Revelation 5:1-14: The Lamb is Worthy
Revelation - The Lamb is Victorious • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 11 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
Scripture
Scripture
1 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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 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.”
6 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. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 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. 9 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,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 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, 12 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!”
13 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!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Outline
Outline
Revelation 1 - Introduction
Revelation 1 - Introduction
Revelation 1:1-3 - Prologue & Benediction
Revelation 1:4-8 - Epistolary Introduction
Revelation 1:9-20 - A Vision of the Son of Man
Revelation 2-3 - The Seven Churches
Revelation 2-3 - The Seven Churches
Revelation 2:1-7 - The Letter to Ephesus
Revelation 2:8-11 - The Letter to Smyrna
Revelation 2:12-17 - The Letter to Pergamum
Revelation 2:18-29 - The Letter to Thyatira
Revelation 3:1-6 - The Letter to Sardis
Revelation 3:7-13 - The Letter to Philadelphia
Revelation 3:14-22 - The Letter to Laodicea
Revelation 4-5 - The Throne Room
Revelation 4-5 - The Throne Room
Revelation 4:1-11 - A Vision of the Throne Room
Revelation 5:1-14 - The Lamb is Worthy
Revelation 5:1-7 - The Lamb is Victorious
Revelation 5:8-14 - The Lamb is Worshiped
Purpose of Book
Purpose of Book
The purpose of Revelation is to challenge/encourage believers, who are expectantly awaiting the reign of Christ, to live faithfully for Him despite worldly circumstances, persecution, and the cosmic battle between God and Satan.
The purpose of Revelation is to challenge/encourage believers, who are expectantly awaiting the reign of Christ, to live faithfully for Him despite worldly circumstances, persecution, and the cosmic battle between God and Satan.
Main Point
Main Point
The Lamb alone is worthy to take the scroll from the Father because of his resurrection from the dead
The Lamb alone is worthy to take the scroll from the Father because of his resurrection from the dead
Revelation 5:1-7 - The Lamb is Victorious
Revelation 5:1-7 - The Lamb is Victorious
1 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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 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.”
6 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. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
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.
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.
I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne
God the Father who rules over all creation in unmatched majesty and glory
The scroll is held in his right hand signifying He has the power to bring about judgment and salvation
A scroll written within and on the back
9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.
4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Ezekiel was delivering messages of judgment to Israel
Daniel’s vision that is sealed is about to be revealed by the Lamb
The scroll has the comprehensive account of the judgment Jesus will issue upon the earth as well as the blessing of those who are in Christ
Thus the scroll represents the redemptive, divine plan through the Lamb
Sealed with seven seals
Seven seals symbolically represents completeness
The contents have been entirely keep secret
The seals must be opened for the fullness of God’s redemptive plan to be known, enacted, and fulfilled
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.
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.
I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?
The crux of this chapter - Who is worthy?
The angel (spokesperson for the council) asks the entirety of creation
8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Revelation is the fulfillment of the latter-day prophecies in the book of Daniel -> 500 years after he wrote
No one is worthy enough to open the scroll, not a single celestial being or person - alive or dead
John’s response is despair - there is no hope for humanity because the totality of God’s redemptive plan is unable to be revealed
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.”
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.”
Weep no more
John is rebuked for his response because he already knows Jesus conquered
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Christ is able to open because of his victory!
Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered
Lion of the tribe of Judah
8 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you;
your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
your father’s sons shall bow down before you.
9 Judah is a lion’s cub;
from the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He stooped down; he crouched as a lion
and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?
10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
One of Judah’s descendants will rule over (kingship) his enemies and the obedience of the peoples will be his (power)
Root of David
1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
The Messianic Davidic figure will rule over the whole earth in peace and with righteousness
Has conquered
The references to Genesis and Isaiah both reveal that a messianic figure will judge his enemies thus conquering them AND only he is able to open the scroll
In the 7 churches, Jesus implores the churches to conquer so they can receive eternal life
Jesus HAS already conquered and our conquering is dependent upon HIS victory
So that he can open the scroll and its seven seals
Opening the scroll and the seven seals is an act of war by the Lamb
The figure prophesied in Genesis and Isaiah is fully capable of opening the scroll
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.
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.
I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain
John was told about a lion, but instead sees a LAMB
Jesus really died and rose again - his sacrifice is the center of New Testament witness
Lamb
3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats,
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus is identified as the Lamb 26x in Revelation
Seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth
Seven horns
Infinite/perfect power
Seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth
The Holy Spirit that rests on Christ as He fulfills the sovereign redemptive plan to the entire earth
And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
13 “I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
The Lamb alone is worthy to take the scroll because of his death and resurrection
Christ sits with authority next to the Father and here He is given authority to open the scroll
Revelation 5:8-14 - The Lamb is Worshiped
Revelation 5:8-14 - The Lamb is Worshiped
8 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. 9 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,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 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, 12 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!”
13 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!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
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 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.
When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb
The Lamb receives worship just like the Father did
Each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints
Holding a harp
Offering hymns of praise
Prayers of the saints
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
Prayer that God vindicates the righteous by judging the wicked
Prayers of the saints are welcomed before God
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.”
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.”
They sang a new song
Multiple OT passages revealing that God’s people sing new songs when he saves and delivers them
Psalm 33
Psalm 40
Psalm 96
Christ’s redemptive work is a new work that delivers and saves from sin!
Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals
Worthy
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
The Father is worthy as the Creator
The Son is worthy as the redeemer
You were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation
Why is the Lamb worthy to be worshiped? He ransomed people from sin through his death!
The sacrificial sinless lamb, put to death by others, redeems people from all tribes, languages, and nations
You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God and they shall reign on the earth
27 And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
In the future, the saints will fully share in the reign of Christ
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!”
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!”
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
1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. 2 He said,
“The Lord came from Sinai
and dawned from Seir upon us;
he shone forth from Mount Paran;
he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,
with flaming fire at his right hand.
10 A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, with a loud voice
To receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
David’s prayer in the assembly
20 Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
Christ is worshiped in this manner as a result of his redemptive work!
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 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!”
I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them
The worship moves from the throne room to the ENTIRE universe
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever
The glory of the Father and the Lamb is the main point of chapters 4-5
The center of the book of Revelation rests in the creative/redemptive works of God and the Lamb
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Four living creatures said, “Amen!”
Elders fell down and worshiped
Application
Application
The Lamb is worthy of worship because He is the redeemer
The Lamb is worthy of worship because He is the redeemer
Main Point
Main Point
The Lamb alone is worthy to take the scroll from the Father because of his resurrection from the dead
The Lamb alone is worthy to take the scroll from the Father because of his resurrection from the dead