The Justice of God: The Lamb Worthy to Judge!
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Writing about AD 95 from the Island of Patmos
Apocalyptic - Revelation -
Remember the message entitled: The Justice of God: Race, Gospel, and Ultimate Justice?
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
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.
8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “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,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
I. I saw God holding a scroll. (Rev. 5:1)
A. The One seated is described from Rev. 4:2, 3, 9, 10, 11.
The one seated looked like Jasper and Carnelian
A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald was around the throne
Living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him
He lives for ever and ever
24 elders fall down and worship Him
The elders cast there golden crowns before Him
The elders worship Him as the Creator of everything!
B. God holds a scroll in His right hand.
written on the inside and outside
sealed with seven seals
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
these are the judgments that will fall upon the earth during a relatively brief period, eventually at their conclusion issuing in the coming of the promised Messiah and His kingdom.
II. I saw a mighty angel. (Rev. 5:2-5)
A. Angel asks “Who is worthy” (v. 2)
B. Universal search finds that no one is worthy… (v. 3)
C. John weeps (v. 4)
D. One of the elders identifies Christ:
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (v. 5)
9 Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?
God as Lion (Job 10:16; Isa. 31:4; Jer. 50:44; Hos. 5:14; Amos 3:8)
Isaiah 31:4
ii. The Root of David (v. 5; cf. Romans 15:12)
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Revelation b. Christ the Lamb, Worthy to Open the Seals (5:1–14)
The cross is the basis of both divine love (redemption) and justice (judgment).
III. I saw the Lamb (Rev. 5:6-10)
A. Standing as though slain
Seven horns
Seven eyes
B. He took the scroll
C. The Lamb is worshipped
4 Living Creatures bow down
24 Elders bow down
Harps, golden bowls (prayers of the saints)
They sang a new song
D. The Song to the Lamb
Worthy to take and open the scroll
You were slain
Your blood is the ransom for:
Every tribe
Every language
Every people
Every nation
The Lamb has made them into a kingdom
The Lamb has made them priests to God
They shall reign on the earth
IV. Conclusion
A. Is He worthy to you?
B. When God judges the world, where will you be standing?
C. Will you be among the tribes, languages, peoples, and nations that will reign with the Lord on the earth?