Revelation Chapter 5, February 2, 2025
Notes
Transcript
Congregational Scripture Reading
Congregational Scripture Reading
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden
Introduction
Introduction
Revelation Revelation 5: The Lamb and the Scroll
“You awaken us to delight in your praise; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.’
St. Augustine
Review
Review
Looking back last week we read through Revelation 4 where John saw the throne room of Heaven filled with worship as Jesus sits as Sovereign. Now we will encounter more imagery including the lamb of God marked by his slaughter. Here also John isn’t just watching what’s happening, he is participating in the events as they unfold.
The Scroll of Seven Seals
The Scroll of 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.
It’s interesting what John focuses on here. For the first time he sees something in the hands of the one who sits on the throne. He has in his right hand..this meant power and importance, a scroll. We have the same scroll imagery way back in Ezekiel 2:9-10
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.
What’s interesting is that the scroll has writing both on the inside and the outside. This is very unusual because the way the scroll was made didn’t lend itself to writing on the outside of the scroll. This meant a lot of details because whenever you took the time to write on the outside of a scroll it meant you had a lot of information to get across.
Now when we see the scroll having seven seals that symbolizes the fact that it has been completely shut by God himself. It was common to seal scrolls so that only the right person could open it up.
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,
What's
fascinating when we look at this passage is that the mighty Angel mentioned
here is not one of the living creatures or one of the elders it's probably the
same one that's mentioned two other times in the Book of Revelation
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire.
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;
There is a chance this could be the angel Gabriel
19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
But we don’t know for sure.
Regardless of who this is a great search is made and no one
is worthy or morally deserving the privilege of unleashing God's judgments on
his sinful universe.
Consider it for a moment if indeed what's about to be opened
up is a vast judgment on the world then certainly you would demand and expect
that the judge or the person that unleashes it be worthy. Be not guilty of the
things being judged.
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
This is the first time that we get to see John's reaction.
And he is weeping not at the thought of the judgments in the scroll but weeping
at the thought that no one was able to open the scroll.
Now what I want to point out in the next verse is that this
individual says something that must come with supernatural power. Or maybe with
supreme wisdom and how he said it. Because saying this sure has never worked
for me. Here's what he says:
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 the author
says don't wait because someone has been found. And it's actually interesting
the phrase used here. The lion of the tribe of Judah. We don't see this in
other places in the Bible. Of course Jacob does bless Judah calling him a lions
cub a thousands of years earlier.
Also when we look
in Isaiah he talks about the Messiah calling him the root of Jesse who is
David's father.
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
So because of
this passage we understand that the root of Jesse is also the root of David and
this is one of the titles of Jesus expressing both his humanity and pointing
towards his divinity.
We see the slaughtered lamb
We see the slaughtered 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.
So just a couple
of verses earlier Jesus is described as the lion of the tribe of Judah. Now
he's described as a lamb. It's an extraordinary jump. But it describes a
creature standing that is very alive and yet as if it was slain.
In our world we don't have exposed butchers shops. I remember my time during a semester in
Israel and it was common to see a butcher shop with slain animals. But nowhere
would you see him animal that had been killed standing up also looking alive.
It's a paradox. But it's also a heavenly reminder of what the lamb did in human
history. It's a heavenly reminder of what Jesus did for us.
6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Interesting also is the end of the verse: Rev 5:6
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.
This passage talks about the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
This is one of the keystone passages in the Bible that teaches us that both Jesus and the Father send the Holy Spirit.
Of course the church experienced the sending of the holy Spirit on the day of pentecost. Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
This is a crucial truth. As believers in Jesus Christ we have the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus in our hearts. We have God with us.
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.
So when we see the lamb come and take the scroll that means
the lamb is worthy he has the righteous authority to unleash judgments that are
contained in the scroll.
We've talked about this before but you have to be worthy to
unleash judgment. As a parent you have to have authority to dispense punishment
and it helps if you have the moral authority as well :) in the same way and to
a much greater extent the lamb is worthy to open up the scroll. And it's kind
of like a camera zooming back as we see the throne and then as soon as the lamb
takes the scroll we see we zoom out and see the whole throne room and then
further we're going to see all the creatures in the universe in verse 13.
But the initial action of all the elders is to worship the
lamb with the same devotion that they gave to worshipping the one who sat on
the throne.
What's fascinating is each of these elders hold a harp and
golden bowls full of incense. And we're told that these bowls of incense are
the prayers of the Saints. It's always nice when the Bible self interprets
itself. We know that in the Old Testament incense was offered at the Tabernacle
and prayers were often described as incense going up to God.
I don't know if you've ever burned one of those smelly
incense sticks in the house and that smoke just just wafts around. That's how
prayers are often described in the bible. Like incense or smoke going up.
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
love how this imagery makes the point that when God's people
prey on earth their worship is received in the throne room of heaven. This is a
vivid example of how our prayers affect heaven.
The Lamb is worshipped
The Lamb is worshipped
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.”
Now John hears the elder singing a song joining the living
creatures perhaps a song of prais
The first line of the song directly answers the question who
is worthy the lamb is worthy. Now this song doesn't explicitly mention the
sacrifice of Jesus but that's the reason the lamb Jesus is worthy. This word
for purchase in the Greek is used for a business transaction and that was the
point that was the effect of jesus's sacrifice
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
That's why Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples And
and if you ask the question how far does the extent of his purchase go the
worship song says you ransom for God from every tribe and language and people
and nation.
That's why jesus commanded us to go and make disciples
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
And I love how revelation the point of the purchase was to
make a Kingdom and priest. He made us a different people by his purchase.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
now John pulls his perspective back a little bit to hear and see what is around him
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!”
The phrasing here in the Greek literally means thousands times
thousands 10 thousands times 10 thousands. That's basically 100 million.
Interestingly in the Greek the largest number they could
express was 10,000.
So John is saying he sees an infinite number of people.
Shouting worthy is the lamb who was slain!
Can you remember the last time you were in a room packed
with hundreds or thousands or 10,000 people? I remember years ago at a promise
keepers men's conference being at the Lucas Oil Stadium or whatever it was back
then and here in 20,000 men singing holy holy holy. I'll never forget it.
Thinking about the things that all of these are saying about
the lamb.
The lamb is worthy to receive power. All the forces of the
universe flow to and from God and also the lamb.
The lamb is worthy to receive wealth all the wealth and the
riches of the universe Jesus is worthy of puritan
He's worthy to receive wisdom Whatever wisdom his creatures
have he is worthy to receive back as his own. He's worthy to receive power or
strength and worthy to receive honor. And glory and praise or blessing.
The lamb, Jesus is worthy of all glory of all honor and of
all praise.
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.
Once again John looks at or pulls the focus back to all the
creatures and he doesn't see them but he hears them. And the reality is that it
can't be that every creature yet gives glory and honor and worship to God that
won't happen until the final days. And yet in his vision he sees all creatures
worshipping and giving glory to the almighty.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Interesting the word that we translate lamb occurs 29 times
in the Book of Revelation it's almost always a title for Jesus. In this passage
Jesus is described as the lion of the tribe of Judah and as the lamb. He is the
one who purchased people by his death and yet he lives forever worshipped by
his creatures.
Revelation Principles
PRINCIPLES
• God Almighty has an absolute, detailed plan about how wickedness is to be condemned and righteousness is to be rewarded.
• Jesus Christ is the only one worthy and able to unfold God’s plan.
• Jesus is all-powerful, all-seeing, and the sender of the Holy Spirit.
• Believers are nearest the throne of heaven when they offer fervent prayer on earth.
• Persons from all languages and societies were included in Christ’s purchase through his death.
APPLICATIONS
• Pray, and there will be a direct impact before God’s throne in heaven.
• Be confident in evangelism, knowing Christ died for people all over the world.
• Believe that the wonderful time is coming when every creature will praise God and the Lamb forever.
• Get ready for what you will be doing in heaven by worshiping Christ individually and with others now.
Is History Going Anywhere At All?
Is History Going Anywhere At All?
Perhaps you’ve heard of one of the great English tragedies written by Shakespeare in 1623. It is the story of Macbeth. Near the end of the story Macbeth’s wife dies and he is so unable to feel anything at all that he cries out in weariness saying.
Revelation IV. Life Application: Is History Going Anywhere at All?
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing [Macbeth, act 5, scene 5].
4 centuries later people are still asking this question.
Sometimes it feels like history has no pattern OK even things that we picture
as the future are now retro or the past. Good and bad politicians come and go.
But a Christian view of the world that God has a plan for the future of the
universe. That Jesus knows what will happen. He's in charge of making judgments
he's in charge of our future.
25 years after Shakespeare published Macbeth a gathering of Englishmen published the the famous Westminster Shorter Catechism of 1647. They had an answer to Macbeth…though they weren’t speaking to him. .they answered the question raised by Macbeth. Is history going anywhere at all?
Yes…they answered
Revelation IV. Life Application: Is History Going Anywhere at All?
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
So here's the question for believers will we side with me
Beth or the Westminster assembly question will we show that we believe that
history is going somewhere or that there's no point.?
If we believe history is going somewhere and our end is to
glorify God and enjoy him forever that are calling this to be part of a
community committed to worshipping God fellowship and evangelism Bible study
works of service reaching out to others but most of all we are our people that
worships God. And we relish that worship.
And we relish that worship by how we live and how we sing.
Closing Community Prayer
Closing Community Prayer
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
