Revelation - Part 5
Notes
Transcript
The Lamb Who Is Worthy
The Lamb Who Is Worthy
Summary: Revelation 5 reveals a vision of the heavenly throne room where John sees a scroll with 7 seals and only the Lamb is found worthy to open it. We’re going to talk about what the scroll is, what the 7 seals are, Who the Lamb Is, and why the Lamb is the only one who could open the scroll.
1. The Search for Worthiness
1. The Search for Worthiness
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.
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.”
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.
We’ve already identified who it is that is sitting on the Throne in part 4 of this series. It is Jesus in all His Glory.
In this chapter we will see a Lion and a Lamb used to illustrate that not only is Jesus omnipotent and omniscient, He is the sacrificial a Lamb that died for our sins. It was that death, that made it possible for the scroll to be opened.
So, in the right had of God is a scroll with 7 seals.
The scroll has been theorized to mean one of several different things.
There are only 7 details I found that we know about it.
It is written on the front and back.
It is sealed with 7 seals
It is in God’s right hand.
It cannot be opened by anyone, including God himself.
John weeps about it not being opened
The Lion of Judah is able to open it.
The 7 seals appear to open only one portion of the scroll at a time.
So, what is the significance of these 7 things that we know about this scroll?
Front and Back
Front and Back
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.
The scrolls during the time of the writing of Revelation were always rolled up sheets of papyrus.
They could have been as long as 30 feet long.
They were almost never written on the backs.
So, this would have stood out to John, hence the mention of it.
The strips of papyrus on the front were horizontal
And they were vertical on the back.
So, it was easier to write on the front.
The only reason to write on the back was if the information was too lengthy, or if the writer could not afford enough papyrus.
I think it is safe to say that God can afford all the papyrus He needs.
So, the reason for writing on both sides was most likely due to the immense amount of content.
However, it has been suggested that the double-sided writing may be symbolic of the Old and New Testaments.
I personally think it just symbolizes that there is a lot that God’s know, that no one else knows about.
It is sealed with 7 seals
It is sealed with 7 seals
Let’s explore the reason it is sealed with 7 seals.
I read some interesting commentary about how Roman wills were witnessed by 7 witnesses, and each of them had their own seal on the written will, and all 7 witnesses had to be present to open the will and read it.
I like this idea, but it seems to fall short to me.
There was not 7 witnesses who could open it.
There wasn’t even one who could open it.
Only the Lamb could open it.
He alone.
So, I don’t think this is a will.
The 7 seals seem to indicate 7 events, or times periods that cannot be opened at the same time, but sequentially. We know this by reading chapter 6.
It is in God’s right hand.
It is in God’s right hand.
The 3rd thing we know about this scroll is that God holds it in His right hand.
No one is getting that scroll early
It contains things only He knows and has access to.
This must be something about future events because we have the ability to know about the past and present.
It cannot be opened by anyone, including God himself.
It cannot be opened by anyone, including God himself.
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,
4th, we see that no one can open this scroll or read it.
No one in the earth, under the sea, or in Heaven
So, It seems that God has even sealed it up from Himself.
This is a big clue to the contents of the scroll.
God could not open it.
He created something He could not open himself.
This to me, clues us into the contents of the scroll
Why would the Lamb be able to open it, but not God?
Don’t be confused about the distinction between the Lamb and God. Jesus is the Lamb, Jesus is the Lion, and Jesus is the One on the Throne.
However, the symbol of the Lamb is representing the humanity of Jesus, as opposed to His divinity which is sitting on the Throne.
The distinction is only between the dual nature of Jesus.
And the Divine nature of Jesus could not open this scroll.
John weeps about it not being opened
John weeps about it not being opened
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
Next, the fact that John weeps about it not being able to be opened even by God on the Throne, tells us something.
It is to our great benefit for this scroll to be opened.
If the scroll is not opened, we should be sad
Therefore, the opening of the scroll should bring us joy.
What information would we be happy to hear,
but could not even be opened by God?
It seems to me that it must be related to the judgement, and by extension, it is related to our redemption.
The judgment we all deserve is death… the wages of sin.
And God Himself couldn’t even pay that price for us since God cannot die.
So, Only the Lamb could do it.
Immanuel, God with us.
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
The Lion of Judah comes to be able to open it.
The Lion of Judah comes to be able to open it.
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.”
So, that ties into the 6th thing we know about the scroll
Only the Lion of Juday could open it.
But as we will see, only after He becomes the Lamb Slain
Why, Redemption had to be bought with blood
God can’t bleed without being manifested in the flesh
The Lamb represents the incarnation.
Blood was the price
and It was also required that it came from the seed of a woman.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
The 7 seals appear to open only one portion of the scroll at a time.
The 7 seals appear to open only one portion of the scroll at a time.
Finally, the 7th thing we know about the scroll is that the 7 seals only opened a portion of the scroll at a time. We will see this play out as we read through the next chapter.
This to me indicates a sequential, or chronological process that must take place in order to bring about the final Judgment.
One seal at a time is opened until the last seal is opened, and that kicks off the 7 trumpets, which are followed up by the 7 bowls.
So, the scroll in my view, is about our future Judgment or Redemption.
It is Revealed one section at a time.
I can’t move on without also commenting on the apparent connection to Ezekiel. He saw something very similar to John.
9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.
10 And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.
This scene seems to be almost parallel, but the differences help us to figure out what John’s scroll is.
Here we have a scroll that is also written front and back.
However, God could open it. - He spread it out
It was words of lamentation, mourning and woe.
Words associated with impending Judgement.
It also wasn’t opened one seal at a time.
It was just spread out.
I think this scroll must be different.
It must be related some other Judgement, but not the final Judgement.
It was some Judgement that God could open without a Lamb.
It was His own hand that brought Noah through the flood, Isreal out of Egypt, and Judah out of Persian Captivity.
But the Final Judgment required the blood of a Lamb.
2. The Paradoxical Lamb
2. The Paradoxical Lamb
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.
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.
Let’s talk about the Paradoxical Lamb.
Both the Lion and Lamb are symbols of the same being — Jesus.
In the Trinitarian view, it would seem the Lion would be the Father, and the Lamb would be the Son.
However, we see that Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb.
The Lion represents His divine Power
The Lamb represents His human suffering.
What a beautiful paradox.
The 7 horns and 7 eyes of the Lamb.
Horns represent power,
Eyes represent knowledge
Seven means complete or perfect.
So, 7 horns is complet power, or Omnipotence
and 7 Eyes represents complete knowledge Omnisceince.
So, the Lamb is not just man, but fully God and Fully man.
All Powerful
All Knowing
And yet still capable of dying for our sins.
Within the Lamb we see yet another paradox.
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.
It says the Lamb is Standing, as though it had been slain.
Slain means to be slaughtered, or murdered.
So, to be standing after being slaughtered is a paradox.
Imagine if I said, do you see that dead guy walking around over there.
That wouldn’t make sense.
If He is dead, he can’t walk
If we is walking, he can’t be dead.
And yet, we have a Lamb that is slain, yet standing.
This is a visual representation of the Incarnation.
Jesus is the Lamb that was slain, or murdered on a cross
And yet, through the slaughter, He got victory over Death.
Therefore, He is Standing Victoriously despite being Slain.
I know He bled. I know He died, I know He was Buried, but he also ROSE
We can take encouragement from this paradox.
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Because he lives, we will live also.
Meaning, that we will also have victory over death,
both physically, and Spiritually
So, we will be physically resurrected at the Rapture if we aren’t alive when it happens
And also, when He puts His spirit in us, we will be Spiritually resurrected from the death caused by Sin.
3. The New Redemption Song
3. The New Redemption Song
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.”
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,
In verse 9 we find 3 things of importance.
The song is new.
What is the new Song?
The Old song may reference the one in chapter 4 about creation.
The new song is a song about Redemption.
2. The second important thing we notice is that the reason the Lamb is able to open the scroll is directly tied to his being slain.
3. And finally, the redemption wasn’t just for the Jews, but all people.
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
This was always the plan. God didn’t keep it a secret that all people, every Jew and Gentile would be part of His kingdom. He said it multiple time through almost every prophet in the Old Testatment. It was always God’s plan to include us all.
4. The Cosmic Song of Praise
4. The Cosmic Song of Praise
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!”
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.
In these final 4 verses we see Worship coming from every creature in heaven and on earth, and under the sea worshiping the one of the Throne and the Lamb because He was able to open the scroll.
Again, the Lamb represents the incarnation of God, and the One on the Throne is God in His Divine Glory.
We’ve already identified both the one of the Throne, and the Lamb as Jesus.
This symbolism shows the dual nature of Jesus.
He was both God and Man
Lion and Lamb
Lord and Christ.
In my daily reading this morning I came across a passage in Isaiah that perfectly shows that even in the Old Testament, we can see that God the Father is our one and only Savior…. Jesus.
I thought that It fits with our lesson tonight…
1 Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?
7 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
9 In all their suffering, he suffered, and the angel of his presence saved them. He redeemed them because of his love and compassion; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of the past.
This is talking about the saving of Isreal in context, but it is certainly prophetically about Jesus because only Jesus can “suffer”.
But, if we keep reading, we find that is clearly talking about the Father.
This is an allusion to the paradox of the Lion and the Lamb in the OT.
Watch this… let’s read down to verse 16 to see who is our Saviour, redeemer, and the one that was afflicted, who had blood stained garments…
9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit,
12 who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,
13 who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble.
14 Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.
15 Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me.
16 For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.
Okay, back to Rev 5, just to finish off the chapter, I want to show in the last verse that the Lamb is being worshipped.
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The Bible is very clear that only God is to be Worshipped.
It is the first and Second commandment.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Jesus also said it:
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”
8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
Peter Stopped the worship of himself
25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
Paul did the same thing in Acts 14, but I won’t read that one for the sake of time.
An Angel Stopped the worship of himself later in Revelation…
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,
9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
Men and Angels stop themselves from being worshipped,
But Jesus didn’t stop people from worshipping himself:
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
So, in our Text, the Lamb is being worshipped
I told you it represents the incarnation, or Human nature of Jesus.
Jesus is the only man that can be worshipped because Jesus is not just a man.
Jesus is God
He is the Lamb slain and He is also the One on the Throne.
