“Worthy Is the Lamb”
Revelation 5:1-14
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
I’ve given much thought to what I should preach today, a day that we have looked forward to for months and that we’ve prayed about for so long, and that we have anticipated with such great interest. I asked myself, “What could I preach that would be both instructional and inspirational at the same time?” The Holy Spirit led me to this text and this thought and this title morning, “Worthy of the Lamb.” You know, if you know Jesus, you never tire of hearing about Him, Amen!
First, consider the worthiness of the Lamb:
I. The Worthiness of the Lamb – “…thou art worthy to take the book…”
As you read this chapter notice that the theme is the worthiness of the Lamb. Verses 2, 4, 9, & 12 all use this term.
A. The Question v. 1-2
As we open chapter five John sees a personage on the throne holding a book followed by the sight of a “strong angel” who asks the question, “Who is worthy to open the book…”
B. The Quandary
In verses 3-4 John is made to understand that no man could open the book “…neither to look thereon.” The realization that there was no one worthy to open the book produces a very powerful emotional response. “And I wept much…” because there was not one man in all of heaven and earth that was able to open the book. No being, not the angels in heaven nor any creature on earth was able to open the book. Why, because angels don’t know what it is to be redeemed and because “…we all like sheep have gone astray…”
C. The Qualification v. 5
One of the 24 elders tells John to “…weep not…” for there is someone who is worthy to open the book and read it, “…behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book…”
Prevailed is from the — Greek, “conquered”: absolutely, as elsewhere (Revelation 3:21): gained the victory: His past victory over all the powers of darkness entitles Him now to open the book. When Jesus cried “…it is finished…” He conquered death, hell and the grave. Satan and all the forces of Hell were defeated and every enemy was put “…under His feet…”
Bill and Gloria Gaither write:
There's a line that is drawn through the ages
On that line stands an old rugged cross
On that cross, a battle is raging
To gain a man's soul or it's loss
On one side, march the forces of evil
All the demons, all the devils of hell
On the other, the angels of glory
And they meet on Golgotha's hill
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict
And the sun refuses to shine
For there hangs God's son, in the balance
And then through the darkness he cries
It is finished, the battle is over
It is finished, there'll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict
It is finished and Jesus is Lord
Second, let’s look at the work of the Lamb:
II. The Work of the Lamb – “…for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation…”
A. It is gracious
The Lion of Juda becomes The Lamb of God and died so that we so that we could live! He died in our place. Was there ever an act so selfless?
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
DOES YOUR GOD BLEED?
A little boy went up to a missionary Sunday School leader in a pagan country. The boy said, "I like what you say about the God of the Bible but I can’t see him. But if I go to the temple I can see my God."
The missionary said to the little boy, "Listen, does your God bleed?" The boy said, "I don’t know." The missionary gave him a pin and said, "Next time you go to the temple, when no one else is watching, prick him and see what happens." The following week the boy returned to his Sunday School class. He said to the missionary, "I did it, I did it, I pricked the idol." The missionary said, "And what happened?" The boy replied, "Nothing, my god doesn’t bleed." Straight away the missionary said, "But my God did! He bled for me and he bled for you!"
(From a sermon by Gordon Curley, Glorifying God, 1/23/2011)
B. It is great
Notice that in the language of this phrase He is the Lamb that “…wast…” slain, past tense, for when John sees him here he is alive from the dead! “Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph or his foes, He arose a victor from the dark domain and he lives forever with his saints to reign, He arose, He arose, hallelujah Christ arose!”
C. It is generous
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
In the words of Rufus H. McDaniel, "What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart."
Third: Now look at the worship of the Lamb
III. The Worship of the Lamb – vs. 8, 14
A. The Prostration of the Worshippers v. 8, 14
Notice that in verses 8 and 14 that the beasts and the 24 elders “…fell down before the Lamb…”
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Dennis Davidson writes: You may wonder, “What is the significance of the objects they held in their hands?” Why a harp and a bowl?" Since Old Testament days, the harp has been an instrument of worship. Psalms were often sung to the accompaniment of a harp, by choirs of priests and the congregation. Prophets of old prophesied with them (1 Sam. 10:5; 1 Chron. 25:3; Ps. 49:4). The golden bowls were saucer-like pans used in the tabernacle and the temple. They were filled with the prescribed incense and when ignited sent up an aroma that was pleasing to God. The incense produced an agreeable fragrance and the rising smoke ascending towards heaven represented prayer, the prayers of the saints rising up to the Lord (Ps. 141:2; Lk. 1:10).
B. The Praise of the Worshippers v. 9a
“And they sung a new song…”
The word new means new in quality! There have been thousands and thousands of song written to praise His name but there has never been a song like this! Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus pales in comparison. There have been millions voices down through the ages that have sought to sing God’s praises but never has there been a choir like this! What is the reason for their praise? He is the Lamb “…that was slain…” and that “…hast redeemed us…” He is worthy because he was slain for the salvation of all mankind. His death is the atoning sacrifice that provides a way for us to have a relationship with god. The word redeemed means to purchase, to buy back, and refers to the price paid to purchase of a slave on the auction block. We become the possession of God through this redemptive work.
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Dr. Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) began the third stanza of his hymn "O Happy Day!": ''Tis done: the great transaction's done! I am the Lord's and He is mine." The term transaction means "something that is transacted, esp. a business deal or negotiation."
C. The Proclamation of the Worshippers vs. 11-14
In verses 11-14 we see the climactic scene in chapter 5 “…as every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea…” join the beasts and the elders shouting “…Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing…”
1 All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
2 O chosen seed of Israel's race
ye ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
3 Let every tongue and every tribe
On this celestial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
4 Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
“All Hail the Power of Jesus Name!”
Every once in a great while I like to listen to a sermon exert by Dr. S. M. Lockridge entitled “That’s My King” that he delivered in 1976 in Detroit:
My King was born King. The Bible says He's a Seven Way King. He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King. He's the King of Israel - that's a National King. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.
Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King.
He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the capital necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.
He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.
Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. He's indescribable. That's my King.
He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.
He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever.
How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the 'forever's, then . . .Amen.
