Worthy is the Lamb

Introduction

Sometimes when you are facing difficult circumstances you just need to be reminded of the bigger picture in order to be encouraged and strengthened.

The church that would have first read this book was facing very difficult circumstances. They were facing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. The probably felt out numbered, a minority. A small group of faithful followers in a world filled with people that opposed them.

The Apocalypse- Revelation- revealing- the curtain is pulled back so the church can see what is really going on.

Christ in the world is despised. People in this world do not think Jesus is worthy.

But what’s the reality?

The reality is Jesus is worthy to rule this world, to govern the events of history, to execute God’s sovereign plan for history through the judgements and salvation which are written on the scroll.

The reality is Jesus is worthy and All creation will worship him.

Sometimes when we read the book of Revelation we can spend all our time discussing the the small details and lose sight of the big picture. Whats the big picture? The Lamb wins.

We might feel like we are out numbered, out gunned. Fighting a losing battle. But the reality is the battle has already been won. We may be grieved that Jesus receives so little worship in this world. But the reality is he receives endless worship in heaven.

This is the encouragement we get from this passage. Here the curtain is pulled back so we can see what is really going on.

I want us to look at it this evening in three sections. In each section we have a choir that sings a particular song.

As the vision progresses the worshippers grow in number. It is as though the camera is focused first on the four living creatures and 24 elders, but as it zooms out you then see them surrounded by millions of angels praising the Lamb and then it zooms out even further and you then see all of creation joining in the worship.

Firstly then we have the first choir in our passage which is made up of the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders.

I. The Living creatures and the 24 elders -You are worthy V.8-10

a)The choir

v.8 “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

Here we have the continuation of what you looked at last week.

There wasn’t found anyone worthy to open the scroll, which God had in his hand. Until, the Lamb came who was worthy. We read that he took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Then we see that when he took it there is an out burst of praise.

This act must have been significant for it to cause such an outburst of praise. It symbolised the authority of Jesus Christ to execute the sovereign plan of God to judge the world and save his people.

The moment he did this we are introduced to the first choir in our passage. What are we told about them?

the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb

We see that there are two groups in the first Choir. The four living creatures and the 24 elders.

The living creatures are probably heavenly beings who are closely linked to the cherubim and seraphim. Some suggest they are high ranking heavenly beings. This would explain their nearness to the throne.

Then we have the 24 elders. There is general agreement that these 24 elders represent or symbolise the people of God. The first 12 symbolise the 12 tribes of Israel and the other 12 symbolise the 12 apostles. Here you have a symbolic picture of the OT and NT people of God. The Church.

The first thing we are told about this first choir is they fall down before the Lamb. They behaved the same way as the Apostle John in Chapter 1 who seeing the glorified Christ fell down at his feet.

They fell down in worship before the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are also told Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense.

The harps symbolise the fact they are worshippers and we are told the golden bowls contain incense which symbolises the prayers of the saints. This shows us that although the church is despised on earth, their prayers are precious in heaven.

Thats the first choir, in the next verse we are told about their song.

b)The Song-

v.9 “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

We learn first that it was a A new song- Through out OT a new song is linked to redemption of Israel or victory over enemies their enemies. It was often composed to mark a climactic point in their history.

The fact that the four living creatures and 24 elders sang a new should shows us that Jesus Christ had achieved something significant. Something never before seen. He had won a victory that would change things for ever.

What did the Song say?

You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals- The song begins by saying Jesus is worthy to carry out God’s plan of judgement and salvation. Jesus is worthy to execute God’s sovereign plan for the history of the world, which is contained in the scroll.

Why is he worthy? because he has provided redemption- how, who what...

i) How he provided redemption-

because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons

The emphasis here is on the death of Christ. Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross in order to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus paid the price of redemption for those who are his.

People are in bondage to sin, and Jesus paid the price of their redemption. The picture here is people are bound at the slave market of sin and death, and Jesus Christ pays the price of redemption. The price required to set them free.

This is what he did upon the cross, he paid the penalty of our sins.

There are some who try to minimise the significance of the death of Christ, but it isn’t minimised in heaven. He is worthy because he died in the place of sinners.

ii) Who he redeemed-

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

The Lord Jesus by his atonement purchased people from every nation under heaven.

Here we see that Jesus didn’t purchase everyone. But rather he purchased people out of every tribe, tongue and nation.

There is a sense in which Christ died for the world, but in another sense he died for the sins of his people. He actually purchased particular people out of every tribe and tongue and nation.

He died for the sins of people from every tribe, and culture.

Through out the Old testament you see glimpses of this universal saving purpose of God. He didn’t just have Israel in mind, but people from every nation under heaven. Here in this song we see the fulfilment of God’s world wide saving purpose.

Jesus purchased for God people from every nation.

iii) What he redeemed them to-

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.

Jesus didn’t just purchase his people from the bondage and penalty of sin but he also redeemed them for something.

That is they are now citizens of his kingdom. They are also priests to God. This means they serve God and worship him. Here we see the priesthood of every believer.

Not only that but they will reign with Christ.

The picture here is that the church is made up of people who were rebels against the king of the universe. They deserved to die for treason. They could be released but only at a high price.

The King himself has paid that price for them, he purchased them. He has now brought them into his kingdom and has given them important positions, now they reign with him.

Application

This is a song sung in heaven.

How do you think the church in the first century would have felt having read this?

They would have been encouraged and strengthened in their faith. Their Lord, the one who they were trusting, he is the one is worshipped by those around the throne.

He has taken the scroll, he is sovereign over the course of history, the future of the world is in his hand.

We might be discouraged because People at school or people at work might think Jesus is not worthy of this.

But what does heaven think?

Those in heaven sing he is worthy to take the scroll and open the seals.

Why is he worthy? Because of his atoning death on the cross. Because he died in the place of sinners. His blood redeems.

He has purchased a people for himself from every tribe, language and nation. He has made sinful rebels into a kingdom of priests who serve God.

If Jesus Christ is your Saviour this evening, if you are trusting in him for forgiveness of sins, then you are part of this number. He has purchased you with his own precious blood.

If you are feeling discouraged, maybe you are finding it difficult being a Christian because of the way people treat you. Just look at this passage. This is the reality, this is what is really going on behind the scenes.

If you are not a Christian this evening. Then as it stands you have no part in any of this. But that can change if you turn to Christ. If you repent and believe in Jesus Christ this glorious prospect will be yours.

So that is the first Choir, the four living creatures and 24 elders. Next John tells us about the second choir he saw.

II. Innumerable angels V.11-12

a) The choir-

The response to Jesus taking the scroll continues.

v.11 “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders”

John describes in this verse an innumerable number of angels. By saying thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand John is basically saying there are too many to count.

Although there are millions upon millions of angels John uses the singular when he says I heard the voice of many angels. Although they are innumerable they are all singing in one accord. They are all saying the same thing in perfect harmony.

What are they saying?

b) The Song-

v.12 “In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!”

The numberless amount of angels all agree with the four living creatures and the 24 elders; Worthy is the Lamb who was slain..

Again the worthiness of Christ is linked with his death on the cross, the salvation he accomplished for those who belong to him. What is he worthy to do in this song?

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!

We must notice here that what the angels are attributing to the Lord Jesus Christ can only rightly to be attributed to God himself.

Does this mean the angels are blaspheming?

No. Instead it is a clear proof that Jesus Christ is God. He is the Second person of the Trinity. People on earth might deny the deity of Christ, but it is not denied in heaven. Rather it is proclaimed loudly with one voice by the numberless angels which are there.

Application-

What an encouragement this must have been for the church. What an encouragement it is for us!

Today Jesus is mocked all over the place. Whether it’s on Netflix, or on the television or among our friends or our colleagues. This grieves us as Christians because we love the Lord Jesus.

But the reality is, where it matters most. that is in heaven Jesus Christ is worshipped and honoured for who he truly is. The Lamb who was slain. The eternal Son of God. God who became a man in order to save people from their sins.

There he is recognised to be worthy to receive honour and glory and praise.

The challenge we face when we look at John’s vision is are we able to join this heavenly chorus?

Do you think Jesus is worthy of worship. Do you think he is worthy to rule and reign all of creation because of his atoning death on the cross and his resurrection?

If you are a Christian a challenge that faces us, is does our life echo the words of this heavenly choir as well as our lips? Do we live in such away to promote the glory and honour and praise of the Lord Jesus Christ?

What a privilege we have. The one who is adored by numberless angels, calls us his friends, and gives us the honour of being his ambassadors to the world around us.

So we have seen the first two choirs. Each time the choir gets bigger. First the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders, then an innumerable amount of angels. Now the third and largest choir begins. This time it is all of creation.

III. All creation v.13- 14

a) the choir-

v.13a “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them...”

Now John tells us about a Choir so large he doesn’t even try to use numbers.

He says he heard Every creature. Then he goes on to further emphasise this point.

Every creature in heaven and on earth, and under the earth and on the sea. He could have made his point simply with the phrase every creature, but he lists their different realms in order to make the point clear. John means absolutely every creature.

But as if all this wasn’t enough to make his point, John finishes his description of this choir by saying and all that is in them.

There is not a single created being that is not included in this choir.

What are they saying?

b) The Song-

v.13b “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

All of creation is giving equal worship to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. The Father and the Son receive equal worship.

This was written to the church at a time when they were being persecuted for worshipping to Jesus Christ. The truth of the matter was they were absolutely in line with what is going on in eternity.

Perhaps here in this vision John saw a for shadow of the new creation. When God makes all things new. All creation will worship God.

In the final verse of our passage we read 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. The living Creatures and 24 elders concur with Amen and overcome with worship fall down before the throne.

Application-

In this final part of the vision we see a world which is very different to the one we now live in. We live in a world that stubbornly refuses to worship the One who sits on the throne and the Lamb.

But this will not always happen. This is but a blip in the eternal plan of God. These things are temporary. This things are passing away, soon all of this will come to an end.

What will eternity be like? What will the new creation be like? All of creation will one day worship the Triune God. One day every creature will say Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and forever more Amen.

Sadly, man people will not be part of that new creation, because the refuse to believe in the only one who can take them there, Jesus Christ. But if Christ is your Saviour, this final Choir gives us a foretaste of what the new creation will be like.

Instead of us feeling like a small minority of people who honour the Lord Jesus Christ, one day we will be part of the great majority.

How should the church have responded to these truths? They were to keep pressing on. We must do the same.

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow no turning back, no turning back.

Conclusion

Here in this vision we have the curtain pulled back to we can see what is really going on where it matters most.

In this world the church feels outnumbered. Christians often feel like the odd ones out. Their Lord is despised and mocked.

But in heaven, the Lord they love is honoured and adored.

He is acknowledged as worthy to execute God’s sovereign plan for the future of our world. He is worthy to judge the world, and to save his people.

He is proclaimed worthy because of his finished work upon the cross by which he purchased a people for God from every nation.

He is worshipped alongside the Father, acknowledged to be God, the Second person of the Godhead.

He is worshipped by every angel in heaven, he will be worshipped by every creature in the new creation.

What do we think the response of the first century church would have been to this vision? What should our response be?

Surely it should have two effects upon God’s people.

Firstly, we should be encouraged and look with great expectation for the day when we experience all of this first hand.

Secondly, we should be strengthened and stirred to press on in our walk with Jesus. We should be even more ready to take up our cross and follow him.