Worthy Is The Lamb

And last week I had a friend, he preached down in the breakfast downstairs Sunday morning.

And he pulled me aside and just said, hey, can you give me some feedback on this sermon I just preached?

He just wanted to get another set of eyes on the sermon he preached.

That's all he wanted to do.

He wanted to get perspective.

He wanted to be helped.

But this morning, in Revelation 5, we're going to get some perspective.

We're going to get some help.

Now, I know that you probably realized that today is the first Sunday of Advent.

And starting next week, we're going to get into Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 and 7.

Isaiah 9:6

And through Isaiah, we're going to meditate on this one, this child born unto us who is wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father.

Prince of Peace, the government's on his shoulders.

We're going to start meditating on that next Sunday.

But this Sunday, we're not going to be in the manger.

We're going to be in a throne room with a heavenly perspective.

Revelation 5 has a timely word for us, Christ the King Church, to see things as they are right now.

To see the one who is worthy.

Just to give you a little background in the book of Revelation, in chapters 2 and 3, you have seven letters written to seven struggling churches.

They are just trying to seek to be faithful in the cultures that we're in.

And the risen Christ speaks to them through John, and he calls each one of them to conquer, to overcome, to don't give in, don't back down, to press on.

And in chapters 4 and 5, the shift changes from the struggle on earth to this glorious heavenly scene in the throne room on high.

And there's basically two acts to the drama that plays out in Revelation 4 and 5.

Act 1 is the one seated on the throne, chapter 4.

And Act 2 is the Lamb who is slain.

Worthy is the one on the throne.

For he created all things.

And worthy is the Lamb who was slain.

For by his blood he purchased a people.

We have here in the heavenly throne room a vision that is going to carry us through the rest of the book of Revelation.

Everything works out of the heavenly throne room.

God is in control.

And so now as we turn to chapter 5, this Act 2 has actually three scenes.

It starts with a situation.

Verses 1 through 4.

A rather hopeless situation.

And then it moves on to an appearing in verses 5 and 7.

And it is a surprise appearing.

I can't wait for you to see it.

And then in verses 8 through 14.

Following this appearance.

There is this spreading chorus of praise.

That goes to the end of the earth.

Worthy.

Worthy is the one who is slain.

This chapter offers us a perspective.

That changes the way we live our lives.

So let's look at the situation in verses 1 through 4.

We are in the throne room of heaven.

And we see, verse 5.

John say,

Then I saw.

I saw in the right hand of him who is seated on the throne.

A scroll written in and on the back.

Sealed with seven seals.

We are to see what John sees.

On the throne.

The ancient of days.

Surrounding him as four living creatures.

Holy, holy, holy.

Is the Lord God Almighty.

Who is and was and will be.

Chapter 4, verse 11.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God.

To the one sitting on the throne.

To receive glory and power and honor.

For you created all things.

This one seated on the throne.

Has in his hand.

A scroll.

You see that?

John wants us to see that.

Then I saw in the right hand of him.

Who was seated on the throne.

A scroll.

A scroll.

It's in his right hand.

His authoritative right hand.

And we see that there's writing on this scroll.

It's writing within and on the back.

It's both sides.

It's this scroll that's been scrolled up and rolled up.

And what you can see is writings all over.

It's like when I'm taking notes.

When I hear someone else preach.

I'm like writing everywhere.

And eventually I got to go on the back side.

And I'm finding all this different space in the bulletin.

This scroll was just packed full of writing.

And not only is it in his right hand.

Not only is it packed full of writing.

It's sealed.

With seven seals.

It was a wax imprint.

With a signet seal on it.

And what that means is it was private.

Contents are only to be seen by those authorized.

And there are seven seals.

And we know from our study of the book of Revelation.

That seven means complete.

Means full.

What are the contents of this detailed undisclosed scroll.

In the right hand of the ancient of days.

On his throne.

Well if you flip back to chapter 4 verse 1.

Jesus.

With a voice of a trumpet.

Calls John to peer into the heavenly throne room.

And he says to John.

Come up here.

And I will show you what.

Must take place.

After this.

After the letters to the seven churches.

This scroll.

Is what must.

Take.

Place.

It's God's plan.

For the.

Seven.

Fullness.

Of God.

It's what must.

Happen.

It's his plan.

For the fullness of time.

To establish his saving reign.

On earth.

Which includes.

The pouring out.

Of judgment.

On all.

Who refuse.

To worship him.

And to vindicate.

All who have faithfully.

Born testimony.

To him.

And endured.

And maintained.

Their worship.

Of the lamb.

Those seven seals.

Mark this.

As the complete.

In full.

Plan.

Of God.

For all.

Time.

So do you see the scroll?

And do you see it's in the hand.

Of the ancient of days?

Verse two.

We see something happen.

And again.

We're.

Drawn with our eyes.

To see something.

And I saw a mighty angel.

Proclaiming with a loud voice.

Who is worthy to open up the scroll.

And break its seals.

This mighty angel.

Is going to show up again.

In chapter 10 verse 1.

And 18 verse 1.

These.

This mighty angel.

Has this way of appearing.

In these dramatic moments.

In the unru.

The revealing of God's plan.

For the fullness of time.

And this mighty angel.

Is unusual.

Even on angelic standards.

He proclaims.

With a very loud voice.

It's so that.

All.

Of heaven.

And earth.

And under the earth.

Can hear.

What he's about to say.

And what does he say?

Who is worthy?

Who is worthy?

Who is worthy?

To open up the scroll.

And break its seal.

That word worthy.

You got to think about it.

In terms of.

Who is authorized.

To approach the throne.

Take the seal.

Take the scroll.

Look into it.

And then.

Accomplish.

Everything written in it.

Who's worthy of that?

Who's qualified.

To do that?

Have you ever seen some.

Like personal ads.

And Craigslist.

Or the newspaper.

You've got men seeking women.

Women seeking men.

And.

Here we have.

Mighty angel.

Seeking one.

Who is worthy.

To accomplish God's plan.

For all time.

This angel.

Is.

Calling out.

To all creation.

Who is worthy.

To take.

The scroll.

In the hand.

Of the ancient of days.

And execute it.

Look at the response.

In verse 3.

No one.

No one.

No one in heaven.

No one on earth.

No one under the earth.

Was able to open the scroll.

Or look into it.

Or look into it.

All creation.

Not one.

Not one.

Qualified.

Authorized.

To open the scroll.

No one worthy.

Not one of the 24 elders.

Not one of the four living creatures.

Not even this mighty angel.

And no one on earth.

No general.

No king.

No president.

No CEO.

No cabinet.

No professor.

No business board.

No noble prize winner.

No one was able.

To open the scroll.

In all.

Of creation.

We.

Have a situation.

God's plan for the fullness of time.

Held in the hand of the ancient of days.

Someone do this.

No one.

No one.

We've got a major vacancy.

John sees it too.

Look at verse 4.

And John says,

I began to weep loudly.

Because no one was found worthy to open the scroll.

Or to look into it.

That is not a whimpering.

That's a wailing.

Wailing.

And why is he wailing?

No one.

No one is able to.

To open the throne.

Remember.

John himself.

Has been.

Exiled.

To this rock pile of an island.

Called Patmos.

And he was there.

Because he was a faithful witness to Jesus.

And he's just written down.

To these seven churches.

Seven letters.

And calling them.

To overcome.

To conquer.

To be faithful.

To press on.

John.

John himself.

Has been overcoming.

Conquering.

Enduring.

Now if there is no one.

If there is no one.

To take the scroll.

If there is no one.

To carry out.

God's detailed plan.

For the fullness of time.

In accomplishing.

Setting his kingdom on earth.

What's the point?

What's the point of enduring?

If there is no one.

To take up the scroll.

What's the point of.

Staying true.

Of witnessing at cost.

Of running the risk.

Of straining relationships.

With those people you love most.

Because you are living for Jesus.

Hey.

If there is no one.

To take up the scroll.

What's the point?

And then.

If nobody takes up the scroll.

Sin goes unchecked.

Death.

Has the final word.

The devil.

Has his way.

If there is no one.

Worthy.

To take up the scroll.

There is no hope.

For us.

Do you want to know.

Why John is crying?

He is experiencing.

A hopelessness.

A despair.

Oh no.

Is God's plan.

In jeopardy.

Maybe.

Maybe you are.

Coming to the building today.

I mean.

You are feeling hopeless.

You are despairing.

You think that.

Chaos rules the day.

Random acts of evil.

There is no one in charge.

Why is this happening?

What's the point?

What's the point?

Christmas rolls around.

For some of us in the room.

Christmas can be like.

A welcome distraction.

To the chaos.

For others of us.

In those rooms.

Christmas can be more of a reminder.

Of the chaos.

Can be a season of despair.

So some people conclude.

Hey.

This messed up world.

Is all that we got.

And there is nobody.

To take up the scroll.

So.

Hey.

Eat drink.

And bear.

Be merry.

Sin goes unchecked.

Death triumphs.

The devil wreaks his havoc.

Who can take up the scroll?

Is there really no one worthy.

To open the scroll?

Is this our situation.

Today?

Hardness abounds.

Difficulty.

Not just in Kenosha.

But.

Brothers and sisters around the world.

North Korea.

Iran.

Western China.

Nicaragua.

Nicaragua.

Nicaragua.

If there is nobody.

To take up the scroll.

What is the point?

If God's plan.

Is not going to be fulfilled.

Why bother?

Are you hopeless.

This morning?

Are you despairing?

Have you been wondering.

If Christianity.

Following Jesus.

Is worth it?

Is anyone worthy.

Is anyone worthy.

To take up the scroll.

And execute God's plan.

For the fullness of time.

That's the situation.

Now.

For the surprise.

In verses 5 and 7.

5 through 7.

We see an appearing.

And there's a surprise.

You've got to see it.

So John.

In verse 4.

Is weeping loudly.

And in verse 5.

One of the 24 elders.

Goes to John.

And he interrupts him.

And the elder says.

Weep no more.

John.

Stop your weeping.

John.

You must not despair.

John.

You must not be hopeless.

Why not?

There is one who is worthy.

Someone has stepped up.

To the throne.

Behold.

The line.

Of the tribe.

Of Judah.

The root.

Of David.

Has.

Conquered.

So that he.

Can open the scroll.

And.

It's.

Seven.

Seals.

The line.

Of the tribe.

Of Judah.

And the root.

Of David.

We just sung it.

They are titles.

Of the coming Messiah.

The long.

Anticipated king.

Who would.

Exercise.

Dominion.

Over all creation.

Bringing.

A kingdom.

Of grace.

The line.

Of Judah.

Is taken.

From Genesis.

49.

9.

Where.

Jacob.

Blesses.

His sons.

And to Judah.

He says.

You are a lion.

And from your tribe.

The scepter.

Will not depart.

It's kingly talk.

The lion king.

And what we know.

Is that.

Jesus.

From Matthew chapter 1.

Matthew 1 · chapter mention

The genealogy.

Jesus.

Is a descendant.

From the line.

Of Judah.

Judah.

Is from Jacob.

Jacob.

From Isaac.

Isaac.

From Abraham.

And it was to Abraham.

That God said.

I will bless.

All the nations.

Of the world.

Through your seed.

The lion.

Of Judah.

Will bring blessing.

For the nations.

But then there's also.

The root of David.

It echoes.

Isaiah chapter 11.

Isaiah 11 · chapter mention

The stump.

Of Jesse.

Jesse was David's dad.

And it's Isaiah 11.

That the Messiah.

Would be.

Completely filled.

By the Holy Spirit.

And he.

Will bring.

Peace.

He will cause.

The wolf.

To.

Shall.

Lie down.

With.

The lamb.

Peace.

And what makes.

This wording.

Very interesting.

Is that the Messiah.

Is the root.

Of David.

The source.

Of David.

This.

Messiah.

Is David's.

Greater.

Son.

Psalm 110.

These titles.

The lion.

Of Judah.

The root.

Of David.

They point.

To a king.

Who's going to.

Establish.

A kingdom.

Of blessing.

And peace.

The one.

Worthy.

To take the scroll.

From the hand.

Of the ancient of days.

And did you notice.

The lion of Judah.

The root of David.

David's greater son.

He has conquered.

In the original language.

It's very.

Intentional.

And emphatic.

This is a past.

Tense.

Event.

It has already.

Happened.

The victory.

Has been won.

The triumph.

Has already been accomplished.

The thinking here.

Is the lion king.

David's greater son.

Has already won.

The victory.

Over sin.

Death.

And the devil.

And it's just going to get.

Worked out.

This.

Victory.

Is the basis.

For what qualifies.

This one.

To take up the throne.

He has conquered.

So that.

He can.

Open the scroll.

And it's.

Seven seals.

So this elder.

Interrupts.

The weeping.

John.

Says.

John.

Stop your weeping.

There is one.

Who is worthy.

Because he's already.

Conquered.

He is the lion king.

David's greater son.

One.

The warrior king.

Has won.

And that first word.

Behold.

Weep no more.

Behold.

The elder is saying.

There he is.

Look.

Now.

Don't look at the next verse.

What are you expecting to see?

You read descriptions.

Of the lion of Judah.

What do lions do?

They.

Crush.

And they tear.

And they pierce.

With their teeth.

You hear the name.

David.

And you think.

Of a warrior king.

Battle hardened.

Shedding blood.

Behold.

The lion king.

The root of David.

And everybody.

Is expecting what?

Six foot two guy.

Four percent BMI.

He's right at a rock.

The stage is set.

For the appearing.

Of the lion of Judah.

The stage is set.

For the appearing.

Of the root of David.

The one who's conquered.

The one who's worthy.

To take up the scroll.

And what do you see?

Surprise.

Between the throne.

And the four living creatures.

And among the elders.

Right in the middle.

Of the throne.

Right in the middle.

Of it all.

What do you see?

A lamb.

That had been slaughtered.

Surprise.

A lamb.

A lamb.

A lamb.

A lamb.

This particular word means.

A young lamb.

A helpless lamb.

A lamb.

There have been different.

Descriptions of Jesus.

Leading up to this point.

but this title lamb

is what carries the day

through the book of Revelation

27 times from chapter 4 on

Jesus is referred to as

the lamb

and he's standing

he's been slaughtered

bled out

bearing the marks

and he's standing

he's alive

here's the connection

this juxtaposition

is to make a point

the lion of Judah

David's greater son

won the victory

by becoming a lamb

sacrificing himself

humbling himself

and being slaughtered

when you hear lamb

there's a couple

Old Testament passages

that should be floating up

in your mind

Exodus chapter 12

Exodus 12 · chapter mention

the Passover lamb

the lamb that was slaughtered

its blood was

spread over the doorposts

and the angel of death

was passed over

and they were delivered

God's people delivered

through the blood of the lamb

and then what also should be

in your mind

is in Isaiah 53

the lamb

that is led

to the slaughter

and speaking of the Messiah

the suffering servant

who would take the place

of his people

by bearing on himself

the wrath

intended for them

by his stripes

we are healed

you see

the lion

triumphed

by not crushing

his enemies

but by being

crushed

for his enemies

the

root of David

he did not

shed the blood

of his enemies

in conquering

he shed

his own blood

for his enemies

to triumph

he became

a servant

he took on the

nature of a servant

he came not to be served

but to serve

and to give his life

as a

ransom

for many

there's the victory

the victory

won

was a triumph

through self-sacrifice

through a

substitutionary

death

and that

qualifies him

to take hold

of the scroll

what John is seeing

is a very

vivid

explanation

of how

the line

of Judah

David's

greater son

Jesus Christ

has conquered

and we know

from 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1 · chapter mention

chapter 1

that such

foolishness

in the eyes

of the wise

such

weakness

in the eyes

of the strong

to those

who are being

saved

it is the

power of God

it's a true

victory

it's a true

win

when Jesus

cried

from the cross

it is

finished

and breathed

his last

the Lamb

of God

who came

to take away

the sins

of the world

he triumphed

over sin

death

and the devil

and this

cross

work

uniquely

qualifies him

to take

the scroll

open it

and carry

it out

to the full

worthy

worthy

is the

Lamb

who was

slain

what we're

seeing here

is that

the cross

inaugurated

the kingdom

of God

on earth

and now

the risen

Christ

given full

authority

the scroll

is carrying

out God's

plan

to establish

God's kingdom

on earth

that will be

consummated

when he comes

back

you may have

noticed in

verse 6

a couple

other things

that this

Lamb

has seven

horns

horn

is a

connotation

of strength

seven

of course

means complete

and full

all powerful

this

humbled

Lamb

he's

all powerful

and he

has seven

eyes

omniscience

complete

knowledge

and notice

that those

seven eyes

are described

as the

seven

spirits

of God

sent out

into all

the earth

and if you've

been with us

in our study

of Revelation

it's a reference

to the one

Holy Spirit

in John

John 14 · chapter mention

chapter 14

15 and 16

Jesus talks

about sending

out the Holy

Spirit

to bear witness

to him

and to convict

the world

of sin

righteousness

and judgment

he knows

everything

this Lamb

and then

in verse

seven

the Lamb

approaches

the throne

and takes

the scroll

from the

right hand

of the one

who sits

on the throne

you got to

understand

this is a

Daniel seven

moment

the throne

room

the son of

man

the Lamb

approaches

the ancient

of days

and the ancient

of days

gives him

dominion

over all

kingdoms

of peoples

and languages

and nations

the scroll

is in the hands

of the Lamb

now

the Lamb

is working out

God's detailed

plan for the

fullness of time

to establish

his saving

reign on earth

surprise

who was

worthy to

open the

scroll

a Lamb

that was

slaughtered

to the wise

it's foolishness

to the strong

it's weak

but to those

who are being

saved

it's the power

of God

do you see

the Lamb

and do you

see he is

worthy

because of

what he has

done

all the

inhabitants

of heaven

do

in verse

8 we

make a

transition

from the

surprise

appearance

of the

Lamb

now

to a

spreading

chorus

of

ceaseless

praise

verses

8

through

14

but you

got to

understand

the praise

doesn't

start

in verse

9

the praise

starts

in the

previous

chapter

4

8

for living

creatures

holy

holy

holy

is the

God

Lord

God

almighty

who was

and is

and is

to come

4

11

the 24

elders

get in

on the

action

falling down

before him

they cast

their crowns

worthy

are you

our Lord

and God

to receive

glory

and honor

and power

for

you created

all things

there's the

worthy

and then

there's the

reason

for

and so

we see

this

start

of a

spreading

chorus

of

ceaseless

praise

in chapter

4

and then

in chapter

5

after the

appearing

of the

lamb

who is

worthy

to take

the

scroll

because

he is

a slain

lamb

standing

praise

erupts

and when

he's

taking

the

scroll

the

four

living

creatures

and the

twenty

four

elders

fell

down

before

the

lamb

each

holding

a

harp

golden

bowls

full

of

incense

which

are

the

prayers

of

the

saints

now

the

living

creatures

and the

elders

are now

combined

the inner

circle

around

the throne

the

entourage

is now

falling

down

before

the

lamb

which

means

they're

worshipping

the

lamb

as

they

worship

the

ancient

of

days

which

means

the

lamb

is

fully

God

and then

it just

starts to

spread

the

harp

in their

hands

is

they're

getting

ready

to

sing

they're

going to

sing

a new

song

verse

nine

and the

golden

bowls

full of

incense

which are

the

prayers

of the

saints

we're

going to

come

back

to that

in a

few

weeks

when we're

in chapter

eight

those

prayers

are

specific

prayers

from our

particular

group

of saints

but notice

in verse

nine

the

twenty-eight

in the

inner

sanctum

inner

circle

they

sang

a

new

song

to

the

lamb

whenever

you

come

across

those

words

new

song

in the

old

testament

new

songs

were

always

sung

when

God's

people

experienced

this

fresh

deliverance

this

fresh

outpouring

of

God's

grace

a

new

song

for

a

new

work

of

God's

amazing

grace

and that

is

exactly

what we're

seeing

here

a

new

song

is

being

sung

for

a

new

work

God

is

doing

through

the

lamb

the

praise

is

is

proclaimed

to

the

lamb

worthy

are

you

to

take

the

scroll

and

to

open

its

seals

and

now

the

for

just

like

in

verse

11

worthy

for

reason

now

we're

given

for

the

lamb

worthy

are

you

for

reason

number

one

a

new

work

for

you

were

slain

it's

a

new

work

of

grace

a

new

work

in

God's

plan

of

salvation

and

not

only

is

he

worthy

because

of

this

new

work

for

you

were

slain

he

substituted

himself

it's

a

new

work

creating

a

new

people

for

by

your

blood

you

ransomed

you

purchased

people

for

God

from

every

tribe

and

language

and

people

and

nation

this

new

work

is

creating

a

new

people

group

before

under

the

old

covenant

it

was

mono

ethnic

ethnic

Israel

worshiping

God

with

one

language

in

one

place

and

now

this

new

work

of

the

lamb

blows

that

the

doors

wide

open

and

now

through

the

blood

that

Jesus

shed

he

is

purchasing

for

himself

a

people

from

every

tribe

and

language

and

people

and

nation

from

mono

ethnic

to

multi

ethnic

and

we

believe

God

is

doing

a

multi

ethnic

work

here

gathering

a

people

for

himself

that

in

the

world's

eyes

typically

have

no

business

dealing

with

each

other

but

in

Christ

we've

got

all

business

dealing

with

each

other

this

new

song

is

about

a

new

work

of

a

formation

of

a

purchase

of

a

new

people

through

the

blood

of

Jesus

they

all

have

a

new

purpose

in

verse

10

you've

made

them

a

kingdom

and

priests

to

our

God

they

shall

reign

on

earth

this

kingdom

and

priests

language

was

originally

used

of

God

speaking

to

his

people

his

mono

ethnic

people

Israel

Exodus

19

you're

my

people

I'm

your

God

and

now

with

this

new

work

of

the

lamb

this

description

of

Israel

mono

ethnic

Israel

is

now

being

applied

to

this

new

group

of

multi

ethnic

blood

bought

people

the

church

it's

the

priesthood

of

all

multi

ethnic

believers

and

we're

to

reign

with

him

some

commentators

think

that

this

reigning

with

God

is

a

reigning

that

will

happen

in

the

new

heavens

and

the

new

earth

some

commentators

think

that

this

reigning

is

with

Christ

now

on

the

present

earth

I

happen

to

think

both

are

true

we

will

reign

with

him

in

the

new

heavens

and

the

earth

but

we

reign

with

him

now

as

he

inaugurated

his

kingdom

our

reign

is

exercised

through

humility

and

through

servanthood

and

through

self

sacrifice

even

when

it

looks

foolish

and

weak

it's

the

way

of

the

lamb

that's

how

we

reign

with

him

now

in

verses

these

verses

what

you

realize

is

the

living

creatures

and

the

24

elders

this

inner

circle

do

you

know

who

they're

singing

about

they're

singing

about

us

this

work

that

God

has

done

we're

the

reason

that

Jesus

is

worthy

he

shed

his

blood

for

us

this

praise

spreads

from

the

inner

group

now

to

an

outer

group

we

see

that

in

verse

11

and

I

heard

around

the

throne

the

living

creatures

and

the

elders

the

voice

of

many

angels

numbering

myriads

of

myriads

and

thousands

of

thousands

a

myriad

is

literally

ten

thousand

and

so

when

you

see

a

myriad

and

myriad

myriad

you're

supposed

to

multiply

them

ten

thousand

times

ten

thousand

do

you

know

how

many

that

is

one

hundred

million

I

don't

think

we're

supposed

to be

counting

them

I

think

the

intent

is

they're

more

than

we

can

count

and

this

huge

throng

of

angels

in

heaven

they

gather

around

the

lamb

and

they

say

worthy

is

the

lamb

who

was

slain

to

receive

power

and

wealth

and

wisdom

and

might

and

honor

and

glory

and

blessing

all

of

the

angelic

host

are

gathered

around

the

throne

to

give

the

praise

due

the

lamb

he's

worthy

count

with

me

power

one

wealth

two

wisdom

three

might

four

honor

five