Revelation 5
Notes
Transcript
Friends, if you’re able please stand with me for the reading of God’s word. Today we are in Revelation chapter 5.
Revelation 5 (CSB)
Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with 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. I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of 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 went 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 twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden 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 purchased 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,
Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered 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 power be 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.
This is the word of God, please be seated.
Pray with me.
—
When you picture a champion what do you see? When we think of those who are overcomers, who are worthy as champions we tend to think of those who are strong, successful, wealthy.
We love an underdog story - we love david and goliath stories. We love during march madness when the lowest seed team has a crazy upset against the favorites.
We define success as someone who typically is wealthy. Has things all put together. Sure had some resistance, but now it on top of it all by success and shrewd maneuvers.
Christians can get caught up in this too. We project success, competency, capacities. We want the appearance of success, worldly success. We want to give all to Jesus, but we really want him to give it all to us.
Perhaps one of the reasons Revelation is so troubling to believers at times is because it’s talking to believers who are losing everything from a worldly perspective to iinherit and eternal reward. As Tim Dwyer tights, they are focused on the worthiness of the lamb as for those living on this level have little or nothing to lose in this world, therefore they can have joy even in the judgments of God as they come about.
This chapter is an invitation to look at the overcomer in the flesh - JEsus Christ, to worship him, and its an invitation to live as slain - just like JEsus.
So Today we look into the continuing vision from chapter 4 into chapter 5. John is caught up in the heavenly throne, and in chapter 4 he expressed what he saw and heard and witnessed as the four creatures and elders engaged in a never ending worship service in the heavenly temple of God.
Now, we will see some action take place in the heavens. Let’s look at verse 1
Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals.
John sees in the right hand of the one on the throne - that is God the father, had a scroll - or in greek biblion - a book, or a scroll, it can mean either. And it had writing on both sides - which is interesting - most of the time scrolls would only have writing on the inside, but this one had it on the outside as well - and it was sealed with seven seals.
There is quite a bit of scholarly speculation as to what this scroll or book is, what it represents and more, and we will get into a bit of that. Some people view the scroll as old testament to be fulfilled in Christ. Some view it just as the judgements to come (though we should note that it is the seals themselves that bring about the judgement). Some view it as the book of life that needs to be unsealed before the end. Others view it as the last things to be accomplished to bring about God’s redemptive plan
And scrolls in heaven have their root in the old testament too, such as daniel and ezekiel - again we see JOhn picking up on old testament language and prophecy to communicate in the present.
But What is interesting is that it seems to be, according to several scholars, perhaps to indicate a roman will. Wills were often sealed with six or seven seals of trusted people - think of a signet for a wax letter. The outside of the scroll could contain some overall instructions - but the inside is what would dispense the last will and testament of the deceased. Only after the conditions on the outside were met were the seals to be broken - you need the head of the estate.
And that’s what we see heaven starts to look for - look at verses 2 - 4
I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with 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. I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it.
A mighty angel, perhaps an archangel like michael or gabriel, but a mighty angel communicates as they look over the whole cosmos - looking for the one worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals. But no one can be found.
And this causes John incredible pain and sorrow. Now for those of us who have read the book before, we know that the seals opening will bring about great judgement, so why is John so upset? Should he not be rejoicing that judgement as been stayed?
Well John, like the other believers in this time were experiencing great persecution - and they had come to realize that this world is not their home! They were so desperate for the fulfillment of the kingdom of God, for the consummation of all things - that the idea of God not excersizing his rule and reign and bringing about the completion of all things was too much to bear. They had put all their hope, all their treasures, all their delight, all their security in Jesus Christ and his kingdom - and for it to be at risk to not be complete causes John to weep, and weep. The repetition of wept here perhaps brings up the image of a weeping and wailing person at a funeral.
But one of the elders speaks up, verse 5
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
There is someone who has conquered - he has overcome, overcome death itself, and therefore is able to open to scroll - and he says LOOK the LION from the tribe of Judah.
Lions throughout time in many cultures is one that symbolizes that of courage and bravery and power and royalty. And it’s from the tribe of Judah, and the root of David - meaning this lion fulfills all the old testament language - he’s got the right pedigree, and he’s conquered. So don’t weap - just look to the lion.
But don’t miss this - he looks to see the lion but read what he sees! Verse 6
Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of 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 hears look to the lion who conquered, and he turns and sees a lamb that was slaughtered. Or A lamb as slain.
He conquered and yet is slain. and where is the lamb? in the midst of the throne. Jesus, the lion, the lamb - is in the midst of the throne. What clear christology that JEsus is God.
And then we get more apocalyptic imagery, he had seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.
Horns typically are used to demonstrate power or authority, and this lamb, has seven, the number of completion. All power and authority is his.
And seven eyes - which is the Spirit of God in all the earth - so JEsus has complete knowledge and vision of all things - now in his glorified existence complete omniscience and omnipresence. and we know positionally he’s in the midst of the throne, with the four creatures and elders giving worship - Jesus is our victorious savior and God!
Hes been identified as able, now we see verse 7
He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.
The son, takes the scroll out of the hand of the father. Brilliant trinitarian thought playin out in the eyes of John. And as he does heaven responds, verse 8
When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Notice that - all heaven responds - and we see the elders now have harps and bowls filled with the prayers of the saints - and now they present this song unto the lamb - unto jesus - again the HIGH Christology we see here. Prayers unto the lamb! and now we read their song - verse 9 and 10
Revelation 5:9–10 (CSB)
And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased 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.
So much here. so much.
They start a new song - likely a new song differentiating it from the ongoing songs we heard in revelation 4.
And their first statement is that Jesus is worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals. Why? Because he was slaughtered. Look that that. The upside down nature here. JEsus is worthy because he was slain. He defeated the enemy and conquered the grave. Beyond they continue that he purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.
So the lion of Judah who reigns on the throne of David, has now won not just people from the nation of israel, but ALL the peoples of the earth. from every tribe. He has fulfilled what Adam and even couldn’t. He has fulfilled what isreal was too but didn’t. But he hasn’t just purchased us -
He made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. Okay - Israel was to be a kingdom and priests to God. now, through Christ - by grace through faith - even we gentiles are welcomed in as children of God. and we, gentiles - people from every tribe and language and people and nation - we through christ - will reign on the earth.
Caeser may be on the throne right now, satan may be falsely claiming territory - but Christ is the victorious kind. And the earth and the entire cosmos is his. And the scandal of it all is while we were still sinners he died for us, and we inherit all of that. we share in his inheritance.
Wow. And not just wow for us, look at how heaven now responds to the glorious redemptive victory of Jesus who overcame the grave and now lives as slain. first 11 - 12
Revelation 5:11–12 (CSB)
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, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!
John hears the voice of many angels - myriads and myriads. Scholars state that 10,000 or myriad was the largest number they had a word for, and so when they would state myriads plus myriads and myriads the idea is an infinite sea of angelic beings, all joining in and proclaiming Jesus as the lamb who is worthy to recieve all things.
And then all the creatures respond, verses 13 - 14
Revelation 5:13–14 (CSB)
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 power be 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.
What an incredible passage - truly spectacular, and one that honestly makes me want to sing. It makes me want to respond. It fills me with such hope.
But as we look at the whole chapter, we need to ask
So What?
First, notice how deeply christ centered the worship is throughout this passage. Which is appropriate for JEsus is God. Prayers are ascribed to him. Songs are sang. Heaven orbits him in glory. We see Like John 1 describes in verse 1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
Think about when this book was likely written again - Ceasar on the throne, demanding that all worship him as god or face death. The temple has been destroyed. apostles dead.
Then John gets this prophetic vision and rightly sees that Caeser is a LIAR. He’s not the king, not ultimately. That is God. And when we see the power of God the glory of God and of Christ with all the myriads of angels and the scroll to seal the deal of history in the hands of God, we move from weeping to rejoicing and hope.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth with grow earthly dim in the light of his glory and grace.
Heavens chorus rings in praise of JEsus Christ, the lamb that was slaughtered and overcame the grave.
Second, Perhaps we need to spend more time staring and focusing and reflecting on the glory and worthiness of Jesus Christ. We need to focus on our heavenly inheritance and reward, rather than make our homes incredibly comfortable here on earth. Instead of focusing on increasing our happienes, our influence, our 401k, our homes, our kingdoms, our egos,
We instead need to pray alongside John the baptist that Christ must increase and I must decrease.
Perhaps we need to seek to preach and proclaim the gospel, or the news of JEsus Christ’s kingdom and reign. And we need to cultivate that kingdom here and now and invite people into it - and that kingdom will never end, in fact we will continue beyond the grave to inherit ruling and reigning on the earth because of Christ.
Third, and finally - what does it mean to live as slain. Jesus overcame - he conquered, and he is worthy - and he was slaughtered. His life still today, is marked and shaped by the cross. So ours should be too.
What does it look like for you to live as slain by the cross. What does it look like to not push to have the airs of success, what does it look like to rejoice in weakness. What does it look like to lay down our lives as a means to love others.
Cause the fact of the matter is friends - we are never going to cool people to Christ. We could have the coolest building, and the coolest teaching, and the coolest music - but just by our coolness, our success by worldly metrics - none of that is gonna win people to christ. Jesus didn’t overcome by success or by riches or by being an alpha male, or by being super cool.
He came as a person of truth and love. He welcomed people into relationship with the father. And he laid down his life as a sacrifice for many.
So our lives should be too.
First and foremost, friends we need to die to ourselves to love our families. The people we live in the closest proximity too are the easiest to get annoyed with and to start treating poorly.
Husbands - Ephesians says we are to lay down our lives for the sake our brides as if christ loved the church. We need to get over ourselves and die to ourselves so that our wives can thrive. We need to realize that our children were entrusted to us. So love them, play with them, pray with them. And have them watch you radically love your family more then yourself. In otherwords - teach them to overcome by dying to yourself.
And not just to pick on the guys - its just easier for me cause Im a guy. all of us - this life aint about you. IT’s about Jesus and it’s about everyone else.
So what? When I look at this chapter I see an invitation to overcome - but by following JEsus the lamb who was slain. And by that allegiance, to King JEsus - we inherit all things.
We are purchased for God by his blood. and we are made a kingdom and priests to God.
So what? So would we worship him. Would we adore him. And would we look to his example as the way to live.
The best way to remember that, is to meet at the table of Communion.
commmunion then prayer.