Rev. 5:1-14
Last Week: We were introduced to the first chapter of the Book of Revelation and concluded with four points of application. Let's review two of them: 1. Revelation is a book that communicates much of its message in "signs." The signs are necessary because (a) John expresses the things of heaven, and (b) he's describing things he's "seen" by using symbolic images to explain them. To us, this is a book of prophecy; but to John, it was simply history being recorded and explained as he saw it unfolding in front of him. 2. When we read the Book of Revelation or even listen to it being read out loud, we are blessed. First of all, "blessed" means a lot more than being happy; it means God is showing us favor in a special way. So, how are we blessed by it? (1) We are blessed simply to have John share with us the written record of his unique experience in heaven; (2) we are blessed to have the opportunity to read these words aloud and share them with others, and (3) we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit illuminate the words as they are read and heard; and (4) we are blessed to know of God's plan to perfect the creation and us with it, even if we don't know precisely when it's going to happen. When John tells us to "keep the things written," it means the book of Revelation will imprint upon us and change the way we live. When the verse ends with "the time is near," John encourages us to live as if it will happen in the next instant.
This Week: We skip chapters 2 and 3, which contain Jesus' letters to the Seven Churches, which I recommend that you take the time to read outside of class. In chapter 4, which we also skip, John was called "in the Spirit" (4:2) into the heavenly throne room where he saw God seated on His throne and 24 elders seated on 24 thrones that surrounded God's throne, and four living creatures with many eyes front and back who were singing praises to God day and night. The 24 elders also fell before God's throne in worship and praise. In chapter 5 today, we join John in the throne room and will be introduced to three visions, the Scroll, the Lion, and the Lamb.
Read Rev. 5:1-4 - God in Complete Control of the Future (ESV)
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.
v. 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" - The focus of chapter 4 was the throne of God, but now John shifts the focus to a scroll held by the enthroned Lord. With this, John presents a mind-bending picture of God's ultimate sovereignty over all of history as contained within a scroll held in His hand. This tells us that no matter how strong evil may become, no matter how bad God's people on earth are opposed and oppressed by the forces of the evil one, history still resides in God's hand. God's right hand refers to His authority to translate the contents of the scroll to action. The scroll contains the detailed plans and purposes of God for defeating the enemies of Christ and establishing His reign upon the earth. The scroll is so filled with words, it was written on both front and back, which was very unusual for a scroll, and represented the detailed nature of the judgments to come. Someone, God probably, sealed it with seven seals, the "perfect" number seven representing the profound and sacred nature of the revelation it contained. The seals tell us that while this plan has been settled in the eternals councils of God, it has been hidden from view and only one, who is duly authorized, may open it to read and execute it. The period of grace and God's long-suffering has now come to an end.
v. 2: "And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"- While mesmerized by God and the scroll in His right hand, John saw a mighty, unnamed angel ask the question of the ages: "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" On wax-sealed documents in those times, a person had to have proven authority to break the seals. In the case of this most sacred scroll, the person not only had to have the authority to break the seals but also the POWER to execute the events foretold and bring them to completion.
vv. 3-4: "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." - Here, the mighty angel goes on a universal search and discovers that no angel, no created being, no human, anything, etc., was worthy to open the scroll. John dissolved emotionally, weeping in grief because God's future kingdom and final judgments appeared to be indefinitely postponed.
TRUTH 1: God is in COMPLETE control of the future. In vv. 1-5 John saw God in heaven sitting on a throne and holding in His right hand a scroll that contained the detailed plans and purposes of God for defeating the enemies of Christ and establishing His reign on earth. This tells us that no matter how strong evil may become, no matter how bad God's people on earth are opposed and oppressed by the forces of the evil one, history still resides in God's hand.
Read Rev. 5:5-7 - Jesus Christ Will Carry Out God's Final Purposes on Earth
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.
v. 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" - Now, one of the elders comforts John, telling him there is One worthy to open the scroll and its seals. The "Lion of the tribe of Judah" and "Root of David" are OT titles of the Messiah, which all point to Jesus Christ as God's Anointed One. He overcame Satan, sin, and death so He could implement God's purposes for the future that this scroll revealed. Only Christ can carry out God's final purposes on earth.
v. 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" - John turns his head, expecting to see this Lion-King but sees something totally different. He notices four things: (1) He sees the Messiah as a "Lamb." This is the symbol of Jesus at His first advent, meek and submissive to sacrificial death as our substitute, whereas the Lion is the symbol of Jesus at His second coming, powerful and judging the earth in righteousness. John now sees the lamb as the central character of the entire heavenly scene. (2) The Lamb had been "slain." The Gr. word for "slain," prosphatos, meant the Lamb had been cut-up and mutilated for animal sacrifice, which speaks of the mutilation and crucifixion of Jesus, ending with a spear in His side that gushed blood and water. Christ paid the ultimate price for mankind. (3) The Lamb is "standing." The Lamb who was slaughtered and put to death is now actually standing! Having been killed, He is alive again and standing in the innermost circle next to the throne. (4) The lamb had "seven horns and seven eyes." The number seven represents Christ's (the Lamb's) fullness and perfection of capability to defeat His enemies. The seven horns depict Christ's perfect power and authority and the seven eyes the fullness of His divine wisdom and discernment-all knowing.
Comment: The purpose of the Lord's first coming was gracious, to "seek and save those who are lost"
(Lk. 19:10). But the purpose of His second coming is very different: He will come then to deal with His enemies and to fulfill His promise of blessing to His own. The time will come when all people must deal with the Lion, either as the One who was believed-in, watched-for, served-for, and prayed-to, or the One who was ignored and rejected.
v. 7: "And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne" - Now, in one dramatic moment, Jesus, the Lion-Lamb, boldly approached the throne of God and exercises His sovereignty by coming and taking the scroll out of the Father's right hand. This symbolizes a transfer of authority from Father to Son to reveal the future and execute judgment.
TRUTH 2: Jesus Christ will carry out God's FINAL PURPOSES on earth. The purpose of Jesus' first coming was gracious, to "seek and save those who are lost" (Lk. 19:10). But the purpose of His second coming will be completely different: He will come then to deal with His enemies and to fulfill His promise of blessing to His own. The time will come when all people must deal with the Lion, either as the One who was believed-in, watched-for, served-for, and prayed-to, or the One who was ignored and rejected.
Read Rev. 5:8-10, 11-12 & 13-14 - Christ is Worthy of Overwhelming Praise
v. 8-10: "8And 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." - The transfer of authority in v. 7 resulted in a huge outpouring of praise for the Lamb. While the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell before Him, only the elders had harps and bowls. Throughout the Bible, the harp is an instrument of joy and gladness. The bowls contained the prayers of God's people as the fragrant aroma of incense. These prayers are the petitions of God's saints in heaven asking God to make right every wrong on earth-perfect petitions offered by perfected people in a perfect place. In response to the Lamb's authority from God to advance God's plan of the ages , the new song sung by the living creatures and the 24 elders repre-sents praise to the Lamb for the deliverance about to take place. The song gives the Lamb honor as being "worthy based on four premises: (1) He was "slain," His shed blood and death; (2) He "ransomed" (redeemed) by His death for God people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (this includes all who have been saved); (3) His death not only saved people but also made them kings and priests that they would share in His kingdom, as kings who reign with Christ and priests with immediate access to God's presence; and (4) the blessing of His people by allowing them to rule on earth (during the millennium). This is mankind's ultimate end; they will worship God by fulfilling God's ordained responsibilities on a new earth, for all eternity.
vv. 11-12: "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." - We now see an innumerable host of angels join the four creatures and 24 elders in recognizing the significance of the Lamb. "Myriads (Gr. miras) of myriads" literally translates to hundreds of millions times hundreds of millions which is a figure of speech for a number beyond count. Today we would say something like "bazillions." Notice the angels verbalize seven-the perfect number-characteristics that make Christ worthy: (1) Power (Gr. dunamis) - Christ alone has the power to accomplish His purposes on earth and is worthy because He alone will and can use it with perfect justice. (2) Riches (Gr. ploutos) - refers to all the wealth of the universe-He owns everything-which is His by creation and redemption. (3) Wisdom (Gr. sophia) - refers to Christ's wise use of His omniscience (all-powerful) in carrying out the purposes of God in the world. (4) Might (Gr. ischuos) - refers to power in action with the omnipotence to perfectly carry out God's will-done perfectly neither to the right or left. (5) Honor (Gr. timē) - refers to highest regard-the value and respect due to Christ because of who He is and what He will accomplish to the glory of God and the benefit of the world. (6) Glory (Gr. doxa) - refers to the public display of adoration that should be credited to Christ, based upon His person and work, past present, and future collectively. And (7) Blessing (Gr. eulogia) - refers to the praise that should be given to Christ because of his wonderful acts of redemption and resurrection (that's you and me!).
vv. 13-14: "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." - Our lesson today closes with universal praise to the Father and the Son. In this vision, John heard every created thing giving praise to God and the Lamb. The crescendo of this divine symphony of praise comes from all creation-everything, everywhere will worship the Father and the Son. The stones, trees, plants, insects, birds, animals, and fish finally cry out-all creation has been "groaning" under the futility of the curse, but now it is about to be set free (Rom. 18:28). Notice God is praised as the Creator and the Son as the Reconciler of the creation (Col. 1:20), so that God the Father and God the Son are both equally to be worshipped forever and ever. One of the spiritual shortfalls of many people today is that they want to worship "God," but they are unwilling to believe in and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Yet, the Bible tell us, "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand" (Jn. 3:35). In the final verse, after the vast crowd fell silent, John's vision concludes with the four creatures saying "Amen" repeatedly. I agree-God the Father and God the Son are both equally to be worshipped forever and ever. Do you? Amen?
TRUTH 3: God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ, are worthy of OVERWHELMING praise-forever and ever! In this vision, John heard every created thing giving praise to God and the Lamb. The crescendo of this divine symphony of praise comes from all creation-everything, everywhere will worship the Father and the Son. The stones, trees, plants, insects, birds, animals, and fish finally cry out-all creation has been "groaning" under the futility of the curse, but now it is about to be set free (Rom. 18:28). Notice God is praised as the Creator and the Son as the Reconciler of the creation (Col. 1:20), so that God the Father and God the Son are both equally to be worshipped forever and ever. One of the spiritual shortfalls of many people today is that they want to worship "God," but they are unwilling to believe in and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Yet, the Bible tell us, "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand" (Jn. 3:35). In the final verse, after the vast crowd fell silent, John's vision concludes with the four creatures saying "Amen" repeatedly. I agree-God the Father and God the Son are both equally to be worshipped forever and ever. Do you? Amen?
