Heavenly Worship: Worthy is the Lamb!
The Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ • Sermon • Submitted
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1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
9 And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
INTRODUCTION:
I- WORSHIP TURNS TO HOPELESSNESS AND DESPAIR BECAUSE THE KINGDOM IS SEALED SHUT. (Revelation 5:1-4)
1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
A- The significance of the sealed scroll (Revelation 5:1)
1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
1- The focus of attention now shifts to a seven-sealed scroll in the hand of God.
a. The scroll could not be read because it was rolled up and sealed (like a Roman will) with seven seals.
John could see writing on both sides of the scroll.
Nothing more could be added.
What was written was completed and final.
2- The scroll represents Christ’s “title deed” to all that the Father promised Him because of His sacrifice on the cross.
(Ps. 2:8).
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.
Jesus Christ is the “Heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2).
2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
He is our beloved “Kinsman-Redeemer” who was willing to give His life to set us free from bondage and to restore our lost inheritance
(see Lev. 25:23–46; the Book of Ruth; Jer. 32:6–15
B- The sorrow over the sealed scroll (Revelation 5:2-4)
2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
1- A title deed or will can be opened only by the appointed heir.
No one in all the universe could be found worthy enough to break the seals.
No one in Heaven
No one on the Earth
No one under the Earth (in Hell)
John wept bitterly
He realized that God’s glorious redemption plan for mankind could never be completed until the scroll was opened.
The redeemer had to be near of kin, willing to redeem, and able to redeem.
Jesus Christ meets all of the qualifications.
He became flesh, so He is our Kinsman.
He loves us and is willing to redeem; and
He paid the price, so He is able to redeem.
II- WORSHIP FILLED WITH JOY RETURNS BECAUSE THE LAMB OF GOD IS WORTHY. (Revelation 5:5-14)
5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
9 And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
A- The Lamb is worthy because of who He is. (Revelation 5:5-7)
1- He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
The reference here is to Genesis 49:8–10, where Jacob prophetically gave the scepter to Judah and made it the tribe of the kings.
8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you.
9 Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.
The image of “the lion” speaks of dignity, sovereignty, courage, and victory. Jesus Christ is the only living Jew who can prove His kingship from the genealogical records. “Son of David” was a title often used when He was ministering on earth (see Matt. 1).
2- He is also the Root of David, which means He brought David (and David’s line) into existence.
As far as His humanity is concerned, Jesus had His roots in David (Isa. 11:1, 10); but as far as His deity is concerned, Jesus is the Root of David.
1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
10 In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
This speaks, of course, of our Lord’s eternality; He is indeed the “Ancient of Days.”
How the Messiah could both be David’s Lord and David’s son was a problem Jesus presented to the Pharisees, and they could not (or would not) answer Him (Matt. 22:41–46).
41 Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question:
42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.”
43 Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said,
44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’
45 Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”
46 No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
3- He is the Lamb of God.
When John turned to see, he saw not a lion but a lamb!
Jesus Christ is called “the Lamb” at least twenty-eight times in the Book of Revelation (the Greek word used means “a little pet lamb”) and the emphasis is not hard to miss.
God’s wrath is “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16).
Cleansing is by “the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14).
The church is “the bride of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:7; 21:9).
The theme of “the Lamb” is an important one throughout Scripture, for it presents the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.
John the Baptist called Jesus The Lamb of God.
(John 1:29).
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
B- The Lamb is worthy because of Where He is (Revelation 5:6)
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
1- He is in heaven, glorified and present with all of the saints and the heavenly hosts.
2- He is standing - demonstrating that he is forever alive- risen from the dead!
He is not in the manger, in Jerusalem, on the cross, or in the tomb. He has ascended and is exalted in heaven.
What an encouragement this is to suffering Christians, to know that their Saviour has defeated every enemy
He is now controlling events from glory!
C- The Lamb is worthy because of What He does (Revelation 5:8-10)
8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
9 And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
1- He is the one who receives worship from the angels and the saints.
a- Physically
b- Through music
harps- means stringed instruments
New song
When the Lamb came and took the scroll , the weeping ended and the praising began. God’s people and the representatives of God’s creation joined their voices in a new song of praise.
What kind of song did they sing?
it was a worship hymn, for they said, “Thou art worthy!”
To worship means “to ascribe worth,” and Jesus alone is worthy.
It was a Gospel song! “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us [some texts read them] by Thy blood.” The word translated slain means “violently slain” (Rev. 5:6). Heaven sings about the Cross and the blood!
John affirms that the Lamb died for the whole world! (John 1:29). The more you meditate on the power and scope of Christ’s work on the cross, the more humbled and worshipful you become. This song was also a missionary song. Sinners were redeemed “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Kindred refers to a common ancestor and tongue to a common language. People means a common race, and nation a common rule or government. God loves a whole world (John 3:16) and His desire is that the message of redemption be taken to a whole world (Matt. 28:18–20).
It was a devotional hymn, for it announced our unique position in Christ as “a kingdom of priests.”
(Gen. 14:17ff; Heb. 7; 1 Peter 2:5–10). The veil of the temple was torn when Jesus died, and the way is opened to God (Heb. 10:19–25). We “reign in life” as we yield to Christ and allow His Spirit to work in us (Rom. 5:17).
It was a prophetic hymn: “We shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10).
When Jesus Christ returns to earth, He will establish His righteous kingdom for 1,000 years; and we shall reign with Him (Rev. 20:1–6).
The prayers of the saints, “Thy kingdom come!” will then be fulfilled. Creation shall then be set free from bondage to sin (Isa. 11:1–10; Rom. 8:17–23), and Christ shall reign in justice and power.
c- Through prayers (Bowls identified as the prayers of God’s people!)
D- The Lamb is worthy because of What He has. (Revelation 5:11-14)
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
1- The praises of an unnumberable multitude of angels and saints praise Jesus because he has all...
a- Power - δύναμις: the potentiality to exert force in performing some function—‘power.’
b- Riches - πλοῦτος - riches
c- Wisdom - σοφία: the capacity to understand and, as a result, to act wisely—‘to be prudent, wisdom.’
d- Strength- ἰσχύς: exceptional capability, with the probable implication of personal potential—‘capability, strength.’
e- Honor - δοξάζω: to speak of something as being unusually fine and deserving honor—‘to praise, to glorify, praise.’, value