Jesus – The Lamb that was Slain
Revelation 5 - A Worship Service
HOLY HOLY HOLY 1st service vs. 1,2 2nd service vs. 1,2,3
Welcome & Announcements – Ronnie / Rocky
Scripture: Revelation 5:1-7 – Greg Smith
PART 1: Revelation 5:1-7
THE LION AND THE LAMB
These verses of Revelation 5 set the scene for an amazing Worship Service in Heaven. Instead of merely studying and talking about this Heavenly Worship Service today, we’re also going to JOIN IN WORSHIP of the Lamb that was slain.
First, let’s look at the Vision of Heaven that was given to the Apostle John. In Chapters 2 and 3, John wrote 7 letters to 7 churches. These letters were dictated to John by Jesus Himself. Then, at the beginning of Chapter 4, John’s Heavenly adventure really takes off.
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Revelation 4:1
It must have been hard for John to find human terms to describe what he saw in the throne room of heaven. If you’ve ever tried to imagine what Heaven will be like, the first place you should look is Revelation chapter 4.
John describes a throne encircled by a rainbow that resembled an emerald. The One seated on the throne resembled jasper and carnelian (both deep and brilliant red stones). From the throne came flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. And before the throne was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
John used earthly terms to describe eternal reality. The best he could do is compare Heaven to the most dazzling jewels and the most powerful manifestations of nature.
Then in Chapter 5, the action begins. John sees a scroll with 7 seals. This image was familiar to John’s readers. Important documents were usually stamped with an official seal. That seal could only be broken by a person with authority.
The scroll John sees in Heaven contains information about the future of the entire planet. The seals need to be broken to make way for the triumphant Second Coming of Christ. But no one can be found who is worthy to break the seals. John is so anxious to know the secrets contained in the scroll that he begins to weep. Then one of the elders comforts John and says, “…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.” Revelation 5:5
But notice that when John looks, he does not see a Lion. Instead John sees “A Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne.” Revelation 5:6 The elder saw a Lion, but John saw a Lamb standing at the center of the very throne of God.
It’s not surprising that the heavenly elder saw Jesus as the LION while John saw him as the LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN. The elder was familiar with Jesus in His Heavenly glory. John knew Jesus from His earthly ministry. The Lion of Judah represents Jesus in his second appearance when he will “rule with a rod of iron.” The Lamb represents Jesus as he was in his first coming.
Consider this:
· The Lion refers to His 2nd coming. The Lamb refers to His 1st coming.
· The Lion symbolizes His majesty; The Lamb symbolizes His meekness.
· As a Lion He is Sovereign; As a Lamb He is Savior.
· As a Lion He is Judge; As a Lamb He was judged.
· The Lion represents perfect power; the Lamb represents perfect peace
· The Lion represents the government of God; The Lamb represents the grace of God.
Isaiah 11:6 gives us a prophecy that one day, in the coming Kingdom of God, the lion will lie down with the lamb. John’s vision shows us that on the throne of God, the Lion IS the Lamb. John was looking at the Lion of Judah who was also the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
Think of Jesus – the LION and the LAMB as we worship him together…
*LION OF JUDAH (2nd service only)
SHOUT TO THE LORD Bb/C
Responsive Reading: Revelation 5:8-10 – Music Team
Leader: 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. And they sang a new song:
Music Team: “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. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
YOU HAVE PURCHASED US
Communion Prayer – Greg
Communion / Offering
* Special Music (during 2nd service offering): BEHOLD THE LAMB
– Bill, Tim, and Mark
PART 2: Revelation 5:8-10
THE SONG OF THE REDEEMED
PRAYER
BECAUSE he was the Lamb that was slain, Jesus was worthy to open the scroll. Jesus earned the RIGHT TO RULE all earthly kingdoms when he sacrificed His own life for all mankind. The text records that after He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the elders all fell down and sang a new song to the Lamb.
Have you ever wondered what a song-service in Heaven will be like? Will it be like the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir? Will it be like a performance of Handle’s Messiah? Or will it be like a Contemporary Christian Concert with Michael W. Smith? Classical style or Country? Hymns or Choruses? Organs or Guitars? Will people be dancing for joy or falling to their knees?
John doesn’t answer any of those questions for us. But he does tell us the words to the “new song” in verses 9-10 “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. For you made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on earth.”
The music in Heaven will be all about Jesus Christ. Whatever the style, you can bet the music will be fantastic. It will transcend time and culture. For the first time, every tribe and language and people and nation will be able to join their voices in praise of Jesus. We’ll be raising our voices along with our Christian brothers and sisters from India and Africa and China … from Mexico and Russia … and even from New York City.
Notice that this particular song is all about what Jesus did for human beings when he came to earth. On the cross, Jesus did His most amazing work. With his blood he purchased humans for God. This is the song of the redeemed.
Angles can sing ABOUT redemption, but they have never experienced what it means to be saved. Angels were never lost, so they do not know what it means to be found. The Song of the Redeemed is our song. It’s the song of praise for our Savior --- the Lamb who was Slain to take away our sins. How beautiful the music must be in the ears of the Angels, --- when they hear the song of the redeemed sung by those whom Jesus has purchased with His own blood.
Gordon Jensen wrote a song a few years ago that describes what we see in Revelation 5 when we read about the Song of the Redeemed.
Special Music – THE SONG HOLY ANGELS CANNOT SING – Ed
Invitation: Can you sing the Song of the Redeemed? Is God’s Amazing Grace personal to you?
Song of Decision:
AMAZING GRACE
PART 3: Revelation 5:11-14
All of Heaven and Earth will Sing Praise.
(with the Congregation still standing)
The end of Revelation chapter 5 describes a time when every living creature in heaven and on earth will join in spontaneous praise to Jesus Christ – the lamb who was slain. We are going to end our service today with a preview of what that day will be like.
What a tremendous worship service that will be --- so much greater than anything we have ever experienced down here on earth. I can hardly wait until that day finally arrives. We can’t be in Heaven right this minute, but we can “rehearse” for that great day when our voices will join with all creation in praise.
Let’s end our service with heart-felt praise, as we read the last verses of Revelation 5 together.
Responsive Reading: Revelation 5:11-14- Greg
Leader: 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. In a loud voice they sang:
Congregation: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Leader: 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:
Congregation: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
Leader: The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Benediction - Greg
1st service: HOLY HOLY HOLY (vs. 3) and NOW UNTO HIM
* 2nd service: SHOUT TO THE NORTH and YOU ARE HOLY
