and took the book”
Talk can be cheap. Here Jesus proves that He is who He says He is. Earlier Jesus said, Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (NAU) When Jesus spoke those words we had to believe them by faith—there is coming a day when faith will no longer be needed. Jesus has already announced that He was: Revelation 1:18 the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (NAU)
This act of taking the book causes all heaven to explode with loud praise. Jesus exerts His place as the rightful King of Creation.
CONCLUSION: All heaven is demonstrating boundless joy, but in just a few verses we begin to see the horror of those who do not worship Christ.
What will the exaltation of Jesus Christ bring you: joy or horror?
I would like to close with two stories. The first one tells us what it is like for a Christian who loves to exalt Jesus who holds "the book."
Augustus M. Toplady died in London, Aug.11, 1778, at the age of 38. He was the author of that great song, "Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hid myself in Thee;" Frequently he called himself a dying man and yet the happiest man in the world; adding, "Sickness is no affliction,pain no curse, death itself no dissolution; and yet how this soul of mine longs to be gone --like a bird imprisoned in its cage, it longs to take its flight. Had I wings like a dove, then would I fly away to the bosom of God and be at rest forever."
About an hour before he died he seemed to awaken from a peaceful sleep. "Oh, what delights! Who can fathom the joys of the heaven? What a bright sunshine has been spread around me! I have not words to express it. I know it cannot be long now till my saviour will come for me, for..."
He then burst into tears as he continued, "Surely after the glories that God has manifested to my soul! All is light, light, light -- The brightness of His glory! 0 come, Lord Jesus, come; come quickly!" He then closed his eyes and passed into the presence of Jesus.["Voices From The Edge of Eternity" compiled by John Myers p.54]
This second story illustrates what it is like for Jesus to hold "the book" to an unsaved person.
Sir Thomas Scott was Privy Councilor of James V of Scotland and a noted persecutor of the reformers.
When he lay dying in 1821, he cried out to the priests who sought to comfort him: "Be gone you and your [nonsense]; until this moment I believed that there was neither a God nor a Hell. Now I know and feel that there are both, and I am doomed to perdition by just judgment." [“Voices From The Edge Of Eternity” compiled by John Myers p.152]
➽ They lose nothing who gain Christ.
Samuel Rutherford [Thomas, I. (1996). The golden treasury of Puritan quotations. Includes index of authors. General index created by Christian Clasics Foundation. (electronic ed.). Simpsonville SC: Christian Classics Foundation.]
