He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Introduction:

How many of you remember growing up singing the song, “He’s Got the Whole World, In His Hands?” You probably remember that He’s got the itty, bitty baby in His hands too. That song is a comforting song to little children to remind them that God is powerful enough to care for all of creation and also us as well.

Well, the song is still true, and it’s true when it comes to dealing with global catastrophe as well. We really can’t wrap our minds around what it is going to be like on this earth when the Great Tribulation begins.

We have seen global catastrophe’s before like the earthquakes in Nepal or the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We have see Hurricane Katrina and regional flooding. We have also had generations to go through world wars and currently live in a heightened state of awareness because of global terrorism.

However, in all of these events, we have never had something that has shaken society to the core. The events that are going to unfold in the next chapter and continue through the rest of the book are truly earth-shattering. Their is not going to be anyone on the planet that will escape the affects of the wrath of God that is poured out on the earth.

So, in light of that frightening scene, it’s good to remind you that He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands!

Let’s take a look at the scene from Heaven before we move to what will happen on earth.

Read Text. Pray.

1. God Holds the History of the World in His Hands (v.1)

Remember last week we talked about the fact that God is not pacing the floors of heaven, waiting for the right timing to bring about His plan. God knew that today would happen before He ever created the first day that ever was!

Remember last week we talked about the fact that God is not pacing the floors of heaven, waiting for the right timing to bring about His plan. God knew that today would happen before He ever created the first day that ever was!

You see in verse 1 that God is on the throne and He has a sealed scroll in His hand. The scroll contains the rest of the fate of human history on it. Don’t confuse the scroll with the 7 seals that we are about to see unfold. The scroll is sealed and it has everything already recorded on it that will happen. That means God holds the history of the world, indeed the fate of the world, in His hands.

Now, if you need to be reminded of Who it is who holds the World in His hand, just look back to chapter 4. In Chapter 4, we were given a grand description of what God was like. In chapter 5, we are going to glimpse again at what Jesus looks like.

You see in verse 1 that God is on the throne and He has a sealed scroll in His hand. The scroll contains the rest of the fate of human history on it. Don’t confuse the scroll with the 7 seals that we are about to see unfold. The scroll is sealed and it has everything already recorded on it that will happen. That means God holds the history of the world, indeed the fate of the world, in His hands.

The second thing we see is:

2. Only Jesus

2. Only Jesus Has Authority to Inaugurate the Judgment of God on the Earth (vv. 2-5)

Now, if you need to be reminded of Who it is who holds the World in His hand, just look back to chapter 4. In Chapter 4, we were given a grand description of what God was like. In chapter 5, we are going to glimpse again at what Jesus looks like.

John sees this incredible sight and then there is a question that rings out. Who has the authority to open the scroll? There is no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth that can do it. This is enough to make John cry.

God on the Earth (vv. 2-5)

However, there is One who has authority and we see next a transfer of authority take place. Jesus is the One who opens the seals! In chapter 6 we will see these seals one by one, but for now let’s focus on how Jesus is described in this chapter. Each description fits the purpose of the passage we are looking at.

We see Jesus described as a Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Root of David.

Jesus is a King and conqueror as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is also the Root of David. Davids line was cut off from the throne after the fall of Jerusalem, but it was not cut off physically. Jesus picks up the throne and carries forth the prophecy about the House of David, that David would never fail to have someone sit on the throne from His family. Jesus is the shoot that comes out of that stump that was cut off.

It is the finished work of Jesus that gives him the authority to open the seals.

2. Only Jesus Has Authority to Inaugurate the Judgment of God on the Earth (vv. 2-5)

3. Jesus is Worthy to Receive Our Praise (vv.6-14)

A. The Description of the One to Be Praised (vv. 6-7)

B. The Worshipers of the One to Be Praised (v. 8)

C. The Song to the One to Be Praised (vv. 9 10)

D. The Glory of the One to Be Praised (vv. 11-14)