VICTORIOUS DEFEAT!*
Revelation 5:1-9
Theme: A communion sermon emphasizing the central theme of Jesus Christ’s atonement in our faith and life.
TEXT
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: "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.
INTRO
So I was looking this week at a list of oxymorons. You know what those are; two words used together that actually mean something opposite or contrasting that, when used side-by-side, have a different meaning. Here are a few of my favorites:
• Liquid gas
• A Fine Mess
• Free trade
• Act Naturally
• Unbiased opinion
• Affordable housing
• Detailed summary
• Awfully good
• Random order
• Small crowd
And here is the one that troubles me the most … “Adult male.”
There is an oxymoron of sorts described for us in chapter 5. It relates to the central figure … not only of the chapter, not only of the book, but of our faith. It relates to Jesus Christ. There are actually a couple of declarations made about him that, when placed side by side, seem to contrast but actually give us a new and fuller understanding of our Lord.
The chapter begins with the scene in Heaven and with God the Creator on the throne. In his hand there is a scroll. There is writing on both sides of this scroll and it is sealed with seven seals. A call goes forth for someone to open the scroll, but no one is found who is able to open it.
THE LION IS A LAMB
John understands the enormous significance of the scroll and begins to weep at the terrible calamity that he feels. But just then, he is told: “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” John immediately turns to see this great lion that has just been described to him. He is expecting to see Jesus, the Lion, tear the seals off the scroll with His great claws and reveal its contents.
IT IS IN THIS SCENE THAT WE SEE THE FIRST OF THE CONTRASTING IMAGES. HE DOES NOT SEE A LION … HE SEES A LAMB.
What a shock it must have been for John to look for this great lion only to see a lamb. In fact, the word used here for “lamb” is Greek the word reserved for a “pet lamb” … it is a lamb of complete innocence vulnerability.
This innocent lamb has death wounds. In fact, an accurate reading of Jesus’ description would be a slaughtered or slain lamb. It is very graphic and grotesque. John would have immediately associated this lamb with the Passover Lamb … it would certainly evoke the words of John the Baptist who, referring to Jesus as the one who would make atonement said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29, KJV).
We may also be reminded of the words of Hebrews 9:28; “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
As an innocent lamb, Jesus’ death might evoke another oxymoron … “VICTORIOUS DEFEAT”. You see, his victory certainly appeared to be a defeat to the world.
Think back to when this Lamb, Jesus Christ, died on the cross.
Was there ever any greater appearance of weakness on the part of God? They taunted him and said, “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:40). The irony was that he was able to come down from the cross, but chose not to (Matthew 26:53). WHAT GOD WAS DOING WAS THE MOST POWERFUL ACT THAT HE WOULD EVER PERFORM. GREATER THAN THE CREATION OF THE WORLD; AND GREATER THAN BRINGING THE WORLD TO AN END, CHRIST’S REDEMPTIVE ACT ON THE CROSS WAS GOD AT WORK IN HIS GREATEST HOUR. His strength was hidden, but it was God’s most powerful moment.
In this humble act of God, the devil was shamed and robbed of his power. It was in this act that … THE LAMB BECAME A LION!
The Bible says, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Such willingness to submit himself to weakness revealed great power!
Jesus was a Lion-like Lamb wasn’t he? The power of his death could never be over-estimated and yet it was consistently under-estimated by his enemies.
This passage has another oxymoron imbedded within it. There are two other images placed side-by-side that seem to contrast but actually describe the scene.
THE SACRIFICED LAMB IS ALIVE!
In the second set of contrasting images … the slain Lamb stands and walks! It is not dead but living and authoritative! THE SACRIFICE IS ALIVE AND WELL! The Lamb alone is worthy to approach the throne, take the scroll, and open it.. Although the lamb had been dragged through death, it is “standing”: it’s now alive and upright! THE LAMB OF GOD IS VICTORIOUS!
And this victorious Lamb is worthy to fulfill the plan of God.
And, within God’s plan is, lies the significance of the scroll. This scroll contains God’s plan; it is being vigilantly carried it out. Human history has a clearly understood destination.
The Hindu faith does not believe that there is a direction to the history of the world. Hindus believe that life continues forever as it is through cycles. On and on, over and over life goes on ad infinitum. This is the reason they believe in reincarnation. No one ever dies; you just reappear in a different form working towards perfection. There is no divine purpose to life and no direction.
But the Bible teaches that God has a plan for human history. This plan is revealed throughout the Bible; but nowhere is it more clear than in the book of The Revelation. It says, “15Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’” (Rev. 11:15).
Rev. 21:3 might make it even clearer “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’”
HEREIN IS GOD’S GREAT PLAN FOR THE WORLD: THAT YOUR LIFE WAS INTENDED TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP TO HIM; YOU ARE DESIGNED TO DWELL WITH HIM AND, IN DOING SO, YOU WILL BRING HIM GLORY.
WRAP-UP
The beautiful thing about this passage is that it is so personal and meaningful for us. You, see, in Jesus’ victory we are assured of victory because we become His! 5:9And they sang a new song: "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.”
Sometimes we look around at the world and it seems like evil is winning, but we have the scroll and we know who wins in the end.
On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman squared off in the boxing ring in Zaire. Ali had dubbed it “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Foreman was heavily favored, and considered the hardest puncher in heavyweight history. Ali did something in that fight that no other fighter had ever dared to try. He held up his arms against his face and leaned back against the ropes allowing Foreman to punch away at him for eight rounds.
The strongest boxer in history beat on Ali until he could punch no more. When the right moment came, Ali bounced off the ropes and knocked out Foremen, sending him into retirement.
Ali called his technique “rope-a-dope.” Even though it looked like he was losing the fight, and losing badly, he was in control the whole time. He took all those punches because he knew he would deliver the final blow.
God used (and is using) the “rope-a-dope” technique on the world of evil. It appeared the enemy was giving God’s Son a beating and the Jesus was without recourse. But just when Satan thought Jesus was finished and dead … he stood! He arose from the dead!!!
Just when Satan thought he owned the world Jesus purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation!
Appearances are deceiving. Things are not always what they appear to be. THE LAMB IS A LION; AND THE SACRIFICED-ONE LIVES FOREVER!
God’s desired end will come to completion. You can be saved and rest assured and secure in the atoning work of Christ.
This technique is still being employed today. Just when the enemy thinks He has you down for the count God comes through with a knock-out!
This technique is being used on a cosmic and global scale too. The Bible says, “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14). Just when it seems that evil will reign God shows his sovereignty!
No wonder chapter 5 goes on to tell of another “look” from John … 5:11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Can you declare that with me this morning … in a loud voice!?
"WORTHY IS THE LAMB, WHO WAS SLAIN, TO RECEIVE POWER AND WEALTH AND WISDOM AND STRENGTH AND HONOR AND GLORY AND PRAISE!"
Today is communion Sunday.
THIS “VICTORIOUS DEFEAT” IS VERY HEART AND CORE OF OUR FAITH. JESUS LAMB-LIKE LION, THE LIVING SACRIFICE GIVES US VICTORY AND LIFE!
As we receive the elements today it is a time of rejoicing and celebration!!!
5:13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
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*Special thanks to Rev. Rodney Buchanan for the sermon idea:
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
