WORTHY IS THE LAMB

LORD’S SUPPER AUGUST 2013

REVELATION 5

It is interesting to me that when Paul was caught up into paradise, he heard unspeakable words which were not lawful for him to utter. But here in Revelation 5, John is permitted by God to record things that he both saw and heard when taken by The Spirit into heaven. 

vs 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.

·      Right Hand - Throughout both the Old and New Testaments the right hand was considered the dominant hand representing authority and power. (Gen. 48:17, 18; Ex. 15:6, 12; Job 40:14; Ps. 16:8; Ecc. 10:2; Mark 10:37, 12:36, 14:62; 1 Peter 3:22; Rev. 13:16).

·      A Book (Scroll) - Scrolls are ancient books comprised of pieces of papyrus or parchment sown together and rolled on a spindle.

·      Written Inside and on the Back - Just as the pages of books have writing on both sides of its pages so this long continuous scroll sheet contained writing on both sides.

·      Seven Seals - The "sealing with seven seals" is a picture of a highly secure seal. Roman law required a will to be sealed seven times as illustrated in the wills left by Augustus and Vespasian for their successors.

·      Many believe this scroll is the title deed of the earth and represents God's plan of redemption for mankind. As we learned in the books of Leviticus and Ruth, under Jewish law, real estate that had been forfeited by a man could only be redeemed (brought back) by near kinsman (blood relative) (Lev. 25:23-28, 39-46, 47-55; Ruth 2:20).

Vs. 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? Vs. 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

·      Who is Worthy to Open the Scroll...Loose its Seals?- Not only was there no one worthy to open the scroll, but also no one was able to even look at it. 

Vs. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

·      John weeps here because no created being was found worthy to open the book or look upon its content. This shows the total inability of angels or humans to bring about the will of God! Rebellion has affected them all! Creation cannot help itself!

Vs. 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.

·      Weep not- The end of John’s weeping and sorrow was the revelation of The Lord Jesus Christ.

·      The Lion of the Tribe of Judah - The writer of Hebrews tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ was from the tribe of Judah (Heb. 7:14). He is identified here as "the lion" of "the tribe." Judah was one of the 12 tribes of Israel. The tribe's signet banner was "the lion" (Gen. 49:9).

·      Root of David – This identification of Jesus being the root of David is found in Isaiah 11.1,2;10. (See also Rom. 1:3, 15:12; Rev. 22:16).  Jesus is not only David’s descendent, He is David’s Lord (Psalm 110).

·      According to the proto evangelium of Genesis 3.15, to redeem the earth that was forfeited by Adam in the Garden of Eden, the redeemer must not only be a blood relative (hence a man, not an angel), he must also be a sinless man, born of a virgin.  Thus, the redeemer of man would be fully God and fully man, thus enabling Him to be the One and only Mediator between God and man.

·      Jesus Christ has fully satisfied the just demands of God for the sin debt of mankind, and in doing so, He has overcome sin and death. This was all done at the cross (Col. 2:14-15).

·      Jesus Christ has prevailed to Open the Scroll and to Loose its Seven Seals – Gr. Nikao: AV (28)- overcome 24, conquer 2, prevail 1, get the victory 1. Through His perfect atoning sacrifice and resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ has prevailed and is worthy to open the scroll and loose its seals.

Vs. 6,7 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. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne  

·      In the Midst of the Throne - This lamb stands, "in the midst of the throne." Jesus, the Lamb of God, shares the throne of God with His Father (Rev. 3:21). This is more evidence of the deity of Jesus Christ.

·      Stood a Lamb as Though it had been Slain - John looks to see a conquering lion only to discover a lamb slain. Jesus was called "the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29).

·      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. He has the power to redeem you today if you repent of your sin and turn to Him in faith.

·      Seven Horns and Seven Eyes - In the scriptures, "horns" are a representation of power and "eyes" are a picture of knowledge and wisdom. The number "seven" is a figure of completion and perfection. Thus, this lamb has perfect and complete power and perfect and complete wisdom and understanding.

Vs. 7 He Came and Took the Scroll out of the Right Hand of Him Who Sat on the Throne –

·      There is no question that this is a record of the interaction between God the Father and Jesus Christ. This is similar to Daniel's vision in Daniel 7:13-14.

Vs 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

·      Fell Down Before the Lamb - When the Lamb takes the scroll, there an immediate response of worship. Here the holiest of creatures in heaven around the throne of God bow in submission to Jesus Christ. If Jesus were not deity this would be blasphemy.

·      Harps - It is interesting to note worship in heaven is accompanied by music.

·      Golden Bowls Full of Incense - The use of incense was one of the many ways God instructed Moses to offer up worship in the Tabernacle (Ex. 31:8, 11; 35:8, 15, 28; 37:25). Our prayers are like incense that ascends to heaven has a pleasing aroma before God. He regards them as "a sweet-smelling incense, set in precious golden bowls" (Ps. 141:2).

·      Some very important doctrinal points here. Please note that these are the prayers of the Saints.

o   Who are saints? Saints is simply a term that means to be "set apart" and it is applied to all born again believers, whether they are on earth or in heaven. (1 Cor. 1:2, 6:2, 14:33; Eph. 2:19; Phil 1:1, 4:22; Col. 1:2).

o   Please note that these are the prayers of the saints, not prayers made to saints. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

Vs 9,10 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth

·      They Sang a new song - a song that has never been sung before. In the praise of Revelation 4:11, the emphasis is on God’s work of creation. Here, the emphasis is on His work of redemption. It is a song that is directed to Jesus Christ. We worship and glorify one and the same God for our creation and for our redemption. Matthew Henry

·      You are worthy-In the days of the Apostle John, Roman Emperors were celebrated upon their arrival with the Latin expression vere dignus, which is translated You are worthy. Every earthly ruler, president and king will one day bow the knee to Jesus Christ and confess Him as Lord.

·      Redeemed - agorazo (Gk.) to buy in the marketplace, purchase. According to God's justice, the only way to obtain forgiveness and cleaning from sin is through the shedding of blood (Lev. 17:11, Heb. 9:22). This verse points to the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of the sins of all who would believe (Rom. 3:25; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 1 John 1:7).

·      Out of Every Tribe and Tongue and People and Nation - The salvation provided through Jesus Christ's death burial and resurrection is not limited to a specific people group but provides salvation for all the people of the world (John 1:29, 3:16, 1 John 2:2). The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men. So we see believers from every people group of the world represented here.

·      But atonement accomplished, is not applied until a person repents of their sin and calls upon the Name of Jesus for forgiveness.To all men the free grace of God in Christ Jesus is to be proclaimed, but only to those who repent and believe is the purchase price of the atonement applied.

·      We shall reign on the earth- Rev 20.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

·      This speaks of our reigning with Jesus during His kingdom on earth for 1,000 years, which will be destroyed, not the new earth spoken of in Revelation 21.1 which will last forever.

Vs 11,12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders:and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing

·      Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand, and Thousands of Thousands - Now we see the ripple of praise expanding out in all directions from the throne of God. The point of this verse is to convey the innumerable hosts of heaven worshipping God. We see again that the primary occupation in heaven at this time is worship and praise.

·      Worthy is the Lamb - If Jesus was not "God the Son" and if the doctrine of the trinity were not true, this would be nothing short blasphemy (Deut. 6:13-15). But God the Father is indeed pleased to share worship and praise with His Son (Ps. 2:12, John 5:22-23). Once again we see the clear doctrine of the deity of Christ.

·      Power - dunamis (Gk.) power, might, strength: Jesus is worthy and deserving to receive all the power of heaven. He is omnipotent (Matt. 28:18; 1 Cor. 1:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:3; Mark 5:1-20, 25-29, 35-43).

·      Riches - ploutos (Gk.) fullness, abundance, plenitude. Jesus possesses all the fullness and abundance of heaven (Col 1:16).

·      Wisdom - sophia (Gk.) wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters. Jesus is Omniscient (1 Cor. 1:24, James 1:5).

·      Strength - ischus (Gk.) ability, force, strength, might. Jesus has the strength needed to disarm the powers of evil and overthrow Satan (Ps. 24:8, Matt. 12:29, Luke 11:22).

·      Honor - time (Gk.) esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: precious price. Jesus is the one before Whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord indeed (Phil. 2:11; Ps. 104:1; Ps. 8:5; Heb 2:7, 9).

·      Blessing - eulogia (Gk.) praise and laudation

Vs. 13,14 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever

·      Compare v. 13 with Phil. 2:10–11 and Col. 1:20. All creation praises God the Father and God the Son; see John 5:23. Many people say, “I worship God, but not Jesus Christ.” To ignore Christ is to insult the Father. In heaven, every angel and every raptured saint will honor the Father and the Son and praise them.

·      When does true worship take place? When a worship leader is giving an exhortation? No. It happens when those in heaven see the slain Lamb. So, too, who are vibrant worshipers today? Not those who are manipulated by a worship leader or pastor, but those who understand that Jesus really died for them. Anyone who truly sees the slain Lamb cannot help but worship.

·      Amen - amen (Gk.) so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled.

Lord’s Supper Exhortation

Tell me, who is it or what is it that you worship? You can be sure that these saints who are worshipping here in heaven were worshippers on earth. John 4.20-24

The Lord is not expecting sinless perfection in this life, but He is looking for a sincere surrender to live in harmony with His revealed will and purposes.

The grace of God that saves us provides gives birth to a life of repentance and transformation into the image of Jesus Christ.

Some people have the twisted theology of the grace of God that tells a person that all they need to do to be saved is “receive” Christ as Savior. Unfortunately, there are many people who have “received” Christ as Savior but there is no visible evidence of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. There is no desire for His Word or fellowship with the people of God. No fruit that is driven by a love for Christ and his glory, not simply humanitarian good works. No testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And yet, they have believed that based on that confession of Lord, they die go to heaven. Do not believe that false gospel my friend.

The gospel of the grace of God is not accept and receive, but repent and believe.

Take a step back this morning my friend, and ask yourself this question. When you examine your life, the basis of the decisions that you make; the basis of the priorities that you set for yourself or your household; the basis of your stewardship of time and money; the things that excite you and interest you the most…are they the kingdom of God, of the things of this world.

Will you turn to Christ this morning for forgiveness of sin? Will you determine by the grace of God to follow Him and walk in His light and truth? Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.