Easter 2024

Introduction

Happy Ressurection Sunday!

Today is the day we specifically celebrate the ressurection of our Lord!

Our Text for Today: Rev 5:1-14

The Scroll and the Sorrow: (5:1-4)

Revelation 5:1–4 ESV

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

What does the scroll represent?

“This scroll represents God’s eternal plan, His decree which is all-comprehensive. It symbolizes God’s purpose with respect to the entire universe throughout history, and concerning all creatures in all ages and to all eternity.” - Hendrickson

Why does John begin to weep when no one can open the scroll?

God’s plan and the execution of the plan is symbolically held in this scroll, if the scroll were to remain sealed then the plan is not revealed and the purposes of God unexecuted.

If one were to open they would reveal God’s plan and carry it out

This is why John weeps because no one in heaven or on earth was able to open this scroll!

The purposes and plans of God were seemingly being unable to move forward!

If the scroll is opened then things play out in the ultimate end to the interest of God’s church but if they don’t, there will be no protection for God’s children in the hours of bitter trial; no judgements upon a persecuting world; no ultimate triumph for believers; no no new heaven and earth; no future inheritance. - Hendrickson

This is a good reason to weep! If this is it then things are pretty much doom and gloom! Roll it up and take it home!

If God is not in control then everything is meaningless!

If there is no good end goal at the end here then what is the point of life?

Is it just unlimited cycles of 40 hour work weeks trying to provide with an occasional vacation or happy moments sprinkled in here and there?

If everything we do and go through is purposeless and has no ultimate good end then what are we doing? Where is the fulfillment?

Without an end in sight where is the joy?

IS THERE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

If there is no purpose then we indeed have great reason to weep!

If there is no purpose to our lives then there is indeed great reason to weep!

Weep No More!: Rev 5:5-10

Revelation 5:5–10 ESV

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Weep no more says the elder!

There is indeed purpose in life! We are not simply doomed to gloom!

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, Root of David, has conquered! (v.5)

This is Christ! - He is one from whom David is from - this lion of the tribe of Judah.

How has the lion conquered? (v.6-10)

Christ has conquered by dying and rising again from the dead

Revelation 1:17–18 ESV

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Christ conquered through His life, death, and ressurection

SHARE THE GOSPEL

Christ took the full wrath of God upon himself at the cross for our sins!

He won - this is why he cried IT IS FINISHED

Because He did this (died to ransom a people for God from every tribe nation and tongue) He is worthy to open the scroll

These ransomed people now reign on the earth as a kingdom of priests to God! (v.10)

We are a kingdom of people carrying out the conquest of the cross throughout the world!

This rule is exercised in a very real but limited way through the cross - but will be brought to completion at the second coming of Christ.

“The Church reigns today in Christ, because He rules and over rules in all things by His total providence and makes even the wrath of man to praise Him” - Rousas Rushdoony

Worthy is the lamb (v.11-12)

Revelation 5:11–12 ESV

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

Because Christ suffered on the cross He sits at the right hand of the Father, ruling and being worshiped.

The things that the Lamb receives are things that all covet:

Power

Wealth

Wisdom

Might

Honor

Glory

Blessing

Christ our Christ has received all these things!

He is in complete and utter control and therefore lacks nothing

He receives all these things because he was slain!

In other words, we do not serve a needy Christ! He has earned for Himself all these things.

We as a people and nation make christ out to be like this meek and mild thing. Like he is WANTING. We make him needy of us - He is happy within himself and with unity by which he has with the Father.

We make him out to be in need of US - Rather we should see it as we are in need of HIM!

We should take heed to what is said next! (v.13-14)

Revelation 5:13–14 ESV

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

We should react to the sacrifice of Christ and the resurrection of Christ and the rule of Christ is in the same way that these heavenly beings and the elders did.

Faith and Worship

First we must respond in faith

We must recognize that we are not pure perfect and clean!

We must recognize our need for a savior and then humble ourselves before him

We must believe that He died for us and rose again from the dead!

Then we respond with submission and worship

We put ourselves aside and we submit to Him and worship.

To follow Christ is to receive the free gift of salvation and then follow the marching orders of your King!

It is to resound with the heavenly crowd the cries out HE IS WORTHY of all blessing and honor and glory!

Conclusion

We must understand Christ has conquered sin and death through His death and resurrection

We must believe in Christ’s death and resurrection to receive salvation and forgiveness of sins

We must follow HIS RULE AND REIGN