Who is Worthy?

Sermon Series - REBOOT: Being the Church in the Age of AI

Revelation 5 NKJV

1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5 NKJV

7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5 NKJV

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” 14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

Big Idea: The future belongs to the Only One Worthy—and that is Jesus Christ.

Introduction: The AI That Couldn't Open the File

Last week, Anthropic, the software company that made Claude AI warned that artificial intelligence may soon become so powerful that it can improve itself without human intervention. They called on other Artificial Intelligence labs to consider a coordinated and verifiable pause in all of AI development, until they assess the risk it poses to society.

Imagine the world's most powerful AI eventually controlling human beings that mankind becomes overly dependent.

It has access to every information, book ever written, every scientific discovery, every government archive, every medical record. And begins to offer answers to humanity’s greatest problems.

It determines who can own property, buy and sell, then all of the sudden when everyone is under its control, this error message appears:

ACCESS DENIED. FILE LOCKED.

That is a scenario in the book of Revelation.

The good news is when all of humanity had lost all hope, there is a plan for redemption. And only One is worthy to unlock that plan, the Lord Jesus holds the title deed of history.

John sees a scroll in God's hand—the title deed of history, God's plan for the future.

The question is not:

Who is smart enough?

Who is powerful enough?

Who is advanced enough?

The question is:

Who is worthy?

Background Revelation 4 a scene in heaven.

Revelation 4:1 NKJV

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

Revelation 4:2 NKJV

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

Can you just imagine the kind of experience of being in the spirit and seeing the very throne of God. The encouragement and hope it brings to the church, especially the suffering people of God is so enormous.

This is an intense experience and it brings intensity to the faith of Christians at that time, and also for Christians today.

Picture of the throne room as described by John here.Read my notes.

1. HUMAN INTELLIGENCE Cannot Solve the Greatest Problem.

Revelation 5:1–4 NKJV

1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.

(vv. 1-4)

Strong Angel did not ask “who has the power?” He asked “Who is worthy to open the scroll?”

"And no one... was able to open the scroll."

John weeps. Why? Saw what He is seeing in eternity in light of what mankind is experiencing on earth. No Justice, No Divine Intervention (talk) - Atheistic View.

Not because the scroll is closed.

But because no one is worthy.

The world believes knowledge is the answer.

More technology.

More data.

More information.

Yet Revelation 5 reminds us:

Our deepest problem is not ignorance. It is sin.

The problem of history requires a Redeemer, not merely a researcher.

2. JESUS IS WORTHY BECAUSE HE CONQUERED THROUGH THE CROSS

(vv. 5-7)

Revelation 5:5–7 NKJV

5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

”Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah …the root of David”

John hears "Lion."

John sees "Lamb."

God the Father is worthy and powerful - He could have - all humanity will be lost (ROmans 3:23), we needed the Lamb

The Old Testament question to Anraham, “Where is the lamb?” (Gen. 22:7) was answered by John the Baptist who cried, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

The choirs of heaven sing, “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev. 5:12).

This is one of the greatest surprises in Scripture.

The Lion conquered by becoming the Lamb.

The King won by sacrificing Himself.

Why is He worthy?

Because He was slain.

Because He redeemed.

Because He prevailed.

Grotesque picture, such a creature will be a monstrosity, but John and the Christians at that time would understand the imagery.

Seven horns: Perfect Power - For the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but for us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 COrinthians 1:18)

Seven eyes: Perfect Wisdom

Seven Spirits: Perfect Presence

The future belongs to Jesus because He alone is worthy.

3. TRUE WORSHIP HAPPENS WHEN JESUS IS AT THE CENTER

Revelation 5:8–10 NKJV

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

The moment the Lamb takes the scroll:

The weeping stops.

The worship begins.

Notice what heaven is doing.

Nobody is entertained.

Nobody is distracted.

Nobody is looking for something better.

Everyone is focused on Christ.

Why?

Because worship is not about music.

Worship is about worth.

And when people truly see the worth of Jesus, worship becomes natural.

We worship Jesus:

a. For where He is.

b. For what He does.

c. For what He has.

d. For Who He is.

We do not worship a Babe in a manger or a corpse on a cross. We worship the living, reigning Lamb of God who is in the midst of all in heaven.

They sang a New Song:

A Worship Song

Revelation 5:8–10 NKJV

9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals;

2. A Gospel Song

Revelation 5:8–10 NKJV

or You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Redeemed is the word Agorazo

Agorazo image here

You have been purchased by the Lamb

3. A Missionary Song

Revelation 5:8–10 NKJV

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation

4. A Devotional Song.

And have made us kings and priests to our God;

5. A Prophetic Song

Revelation 5:8–10 NKJV

And we shall reign on the earth.

They sang a New Song:

A Worship Song

A Gospel Song

A Missionary Song

A Devotional Song

A Prophetic Song

Your Kingdom come prayer will be fulfilled.

4. HEAVEN SHOWS US WHAT PERFECT WORSHIP LOOKS LIKE

(vv. 11-14)

Revelation 5:11–14 NKJV

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,

Revelation 5:11–14 NKJV

12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

He was born in weakness and He died in weakness; but He is the recipient of all power. He became the poorest of the poor (2 Cor. 8:9), and yet He owns all the riches of heaven and earth. Men laughed at Him and called Him a fool; yet He is the very wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24; Col. 2:3).

He shared in the sinless weaknesses of humanity as He hungered, thirsted, and became weary. Today in glory, He possesses all strength. On earth, He experienced humiliation and shame as sinners ridiculed and reviled Him. They laughed at His kingship and attired Him in a mock robe, crown, and scepter. But all of that is changed now! He has received all honor and glory!

And blessing! He became a curse for us on the cross (Gal. 3:13), so that we can never be under the curse of the broken Law. (Some translations read “praise” instead of “blessing,” but the Greek word carries both meanings.) He is worthy of all praise!

Revelation 5:11–14 NKJV

13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” 14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

The worship grows.

First the elders.

Then the angels.

Then every creature.

All heaven cries:

"Worthy is the Lamb!"

Nobody gets bored.

Nobody gets tired.

Nobody asks, "When will this be over?"

Because in eternity there is no clock.

And Christ's glory is inexhaustible.

You never reach the end of His greatness.

You never exhaust His beauty.

You never outgrow His worthiness.

Perfect worship is simply an endless response to an endlessly glorious Savior.

All of heaven’s praise came because the Lamb took the scroll from the Father’s hand. God’s great eternal plan would now be fulfilled and creation would be set free from the bondage of sin and death. One day the Lamb will break the seals and put in motion events that will eventually lead to His coming to earth and the establishment of His kingdom.

Conclusion

Last week we talked about being wanted by Jesus.

Today Revelation 5 asks:

Do you want Jesus?

Because what you seek is what will shape your life.

If you want knowledge, you’ll get knowledge.

If you want pleasure, you'll get pleasure.

If you want success, you'll get success.

But if you want Christ and seek Him, you'll find the One to Whom the future belongs and around whom all heaven gathers.

And when heaven gathers, it sings only one song:

"Worthy is the Lamb!"

Easy-to-Remember Statements

Human intelligence cannot solve the Greatest Problem.

Jesus is worthy because He conquered through the Cross.

True worship happens when Jesus is at the center.

Heaven shows us what perfect worship looks like.

Problem → Cross → Worship → Heaven.