The Scroll and the Lamb
Revelation, Part 5, Revelation 5:1-14
Introduction
- Over-arching theme: 2 Tim 4:2 says “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
-- We ought to be able to give an answer …
-- We must be able to give hope to the future and why we believe …
- Last week we saw the very throne of God and the visions John encountered
- Today we shall be looking further into Heaven and seeing what waits
-- IMP: To those who believe in Christ, this is what waits you
- CHALLENGE: While we are examining this glimpse today, I want you to keep one question in mind: “How will you feel when you are standing in the throne room of the true and living God?”
Read Revelation 5:1-11
Ω Point 1 – The Scroll (1-5)
- Verse 1 shows us John’s current vision. John is seeing God on the throne!
-- It is important to see that God and Christ are joined in this vision
-- To consider them separate is only half the story; Christ is Lord and Son
- This scroll carries with it the Deed to the Earth!
-- It is sealed and shows complete and total proof of ownership
-- The Earth belongs to God, and he maintains the deed – always has
- Background: On ancient scrolls, the writing was in narrow columns about three inches long, and as you read you rolled it up. When a roll was finished, it was fastened with strings and the strings were sealed with wax at the knots. These are not seven writings, each separated by a seal; but seven seals all set upon one scroll (all the seals must be opened before any of the contents can be revealed).
- Jesus has been given all authority, all power, all right to judge
-- Matthew 28:18, “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
-- This is the beginning of great commission … which John heard!
- APP: The authority has never been ours
-- When we start thinking we are in charge we lose focus of Christ
-- Jesus is eternal, we are eternally His!
-- James 4:14, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
- (v2) The challenge here for us is to see that not ONE is worthy
- IMP: Even in splendor (perfection) of Heaven, not ONE is worthy!
-- Definite wakeup call that even in Glory we are not the be all/end all
- Verse 4 is a confirmation that we are not the answer to everything
-- When in the presence of God, WE do not dictate what is and isn’t
- Verse 5 shows us who is! We must pay attention … Christ is in charge
-- The answer comes from an elder (one of the 24 around the throne)
- AMP: Turn to Isaiah 11, read v1-10
-- IMP: His revealing the completed circle of prophecy is … AWESOME!
Ω Point 2 – Who is Worthy? (6-11)
- Identification that Jesus is the Lamb of God
-- John already identified Him as such in real world
-- John 1:29, “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
-- This is an indication of God completing what He started for us to see
- In verse 7, we see something INCREDIBLE that all Heaven marvels at
-- Jesus takes the scroll from the Father
-- The Lion/Lamb is worthy to open the scroll
-- No one has the authority to possess this; Christ who IS the Lamb of God!
- Now, look at what happens in Heaven when Jesus is identified!
-- Reread verse 8-9
- In Heaven, in the presence of God: Instant worship because of who He is
-- There is an identification that happens here when they worship
-- They sing a new song of identification celebrating Christ as Lord
-- I believe this shows Jesus’ deity – his holiness – his authority
- The text in this passage indicates that the elders have vials that contain fragrances and that the fragrances in them are the prayers of the saints
-- APP: The prayers of the saints are being stored before the Throne of God
-- IMP: Revelation that nothing escapes the memory of God
- So, this is VERY critical that we see this here … Why is He worthy?
-- Hebrews 9:25-26 says “Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
-- APP: NO ONE ELSE IS/WAS/WILL BE ABLE TO DO THIS!!
Ω Point 3 – Celebration around the Throne
- (v11) The entire chorus of Heaven proclaims the truth of God
-- Realization of what has transpired; celebration of what He has completed
- Some say the book of Revelation is all symbols
-- John tells us what He heard in this book many times
-- What’s heard can’t be made into symbols reflecting some meaning
-- What is told is so that we will KNOW what God’s meaning is!
- “Ten thousand times ten thousand …”
-- The number of these beings around the throne was over 100 million
-- John could see 100 million people standing in awe of Christ
-- NOTE: This defeats a Jehovah Witness claim of 144,000 only
- Daniel 7:9-10 says “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
- Reread v13
-- IMP: There is no sadness regarding the suffering or the cross
-- APP: There is nothing but total worship because of what He has done
These last few verses tell us that all creation will acknowledge:
-- Jesus is Lord! He completed the work given to Him by the Father
-- HUGE: Jesus restores creation back to the creator
-- Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him”
“What was implicit now becomes explicit: God on the throne and the Lamb in the center of the throne are inextricably joined together as the object of Christian worship.” - Unknown
Ω Big Ideas
Jesus is worshipped because of what He has done for God’s glory
Verse 14 clearly draws this to a close: Amen = I agree
But, why is this important that we see this?
- When they worship, do you see yourself in this?
-- Do you worship not for show but for glory of God?
-- Is Christ everything or is He just your hobby?
-- Is He your genie in a lamp? Or is He your Lord?
- APP: If He is everything it will show in your life
- FACT: Salvation and repentance leads to growth in the Christian walk
-- Here in eternity, we see those who are complete in their reward
-- Where do we fall in falling down at the feet of Jesus now?
- Pray
