Book of Revelation (12)
Notes
Transcript
Revelation Ch5
Revelation Ch5
Today is an exciting text as it made the whole Earth and Heaven rejoice.
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.
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
John sees something new in Heaven- It’s a scroll written on both sides and sealed with 7 seals.
So what is this scroll- One Theologian writes that the scroll contains the eternal degrees of God- Or God’s perfect plan, blessings, judgements, and purposes.
The importance of the scroll is shown to be important
It’s held in God hand-specifically his right hand or hand of Authority.
Written on both sides-Uncommon for scrolls. It’s meant to show us that it’s full. There is no more room and therefore shouldn’t be added too.
Sealed with 7 seals-Meaning completely and perfectly sealed. These seals will be taken off one by one in ch 6-8 Unable to be opened or looked into
No Earthly or heavenly person was able to open it
John weeps when no one can open the seal.- John’s disposition should be our disposition when realizing the world doesn’t have someone worthy to bring His plan into action. If Chapter 5 ended in V4 This would be our normal—this weeping. Why? because we need Champion. We need someone who is worthy to orchestrate God’s perfect will in the World.
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.”
This is mind blowing especially for John who has a in depth knowledge of the Old Testament. John would have known what all these references meant.
Judah- is the lineage of the Messiah-Victorious Messiah
Lion- Courageous-Majestic-Lion’s Rule-Victorious
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.
John was expecting to see a lion, but he saw a Lamb instead. Not just any lamb-but a slain lamb- Slain literally means to be butchered. To be killed by force. It’s a gruesome scene. Imagine being John, but
V5 and 6 are the most Critical doctrine in our Christian faith and it’s this- a Lamb came to do a Lion’s job.
4 things we need to take away from the slain lamb of God
The worthiness of the Lamb
And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
Why the lamb is worthy
The lamb stands in between in the midst of the other Christians. It can be broken down to state that he stood CENTERED on the Throne.
His portrail
7 Horns- Apocolyptic literature means power and strength-7 is perfect
7 Eyes-7 Spirits-Perfect wisdom and Perfect knowledge
What he takes-The scroll- Angel in v 2-Who is worthy the lamb is worthy.
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.
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,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Why is the lamb worthy came because he was slain. It wasn’t his rank that made him worthy- It wasn’t the place-On the throne that made him worthy it was his willingness to die-His surrender of self that made him worthy.
What does the bible say
Greater love has no man than he lay his life down for another. Jesus is the lamb.
We see the worthiness of the lamb but we also see the WEAKNESS of the lamb- but it’s a chosen weakness for us. He is a lion who chose to be a lamb.
Jesus said- No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own choice.
So the question we have to ask is: Is the showing a weakness the absence of power?
So my kids think I am an abnormal superhuman. Why? week or so ago I cut my fingers on the table saw. Now my kids and my daughter don’t know that I was swatting my daughters hand away from the saw because she was reaching toward the board during outfeed. But I did and as I did my fingers hit the saw. Blood poured everywhere. My daughter ran to get her mother, by boys ran out to see and I was completely silent. I didn’t cry. I didn’t wimper. I just stared until the baby sitter go there and I went to the hospital.
My kids think I’m super human because I didn’t cry so I must not feel pain. They don’t know it’s from years of emotional damage, but they think it’s awesome.
Jesus when he was beat for our transgressions. Punished for our sins-didn’t speak. He stood silent. His silence didn’t come from years of abuse, but rather the power that was in him. When he spoke it wasn’t in agony or judgement, but forgiveness. A weak person seeks revenge. A strong person gives forgiveness.
In a fight it’s usually the loudest person who gets knocked out first—why because their mouth is their only weapon. A strong person remains silent-He knows his power- He knows his authority- he doesn’t have to gloat. He just acts.
The significance of a lamb is so important and John sees this first hand in his vision.
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, 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,
saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.