Who is Worthy?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We have been exploring the throne room of God with John. Last week, we looked at all the wondrous things that John is describing in the throne room.
John was called up to heaven to be shown the things that “must” take place after the things in chapters 1-3...
In chapter 4, John would see a vision of the glorified Christ, the scene in heaven with the four living creatures, and the twenty four elders around the glorious throne of God. John would also see a vision of the coming tribulation.
One of the things I mentioned is how we see God the Father there - He’s on His throne.
We see the Holy Spirit there - He’s represented by the lamps around the throne.
Today, we will see the Son come into view.
Chapter 5 is a continuation of chapter 4...
This chapter is all about the worthiness of Jesus Christ! He is worthy of all things today!
Adrian Rogers asked, “Do you have a cause worthy living for? Is what you are living for worthy of Jesus’ dying for? When you get to where you are headed, where will you be? Many of us are shoveling smoke and plowing water. When this world is over, much of what we have done will make no difference whatsoever … “Years ago, Reader’s Digest reported that in order for a person to have a meaningful life, he needs three things. First, he needs someone to love. Second, he needs something to do. Third, he needs something to hope for. I think Reader’s Digest is right, and the answer to all three of these things is Jesus. He is the One we love, the One we serve, and the One in whom we hope. Jesus Christ is the only One worthy of my love, my life, my all—and yours.”
Let’s take a look at these verses…John is continuing from chapter 4 to describe what he sees in the throne room:
First of all, notice:
The Sealed Scroll
The Sealed Scroll
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
The “right hand” in the Bible is pictured as the place of authority and power.
The Lord Jesus is pictured as seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
The book that John saw was in the right hand of God!
You might wonder what the book is, well, literally, it’s a written scroll.
Scrolls were made from papyrus or animal skins. They would be usually between 15 and 30 feet in length. For an example, the book of Isaiah which was found at the Dead Sea was recorded on a scroll that was 24 feet long.
During the times of the Romans, contracts, wills, and title deeds were written on the inner pages of the scroll and sealed with seven seals. While it is interesting that this method was used, we know that in the Book of Revelation the number seven is not just an accidental number and that it wasn’t used only because they used it in the Roman Empire.
Herbert Lockyer said, “A seal implies finality and privacy. Breaking a seal often requires legal authority.”
This scroll is unique though, it has words written on the inside and the outside.
What is the book, or scroll exactly? Well, there’s a lot of writing concerning this...Godet considers this scroll to be “the book of the new covenant.” Others label it “the book of judgment.” Walter Scott considered it “the revelation of God’s purpose and counsel concerning the world.”
Dr. Harry Ironside has suggested that it is the title deed to this world.
Now, we got into this a little Wednesday talking about those fallen angels in Jude 6…Remember, we must stay on point...
After studying the Bible, and these men, it would be difficult to be dogmatic concerning what this scroll represents, or what is written upon it, but the important thing to remember - here’s the point - whatever was written on this scroll; whatever this scroll represents, no one except Jesus was, and is, worthy to open it!
So, we notice there is a book here; the sealed scroll, but then we see:
The Search and the Sorrow
The Search and the Sorrow
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
John saw the scroll in the right hand of God and he now heard the voice of a strong angel.
Can you just imagine being John and taking all this in and writing it down?! It’s amazing what he is seeing!
He is seeing and describing something that nobody has seen before!
So, he hears the strong voice of a strong angel, which not only gained John’s attention, but the attention of all heaven.
The angel asks, “Who is worthy?”
He didn’t ask who was willing, but who was worthy.
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
No Man In Heaven—No person, no angel was able.
No Man Upon Earth—No politician, no religious leader.
No Man In Hell—No departed conqueror or demon.
No one could take the Book or even look upon it!
This question stilled John. It is the sound that stills every soul in the world today because none are worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof.
There is silence in Heaven, until we hear John crying.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Mark the word wept. It does not refer to a silent sobbing, but to a loud crying. It is the strongest word in the original language for crying. John was so overcome by what he had seen and felt he broke down and poured out the sorrow of his soul. His body shook with sobs.
John Phillips wrote, “There stood the aged apostle, amid scenes of grandeur that defy description, weeping with salt tears running down his weather-beaten face, weeping in shame for all the sons of Adam’s ruined race, not one of whom was worthy to take up the challenge from the throne. Think of it! Not a single man of all the billions who have lived on earth, not one fit to rule and reign!”
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
John was overwhelmed and overcome by what he heard. No one in heaven and no one on earth could be found who was worthy!
It’s not over though! John saw the sealed scroll, there was the search and the sorrow, but then John saw:
The Slain Lamb
The Slain Lamb
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
There was good news for John and for all of us. One of the twenty four elders stepped up and spoke up to John. The elder saw that John was weeping—then he told him not to weep!
John turned to see the Lion, but instead he saw a Lamb as it had been slain.
When men want symbols of power they conjure up ferocious beasts and birds of prey such as those that represent nations and sports teams. But the representative of the kingdom of heaven is a Lamb, representing humility, gentleness, and sacrificial love.
There has never been a more brutal sacrifice than the one suffered by Christ when He died for our sins.
There has never been anything like it. Isaiah tells us that His face and form were more marred than any face or form has ever been marred.
When He was made a curse for us, when He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, He was more marred than any man has ever been marred.
The Lamb on the throne pointed to the most brutal sacrifice ever slain.
The idea is that the sacrifice of Jesus is still fresh and current before God the Father. There is nothing stale or outworn in the work of Jesus on the cross. Thousands of years later, it is still fresh as the day He died on the cross.
Jesus took with Him into heaven the marks of Calvary. The marks of the nails driven into His hands and into His feet, the spear which pierced His side, and the scourge that lashed His back will be seen throughout eternity.
There are those who try to get away from the cross.
They don’t want to talk about the cross.
They want to take the blood out of the hymnals.
They want to take the blood out of the Bible. But God has made the cross central in heaven. You may try to escape it now, but you’ll never get away from it. Heaven is dominated by a throne, and in the midst of the throne is a slain Lamb.
The marks of Calvary remain on the body of our blessed Lord.
When Jesus comes in the glory of His revelation Israel shall see Him “whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son” (Zechariah 12:10c).
They shall say, “What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends” (Zechariah 13:6).
Even though the marks of His sacrifice were evident, the Lamb was not presented as an object of pity.
He also bore the marks of omnipotence (seven horns) and omniscience (seven eyes).
What a figure! A slain Lamb, who has the marks of omniscience and omnipotence!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Only the Lord Jesus is worthy to open the scrolls and to break the seals!
∘ He is worthy in heaven—and He is worthy of:
∘ our praise,
∘ our worship,
∘ our adoration,
∘ our faithful service,
∘ our sacrificial giving,
∘ our total surrender! He is Worthy!
He was worthy then; He is worthy now; and He will forever be worthy! The Bible tells us Who the elder showed to John—he showed him the One who is worthy.
How worthy is the Lord in your life?
How worthy is He to make decisions for you?
How worthy is He to rule over you?
How worthy is He to be worshiped by you?
Is He Lord of your life?
Do you serve Him and love Him with all your heart?
Have you thanked Him for being worthy?
Have you come to Jesus Christ and in faith have you trusted in Him?
Have you left your life of sin and do you live for Him?
How worthy is He on Sunday morning and Sunday night?
How worthy is He on Monday on the job?
How worthy is He in your home?