Where the Son is Now

Where The Son Is Now

As we approach Christmas, this year, we’re trying to remedy the problem of looking at the baby in the manger with sappy-sweet sentimentality. I want for us to worship the Lord born in Bethlehem with trembling joy-filled awe. That is why we are in Revelation – Last week, on our journey towards Christmas, we turned to the book of Revelation and looked at Revelation chapter 4.

This is one of the most powerful, thrilling passages in all of Scripture. For those who weren’t here last week, chapters 4 and 5 make up one passage. It’s a single picture - a vision of the very throne room of heaven. And it is a drama –

which makes it hard to preach - - as if there is anything these lips of mine could add to the God-inspired account of the drama of His unfolding purposes seen, by John, in the throne room of heaven itself. What I can do is to explain some of what you may not understand yet, so that the drama of history comes with the appropriate punch.

With that in mind - I am going to read the chapter at the END of the message. Before I read it I will expound the text, walk through it with you. So even though I invite you to open your Bibles every week – this morning you really need to open them and follow along.

Last week I told you that chapters 4 and 5 constitute one vision - of the throne room of heaven. It’s a vision that God gives to the apostle John - and it’s a vision that he and the early church need. John has been sent into exile - thrown onto the island of Patmos - a barren outcrop of rock in middle of the Mediterranean sea. Persecution against the fledgling Church is growing. Rome is squeezing Christians more and more tightly. ---- 40 THOUSAND slaughtered ....

And Jesus has NOT come back yet. Is He ever coming back?! Has God forgotten us?!

It’s in this very climate that God, in His grace, peels back the curtain of heaven - to give John a glimpse inside - so he can see that things are NOT what they seem to be, here on earth.to see that things are not what they seem here on earth.

Last week I told you that chapters 4 and 5 constitute one vision of the throne room of heaven. The apostle John is in exile on the island of Patmos, it is the end of the first century – Rome is squeezing Christians hard for their faith. Jesus – has not come back yet. God, in His grace, takes John to heaven to see that things are not what they seem here on earth. Chapter 4, John describes for us the setting itself – the stage with the throne at the center – God the One who Sits on the throne – and the worship of the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders that goes on and on and on and on.

Chapter 4 is to chapter 5, what a setting is to a drama. Chapter 4 doesn’t have any action - but it sets the stage for the action by describing, with vivid images - heaven’s throne room. What stands out there, is that at the very centre, John sees … GOD. God, on His throne, at the very center of heaven - spectacular, dazzling in His glory - surrounded by 4 Living creatures and the 24 elders ....

Now, in chapter 5, comes the drama. John describes it ...

In chapter 5, John describes the drama. Let’s unpack it in three steps. Just reminder -I am not preaching this passage simply to satisfy your curiosity about heaven – I am preaching so that you understand where the baby born in the manger is today – so that you will see Him as He is and be inspired to worship Him with greater wonder and Delight. I want you to see three things this morning very clearly –

In chapter 5, John describes the drama. Let’s unpack it in three steps. Just reminder -I am not preaching this passage simply to satisfy your curiosity about heaven – I am preaching so that you understand where the baby born in the manger is today – so that you will see Him as He is and be inspired to worship Him with greater wonder and Delight. I want you to see three things this morning very clearly –

1) Look at the Scroll vv. 1-4 2) Look at the Lion vv. 5-7

3) Look at the Worship vv. 8-14

1. Look – a Scroll vv. 1-4

READ vv. 1-4.

v. 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.” The

Notice what John says about this scroll: It was, ‘… written within and on the back.’ This scroll is written on both sides. That may mean nothing to you, but it’s important here. Why is that? Well, remember back to school days, when everyone had those different colored exercise books to write in? One for every class? Am I the only one who HATED writing on the back side of every page? You come to a fresh, new page - and the paper is lying nice and flat - so inviting: “Please come a write on me.” But when you filled up that page - you turn it over to write on the back - and the page wouldn’t fold flat. Then you have the seam of the book right at the end of each line, so your hand bumps against it, halfway through the line. It was writing purgatory - the front side of the page - your writing looks polished - good enough to send a letter to the queen … the backside of the page looked like you were writing in Egyptian hieroglyphics. If I could, I would never have written on the backside of my Hilroy Exercise book.

Well, that’s kind of the same reason why, when it came to a writing in a scroll - you usually didn’t write on the outside. In the first century, scrolls were usually made of papyrus, from swamps in delta of Nile river. Papyrus is very much like rhubarb or celery in consistency (except has the shape of a triangle). Take off the outer ‘skin’, then you take your knife and peel off strips of it - roll them with a roller, soak them in water, then lay them down, strip by strip, vertical - then horizontal strips ... until you have roughly a square, then put weight on top for days, so they dry out and bond together. Then, you fasten those square pieces together until you got the length you needed (about 32 feet long at the most). Just like celery has the stringy lines running through it that gets caught in your teeth - papyrus has stringy lines lines, so you would write on the the side where the lines run horizontally, like lines in a notebook (You write Greek just like you write English - horizontally - side to side). Writing on the outside, means you have to write over the bumps, going up and down - makes it harder to be neat.

So, when would you write on back? You would write on the back, only if you were dirt poor - which obviously isn’t the case for the throne room of heaven - - OR, you write on the back, if what you are writing is some kind of legal document, so important that you don’t want to divide it into parts, for fear of losing some of it. So, this scroll, written on both sides - points to the fact that this is a COMPLETE DOCUMENT. This scroll is the WHOLENESS – FULLNESS of the message inside - - THIS scroll, is the book of God’s purposes in redemption and judgment. This is the completeness of those purposes.

Verse 1 points out where it is: It is in the ‘RIGHT hand of him who was seated on the throne.’ Not only is God the one holding it - but He’s holding it in his RIGHT hand - the hand of His power.

Verse 1 also tells us how the scroll is held shut. It is “sealed with SEVEN SEALS” - that’s important too. Normally, you would close a scroll by winding it closed, putting a blank sheet around it and tying it shut with a string. If it’s an official document, then you take some melted wax, put it on the seam and press the wax down with a signet ring to seal it shut. If you are very important, you add more seals. In fact, when the Roman Emperor Vespasian prepared his last will and testament, that scroll was sealed with 7 seals. He’s the Emporer of Rome. He merits 7 seals.

So what you have here, is a document that is very official, it’s complete, it’s in the hand of God’s power - and it’s sealed with SEVEN seals. That’s important.

The fact that this scroll is sealed - that’s very important, but not because otherwise nobody would know what the scroll said. When you have an important document today - you make photocopies of it. They didn’t have photocopiers in John’s day - but they did have scribes who would make ‘back up’ copies of important documents. So you may know what’s inside the original. But the original document is critical because whatever is declared inside - the will or the declaration - it can not be put into place, until the seals on the ORIGINAL are broken. When my parents died - they left their will - we knew what their wishes were - but the will didn’t go into effect, until I took it to the lawyer and got the probate stamped on it.

SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS. Normal scrolls would be sealed by tying a string around them. If it is an official document – you would seal it with a signet ring or some kind of wax seal. If you were very important – you would add more seals. In fact, the last will and testament of the Roman Emperor Vespasian was sealed with 7 seals.

SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS. Normal scrolls would be sealed by tying a string around them. If it is an official document – you would seal it with a signet ring or some kind of wax seal. If you were very important – you would add more seals. In fact, the last will and testament of the Roman Emperor Vespasian was sealed with 7 seals.

So what you have here is a document that is very official, complete – in the hand of God’s power – and sealed with seven seals - Very Important.

So here, the fact that this scroll is sealed - means that God’s purposes in saving and judging - the purposes are sealed and cannot be fulfilled - until the seals are broken.

In chap. 6 we see the seals being opened. In legal documents, like a will - slitting of the seals meant that the instructions were being put into effect. For important documents they made ‘back ups’ – for which they had scribes. But the original would be tremendously important (as scribes could make mistakes, etc.). So, though you may know the contents of a scroll like a will – you may have read a backup copies - - but the actual will itself could not be enacted until the seals on the original were broken.

So the fact that this scroll is sealed – means that God’s purposes in salvation and judgment are sealed and cannot be fulfilled until this takes place. The point is not that you can take a sneak peak into the future when the seals are broken. The point is that God’s purposes cannot come to pass until then.

So the fact that this scroll is sealed – means that God’s purposes in salvation and judgment are sealed and cannot be fulfilled until this takes place. The point is not that you can take a sneak peak into the future when the seals are broken. The point is that God’s purposes cannot come to pass until then.

2. The Challenge v. 2

In verse 2, a mighty angel steps up and speaks … actually more specifically, ‘proclaims … with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’

Remember, this scroll is in the right hand of God … He’s just been described in chapter 4. To even GET to this God, you have to cross the Sea of GLASS, you have to pass through the 24 elders, bowing prostrate worship … you have to make it through the terror of the roaring thunder, lightning flashes, rumblings and the blazing torches of fire … you have to pass by the - the angels, terrifying by themselves, and yet who cover their own eyes in awe of the unfathomable, holy glory of the One on the throne - you have to pass through all of that - and THEN … TAKE the scroll?! From God’s Hand?!

3. The Silence v. 3

“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” John tells us that this angel uses a ‘loud voice’. It has to be a loud, mighty voice - - see how far the challenge goes out … Verse 3, It went out to heaven .... it went out to the earth … and it went out the the realm under the earth. The call shakes the whole cosmos!

“Who is WORTHY to OPEN the scroll and BREAK ITS SEALS?!!”

And the answer? ...... crickets ....

In other words, there is no one. There is NOONE in heaven - no angelic being, no one on earth - no human … . no one under the earth - no one in the realm of the dead, no necromancer, no magician of demonic power .... the call goes out to the entire universe and the truth is that there IS NO ONE in the entire universe who is worthy to begin the unfolding of God’s plan.

That’s the whole point of chapter 4 - - that NOBODY can approach the God of heaven -He is far TOO holy and awesome.

This angel uses a ‘loud voice’. – see how far the challenge went out. It went out to heaven - NO one in heaven – no angelic being, It echoes throughout the earth - no one on earth – no human, and the voice thunders and shakes the realm of the dead - no one under the earth – no one dead or spirit in the abode of the dead. The call goes to the entire universe – and no one in all the universe is worthy to begin the unfolding of God’s plan.

The whole point of chapter 4 is that you CANNOT approach such a God – He is far too holy and awe-some. The implication of the challenge here is who has rank so marvelous, attributes so full and magnificent, life so holy – as to be worthy to unleash the purposes of this God for judgment and blessing for the entire universe?

Oh, but what does that mean for history? God for judgment and blessing for the entire universe?

4. The Tears v.4

John gets the implication of the silence – v. 4: “And I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or (EVEN) to look into it.”

John isn’t weeping because he’s nosy and wants a peek into the future. He gets the symbolism - He recognizes that unless somebody opens the scroll -- God’s purposes of judgment and blessing go UNFULFILLED … FOREVER.

Put yourself in John’s place - he is struggling to exist on this desolate island. For all he knows, he will die and his body will rot … here. He has seen persecution grow and watched his dearest friends die - of all the apostles, he is the only one who hasn’t died a martyr’s death yet. Before Jesus ascended into heaven - he promised that He would return in great, triumphant glory … and the church has been waiting .... and waiting .... and waiting. And all John can see now - is the emperor of Rome on his throne … with Jesus nowhere to be found. “Who is worthy to open the scroll” .... in this silence, he is asking himself:

“If this all a cruel joke? Is evil going to win after all? Is all of our suffering for nothing?! Has God turned His head and forgotten us forever?!”

And even though you may not think in such apocalyptic and universe encompassing terms - still, there is not a person here who doesn’t understand John’s tears. This world is not the way it ought to be - and you know it, especially at Christmas.

You may not think in such apocalyptic world encompassing terms – but you understand John’s tears. Bertrand Russell (atheist): asked what he had to hang onto in life, on British radio. His answer: all he had to hang onto was, “grim, unyielding despair”. Tell that to the wife who has just lost her child, or the husband who has lost his wife of 50 years. The death of God does ensure our independence - - it also ensures our meaninglessness.

Bertrand Russell proud, British atheist … wrote a book, ‘Why I am Not a Christian’. He was interviewed, on British radio, when he was 90 years old and not far from death. The interviewer asked him ‘well, you aren’t a Christian - don’t believe in God - what do you hang onto - what gives you hope for when you die?’

His answer came in a moment of uncommon honesty: “I have nothing to hang onto but grim, unyielding despair”.

Tell that to the parent preparing for a Christmas without their child. Tell that to the wife, preparing for Christmas without the husbandwife who has just lost her child, or the husband who has lost his wife of 50 years. The death of God does ensure our independence - - it also ensures our meaninglessness.

We make our own meanings but we establish meanings that are so petty, so lacking in any transcendent value – as to be absurd. We have fallen into the loss of any transcendant truth.

And to shut out the full awareness of our situation – we keep ourselves in a constant state of stimulation – radio on as soon as we wake, cds in our cars, television at night - - we do not want to allow silence – because then we will be forced to think and the ‘weeping’ will come.

2. Look – The Lion! Vv. 5-7

The story doesn’t end in v. 4.

v. 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.”

Look – the Lion!

Ever since , where Jacob blesses his 12 sons – the patriarchs of the nation of Israel, the Lion has always been the symbol for the tribe of Judah. And the promise TO the tribe of Judah is that “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet …” In other words – the King of Israel will be a descendant belonging to Judah’s line. Of course, great King David comes and God promises him - a throne that will last forever.

The time of the exile comes – Jerusalem destroyed – the king deposed and since then, there has been no king to rule legitimately. But here is the LION, from the tribe of Judah – A reigning lion.

Notice he is not called a descendant of David - - v. 5, the elder calls him the “ROOT of David”. In other words, he may come after David, but he is also BEFORE David - - , Jesus speaks, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’.”

Weeping John – “Stop crying! Look - - there is the LION - - He has triumphed, He can open the scroll.”

So John lifts up his head, turns his face, and through tear-flooded eyes, he looks for this lion - and sees .... A LAMB.

WHAT?!

v. 6 The conquering lion is a slaughtered LAMB. There are 2 words in Greek for sheep – this is not the usual one – this is the word for a little, baby sheep – and this one has been slaughtered = this is a sacrificial lamb.

That’s shocking. When people are looking for an animal to use for a symbol to represent power, what do they choose? Well, of course they choose a mighty, ferocious beast: “Clemson Tigers; Florida Panthers; Boston Bruins; Philadelphia Eagles; Detroit Lions”. Countries do the same thing:

Russia chooses the bear, Britain the Lion, France the Tiger, the US the spread eagle – all of them ravenous

Russia elevates the bear, Britain the Lion, France the Tiger, the US the spread eagle – all of them ravenous

And of course, in Canada – we choose ... the beaver (how embarrassing - how typically Canadian).

It is only the kingdom of heaven that would dare to use, as its symbol of power - NOT the lion that John is looking for, but the helpless lamb - a slaughtered lamb, even.

But wait -

Almost right – yes he’s a Lamb – the slaughtered Lamb. But not right in denying what it also affirms – That he is the LION as well! He is both! Now we understand the struggle that has allowed the Lion to prevail. Isaiah explains it for us in chapter 53 of his book: “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter . . . and by His wounds we are healed ... Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, because he poured out His life to death … he bore the sin of many”. HE WILL CONQUER BY SUFFERING.

Almost right – yes he’s a Lamb – the slaughtered Lamb. But not right in denying what it also affirms – That he is the LION as well! He is both! Now we understand the struggle that has allowed the Lion to prevail. Isaiah explains it for us in chapter 53 of his book: “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter . . . and by His wounds we are healed ... Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, because he poured out His life to death … he bore the sin of many”

Look at how John describes Him: Verse 6 - “He had seven horns” – Symbolic- horn regularly a symbol of kingly power – rule – authority. Perfect in power. How does Jesus put it? In : “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Paul in Corinthians 15, asserts that God mediates all of his authority through Jesus: He must rule until every enemy has been put under his feet.

“Seven eyes” – He sees all – is omniscient. So, He has perfect power and perfect knowledge. This is an amazing combination One being who knows the utmost Power and utmost Suffering. Could there be more powerful imagery of Christ than that - the Slaughtered Lamb, who is a Lion?

Where the Lamb Appears.

v. 6 – “And between the throne (literally - in the midst of the throne) and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing ...” So the Lion appears, standing in the center of the throne. Don’t miss what this means. HE COULD BE ONLY GOD. Who else is going to get to the midst of the throne? The cherubim and seraphim don’t - they hide their eyes from God as they minister and worship AROUND the throne. But the Lamb emerges FROM the throne to take the scroll from the One who sits on that throne.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS GOD.

So the Lion appears, standing in the center of the throne”. Don’t miss what this means: He could only be God. Who else is going to in the center of the throne? The cherubim and seraphim don’t – they HIDE their eyes from God as they minister AROUND the throne. But the Lamb emerges FROM the throne as he approaches to take the scroll from Him who sits on the throne. It’s another way of getting at the Trinity – agrees with .

Here chapters 4-5 come together: The only one who could bring about God’s purposes of judgment on evil and blessing for His people - - is God Himself. And God’s purposes could only be brought about by suffering and sacrifice of the One who was himself God and reigned as King.

Do you see the connection with Christmas? Here in the manger lies a baby - looks so fragile and helpless - - wrapped in swaddling clothes, so he doesn’t get sick … laid in a manger, because He can’t walk anywhere himself. This baby w

LOOK AT THE LION.

3. Look the Worship vv. 8-14

Thirdly – Look at the Worship. V 8 “And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb” (up until now - they have only fallen down and worshiped before the One who sits on teh throne … now they worship the Lamb!).

Notice the worship - v. 8 goes on, “… each holding a harp ...”. Okay, we have to stop here for a minute. Each of these creatures holding a harp and worshiping around the throne - - - this is where people get the idea that eternity in heaven is nothing more than wearing a clean bedsheet and playing a harp forever and ever .... and ever.

And if that’s you and you are trying your best not to show it right now - don’t feel bad. You aren’t alone. Harp? The only harp you’ve ever seen in real life, is at the symphony - massive instrument, with all of those strings, surrounded by stuffy folks in tuxedos and evening gowns, who never get tired of classical music. You think, “That’s just not me!” And I’ll tell you a secret right now - if that’s what heaven was like - I would be in no hurry to get there.

You need to understand - a harp in the 1st century isn’t like our harp at all - - it was an instrument of joy. Remember by the rivers of Babylon, when God’s people were

, “There by the rivers of Babylon, we hung up our harps.” “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?!” “How can we sing happy songs of joy - when we have lost everything?

When you think, ‘what’s an instrument for happy songs?’ - I doubt that most of us think ‘harp’. How about a banjo?

Happy instruments for us may be different - - maybe a banjo. I know – many of you here don’t like country music. But you have to admit, when a banjo gets going – whether you want to or not, it doesn’t take long before your toes start tapping. You can’t help yourself.

“Banjo?! that’s for country music - and I don’t like country music either! I mean how many songs can you listen to about your girl leaving you, your pickup truck getting stolen and your do dying, before it gets old?” Oh, but you have to admit, when a banjo gets going - it doesn’t take long before your toes start tapping. Whether you want to or not - you can’t listen to a banjo with a frown on your face.

So, when you think about the worship of heaven - the worship around the Son of God - think great joy - toe tapping, voice raising joy. God’s purposes are finally being realized - the angels around the throne can’t help themselves, they break out in spectacularly joyful music!

God’s purposes are finally being realized and the angels around the throne cannot help themselves – they break out in spectacularly joyous music!

Verse 8 also tells us that they are holding, “golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints.”

Christian, don’t miss what this picture means for you! If Christ had not conquered through suffering – he could not possibly answer the prayers of the saints. The request to God from your wayward heart would bring as much delight to a Holy God as a him as a plea for help from a man who had attacked your child would bring pleasure to you. He would owe us judgment, nothing but condemnation. But because the Lamb HAS conquered – the prayer of your heavy-burdened heart – the anguish of your soul - - your heart’s deepest groaning rises to God – not as a nuisance, but as delightful incense - a fragrant aroma in His nostrils.

Christian, don’t miss what this picture means for you! If Christ had not conquered through suffering – he could not possibly answer the prayers of the saints. The request to God of your wayward heart would bring as much delight to him as a plea for help from a man who had run off with your wife would bring pleasure to you. He would owe us judgment, nothing but condemnation. But because the Lamb HAS conquered – the prayer of your heavy-burdened heart – the anguish of your soul - - your heart’s deepest groaning rises to God – not as a nuisance, but as delightful incense.

So pray on, Christian! When it feels like heaven is silent. When every prayer you try to pray is haunted by the voice of the Enemy reminding you of your failures and sins … “Don’t trouble the God of Heaven with your babbling ...” - - remember the Golden bowls of incense around the throne of heaven.

Verses 9-14 describe their worship’s music: v. 9, “And they sang a NEW song”. In chapter 4, there is worship in the throne-room of heaven – This is a different song - this song is new. In chapter 4, God is worshiped because He is the Sovereign, Holy, Creator of everything. ‘… for you created all things and by your will they existed and were created.’.

In chapter 5, God is worshiped because of REDEMPTION - - “Verse 9, “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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Oh, how I love the variety of nations and cultures we have represented in this small church .... foretaste of heaven itself in this divided world where people from the same blood family can’t get along.

“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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Not just saved from sin … but PURCHASED FOR GOD - do you see the depth of purpose that infuses into your life? A kingdom of priests ...

But, if Christ had not volunteered as the Lamb for the sacrifice … If He did not lay down His life, you would have nothing more to hope in than Bertrand Russell - “Grim, unyielding despair.” There would not be a single redeemed person, heaven would be empty, hell would be full; this is a gospel chapter in a gospel book. Right now, the angels of heaven are singing – because of what the Son of God – the Lion who is a Lamb – has done for you and me.

If Christ had not volunteered as the Lamb for the sacrifice … If He did not lay down His life, there would not be a single redeemed person, heaven would be empty, hell would be full; this is a gospel chapter in a gospel book. Right now, the angels of heaven are singing – because of what the Son of God – the Lion who is a Lamb – has done for you and me.

“Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals . . .”

i) It is a bloody atonement – “redeemed by your blood . . .” Nothing mystical about blood. Points simply to suffering/ death. Blood is a way of representing by metonomy the whole of the sacrifical atonement of Christ.

The New Song Repeated vv. 11ff

Because the sinless Savior died my sinful soul is counted free For God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me

my sinful soul is counted free For God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me

The New Song Repeated vv. 11ff

iii) It is a DIRECTED atonement. They are redeemed/purchased “FOR God.” You are not bought for yourself, to go your own way now forgiven - -you are purchased positively to live FOR God. If you keep doing it your own way – you are still in sin.

iv) It is a TRIUMPHANT atonement. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests, to serve our God and they will reign on the earth.” The church doesn’t HAVE a priesthood - - We are ALL priests. We take the truth and the message of God and bring it to the world, then we take the suffering and pain and needs of the world back to God. We are mediators – a kingdom of priests.

The New Song Repeated vv. 11ff

It is not enough to have the song once - - The angelic beings immediately around the throne sing first - - but then John looks, in v. 11 - - “… 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 … - - - thousand upon thousand, ten t He means that now ALL of heaven is worshiping - - and do you notice there are 7 attributes listed in their song - - Worthy to receive - - power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise - Perfect in Attributes.

But two songs are still not enough - - in vv. 13, ALL OF CREATION joins in - - “Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them ...”.

This is a recognition that the whole universe, as it exists, right now - is out of joint. “This is not the way it’s supposed to be.” … all of creation groans . . .” Law of the Jungle is right – Kipling - - “Eat or be eaten, kill or be killed.” All dies - - “. . . while we wait the adoption as sons.”

But the end of chapter 5, takes us into the reality at the very heart of the universe.

Here, all of creation is rejoicing because the curse is lifted – the universe is set free – and SINGING results. The Son who took on flesh in the womb of teenage peasant Mary, was born in Bethlehem’s stable, gave Himself up as the sacrificial Lamb – is risen a conquering Lion - - and now enjoys the adoration of heaven.

Before the Throne of God Above ...

One with Himself I cannot die My soul is purchased with His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ my Savior and my God When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there, Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died my sinful soul is counted free For God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me

iii) It is a DIRECTED atonement. They are redeemed/purchased “FOR God.” You are not bought for yourself, to go your own way now forgiven - -you are purchased positively to live FOR God. If you keep doing it your own way – you are still in sin.

iv) It is a TRIUMPHANT atonement. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests, to serve our God and they will reign on the earth.” The church doesn’t HAVE a priesthood - - We are ALL priests. We take the truth and the message of God and bring it to the world, then we take the suffering and pain and needs of the world back to God. We are mediators – a kingdom of priests.