WHO IS WORTHY? (REVELATION 5)
I seldom spend money to buy a movie ticket, but one that was fully worth my money was The https://bible.ryl.hk/web_en Grammar Bible (English)
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Avengers: Endgames, which I saw with a group young adults. Which character fascinated you most in the story? Iron Man? Captain America? Spiderman? For me it was Thanos and his mad plot to destroy the world - half of life from human beings to animal life by the snap of his fingers with the power of the Infinity Stones. Some viewers questioned why not double the resources in the universe with the snap of a finer, rather than eliminate half of life?
The director the Russo brothers said, “People have asked us why Thanos didn’t just use the stones to double the resources in the universe, and clearly he is not interested. Well, he was told ‘no’ to an idea that he had that he felt was the only solution, and then was proved right to himself when that solution was not acted upon. So his messianic complex — he is now committed to following through on the idea he had many, many years ago.”
https://www.thewrap.com/infinity-war-directors-explain-thanos-double-universe-resources/
The history of man is simple: it commences with human existence, it continues with human exploitation and it concludes with human extinction. There was no remorse, no remedy nor recourse on earth for the human condition. When you looked around the world today, you see a world that is crooked, cunning and cruel. The world, as ever before, is a world of sin, suffering and strife. The pandemic reminds us of the dread of the coming death, disaster and destruction upon the world.
What was God’s plan for the world He created? What can be done for fallen, faithless and foolish man? Who is qualified to save the world from ruin, rottenness and retribution to come? Who would be unselfish, unstained, unspotted?
Share of Your Defenselessness
1 Then 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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then 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.”
The 24-year-old Simone Biles was called the GOAT (greatest of all-time) in her sport because she won four gold medals at the previous Olympics (Rio) and was the most-decorated gymnast in World Championships history with 19 gold medals. Biles fell from her pedestal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with only a bronze because her body refused to bend and twist when it was needed at the most important stage.
On the other hand, after worship one week with the Olympics ongoing, I could hear a group of small boys shouting in Sunday School: Cheung Ka-Long! Cheung Ka-Long! Cheung Ka-long! His English name is Edgar and the left-handed foil fencer became the first Hong Kong athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in fencing. He dropped out of college and was ranked world No 19 when he won the men's singles gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
In a touching interview Cheung said, “To be honest, I’m not that calm, I don’t know what I can do. It’s like a dream — that’s why everyone thinks I’m calm, but I didn’t know what happened. The reaction in Hong Kong has been insane because in total medals in Hong Kong, we only have three. Now we have four because we haven’t had a gold medal since 1996 so it means a lot to show to the world we can do it. We are not only a city. We can fight for victory.”
https://www.news18.com/news/sports/tokyo-olympics-fencing-champion-edgar-cheung-ka-long-says-hong-kong-insane-after-first-gold-for-25-years-4011011.html
The traditional Olympic motto is the hendiatris Citius, Altius, Fortius which is Latin for "faster, higher, stronger." The salvation of the world, however, demands something else, something more and something different.
Chapter 5 is a touching, tender and tearful chapter. Verse 1 is the first of four “I saw” statements in the chapter (Rev 5:1 Lamb, v 2 angel, v 6 Lamb, v 11 angels). Chapter 5 and 22 have most references to the “book,” mainly from to open the book (and loose the seals), (v 2) to open and to read the book (v 3) and to take the book (v 8, 9). More important than the book is the first question in the book of Revelation – Who is worthy? Followed by two “no one”:
V 3, no one (oudeis) in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it
V 4, no one (oudeis) was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside
Chapter 5 records the first weeping in the book (vv 4, 5). Wept and wept is literally wept much, the first time weeping in the Bible is qualified by the adverb “much” or “polus,” where the English word “poly” is derived. It can mean often, plenty or abundance. The translation is so rich:
wept and wept (NIV)
weep greatly (NASU)
weep loudly (ESV)
cried and cried (Holman)
The scene was so touching that John not just whimper but wept, was not just sad but sobbed, not just moaned but mourned. It means unceasing, uncontrolled and unchecked.
Next, the chapter’s only imperative “weep (not)” (v 5) is intensified by the negation “not/never” (me), not the regular “no” (lo). The verb “triumph/prevail” (v 5, nikao, from the noun nike) is sometimes translated as overcome (Luke 11:22), conquer (Rev 6:2) and got the victory (Rev 15:2). It occurs 28 times in the Bible, of which 17 times are in Revelation. The Lamb was not deceived, defeated and dethroned. He has overthrown, overwhelmed and overpowered his enemies and the evildoers, wrongdoers and the wickedness, trespassers and their transgression. Lamb refers to His mercy, Lion refers to His might and Root of David refers to the Messiah.
Sing of Your Deliverance
6 Then 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. 7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And 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. 9 And 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. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Who are the greatest singers you’ll invite for their voice? I’ll invite Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston.
For my 24 singing companions, I’ll invite:
Pop: Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Celine Dion, Karen Carpenter, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, James Brown, Diana Ross (9)
Gospel: Henry Johnson, Sissy Houston, Allison Krauss, Steve Green (4)
Rock: Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong, Bo Diddley (3)
Country: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams (2)
Chinese: Teresa Teng, Faye Wong, Jacky Cheung, Michael Kwan, Wong Ka-kui, Sam Hui (6)
The word “worth” occurs four times in the book (vv 2, 4, 9, 12), of which the chiastic first time and fourth time were accompanied by a “loud voice” – the first “loud voice” in the book, the first by a strong angel (v 2) and the last by many angels, the four beasts and the 24 elders. Worthy means He’s able, authoritative and abundant in His wisdom, work and words, and in His blessing, benevolence and bestowal upon His creation and His children.
Who
Superlatives
Worthy
V 2 mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice
V 2 Mighty angel
Loud voice
V 3 Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
Alarm
V 4 I (John)
V 4 wept and wept (wept much –“polus” in Greek)
V 4 no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll
Aggrieved
V 8 the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
V 9 new song
V 9 You are worthy to take the scroll
Assurance
V 11 many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand
V 11 many angels
V 12 Loud voice
V 12 Worthy is the Lamb
Adoration
Contrast the act and the attributes in the masterful, majestic and melodious song performed by the 4 angels and 24 elders.
Contrast Chart (v 9, 10)
“Slain” (v 9)
“purchased” to God (v 9)
“made” kings and priests (v 10)
“reign” on the earth (v 10)
Remission
Redemption
Royalty
Rule
Sacrifice
Salvation
Service
Sovereignty
Pardon
Payment
Possession
Privilege
Because of Christ, we are no longer offenders, outsiders or outcasts to God. The term “great voice” occurs an incredible 19 times in the book a(Rev 1:10, 5:2, 12, 6:10, 7:2, 10, 8:13, 10:3. 11:12, 15, 12:10, 14:7, 9, 15, 16:1, 17, 19:1, 17, 21:3), each with a different message, but in verse 11 not from one source – from four beasts and four and twenty elders (v 8) - to the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand (v 11). There is no choir so strong, soulful or saintly, forever and ever. The phrase “forever and ever” appears 23 times in the Bible, more than half of it, 13 times, is in Revelation.
Show of Your Devotion
11 Then 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. 12 In 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!” 13 Then 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!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
I came across this saying when I was preparing for this message the second time around (April 8, 2022):
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD
Painful moments, TRUST GOD
Every moment, THANK GOD”
Verse five has the best choir in the Bible, not just the four beasts and the 24 elders, but many angels; not just four angels (Rev 7:1), seven angels (8:2) or twelve angels (21:12), but thousands upon thousands, ten thousand times ten thousand angels (v 11). It is called the greatest doxology, contrasting His attributes to His acts in the previous “worthy” song, who He is to what He’s done.
With “many angels” we have a choir without conducting, choreography or comparison because it is a choir with one focus, one function and one faith. There is no “loud voice” like the one in Revelation, which occurs 12 times in the book beginning from this chapter - twice (Rev 5:2, 12, 6:10, 7:2, 10, 8:13, 10:13, 12:10, 14:7, 9, 15, 19:17), of which this is the first, more than doubling that of the next highest five occurrences in Luke. This “loud voice” is contrasted with the mighty angel’s “loud voice” asking: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" in verse 2, to which ten thousand times then thousand angels echoed in a “loud voice” (v 12).
The second big contrast is the first purpose clause (infinitive) is worthy TO
take the scroll and TO open its seals, but the last worthy (v 12) is TO receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise (v 12).
v 12 Attributes
Power (dunamis)
Authority
Conquest
Indomitable
Wealth/riches (ploutos)
Abundance
Completeness
Immeasurable
Wisdom (Sophia)
Application
Comprehension
Insight
Strength (ischus)
Able
Competency
Invincible
Honor (time)
Authentic
Character
Illustrious
Glory (doxa)
Attribution
Commendation
Immense
Praise/blessing (eulogia)
Acclamation
Celebration
Important
Why do we worship Him (v 12):
Rev 3:9 will make them come and fall down (worship, KJV) at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. (Concern)
Rev 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. (Continuation) longevity
Rev 14:7 Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." (Creation)
Rev 19:4 the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. (Coronation)
Conclusion: While life is not promising, it is not pointless. While it is not peaceful, it is practicable. While it is not pleasant, it is not pessimistic. Is your life a life of worship and witness, teaching and testifying about Him, sharing Him and saving souls?
