The Lamb Who Was Slain

[Announce text] If you brought a bible, please turn with me to the fifth chapter in the book of Revelation. Our textual passages will be in Revelation 5:11-14 for today’s message.

Apostle John (the beloved disciple) penned this letter. As an exile on the island of Patmos, he wrote to the seven churches in Asia Minor concerning what he heard and saw in the Spirit, a heavenly vision surrounding the throne of God.

John testifies about his heavenly experience of the glorious praise and worship of God the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. Simply stated, John doesn’t write the book of Revelation for us to figure out the future, as some have popularized it. But to use these Scriptures as a source for inspiring worship and praise. To give us hope for the future, even when life is uncertain and challenging. That’s why John shares this Revelation concerning Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1) with us. It’s all about him!

[Reannounce and read text] With that in mind, let’s read God’s Word addressing the heavenly realm of the Scroll and the Lamb. [Read aloud Revelation 5:11-14].

[Introduction] Not long ago, many of you were watching your children collect Easter eggs, going to a family member’s house, sharing full-course meals with loved ones, and wandering outside, enjoying the bright blue skies and soaking in the sunshine on your skin.

This year's Easter was special. It was a beautiful day, full of great company and joy.

But what makes Easter truly remarkable is what God did 2,000 years ago. On that Resurrection morning, God the Father raised Jesus Christ from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, ushering in a newly created world through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead. And by his atoning blood, he ransomed a people for God (Rev 5:9) and made us alive together, so that we who were first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory (Eph 1:12).

Our intended purpose is to live as new creations in Christ and with everlasting praise to the one who has freed us from our sins by his blood (Rev 1:5).

[Scripture bond] And now, since God sent Jesus into the world because of the great love he had for each of us (John 3:16), the Revelation of John is an extension of what happened after Easter morning. To the actual reality of now, and not fully yet.

In Revelation five, God is seated upon his throne with a scroll sealed with seven seals. Everyone is searching for who can open it.

[FCF] The angel cries, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”

John wept until one of the twenty-four elders spoke and said, "There he is! The Lion of Judah, the Root of David. He has conquered, and he can open the scroll" (Rev 5:5).

What John sees next is not one of those, but something other. It is a standing Lamb, who appeared slain. And the Lamb receives the scroll because he is worthy.

What happens next is remarkable. The four living creatures (lion, ox, man, and eagle) and elders fell and began praising Him.

[Read Revelation 5:9-10]

Worthy are you! And as John’s vision continues, the praise and adoration intensify. Look! In verse eleven. Countless angels, the four creatures, and the elders gathered around the throne with one loud voice and declared his worthiness.

[Main point 1] The Lamb is worthy because he shed his blood on the cross for us who are unworthy.

[Explanation] Before Easter was Good Friday, when Jesus became our sacrificial Passover Lamb. He is worthy because He is God, and because of what he has done for the world.

Unworthy people, you and I deserve nothing- no grace, life, freedom, or joy.

Yet, the Lamb who was slain came and took our sins and shame and triumphed over our death. He made us something new, gave us a restart, and invited us to come and praise him because of who he is—worthy!

This second hymn describes Jesus Christ's worthiness. He deserves all power, wealth, wisdom, honor, glory, and blessing. John symbolizes his worthiness with seven listed qualities. This is complete worship! He deserves everything in creation.

[Illustration] After Easter, I had the privilege of attending a Christian conference in Indianapolis. Kristen and Keith Getty led the praise and worship, and there I stood beside 7,000 other individuals singing with one loud voice.

We sang the doxology without any instruments. It was a beautiful sound, and nothing distorted our voices.

[Application] This is what I imagine when John saw in his vision. He saw the company of the unworthy created beings surrounding Him (the slain Lamb), who is, who was, and who is to come. They sang with full reverence, holding nothing back.

When I go to church, the people I notice singing the loudest are the ones who get it. They know the cost of their salvation. They are not afraid to declare their praise.

If you believe He is worthy, then sing loudly for Him. Make a joyful noise. I know many of you can’t hold a melody. But God isn’t judging you. He wants you to experience your purpose. You and I were made to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords.

He is the Lamb who was slain and deserves all our praise because he is worthy.

As John continues in his vision about the praise of Christ. He shifts from seeing the angelic realm to hearing. Look at verse 5:15 in Revelation.

[Main Point 2] Everyone will declare the praises of God and the Lamb forever.

[Explanation] In the third hymn, every creature praises God and the Lamb. It’s interesting where the praise is coming from. In heaven, on the earth, under the earth, and in the sea. It’s a foretaste of the life to come, all living creatures will worship God and the Lamb.

It reminds me of the passage found in Philippians 2:8-11.

Philippians 2:8–11 ESV

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

All our world history points to this moment. Everyone will praise the Lamb and confess his name to God’s glory. If we love God, this is where we will be.

What will be our praise song?

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

These words flow from the lips of the saints who know they are not worthy. By his grace, we have come to the throne room and have been given a new life. A life of praise and worship should be flowing from us because it has been given to us by God’s love.

We will fall and worship just like the rest of the four living creatures and the elders.

[Illustration] I want you to imagine yourself in this heavenly scene. See the myriads of angels, the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders surrounding the throne, and then you. You’re dressed in a bright white linen. You’re completely whole, and everyone is praising God. No one is looking at themselves, but at God and the Lamb.

[Application] Would your praise be louder? Would you bend your knees before the King? Would your hands be stretched up to heaven? Hopefully, yes! He is worthy of your heart and affection. Give yourself to worship Christ. Instead of focusing on yourself, imagine yourself in the throne room of God and see how God can change your worship and praise.

I’ll end the message with this thought.

[Proposition] The slain Lamb is worthy to open the scroll; therefore, I will worship Him completely to the glory of God forever.

[Conclusion] Since Easter has come and gone. Christ has ascended above, and for us who remain on the earth for a little while, let our praise go up to heaven because he is worthy of it all.

Amen.