The Worthy One: Prayers and Praise

Over the last month we have been talking about how heaven looks, and tonight’s passage picks up in the heavenly throne room, but instead of focusing on how heaven points to Jesus, Jesus is going to enter the scene revealing stuff of his character and how that character drives us to prayer and praise.

Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?

Who is worthy?

This passage paints this picture of a scroll being presented that no one is capable of opening. And it has been searched all over for someone capable of opening it. All of heaven, hell, and earth has been searched out for someone worthy of opening the scroll.

As John is weeping in despair an elder reveals to him there is someone capable of opening the scroll, Jesus, but he describes him in several ways

Lion of the Tribe of Judah

One it tells us the earthly genology of Jesus

How though does Christ have characteristics of a lion?

Lions are in control of their environment (king of the jungle)

Jesus is much more than just king of the jungle, Jesus is the king of kings. Jesus is the king of all

Lions are fierce with a roar that can be heard five miles away, this invokes awe and respect

Jesus’ voice can be heard world wide. the voice and presence of Jesus invokes awe and respect.

This results in us approaching Jesus with great respect and a timidness

Root of David

One of Jesus earthly ancestors was David.

2 Samuel 7:12–13 ESV

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Christ is the rightful king of Israel and the world. His reign is established forever

Lamb standing, as though it had been slain

We started off talking about Christ being a lion, but now we are talking about him being like a lamb. Totally different picture. And really different with the fact he appears as a slain lamb. This means a lamb soaked in blood, a lamb who had its throat cut.

Lambs appear innocent, Jesus is innocent

Sacrificial lambs are blemish free, Jesus is without flaw

Bloodies Lamb, Jesus’ blood was shed for us.

Lambs are meek and approachable. Jesus is approachable.

What is in the Scroll?

The seals will be revealed in chapter 6, but a very brief summary is judgment. this scroll represents the judgment Christ is about to bring out on the whole earth

The contents of the scroll show why only one person was capable of opening it because only one person is capable of fulfilling what all seven seals represent.

Romans 12:19 ESV

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Psalm 51:4 ESV

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Prayer and Praise

An understanding of who God is drives us to prayer and praise

Verse 8 talks about golden bowls of incense and the incense is the prayers of the saints

what is a bowl of incense?

It is a decorative bowl full of things that burn to make a fragrant aroma that fills the room

So what does this description of prayer tell us?

God enjoys our prayers, they bring him pleasure. In a sense candles in heaven are prayer scented

What is a fragrant prayer consist of?

Praise 1

Realizes who is worth their praise

Praises God for the Gospel

Praise Him for making us who we are

Praise 2

Realizes the depth of who God is

Praise 3

Shows all creation praises God

Amen

all do so in unison