Sermon

Revelation 5 “The Lion-Lamb”

October 18, 2026 Southwood Presbyterian Church - Sermons

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You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.
As you're coming up here and getting settled, raise your hand if you like animals. Anybody up here
like animals? Yeah, some of you have gotten to see lots of animals at different places that you've
gone and visited. Some of you have animals that live at your house, don't you? Yeah, and animals
are a lot of fun. In our passage in the Bible today that we're about to read, God uses animals to help
us learn about Jesus. Isn't that cool? So, I need y'all to help me out a little bit. Who can tell me
what a lion says? What does a lion say? Just kind of soft like that? What does a lion say? Okay, very
good. Very good. Yeah. Lions are the kings of the jungle, right? They're big and they're loud
and they're strong and they're scary sometimes, aren't they? We need them to stay behind fences.
We can look at them from the other side of the glass, right? Yeah. Let me ask you another question.
Does a lamb say roar? Is that what a lamb? No? What? Is that what a lamb says? Yeah, you're right.
Lambs are soft, aren't they? And slow and calm sometimes. So, now, if you're sad, which one of
those animals, a lion or a lamb, would you want to cuddle up to you and encourage you and comfort
you? Which one do you think? A lamb. I think you're right. But what if you're being attacked?
If you're being bullied? If somebody is hurting you or which one of those two animals do you want to
fight on your… Oh, you didn't even… Let me finish the question. Lion. Yeah, you're right.
But, you know, I was thinking about this this week. I don't know if you can think
of a time like this in your life, but sometimes we're sad and scared at the same time, aren't we?
Sometimes we really need both of those things to help us. We need a strong lion who will also
scoop us up and hold us in his arms, right? Or we might need a calm lamb because
we really need somebody to cuddle up with, but we need him to chase away all of our enemies,
don't we? What we're going to read about in the Bible today, you know what the Bible tells us about
Jesus? Which one of those animals do you think Jesus is? Y'all are really smart. The Bible tells us
Jesus is both. He's a lion and a lamb. Now, when it says that, is it actually telling us that Jesus
says, rawr, or that he has a woolly coat? Is that what it means? No, no, that would be silly. It's saying
that Jesus is the lion. He is the king who rules over us, right? And he's the lamb, the lamb who loves us so much.
He's the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world because he comes and dies for our sins.
He defeats all of our enemies and he brings us home to live with him forever. Isn't that amazing?
Isn't Jesus awesome that he can do both of those things all the time? I want you to remember that
because it means that you can go to Jesus with anything that you have and whatever you need and he'll be
exactly what you need. Can you remember that? Jesus is always the one that you need. Thank you all for
helping me out and for listening this morning. If you are going to kids worship, you're going to go right out
the back door. Miss Sarah Nell is going to meet you right out that door in the back. There, you see Miss Sarah Nell?
She's walking over there. You're going to go to her and the rest of you go back to your seats and
listen because we're about to read about the lion and the lamb, okay? Thank you all so much for coming up here.
You'll be a great helper.
Revelation 5 this morning where we're continuing this account of the throne room of heaven.
John is painting for us this amazing image of what he's taking in as he looks there. We're going to be
in Revelation 5 for two weeks. Honestly, the more I read it, the more I could just kind of stay in
Revelation 5 forever. I encourage you to read it through this week. I'm reading it every day. There's
new things. There's new glories there. So, I'm actually going to read the whole chapter for us this
morning. I want you to get both the tension and the resolution of this beautiful passage of God's Word.
Revelation 5.
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. And I saw a strong 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 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 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 he went and took the scroll from the right hand of
him who was seated on the throne. 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 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 priest to our God. And they shall
reign on the earth. 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. 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 the four living creatures said, amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Amen. We thank God for his holy word. What an incredible account, right? I just want to give you a second to
try to take in what you just heard described. We're going to go back a little bit more slowly. Let's go
back to the beginning and see if we can notice what's going on. The chapter opens with the holy,
holy, holy God on his throne holding out a scroll. What's that all about? It's important that we know
this. Writing on the front and on the back is unusual in this time. But it's saying it's filled up.
There's no room to add more, okay? And the seven seals indicate that it's an important document,
like a last will and testament of an important person. In this case, the most important, the one
on the throne of heaven. To know what's on the scroll, we need to look back and look forward.
We see scrolls like this looking back in the Old Testament. In places like Ezekiel chapter 2,

Ezekiel 2 chapter mention
where God tells his prophet Ezekiel to speak his word to his people who are rebelling against him.
Eat the scroll, God says. And then speak out words of lamentation and mourning and woe.
And later in Revelation, we're told that this scroll, like Ezekiel's, will taste sweet in John's mouth,
but be bitter in his stomach. See, good and bad. Looking forward in Revelation, that's what we see.
How do we know what's on the scroll? Well, we see some as we keep reading. When the seals are broken,
out comes judgment as well as blessing. Revelation 6 and following, we'll get there soon.
This scroll then is best understood as God's complete plan for all of history, okay?
God's redemptive purpose is to bring all things to their conclusion with justice upon evil,
on the one hand, and rescue for his people, on the other hand. Sweet and bitter, judgment and mercy.
All of these rolled up in one scroll full of the glorious master plan.
But there's a problem, isn't there? See, no matter where he looks or how loudly he speaks or how strong he is,
the angel can find no one able to open the scroll by breaking its seals. He is searching, isn't he?
Everywhere. Who is worthy? That's the history-shaping question, right?
People have been wondering for millennia how to see things set right in the world.
What it means to be worthy of God, so to speak.
People have been hoping since the curses and the promises when we were being banished from the Garden of Eden.
How do we get back into this close relationship with God that we were made for?
People have been longing since Cain murdered Abel to see justice done, right?
To see goodness vindicated.
See, this problem here is not merely a matter of knowing God's plan, being able to see what's written on the scroll,
but actually to see someone who can make it happen.
The person who can break the seals would be the one who can make God's plan actually happen.
The executor, you might say, of the last will and testament.
That's what the worthy person would be.
So, the problem is that without someone worthy, God's redemptive purposes can't come into effect.
His riches, if you will, can't be shared, can't be passed on.
Curses can't come upon evil in the world.
And blessing can't come to those needing rescue.
This is a huge problem.
Even the strong, sinless angel can't open it.
Can't bring God's plan to pass.
No one anywhere can do it.
Notice that John's building this tension.
I think he wants us to feel some of what he feels.
John says, verse 4, he began to weep loudly.
To weep and weep.
This is what is welling up inside of John because no one worthy was found.
And maybe you're already there.
Maybe you are tracking with this instantly.
That's great.
You're following the weeping.
You're already feeling it.
Maybe like me, yours started earlier in the service.
But most of us need to slow down here until we feel John's tears.
See, John is the one who represents us.
The people of God in these last ages.
The last days between Jesus' two comings.
That's us.
Exiled, right?
Often persecuted.
Facing injustice.
Wondering what's next for them.
That's us.
So John weeps.
Why?
Because if that scroll can't be opened,
the Christians being martyred around the world today have lost.
Never to be vindicated.
Because if the scroll can't be opened,
those who lied about you to get ahead and never got caught,
never get caught.
Because if the scroll can't be opened,
people who do things like abuse children
and sell women
never get the just punishment they deserve.
The punishment coming to them.
Because if the scroll can't be opened,
the animals made to live in harmony together,
the plants made to bloom fruitfully,
the stars and the mountains made to just shine
and grow majestically,
bigger than we can imagine,
will never be restored to their former glory.
Because if the scroll can't be opened,
parents who've lost children way too young,
children who've lost parents to dementia
way too soon,
and people who've lost loved ones to cancer
way too often,
will never be reunited with them.
Because if the scroll can't be opened,
every person who ever lived,
even the best people you can think of
who have sacrificed worldly pleasure
in order to live lives that are more moral than some others,
every single person will be lost forever,
paying for their sin against a holy God
for all eternity.
Lamentation, mourning, and woe
only forever.
forever.
After death,
that is a departure
from what is then our best life
now into
eternal despair.
Y'all, I'm not trying to be dramatic.
I'm trying to be honest.
Do you understand
why John's weeping?
John wants us to feel
that kind of desperation
that maybe you haven't felt recently
or maybe you're living there
as he's weeping repeatedly
and uncontrollably.
Now we're starting to be able
to see what makes John weep.
No justice.
No redemption.
No hope at all.
Friends, people have never managed
to organize
or meditate
or deny
or perform themselves
into eternal hope
and life
and righteousness
and peace.
That's because no one,
none of us
is worthy
to bring justice
and mercy
at an ultimate
and eternal level.
And so,
we weep.
Angels are flummoxed.
Creation groans.
Who is worthy?
It's hard.
Especially if there are tears
in your eyes
like mine
right now.
I want you to listen.
We're going to keep talking
about the tears.
Listen
to what happens.
Verse 5.
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.
Look!
He says,
The lion king
promised in Genesis 49
to come
from Judah's line.
The root of David
promised in Isaiah 11
to be the Messiah
who would come
and rule
and set all things right.
The conqueror
who has won
and earned
the right
to break the seals
and open the scroll.
He's here!
Look!
The lion!
And then John
starts to draw
the attention,
doesn't he?
He's going to highlight
the plot twist.
Just pretend
you don't know yet
you didn't listen
to the children's moment
or when I read,
okay?
Verse 6.
And between
the throne
and the four living creatures
and among the elders
I saw,
or in the Greek
it reads,
I saw
between the throne
and the four living creatures
and among the elders
and of course
we expect
that what he's telling them
is he saw the lion
except
he says
a lamb.
A lamb
standing
as though it had been slain
but
alive.
Verse 7
the lamb
is moving.
He went
and took
the scroll
from the right hand
of him
who was seated
on the throne.
Who is
worthy?
The answer
to that question
that shapes
all of eternity
the entire story
from eternity past
to eternity future
is the lion
lamb.
This is where
we're focusing today
the multifaceted
glory
of Jesus
it's what this is
all about.
The lion
lamb
both
of those things
in one person
as our
slide
image
is going to
continue
reminding us
through the rest
of this book.
The lion
lamb
you could say
the God
man
isn't it amazing
after chapter 4
just remember
just last week
where the one
on the throne
of heaven
is utterly
unique
incomparable
there's no one
like him
that all of a sudden
someone arises
from among
the elders
representing
God's people
remember
and then
that
that one
goes
where no one
else has dared
right up
to the throne
at the right
hand of the throne
what's going on
see humanity
had brought
the curse
humanity
had to
restore
the blessing
he's fully
man
from among
men
but at the same
time only God
could bring
divine justice
blessing
of perfect
quality
and
eternal
duration
to rebellious
people
fully
God
he is
right
veiled
in flesh
the Godhead
see
hail
the incarnate
deity
the God
who's transcendent
far beyond
who's imminent
right here
near me
you could say
the crucified
resurrected
because think
about it
the one
whose last
will and testament
needs to be
opened
has to have
died
right
but if he's
also the
executor
who's going
to make
these plans
happen
he will need
still to be
alive
and here is
the lamb
who has been
slain
everyone can
see it
looking at him
but he's
standing
alive
that's not
the way you
were slain
on an altar
standing
alive
victorious
over death
able to bring
justice
to its fullest
extent
and mercy
to the most
undeserving
who trusts
him
notice with me
what
what this passage
says makes
Jesus
worthy
verse 5
and verse 9
are going to be
talking about
the same
thing
verse 5
the lion
has conquered
so he can
break the seals
and open
the scroll
what makes
him worthy
he conquered
verse 9
he's worthy
because he
was
slain
what's going
on
victory
see
looked like
defeat
being
slain
was how
this king
conquered
could that
be
is that
possible
did you
know
that's
what was
happening
on the
cross
of
Jesus
when from
all we
could see
from all
his followers
understood
Jesus was
being defeated
what was
actually happening
is that he
was defeating
his greatest
enemies
keep reading
because
when he
was slain
by his
blood
he ransomed
!
people for
God
from everywhere
at all
time
Jesus
was the
one
exchanged
to die
in our
place
and then
he rose
to live
too
aha
gotcha
Satan
didn't see
that one
coming
Jesus
brought
all of
these
people
near
to God
as his
priests
and ministers
to reign
with him
now
and forever
see
he brings
rescue
real rescue
eternal life
and power
and purpose
to those
who perhaps
never
experienced
those things
in this
life
strugglers
victims
sufferers
martyrs
Jesus
takes that
death
that we
were just
just weeping
about facing
as sinners
and he
finally
makes a
way
that justice
is satisfied
and grace
is exalted
at the same
time
death is
defeated
right
sin
is conquered
life
and blessing
are ours
forever
you starting
to see why
the lion
needed to be
a lamb
the king
needed to be
one who
died in order
to conquer
so unique
also from the
perspective of
the lamb
this is no
ordinary lamb
right
just look at
how he's
described
he's standing
with seven
horns
seven again
in revelation
completeness
in this case
complete
power
we should have
already picked
up on this
as he stood
at the throne
he is
omnipotent
right
and seven
eyes
complete
knowledge
he is
omniscient
which are
actually we're
told the
seven spirits
of God
complete
holy spirit
in all
the world
through whom
Jesus is
omnipresent
look at
this
glorious
picture
it's this
trinitarian
view
with
God
almighty
on his
throne
where the
lamb
who was
slain
stands
filled
by
and
sending
out
holy
spirit
this is
unique
to
biblical
Christianity
see
Islam
has
no
category
for such
a lion
lamb
Jesus
in its
world
view
which is
why it
denies
one of
the most
historically
attested
events
in the
history
of the
world
the
crucifixion
of
Jesus
of
Nazareth
they have
Jesus
there
yeah
but he's
a prophet
in their
view
they're
fine
with him
as
lion
king
full
of
powerful
teaching
and
good
laws
but
none
of
this
lamb
who was
slain
on the
cross
business
it can't
be both
Islam
says
probably
the other
main
competing
world
view
in our
culture
this day
is
what I
call
modern
American
individualism
you know
the
you be
you
be true
to yourself
spirit
of our
age
this
one
is
the
opposite
what's
that
like
which
version
of
Jesus
do
they
like
they're
fine
with
Jesus
as
the
lamb
tender
kindness
and
love
for
everyone
that's
great
you can
talk
like
that
can't
you
won't
get
in
trouble
but
there's
no
category
for
Jesus
as
king
who
tells
you
how
the
world
works
how
you
must
live
how
you
were
made
to
function
in
dependence
upon
him
see
biblical
Christianity
says
we
must
have
Jesus
the
real
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
the
God
man
the
crucified
resurrected
full
of
grace
and
truth
who
exacts
justice
on
every
distortion
of his
good
creation
on
every
offense
against
his
beloved
people
and his
divine
nature
and who
also
extends
grace
to all
those
facing
death
everyone
who
cries
out
to
him
praise
Jesus
lion
and
we
need
both
of
them
and
we
have
both
of
them
in
him
he
is
worthy
isn't
he
then
to
break
the
seals
and
open
the
scroll
just
take
a couple
minutes
with
me
to
marvel
at
this
multifaceted
nature
of
Jesus
I
call
it
his
diversity
of
perfections
or
seemingly
disparate
characteristics
united
in
one
person
he
is
so
marvelously
unlike
anyone
else
he
is
so
completely
necessary
for
our
hope
for
our
salvation
the
lion
lamb
shows
us
this
over
and
over
I
am
going
to
just
give
you
a
few
examples
you
are
going
to
think
of
others
probably
as
I
am
talking
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
!
speaks
to
create
the
world
to
calm
the
sea
like
a
lion
roaring
things
into
existence
and
submission
but
remains
silent
before
his
accusers
like
a
lamb
led
to
the
slaughter
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
pronounces
curses
on the
self-reliant
religious
leaders
but
pronounces
forgiveness
to the
sinful
woman!
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
chases
away
the
money
changers
in
the
temple
with
a
whip
but
welcomes
the
little
children
up
into
his
arms
and
puts
his
hands
on
them
and
blesses
them
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
holds
all
creation
together
by the
word
of
his
power
but
trusts
his
father
too
much
to
turn
a
stone
into
bread
when
hungry
!
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
rides
into
Jerusalem
to
shouts
of
Hosanna
from
the
crowds
but
draws
away
from
the
admiring
crowds
who
want
to
make
him
king
so
that
he
can
pray
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
knows
that
all
authority
in
heaven
and on
earth
has
been
given
to
him
but
nonetheless
wraps
a
towel
around
his
waist
and
washes
the
feet
of
his
disciples
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
calls
his
friend
Lazarus
out
of
the
grave
with
a
word
but
first
he
weeps
with
his
suffering
grieving
friends
in the
face
of
death
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
is
the
Lord
who
can
require
anything
of
us
and
we
must
obey
he
says
we
must
do
what
he
commands
but
who
also
says
the
work
that
I've
given
you
to do
is
to
believe
in
me
to
trust
me
to
be
your
good
shepherd
and
then
to
rest
in
green
pastures
and
still
waters
Jesus
the
lion
lamb
is
the
Lord
and
the
giver
of
life
but
he
suffers
agonizing
death
himself
before
rising
again
to
life
never
more
to
die
is
he
worthy
is
he
worthy
he
is
like
no
one
else
he
is
we
could
spend
y'all
all
day
one
of you
encouraged
me to
do
this
and
I
won't
use
his name
because
none
of you
will
ever
talk
to
him
again
encouraged
me
to
spend
all
day
numbering
his
excellencies
as
the
lion
lamb
we
ought
to
keep
our
hearts
there
today
that's
what
starts
happening
around
the
throne
in
heaven
in
case
you
are
not
yet
certain
of
his
equality
with
holy
holy
holy
God
there
he
stands
at
the
throne
and
he
receives
the
joyful
worship
of
all
of
creation
and
all
of
God's
people
crying
worthy
we're
going to
dive
into
more
of
the
worship
songs
here
next
Sunday
but
it
is
joyful
worship
of
the
one
who
has
great
value
right
the
treasure
in
the
field
the
pearl
of
great
price
these
are
celebratory
songs
of
joy
as
he
brings
!
the
prayers
of
God's
people
God's
weeping
people
right
up
to
the
throne
of
God
amidst
praises
and
shouts
of
worthy
it's
awesome
what's
happening
is
heaven
is
exploding
in
worship
of
the
lion
lamb
who
is
worthy
that's
what
should
happen
to
us
there's
so
much
here
for
us
as
we
focus
on
Jesus
as
we
worship
him
can't
wait
for
that
next
week
but
in
these
verses
as
we
close
I
want
to
notice
one
thing
a
way
of
application
this
is
one
part
of
worship
what
do
I
do
with
my
tears
maybe
you've
thought
that
when
you're
having
a
terrible
day
and
coming
into
this
building
maybe
you've
thought
that
when
you're
trying
to
talk
to
God
to
worship
him
on
Tuesday
afternoon
and
you
just
can't
through
the
tears
you
remember
the
tears
John
was
crying
the
tears
we
joined
him
in
that
we
will
no
doubt
have
more
opportunities
to
have
day
after
day
we're
in
a
world
of
injustice
and
sin
and
persecution
and
pain
and
grief
and
death
those
tears
some
religions
tell you
that the
key
with
those
tears
is to
ignore
them
ignore
the
tears
rise
above
the
pain
find
inner
peace
other
philosophers
of our
day
tell you
to
embrace
the
despair
of your
tears
that
there's
nothing
beyond
this
world
the best
option
you have
is to
enjoy
today
because
eventually
nothingness
is going
to
overtake
you
tears
tears
are
all
there
is
John
says
something
different
he
says
take
your
tears
to
Jesus
do you
feel the
world is
broken
we do
is all
creation
groaning
it is
you're not
alone
so take
your tears
of grief
and pain
your
your
longings
for
reunion
and
restoration
your
groanings
against
injustice
and
division
take
them all
to
Jesus
and you
can say
I don't
understand
Jesus
what you're
doing
most days
but you've
you've been
through
even death
and have
shown me
even death
is not the
end of the
story
that you
have the
scroll
in your
hand
when I
don't
so you
must be
working
things to
your
glory
and to
my good
even when
the things
themselves
are not
good
you're
making
them
you promise
me
so that
I really
will
weep
no
more
you can
say that
to Jesus
you see
how that
doesn't
doesn't
belittle
your tears
or give
your tears
the last
word
that's what
Jesus does
with your
tears
that's why
we bring
our tears
to him
as a part
of our
worship
right
only a
tender
lion
or a
strong
lamb
can actually
help us
we need
someone
loving
enough
to care
about
our
predicament
our
pain
our
tears
and
strong
enough
to fix
it
to heal
it
to wipe
them
away
Jesus
doesn't
minimize
the hurt
or lose
sight
of the
hope
take
your
tears
your
groanings
and hurts
your
your
longings
and your
prayers
to Jesus
and know
that one
day you
will weep
no
more
for one
reason
because
the lion
of Judah
the lamb
who was
slain
is worthy
let's pray
Jesus
that's our
only hope
we know
none other
who can
wipe away
our tears
who can
set things
right
and so
we ask
you to
show yourself
big
and great
and glorious
and near
and compassionate
and merciful
worthy
and we
want to
give you
that praise
now in this
moment
we want that
to be
the way
our lives
work
that we
look to you
and we point
others to you
because you're
the one who's
worthy
and so
stir in our
hearts
the praise
of heaven
we ask in
your name
amen
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