Worthy to be Lord.

He is the Lion and the Lamb, Worthy to be praised.

Introduction

Reading Revelation usually brings about three responses, frustration, fear, or faith.

Frustration cause its confusion

Fear cause I understand but don’t like what is going to happen

faith cause I understand and what to avoid what will happen.

Need

Ny hope today is that we will open up the best chapter to highlight who Jesus is and that as a result you will understand and chose faith in him as the Only one worthy of your praise.

Revelation 5:1–14 HCSB

Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne. When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say: Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

He is the Lord of History (5:1-5)

1. He is lord of History according to God’s plan (5:1)

Revelation 5:1 HCSB

Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

John witnesses God the Father sitting on His throne, a term mentioned over 40 times in Revelation. This book is often referred to as the "throne book," representing sovereignty and authority.

The question arises as to what the scroll represents.

Many different answers have been proposed, including

(1) a title deed to the earth,

(2) a last will and testament,

(3) Ezekiel's book of lamentations, mourning, and woe (2:9-10),

(4) and the sealed book of the end time in Daniel 12:4.

Its a much simpler answer: the remainder of the book of Revelation (chs. 6-22).

It is a book of judgment, salvation, and restoration:

Judgment - seals (ch. 6), trumpets (chs. 8-9), bowls (chs. 15-16), and the lake of fire (20:11-15)

Salvation - Jew and Gentile (chs. 7; 14; 19:1-10)

Restoration - new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem; all free from sin (chs. 21-22).

Application

1. God has a clear plan for history and its culmination. It is pre-determined, set, and will not fail.

Who is able to do what cannot be done in your life and the life after this? Jesus

2. He is Lord History over Heaven’s problem (5:2-4)

Revelation 5:2–4 HCSB

I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it.

John witnesses a powerful angel who loudly asks who is capable of opening the scroll and breaking its seals. Unfortunately, no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is able to do so or even look inside.

This is disheartening to John, who cries because no one is found worthy.

The word "worthy" is important, as it appears four times in the text.

Despite a survey of heaven, no one possesses the merit to approach God, take the scroll, and bring about the necessary works contained in the scroll.

Now, seated in glory at that time would be all the saints of Scripture. Not even figures such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, James, Peter, or Paul are worthy.

Even angels and archangels are not capable.

It becomes apparent that heaven has a problem.

Application

we can see that in spite of all their good works the people in the Bible were not worthy enough to open the scrolls

declare judgment, bring salvation and restore the world without sin.

[It is why we don’t worship saints because only Jesus is worthy of our praise.]

We cannot save ourselves either. we need to look to Jesus for salvation.

3. He is Lord of history because He is powerful (5:5)

Revelation 5:5 HCSB

Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.”

In the book of Revelation, an elder who has been redeemed tells John not to cry because the Lion from the tribe of Judah, who is also known as the Root of David, has been victorious. This is a messianic title that comes from the Bible, specifically

Genesis 49:9–10 HCSB

Judah is a young lion — my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until He whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him.

and

Isaiah 11:1, 10,

Isaiah 11:1 HCSB

Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

Isaiah 11:10 HCSB

On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His resting place will be glorious.

and

Jeremiah 23:5 HCSB

“The days are coming” —this is the Lord’s declaration— “when I will raise up a Righteous Branch of David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land.

These titles signify that the Messiah will come from the tribe of Judah and be a powerful king with authority and strength.

The Root of David refers to the Messiah's lineage as a descendant of David and the source of blessings for God's people.

John uses the Greek word nike to describe the Messiah as victorious, which means conquer, triumph, prevail, or overcome.

This prepares us for two of the most extraordinary verses in the Bible that describe how the saints conquer Satan through the blood of the Lamb.

Transition: He is the Lord of History as seen in the Old Testament prophecies, Seen as the only one in Heaven, earth and under the earth worthy in righteousness, power and deity to open the scroll and break the seal

He is the Lord of Victory (5:6-7)

Revelation 5:6–7 HCSB

Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne.

John takes his time in building up the suspenseful narrative. However, we are not let down by what unfolds.

1. He was victorious because He was Slaughtered (5:6).

The term Lamb (Gk arnion) is a unique word that appears 29 times in Revelation and just once outside the book (John 21:15).

According to Mounce, it is exclusively used to describe the resurrected and triumphant Christ (Revelation, 132n18).

In the Bible, the theme of the lamb plays an important role in the grand redemptive story. For instance, in

Genesis 22:8 HCSB

Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.

God promises to provide a lamb for a burnt offering. Similarly, in

Exodus 12:5 HCSB

You must have an unblemished animal, a year-old male; you may take it from either the sheep or the goats.

The Passover lamb must be without blemish.

Isaiah 53:7 describes the suffering servant of the Lord as being led to the slaughter like a lamb.

Finally, John the Baptist declares in John 1:29 that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

All of these prophecies and proclamations find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is both a victorious warrior and a sacrificial lamb.

His sacrifice was permanent, bearing the scars of His slaughter, and once-and-for-all all, providing abiding results by taking our place and bearing our sins.

Application

He is supreme because he suffered.

2. He was victorious because He is Standing (5:6)

The term "Slaughtered" refers to the death of Jesus, while "Standing" denotes his resurrection. The word "Standing" is in the perfect tense, indicating that the resurrection is permanent.

At a specific point in history, the life of resurrection began for Jesus of Nazareth, his dead body rose from the tomb, and it will never perish again! He stands today and will stand eternally.

3. He was victorious because is still Strong (5:6)

It's important to remember that the phrase "He had seven horns" should be interpreted symbolically,

We are not wanting to scare kids here.

In the context of apocalyptic literature, the number seven represents perfection, while horns symbolize power and strength. So when taken together, the phrase means that He has perfect strength, is all-powerful, and is omnipotent.

4. He was victorious because He is still Searching (5:6)

The Lamb is described as having "seven eyes," which symbolize wisdom and knowledge. With the number seven representing perfection, we can understand that the Lamb has perfect knowledge and is all-knowing, or omniscient. These "seven eyes" are also referred to as the "seven spirits of God sent out in all the earth" (as described in 1:4).

John MacArthur

“While there is only one Holy Spirit of God, the number seven emphasizes the completeness and fullness of the Spirit, who is present throughout the earth.”

This highlights the Spirit's omnipresence.

This description affirms the Lamb's deity, as only God can be all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere.

Therefore, in light of the Lamb's work of atonement and His divine nature, He is capable of doing what no one else in all of creation can do, as seen in verse 7.

5. He was victorious because He is still Sovereign (5:7)

"The Lamb approached and retrieved the scroll from the Father's right hand who was seated on the throne."

This task can only be performed by THE Lamb and no one else even tries to do it.

John Piper highlights that

“the Lion triumphs through the strategies of the Lamb... Since Jesus is both Lion-like and Lamb-like, He can conquer the world for His name's glory and His people's benefit." ("Lion and the Lamb")

A person, contemplating this reality, expressed it in a popular rhyme as follows:

Exalting Jesus in Revelation He Is Victorious Because He Is Sovereign (5:7)

God’s Perfect Lamb

Mary had a little Lamb,

His soul was white as snow.

And anywhere His Father sent,

the Lamb was sure to go.

He came to earth to die one day,

the sin of man to atone.

And now He reigns in heaven alone.

He’s the Lamb upon the throne

Application

1. Jesus is our victory. If we want victory over sin in our life we need Jesus.

he enables us to over anxiety, fear, depression, addiction by giving us His Spirit who empowers us to look forward with hope and not backward to discouragement.

2. In His victory we can have certainty.

Certainty that He will fulfill what is written to come. He can bring us salvation now and then.

Transition: Because He has fulfilled all that he was asked by God, and was victorious in his life, death and resurrection He is worthy of our praise.

He is the Lord of Glory (5:8-14)

In heaven, the blood of the Lamb is celebrated and not considered a source of shame. Singing about it is a beloved activity, as evidenced by the three hymns introduced in verses 8-14.

The first song is sung by the saints,

the second by the angels,

and the third by all creation.

Each choir differs in size, with the first being the smallest and the third being the largest.

(The length also varies, with the first being the longest and the third being the shortest.)

These heavenly songs serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for our worship when we come together to honor Jesus, the Lamb of God.

1. He is praised by the Saints (5:8-10)

Revelation 5:8–10 HCSB

When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.

When Jesus takes the scroll (5:8), a joyful commotion ensues in heaven. The "four living creatures" and "24 elders" bow down in reverence and worship.

They hold "harps," a symbol of praise, and "gold bowls full of incense," which represent the prayers of the saints (as explained in 8:3-5).

With humility and devotion, they kneel and rest their faces on the "sea of glass, like crystal" (4:6) while offering praise and prayer.

A new song, called the "Song of Redemption,"

is being sung to praise the Lamb who is

declared worthy of taking the scroll and opening its seals. This is because of four reasons:

1, because the Lamb was slaughtered;

2, because the Lamb redeemed people for God by shedding His blood;

3, because the Lamb has ransomed people from every tribe, language, people, and

nation.

4, because the Lamb has made the saints a kingdom and priests to our God.

As kings, we

reign with Him, and as priests, we serve for Him. We will also reign on the earth during the

millennium reign and possibly even during the eternal reign in chapters 21-22. It is no surprise

that the Lamb is so loved, adored, and praised by the saints

2. He is praised by all Angels (5:11-12)

Revelation 5:11–12 HCSB

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!

During the worship, the angels joined in and were not just sitting on the sidelines.

John witnessed the living creatures and elders around the throne, along with numerous angels who were praising the Lamb.

The angels blessed the Lamb seven times, signifying perfection.

The Lamb, who was sacrificed, is worthy of power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. We can't give Him the first four, but we can acknowledge that He possesses them in all their fullness and perfection.

Application

1. We can glorify Him and give Him honor and blessings.

The Greek word for blessing is "eulogia," which means "a good word."

2. We can continue to talk about Jesus and say good things about Him as long as we have breath.

3. We can also share the gospel and witness to others about Him.

After all, we tend to talk about what we love.

Are we talking a lot and praising our Lord and King, Jesus Christ?

3. He is praised by all Creation (5:13-14)

Revelation 5:13–14 (HCSB)

I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say: Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The Lamb's redeeming work is now being praised by all of creation.

Blessing: Worship petition

Honor: Value from good reputation.

Glory: good opinion

Dominion: Controlling authority

This is because creation itself desires to be freed from the bondage of corruption.

Longing instead to live life worshipping, Jesus, living according to will, always seeing His ways as good and surrendering their will to his authority.

[Im gonna ask the team]

John hears a doxology from every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and every tribe, nation and tongue building in praise and worship...

Why?

Because Jesus is the Victory.

1. He is the Lion and Lamb; worthy to be praised

2. The Only WAY to enter heaven.

3. He is the sovereign King, who is

4. A friend to sinners.

Closing

We fear what we are not ready for, what we cannot anticipate.

Jesus has made a way for you to have assurance, through faith over fear.