At the conclusion of Revelation 5, Adam Clarke comments: Now follow the least intelligible parts of this mysterious book, on which so much has been written, and so much in vain. It is natural for man to desire to be wise, and the more difficult the subject the more it is studied- and the hope of finding out something by which the world and the Church might be profited, has cause the most eminently learned men to employ their talents and consume their time on these abstruse prophecies. But of what use has all this learned and well-meaning labor been to mankind?
He wisely asks: Can hypothesis explain prophecy, and conjecture find a basis on which faith can rest?
It is little wonder that so many Christians tend to avoid this final book of the Bible. I have looked at several commentaries on it and have found that agreement gets thrown out the window especially when it comes to interpreting chapters 6-22. Revelation is so unlike anything in the New Testament. It is much more like looking at a painting than a letter. The words and images are actually much less difficult to imagine than they are to interpret. So… why are we doing this study? What purpose does it serve and what do we hope to accomplish by going through Revelation?
Those are good questions. The chief answer is that Revelation is a part of the Word of God, and secondly, it promises for those who read and heed it a blessing. It does not say what blessing, but we know it comes from God for those of us willing to be obedient to this call. I will be reminding us of this along the way.
Today we look at chapters 4-5, where the writer, John, sees a door open in heaven and is called to come and see what must take place after these things. Both chapters are short taking only 25 verses and covering less than a page in my Bible.
Listen now to the word of God as I read these chapters in our hearing. I suggest you follow along or close your eyes and listen intently asking, “How does this reveal the presence of God and how do those closest to God respond to Him?”
(Read Rev. 4-5)
Someone said: The average Christian has sat through 6000 church services, heard 4,000 sermons, bowed for 8,000 public prayers, sang first and last verses of 20,000 hymns, and has brought 0 people to Christ.
Perhaps the problem is that the average Christian is not actually worshipping the Lord, and being changed into his image by this worship, but instead is merely clocking in for Church services.
If these two chapters reveal anything, they reveal something about worship. Worship is the glaring message. God’s presence is surrounded by worshippers, unending, continuous, eternal worship.
In spite of the obvious, our attention is drawn away to a distraction that seems to overwhelm the obvious, and we find ourselves asking, “What about that scroll? What does IT mean? (Dr. Gentry says it represents the divorce decree for national Israel, Kay Author says it represents the deed to the earth, I. J. Stanley says it represents the covenants of the Old Testament that only Jesus could fulfill, Adam Clark says it may represent the purposes and designs of God relative to the government of the world and the Church. Someone else said it seems to represent the title to the souls of the saints… and personally, I haven’t a clue!) Never mind what the scroll means, John doesn’t tell us, so give it up! That’s not the point or surely John would have said so. And another distraction: Never mind how to configure all the creatures and elders around the throne into a “three D” order so you know where everyone is, or what the lion, ox, man and eagle creatures with the six wings and with eyes all over them mean and why they are there. These are very much like the images we see in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6, or as some commentator pointed out perhaps there is an illusion to the camping formation of the tribes of Israel around the tabernacle. But again, John doesn’t explain it, although he does tell us that they are close to God and what they are doing! That must be what he wants us to know. If instead of figuring them out we join with what John tells us and listen to them we can recognize their response to God’s presence, we may learn something meaningful and begin to discover the blessing of this book. What are they doing? What are they saying? That, John does tell us!
The One on the throne is worshipped in these words: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
And: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
The Lion of the tribe of Judah who is the Lamb that was slain is worshipped in these words: "You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."
And: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!" (seven acclamations)
Then both the One on the throne and the Lamb are worshipped in these words: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!
Here we see what John saw and hear what he heard. God is worshipped as creator and Jesus as redeemer. What does this worship look and sound like? It is glorious! It is contagious! It is eternal!
Today is Super Bowl Sunday. Today, millions of people across this nation will be worshipping. It won’t be praises to God, but a celebration of the game of football. Even the name, “Super Bowl,” what kind of indicator is that to the honor and priority placed on it? And have you noticed how significant numbers are to the game of football? From scores to statistics to measurements such as penalties, first downs, players on the field, the time on the clock, four plays to advance the ten yards necessary to continue to possess the ball… even the numbers on the players’ uniforms. And what do people do when their team scores? Is that not a depiction of worship? I wouldn’t be surprised to find that someone somewhere has interpreted Revelation to be about a football game.
There are so many things in this world that can distract us from God. They are not evil things in and of themselves, but they are given significance in our schedules and in our lives so that we can become enamored by them and turn our attention away from the throne of God to them. Imagine the 24 elders around the throne of God saying, “When will this worship be over so we can go watch the game?”
What occupies the interest and heart of each one of the creatures and elders that John saw? What captivated them and overwhelmed them? Why? Why were they continually pouring out praises and worship before God? How did God keep their attention? Wouldn’t it get old after a while?
A more important question is this: What is wrong with us that we are not more like them? Why are we so easily distracted and… well… bored by worship? Could it be that for some of us, we are actually not worshipping but merely performing religious forms without the power?
What would happen if everyone in this church experienced in a Revelation 4-5 way, the very presence of God? What might that do to us as a church? How might that change the course of our work in this community? How might that impact the way we look at or value all the games and toys in our lives?
Do you want some dynamic action? Revelation will give you more than you can imagine. Want competition? Watch what happens when the seals are broken and the beasts come out in Revelation! Want a victory celebration over a worthy opponent? Revelation gives us the ultimate victory for the overcomers and the ultimate penalty for the defeated! Only it’s not about a game. It’s about the destiny of those who remain faithful unto death. It’s about a crown of life and celebration of glory that has no end.
Worship has begun. Everyone is doing it. Everywhere worship is going on. The question is, what is the object of your worship and how much claim does it hold over your heart and life?
Revelation invites us with John's eyes to “Come up here!” To fix our eyes on things above and not on things on the earth. To set our minds on heavenly things. To enter the very presence of the Holy, holy, holy One on the throne, the one who was and is and is to come, the Almighty Lord God of eternal glory who created all things and by who’s will everything was created. We are invited to see the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who has triumphed over sin and death, the Lamb who was slain and who with his blood purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
And what does he do for all those he purchased? He makes us to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and reign on the earth!
As Peter said: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
That’s who the redeemed are: those who worship in the Spirit and make no provision for the flesh.
Listen to these words of instruction to Christians redeemed by the blood of the Lamb:
1 Peter 1:13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.”
17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
