3-24-2019 The Look of Worth Revelation 5:1-7
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Introduction:
Books and articles written in the 1700s up early 1900s usually had a longer title then what we are used to today. One such example of this is an article written in 1900 by D L Moody. In the last few decades, we’ve shortened the title to Heaven with perhaps a subtitle reading, “Where it is, Its Inhabitants, And How To Get There.
To get the full affect as Mr. Moody had intended the title to be:
HEAVEN, Where It Is, Its Inhabitants, And How To Get There - THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S PROMISE OF A LIFE BEYOND THE GRAVE, AND THE REWARDS THAT ARE IN STORE FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE. AS GLEANED FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE.
BY D. L. MOODY
In this 6 chapter article, Moody starts off by a story of a man he held in high esteem:
A leading divine has recently said:
When I was a boy I thought of heaven as a great shining city, with vast walls and domes and spires, and with nobody in it except white angels, who were strangers to me. By and by my little brother died, and I thought of a great city with walls and domes and spires, and a flock of cold, unknown angels, and one little fellow that I was acquainted with. He was the only one that I knew in that country. Then another brother died, and there were two that I knew. Then my acquaintances began to die, and the number continually grew. But it was not until I had sent one of my little children back to God, that I began to think I had a little interest there myself. A second, a third, a fourth went, and by that time I had so many acquaintances in heaven that I did not see any more walls and domes and spires. I began to think of the residents of the Celestial City. And now so many of my acquaintances have gone there, that it sometimes seems to me that I know more in heaven than I do on earth.
May the thought of loved ones gone before give additional joy to us as we follow in the way.
Heaven! Most of us (if not all) have probably spent time like this friend of Moody’s to dream of the wonders of Heaven—what it will look like, what it will be like, what it will feel like. The Apostle John does not dream it, he experiences heaven and records it for us.
Transition:
Last week we began putting on our spiritual glasses by looking at John’s vision of the throne room of YHWH with heavenly worship that began in Revelation 4. We’ll continue that process this morning as we examine the development of that vision now in Chapter 5. As you might recall from last week, the vision recorded in chapters 4 and 5 is the key to the rest of the book. It is only by looking through the lens of this vision that we will be able to properly understand everything else that we’ll see in our expository journey. Revelation 5 continues the throne-room vision that began in 4:1. Following the worship of God as sovereign Creator, the scene shifts to the Lamb as Redeemer
Scripture Reading:
Revelation 5:1-7
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.”
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.
Revelation 5 somewhat echoes Jesus’s statement found in the Gospel of John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.” Here now in Revelation, the Lamb’s position in the “center of the throne,” His worthiness to take the scroll from YHWH, His close relation to God, the Spirit, and the worship He receives alongside YHWH in the second half of the chapter which we’ll see next week, all point to Jesus’ oneness with YHWH. For the early Christians who were committed to Jewish monotheism, to worship Jesus alongside God means only one thing: they regarded Jesus as God, as one who shared God’s nature and glory.
This passage communicates another important theological insight: victory comes through sacrifice. Revelation 5:5–6 sums up the climax of human history: Jesus, the messianic warrior, came to give himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world through his death on the cross (cf. John 1:29). The Lion is a Lamb! The slaughtered Lamb is alive by virtue of his resurrection and now stands exalted at the center of the throne of God, ready to carry out his heavenly ministry by the power of the Spirit.
Transition:
Lets now take a moment to experience what John is experiencing as he sees “the Look of Worth”
I. What John Sees (vv.1-2)
I. What John Sees (vv.1-2)
after explaining this throne room, John notices a smaller detail, a sealed scroll:
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.
“a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals”
WHAT IS THE SCROLL?
Like with many of the other objects in Revelation, there are a number of opinions regarding what the scroll represents and numerous attempts to identify the scroll in Revelation 5 with some previous known scroll or a scroll to come (e.g., the Old Testament, the Lamb’s book of life, an account of the great tribulation). The scroll does have a striking similarity to Ezekiel’s scroll that he ate. 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.
SO is this the same scroll? no, but very similar! Both scrolls contains words of judgement Ezekiel’s scroll with words of “lament and mourning and woe” could be characteristic of what is written in Revelation. Both scrolls have writings on both sides. The fact that both scrolls have writing on both sides and, especially now in Revelation, is covered with seven seals points to the full, complete with no room to add anything, comprehensive plan of God’s judgement.
The scroll in our passage this morning includes more than Ezekiel’s, as it includes YHWH’s final redemptive plan to defeat evil once and for all, to rescue his people, and to transform his creation through the victory achieved by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, as the later chapters will indeed confirm.
The scroll here is in YHWH’s right hand, and as I’ve mentioned previously, YHWH’s right hand conveys God’s power and authority (cf. Rev. 1:16–17, 20; 2:1).
This ain’t the only scroll in Revelation! There is another scroll five chapters later as well!
Two main scrolls are mentioned in Revelation: the “scroll” (biblion) in the right hand of God in chapter 5 and the “little scroll” (biblaridion) of chapter 10. The context weighs in favor of identifying the first scroll as YHWH’s plan in its entirety for judging evil, redeeming his people, and transforming his creation, a plan which is clearly anchored in the death and resurrection of Christ as pictured here and consummated at his return. Thus, the plan that connects the cross to the new creation is summarized in Revelation 6–22.
Most scholars see a strong connection between the two scrolls of Revelation 5 and 10, although the two are not completely identical.
If the scroll of Revelation 5 represents God’s redemptive plan, the “little scroll” narrows the focus to the suffering of the church in God’s plan for the world. Both visions emphasize the sovereignty of God and the certainty that God’s purposes will succeed.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
The suspense builds as the entire universe’s future hangs in the balance as the search commences for someone capable of taking the scroll, breaking its seals, and unfolding the final stages of God’s plan for human history—very unlike the Ezekiel scroll.
Transition:
So John is seeing this action begin to pick up, John is immersed in the suspense of the angel’s question unanswered. So what does John do?
II. What John Does (vv. 3–4)
II. What John Does (vv. 3–4)
Since no created being is found worthy of opening the scroll, John weeps uncontrollably.
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.
He cries and sobs! What is happening?
The term for “weep” (klaiō) here is was used in ancient Greek for mourning the death of a loved one, such as Mary weeping at the death of her brother Lazarus, or when grieving a broken intimate relationship, as when Peter wept bitterly after realizing that he had denied Christ for the third time. But none of that is happening here, so what is happening?
The mere thought that God’s plan to bring deliverance and restoration and justice and victory might never be realized drives John to utter despair. Why?
Human beings are helpless without a Savior. John’s desperate weeping reflects the universal response of people who realize they are worthless! We cannot deliver ourselves from the power of sin and the curse of death. We simply cannot save ourselves. We are bound from birth for an eternity apart from God —Hell!
For the gospel to have the “good news” impact it should have, we must realize this and those we share the Gospel with must realize this too. Perhaps using your imagination can help: “How would you feel if there was no victory over death, no end to pain and suffering, no power to defeat Satan, no end to destructive addictions, and so on?” The Enlightenment worldview says that human beings made the scroll (or plan) collectively, and they are developing ways to open it. Postmodernism, on the other hand, denies that such a scroll even exists—there is no grand story that offers life and hope—we are on our own to write our own individual scrolls if we so wish. Here John identifies with all of humanity and asks the universal question: Is there a God, and will he come to our rescue? In Jesus, God’s answer is “YES!”
Transition:
But John now needs to experience Christ to be reminded that there is hope!
III. Who John Experiences (vv.5–6)
III. Who John Experiences (vv.5–6)
Only the Lion-Lamb is worthy to open the scroll and He is here!
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.”
“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David”
In the midst of unrestrained mourning, John is comforted by an elder! who tells him what? stop crying! Although no human being can do the job, there is one who is worthy and capable of opening the scroll. He describes Jesus, the worthy one, using two important messianic titles. The “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Gen. 49:9–10) it refers back to Jacob’s blessing over his son, identifying the tribe of Judah as the royal line and signifying Jesus’s power and strength as a mighty warrior and ruler. The “Root of David” echoes the promise that an ideal ruler would come from the “Root of Jesse,” King David’s father (Isa. 11:1, 10; 2 Sam. 7:1–17; Rom. 15:12; Rev. 22:16). John needs to stop crying because Jesus, the long-expected royal Messiah, is able to open the scroll and defeat the power of evil for good.
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.”
“has conquered, so that he can open the scroll”
Jesus can fulfill God’s plan because he has “triumphed” (nikaō), the same word used throughout Revelation for “overcome” or “conquer” or “be victorious”. His worthiness results from His sacrifice on the cross; His ability to carry out God’s plan flows from His victorious death and resurrection.
Now John is about to experience Jesus at the throne:
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.
“I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain”
When John turns to view this conquering Lion, he sees a Lamb “standing as if slain.” Why? First, the term for “lamb” (arnion) is used twenty-eight times in Revelation with reference to Christ and combines the images of a Passover lamb of Exodus 11–12 with the Suffering Servant lamb of Isaiah 52:13–53:12. Jesus conquered not by using the power and force of a lion but by dying as the Passover Lamb. So then the great victory over all the forces of evil has already occurred at the cross and at His resurrection.
The idea is this: that Jesus was indeed slain or crucified but is now resurrected and alive and “standing at the center of the throne,” showing his unique relationship to God. There is only one throne of God in Revelation and it is shared with the Lamb (3:21; 5:6; 7:17; 22:1, 3).
But this Lamb looks different:
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.
"with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
The Lamb has seven horns, why? it’s symbolic of His perfect power and strength (Wed night Dan. 7:7, 20). He also has seven eyes, which could have possibly represented His wisdom and insight, but are explicitly identified here as the “seven spirits of God”. Somewhat like in Zech. 3:9
9 For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.
Then further in Zechariah’s vision, the eyes belong to God himself and “range throughout the earth” (Zech. 4:10).
10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”
Back in In Revelation, the “seven spirits of God”...
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.
...refer to the Holy Spirit, just as we saw back in chapter 1:4. The Spirit’s being “sent out into all the earth” sound a bit like Jesus’s words about the sending of the Holy Spirit to empower the church to participate in God’s mission in this world. Jesus is both one with the Father on his throne and one with the Holy Spirit in the executing of God’s will.
Transition:
So What? (v. 7)
So What? (v. 7)
So verse seven is recorded:
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
What a moment for John to witness! So What??
God is not passively sitting on his throne while his people suffer under the dictatorship of evil people and evil powers. Rather, He is actively carrying out His plan to defeat evil, to redeem His people, and to restore His creation by transformation: one heart at a time. The very existence of this scroll reassures us that YHWH has a plan and always had the plan. God is on his throne. There is a scroll in his right hand, and it will be opened! God is not sitting idly by as his people suffer. From our point of view, He has already acted in Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded of all that has already been accomplished through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Yes, he will consummate his victory over evil at his second coming, and yes, there are real battles remaining to be fought. But the war has been won!
Grant Osborne says it well,
The great victory over Satan has already occurred: the cross is the central point of history, and the final battle of Armageddon (16:16; 17:14; 19:14–21) is the culmination of a victory already won. In actuality, Armageddon is more Satan’s final act of defiance than the final victory of Christ. The victory of Christ is at the cross.
Jesus alone proves worthy of accomplishing God’s plan. Only Jesus is worthy to take the scroll from God’s right hand and open it, meaning only Jesus is capable of it. The reasons for His worthiness are further explained in vv. 9–10 but are alluded to today in verse 6: the “Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne.” His worthiness rests in His crucifixion and resurrection. This presents an ideal opportunity to talk about keeping Jesus in his rightful place. Even religious leaders can find themselves on pedestals. They can move from representing God to replacing God if they are not careful. But only Jesus, the crucified and resurrected Lord, has the authority to carry out God’s plan for the world. Pastors, Deacons, Elders, & leaders, and even the people who follow them are replaceable, but only Jesus is indispensable. Humbling ourselves before our Lord and Redeemer right now will bring great relief and everlasting peace.
So What?
So What?
You all sitting here today have sinned against the most Holy God. The perfect Lamb came to earth to live the perfect life that we can not live—all in perfect obedience to God unto death. Just by you going to church, helping people out, and being a so-called good person is never enough to make you right before The Father. It takes Christ! This spotless lamb took our punishment as He suffered on the cross so that we can be justified before God— counted as if we have never sinned. You must repent of your sin yourself, no one else can do that for you--that is turn away from your sin to God and trust your eternity to this standing Lamb. Trust that his death and sacrifice, everything He did for us, was enough to make us whole and pleasing before our Maker. Like Ray Comfort says in several of his shows: Just as if we are about to jump out of an airplane, its not good enough just to have a parachute in the airplane and trust it. We have to actually put the parachute on, just like we need to put on our Lord Jesus in faith through repentance.
Conclusion:
▪God has a plan to defeat evil, redeem his people, and transform his creation.
▪No created being is capable of accomplishing God’s plan.
▪Only Jesus the Lion-Lamb proves worthy of fulfilling God’s plan.
▪Jesus is worthy to take the scroll from God because of his crucifixion and resurrection.