Who is Jesus Really?
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 8 viewsNotes
Transcript
Good morning church!
It is so good to see everyone here this morning we are returning this morning to our study through the book of Revelation and I would like to invite you to turn with me in your Bibles this morning to Revelation 5.
If you have ever gone through the process of getting to know someone then you have had what this conversation. It is a universal conversation that helps you understand the way the person was raised.
It always goes like this:
“I remember the time when I was a little boy or little girl and I remember my mother or father had told me that we were never to go to FILL IN THE BLANK or that we were never supposed to touch FILL IN THE BLANK and being kids we thought that was exactly what we needed to do.
So we went to X knowing that we werent supposed to or we touched Y knowing we werent supposed to and as we did it we thought we were getting away with it when all of a sudden we looked up and there was my mom or my dad and we knew at that moment that we had had it.
(My mom finding me in the middle of the woods)
Usually the story ends with we didnt sit down for three days or something like that.
I dont care who you are you have had not a conversation like that, you have had that exact conversation. In fact you have probably told that exact story with different details of course but you probably told that story with a smile on your face.
Heres whats funny about that we tell a story like that about a moment in our lives when our parents basically terrized us. spanked us, wounded us, hurt us, but when we tell that story we smile and without the slightest hint or tinge of blame toward the parent.
Bc we know that they were absolutely right in bringing the justice that they brought on us in that moment and that the justice that they brought was not only correct but it was needed and beyond that it was neccesary.
It was completely done out of their love for us.
That is what a good mother or father does
bc we understand this balance between love and justice
It is sad however often times we do not see this or appreciate it in our Heavenly father and bc we dont see it or appreciate it, we dont have a full appreciation for Gods worthiness to be worshipped.
But here in Revelation 5 we get a picture of this worthiness to be worshipped and we see an answer to the question WHO IS JESUS REALLY?
WORTHY!
We have to see who Christ is really if our worship is going to be as deep and meaningful as it is supposed to be.
That is the picture we get here in Revelation 5
We have many in our day who paint Jesus as this man of love who desperately loves and cares for everyone. While this is true it brings up a serious question how can He love everyone and bring about justice when He returns to judge the living and the dead?
Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
I love this it is almost like a court room scene this is like the seargent at arms of the angels a STRONG ANGEL WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL AND BREAK ITS SEALS?
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it.
And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it.
Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.
He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne.
So we know now that the lamb is also the Lion! NOBODY IS ABLE TO TAKE THE SCROLL BUT THATS OK THE LION AND THE LAMB THE ROOT OF DAVID IS ABLE TO TAKE THIS SCROLL AND OPEN IT
When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song:
You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because You were slaughtered,
and You redeemed people
for God by Your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.
You made them a kingdom
and priests to our God,
and they will reign on the earth.
AMEN
What a powerful portion of scripture the words here are almost overwhelming but there are several things we have to understand. But it leads to a couple of questions
What is the scroll?
What is the scroll?
Why is this scroll so important?
There are several interpretations of what the scroll is, one is that this is the lambs book of life some argue that this scroll here that only the Lion/Lamb can open is the lambs book of life
the problem with that is this the Lambs book of life is a different book we know this bc of
I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books.
So this is saying that the Lambs book of life is another book not the same book/scroll with the seals we read about here.
Some say this is the book of tribulation this time that is yet to come referred to as the great tribulation which is a literal 7 year period known as the great tribulation.
Here is the problem with that The fact that in
Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.
PAST PRESETN AND FUTURE what we find in these scrolls are not just about future events but what we find here are events that have already taken place are taking place in the days of John and will take place later.
So what do we have?
THE FULLNESS OF GODS PLAN OF JUDGEMENT AND REDEMPTION
The Title deed of the Earth
This scroll contains the entire plan that God has to redeem and take back everything he has created.
Why does he need to take it back?
Because if you will remember every creation fell under the curse of sin in the garden of Eden.
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.
“As I kept watching,
thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was white like snow,
and the hair of His head like whitest wool.
His throne was flaming fire;
its wheels were blazing fire.
A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from His presence.
Thousands upon thousands served Him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was convened,
and the books were opened.
“And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you: Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” So I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and there was a written scroll in it. When He unrolled it before me, it was written on the front and back; words of lamentation, mourning, and woe were written on it.
So in Daniel we see what?
This book is unsealed in a court room where judgement is about to happen.
In Ezekiel two we see a scroll written on both sides whats in the scroll?
LAMENTATION MOURNING AND WOE
For you the entire vision will be like the words of a sealed document. If it is given to one who can read and he is asked to read it, he will say, “I can’t read it, because it is sealed.” And if the document is given to one who cannot read and he is asked to read it, he will say, “I can’t read.”
Well the context of this verse is God bringing judgement upon His enemies so John reaching back to this prophetic word has the picture of this sealed up scroll written on the front and on the back and it is a scroll of judgment.
Interesting bc back in Johns day in Roman courtrooms documents would be brought in with several different seals and they are sealed so that you will know they haven’t been tampered with.
So that only the one with authority CAN OPEN IT and read whats inside.
So here we have judgement redemption and inheritance
Where how and what God is going to do or has done to take back what is rightfully His!
HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS AUTHORITY TO DO SO!!
Thats why when no one was found worthy john weeps out loud he weeps loudly bc he knows this sealed document has the picture of the fufillment of all Gods promises for the future within and without.
he looks at it waiting for God to unleash His judgement on the wicked and bring about His redemption of His church and those who trust and follow Him.
And the angel says there is no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth and John weeps.
This means that history will not be judged and there is no protection for Gods children and no judgement upon evil in the world and this breaks Johns heart.
If no one is worthy then everything he had placed his hope in is a lie and there is no hope for the church or the world!
This is why he is weeping bc if the scroll is not open then things are not brought to thier completeion and God will never reign and there is no end to this persecution that the church is facing.
There is no future reward this is bad news!
He weeps bc the scroll must be open and there must come a day of justice!
Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Now this is important he uses these two names for Jesus LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH AND THE ROOT OF DAVID
Now when he refers to him as such we know this is a reference to
Genesis 49 and we know Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah bc of his lineage
Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies;
your father’s sons will bow down to you.
Judah is a young lion —
my son, you return from the kill.
He crouches; he lies down like a lion
or a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
The scepter will not depart from Judah
or the staff from between his feet
until He whose right it is comes
and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him.
He ties his donkey to a vine,
and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine.
He washes his clothes in wine
and his robes in the blood of grapes.
His eyes are darker than wine,
and his teeth are whiter than milk.
Here is what Jesus looks like when he comes again in judgement! So what does the angel say?
THER IS ONE AND ONLY ONE WHO CAN OPEN THE JUDGMENT OF GOD AND ENACT THE PLAN OF GOD TO REDEEM HIS CREATION AND TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY HIS BC HE IS THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH!
Jesus Christ is able to judge the world bc he is the Lion of the tribe of Judah!
He is the justice of God
Everyone focuses in on his loving nature and when He came the first time He was meek and mild but we dont see a meek and mild Jesus return when he comes the second time.
No church I am telling you today that he came the first time as a Lamb but He is coming back as a Lion!
Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself. He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it. He will shepherd them with an iron scepter. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh:
KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.
Jesus is the judge we dont like to think about Him this way but listen church if you dont like thinking about Jesus in those terms then your missing one of the most important aspects of who He is.
Bc what does redemption mean if there is no justice?
What are you saved from if there is no wrath of God?
What are you rescued from if there is no day to come when He actually does exact vengence upon the wicked?
You cant appreciate the redemption you have in Christ unless you understand what your being saved from!
You will never turn to Christ unless you understand this bc if there is no wrath then there is nothing for you to worry about!
So we have this picture of Jesus lowly gentle meek and mild who just wants to be your friend and he is pining over you bc he doesnt have enough friends especially friends like you and your greatest sin is depriving Jesus of you.
Thats not the gospel
Gospel says we are wretched sinners and we have sinned against a holy and righteous God and the day is coming when we will face that God and His justice will be poured out, flee from your sin AND RUN TO THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE YOU HE IS CHRIST THE LORD THE LION IS THE ONE WHO CAN SAVE YOU!
BOW BEFORE HIM NOW OR BOW BEFORE HIM THEN BUT YOU WILL BOW
Then there is this phrase the root of David
Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him —
a Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
a Spirit of counsel and strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
His delight will be in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge
by what He sees with His eyes,
He will not execute justice
by what He hears with His ears,
but He will judge the poor righteously
and execute justice for the oppressed of the land.
He will strike the land
with discipline from His mouth,
and He will kill the wicked
with a command from His lips.
Righteousness will be a belt around His loins;
faithfulness will be a belt around His waist.
He shall kill the wicked
We dont even like to read that bc again it doesnt fit this picture of lowly Jesus meek and mild.
But this is who He is
Why is this important?
Is it important bc God is holy and God is just and God is righteous and if we delight in these things then must look forward to the day when wickedness is punished
But theres something else this is why we dont avenge ourselves we dont live like the hatfields and mcoys bc we do not have the sense of the only way justice is going to be done is if I do it myself.
Do you understand that the belief in Gods ultimate judgement of the wicked is the only thing that keeps us in the position where we can forgive our enemies and allow God to deal with them.
The only way that you and I can not avenge ourselves is that we know there is a day coming when God will make all things right
But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.
Why?
BC he looks at the wicked and they seem to be prospering and thier lives seemed to be going good! There are wicked people out there and they are not sick, they dont have problems with thier kids they got nice cars and nice clothes and they are horrible people and its just not right
then the psalm turns
until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny.
They literally do have thier best life now
(explain)
empty wells
They face the judgement of almighty God that is sad
It is only when we understand the justice of God that we can let go of our own sense of vengence
Not only is JEsus the Lion who is worthy
So as John is watching he is making his way closer to the throne and as he moves forward saddened he sees another standing before the throne
Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.
Is He one of the living creatures no he is not, is he one of the elders no he is not
IS he the One seated on the throne not exactly he is between the throne and the creatures and the elders
HE IS THE LION HE IS THE LAMB HE IS ONE WORTHY OF WORSHIP BUT HE IS ALSO MAN HE IS THE GOD MAN HE IS GOD WHO HAS WRAPPED HIMSELF IN FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US AND HE IS STANDING!
(RESURRECTION)
HERES THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES THE ANGELIC SPECIAL FORCES ARE WORHSIPPING HIM, THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS WITHIN HIM A PART OF HIM WHICH REPRESTN THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THE ELDERS WHO REPRESENT THE CHURCH LEADERS FROM THROUGHOUT OLD AND NEW COVENANTS ARE WORSHIPPING HIM
HE IS THE LION BUT HE IS ALSO THE LAMB
HE IS THE LION BUT HE IS ALSO THE LAMB
This Lamb who has died is now standing in victory and He lives again!
HE IS THE AUTHOR OF GODS PLAN AND THE ENACTOR
Listen this promise of redemption was made to humanity and so a human had to open the book but no person was found worthy to open it bc all are sinners but Christ was the only man who was able to come before this throne and open the scrolls.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates!
Rise up, ancient doors!
Then the King of glory will come in.
Who is He, this King of glory?
The Lord of Hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah
JESUS DIED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD FOR US FOR OUR SINS AND FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION!
He is able to open our inheritance and enact the plan of redemption bc he is fully man and fully God!
(crucifixion marks)
HE is the God man He is the lamb who was slain and yet He lives
Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne.
When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
THE SINLESS SUBSITUTE FOR US!!!
YOU MIGHT BE IN HERE THIS MORNING NOT KNOWING THE LORD AND NOT UNDERSANDING THIS BUT WHEN YOU DO WORSHIP BREAKS OUT JUST LIKE IN HEAVEN!
THe Proper Worship of the Lamb
THe Proper Worship of the Lamb
And they sang a new song:
You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because You were slaughtered,
and You redeemed people
for God by Your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.
You made them a kingdom
and priests to our God,
and they will reign on the earth.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands.
They said with a loud voice:
The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing!
I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say:
Blessing and honor and glory and dominion
to the One seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb, forever and ever!