Blessing, Glory, Honor Forever Study Scripture: Revelation 5:6-14 Lesson 9 April 28th, 2018.

Transcription

1 Blessing, Glory, Honor Forever Study Scripture: Revelation 5:6-14 Lesson 9 April 28th, v Key Verse Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12 INTRODUCTION This Study makes clear to us the benefits of looking carefully at Scripture and understanding the concepts it used from current cultural practises. This Study examines several critically important concepts in salvation history and it will help if we pay close attention to them. Historically, the greatest victories ever gained, military and otherwise and those that garner the most enduring veneration are the ones that come with the greatest sacrifice and history is replete with these accounts. Today s lesson records Heaven s acknowledgement of the unsurpassable, greatest victory ever, the triumph of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb that was slain. Most importantly the victory was not achieved throgh the exercise of power, but through the sacrifice of the Lamb. The Book of Revelation is the spectacular conclusion of the grand-narrative of the Bible. The Book brings the journey started in Genesis to its ultimate end in Eternity. God s eternal purpose is consummated in the Second Coming of Christ, the final victory of good over evil, the New Heavens and the New Earth and that other eternal destination, the Lake of Fire. As the final book of the Bible, Revelation brings together a number of lines of prophetic truth which run parallel throughout the Old and New Testaments, but which apart from this 1

2 book would find no complete prophetic fulfillment. Revelation draws them all together into a final conclusion. One writer comments: This form one of the arguments for the Bible as a completed canon. All the themes of Scripture are fulfilled and find their culmination in Revelation. There is no need for more revelation from this standpoint. With this book, we truly have a faith once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Our English title Revelation has the root meaning to reveal or unveil that which has previously been hidden. The book is the revelation of Jesus Christ, in the sense that the contents of the book have been revealed by Jesus Himself (1:1) and in another sense, He is the central character of the Book. Revelation deals with the glorified Christ much more than any other book. It reveals Him as the Lamb of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings, who in the consummation of His program of salvation, restores to man what was lost by the Fall and much more. All of Scripture ultimately speaks of the Lord, it points men to Him, but it is Revelation that thoroughly shows the culmination of God s complete salvation in Christ. It is also very important for its disclosure of the political, religious, economic and international conditions that will be present in the end-time system of the Beast and the final world empire. As the conditions begin to fall into place, setting the stage for the final end-time drama, Christians living at the time should recognize the times and seasons and know the return of the Lord is near, even at the door. One of the prominent themes of the book concerns the conflict with evil, in the form of human personalities empowered by Satan and his world-wide system and the Lord s triumphant victory over the forces of darkness and the establishment of His kingdom both in the millennium (the 1,000 years of chapter 20) and in eternity. The largest section of the book deals with future events, or the consummation of all things (4:1 22:21). The description of actual events is preceded by an introductory scene in heaven, revealing both the awesome holiness and glory of God and the redemptive work of the Lamb, the Lion from the tribe of Judah (4:1-5:14). It is from this point on to the end of Chapter 20 that many have a problem, and this includes those who simply ignore this section and some who seek to interpret its meaning. The section is filled with horrific, apocalyptic visions, wrapped in mysterious and foreboding images and symbols that disclose both man s depravity and God s judgment. These terrible judgements are set against a backdrop of God s holiness and the cost of redemption and these it seems give rise or is cause for the impending judgments. It is the successive breaking of the seals on the seven-sealed scroll (chapter 5) that unleashes the judgments, all grouped in sevens. After unimaginable destruction and terrors resulting from the breaking of the seals, the new heaven and new earth are ushered in. 2

3 Despite the promise of blessings to all who read the book (1:3), the Lord s edict; seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near ; blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book; there are very mixed reactions and attitudes towards Revelation. While some have exploited the imaginative language and symbolism for sensationalism, many find the language too difficult to understand and simply avoid the book. Others find the judgments too disconcerting and spiritualize away the whole thing. Not surprising, a number of schools of interpretation have emerged over the years. The following are some of the different approaches employed in the interpretation of the Book as detailed in part by one writer: 1. Futuristic approach - Some believe it is prophetic of future events, primarily those of the end times. This approach also has the support of 1: 19 that promises a revelation of things yet future. 2. Historical approach - Others think it presents a panorama of church history from Jesus Christ's first advent to His second advent. 3. Idealistic (or allegorical) Some believe Revelation is symbolically speaking of people and events from the first century, mainly those linked with the Roman Empire. 4. Preterest approach thinks that Revelation is entirely symbolic, a story that portrays the timeless struggle of good versus evil, with a symbolic presentation of God's ultimate victory. Revelation 4 begins John s vision of the throne room of Heaven where a throne is set up obviously to have a session to formalize the authority of the Lamb over the affairs of a creation and over history. John describes its majestic features and residents, including the living creatures who lead worship and the elders who bow in worship. The chapter ends with a song praising the worthiness of the Lord God to receive worship. This is based on God s being the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Chapter 5 begins with John s observation of a new detail: in the hand of the one seated on the throne (God) is an unusual scroll, unusual for two reasons. To properly understand what is pictured in this heavenly throne room and how the Apostle John understood what was happening and why he wept, it must be noted that we are looking at a testamentary deposition where the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is invested with the legal authority to establish his dominion over the earth by a series of punishing judgments and by His Second Coming. One scholar advises that anyone in the ancient world see a book or more accurately a Scroll that was sealed with seven seals would immediately think of a will or testament. One writer helps our understanding of this scene by telling us of the ancient practise of will making: It is very interesting the way in which wills were consummated in ancient times. It was usually something like this. The testator would appear in the presence of seven witnesses, with them around someone would step forward called the familia emptor, that is, the buyer for the family; a friend of the family had to be a very trusted member of the family because the property was conveyed to him before the person died. That was their custom so there would be scales there, and then one of the 3

4 members of the party would put a coin on the scales, it didn t have to be much in significance but it had to represent the fact that this close confidential friend of the one who was making the will bought the property, so he, the buyer for the family, would strike the coin on the scales, and then the will which contained the property and the other things that would be left by the individual who would ultimately die, would be conveyed to this other party, the familia emptor. He became in a sense, an interim heir of the one who was making the will. When of course the person died, then the interim heir would convey the property, according to the testamentary disposition, to the members of the family or to whomever the property was to be conveyed. It was the transference of property, but it was done before a person died. So here is, incidentally, the seven witnesses would seal the document, and thus the document became a seven-sealed document that evidently is what we have here. So John sees in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a scroll that was filed with material, and it was sealed with seven seals Thus it s a testamentary disposition of the kingdom of God. As was the typical custom at this ceremony there was a particular action at the handover of the property bequeathed. The Apostle heard a strong angel with a powerful voice asking who was worthy to open the Scroll and loose the seals so that the advance history of the disposition of the world s affairs, and the Messiah s assumption of the kingdom would commence legally. John stresses no man was worthy. He states: And no man in heaven nor in earth neither under the earth aas able to open the book neither to look thereon. And I was weeping much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book neither to look thereon. The apostle is telling us that No One he could see had the power and the authority to act as the familia emptor and purchase what the document, the will, represented. Clealy the stress is that it is impossible for any human being of themselves or any angel to be heir to the kingdom of God. History has shown us that all men are sinners, and thus are unworthy. They cannot open the Scroll. Only one person can be found to possibly open that Scroll and that person of course is the God- man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our scholars can now applies the ancient position of the familia emptor to the situation and continues: Now, John weeps of course because at this point, it looks as if no one will inherit the kingdom of God. It will not come. The pronises will not be faithfully administered by the Lord God, for no one has the power and authority to receive the kingdom. Someone has said. But Christ is best seen by weepng eyes. And if that s true, then of course in this instance, it s good that John did weep because it enabled him to understand even better what it meant to have a Redeemer like our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So the triumph of the lion lamb is now described in verses 5 through 7. 4

5 Note the sress about the Scroll in the hands of thr One who sat on the throne. It has writing on both sides, which is not the standard practice. Writing on both sides gives the impression of the Scroll overflowing with important information. Second, the Scroll has seven seals instead of the usual one seal. They can be broken only by one who has the proper authority. A search throughout all creation, Heaven, earth for a worthy one comes up empty and John s disappointment moves him to tears. But wait! all is not lost. One of the elders from the group near the throne tells John not to weep. The one who can break the seals, open the Scroll, and reveal its contents is arriving. This is the conquering Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5), Jesus, but He is also the Lamb; and His appearance begins our Study Lesson for this week. AS THE REVELATION UNFOLDS FROM CHAPTER 6 AND ON, WE LEARN THAT IN THIS SCENE THE THRONE INVESTED THE LAMB WITH THE AUTHORITY TO METE OUT THE SUBSEQUENT END TIME JUDGMENTS ON ALL GOD S ENEMIES, SEND SATAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS TO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND USHER IN THE MILLENIAL AND ETERNAL KINGDOMS. Let the people of God read and be informed, assured in the knowledge that God is on the throne and all things must unfold according to His decrees. THE TEXT Background Verses 1-5 reviewed Verse 1. The right hand is symbolic of power and the position of this seven-sealed scroll on the right hand of God Almighty, Ruler of the universe, is an indication of its importance and at this point, the focus of the Apostle s attention. Generally, scrolls had writing on one side only, so the two sided writing would suggest the extensive and comprehensive character of its contents and emphasize the fullness of the judgments and their ability to accomplish the purposes of God This book in the hand of God is shut up and sealed; it is known to none but Himself; Known unto God, are all his works, from the beginning of the world; It is sealed with seven seals. This tells of the inscrutable secrecy of the things God keeps to Himself. In ancient times a sealed document spoke to its grave nature and strick limit on who could view its contents. (Jeremiah 32:1-13) In the subsequent chapters, the breaking of the seals unleashes God s righteous wrath and judgments on the earth (Ezekiel 2:9-10) and at some point in the carnage, it will be announced that The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He will reign forever and ever (Rev. 11:15). Thus, the judgments will: bring rebellious man to his knees, defeat Satan s kingdom, restore the kingdom of the earth under the visible authority of God, and re-establish man as God originally intended before the Fall. 5

6 The number seven is prominent throughout the book (scroll) and represents perfection or completeness. Thus, after the breaking of the seventh seal with it s ensuing judgments, God s eternal purposes will have been completed. There is much speculation as to what was written on the scroll which was never read in this prophecy and remains just that, speculation. Some interpret the judgments following the breaking of each seal as related to what s written on the scroll, while others see this as part of some legal transaction related to the inheritance of the earth, (Daniel 7:13-14). Verse 2. a strong angel this is a special angel in the role of a herald and his proclamation is of obvious importance. There is a definite urgency and concern is his proclamation and it is loud to catch the attention of the entire universe. His question dramatically calls our attention to the problem, is there anyone worthy? worthy is a commercial term relating to the use of a pair of scales. It came to mean that which corresponds to. Something is put on one side of the scales and what is put on the other is equal. Here, it is the inestimable value of the sinless Savior. Only Jesus was equal to the task of redemption. Only Jesus was equal to the task of consummation. Only Jesus is worthy (5:7, 9,10,12). Verse 3. Not surprising but with profound disappointment, no one was found worthy to even look on the book. Who among men or angels could actually approach The Lord God Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, Who dwells in the Light to which no man can approach! Such is the personage of Almighty God and the contents of the book, that in all the universe, none among men or among the heavenly host, though they stand in the presence of God, was worthy to even look on the Book. This shows the total inability of angels or humans to bring about the will of God! Creation cannot help itself! No one is worthy! (Rom. 3:10). Verse 4. Whatever John s anticipation was of the contents of the book, it s message or revelation, his reaction showed he must have considered that he had a personal stake in it, as would all men and as a result, he is moved to bitter tears, that no one could open the book or even look on it. As a result it is believed the book held among other things, the plan for man s redemption. John, a godly man who would have longed for the righteousness of God to be manifest in the world, adds tears of disappointment to the disquiet, perplexity, helplessness and dreadful uncertainty among the heavenly host, at the seeming frustration of the divine purpose. Verse 5. Weep not the Apostle is now urged not to cry and his attention is directed to the one who turns tears of sorrow into tears of joy, and weeping into laughter. This is of 6

7 course our Lord and Saviour Jesus of whom scripture is replete with references to his lineage and royalty. The Lion... of Judah (Gen. 49:9) and the Root (offspring) of David (Isa. 11:1, 10; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Matt. 22:42-43; Rom. 15:12) are both titles of the divine Messiah who would fulfill the Old Testament promises of salvation and rule. One writer comments: He is The Lion of the tribe of Judah. The lion is the king of beasts, and Judah is the royal tribe. Here we have an allusion to Genesis 49:9-10 where it is predicted that the future Ruler of Israel and of the earth would come out of the tribe of Judah, the royal tribe. This is, of course, a reference to the Lord Jesus who was of the line of David, a legal descendent by adoption through Joseph (Matt. 1), but also a physical descendent of David through Mary (Luke 3:23). (2) He is the Root of David. This is a reference to Isaiah 11:1 where it is prophesied that from Jesse, David s father, the future Ruler of the earth, the Messiah, would rise up like a shoot or stem from the root of a cut down tree. The Davidic line would be cut down so that no man would sit on the throne of David (Jer. 22:24-30), but from David s line or roots would come the Messiah, David s own progeny. The sense here is one of having accomplished; Jesus had overcome and was victorious in all temptations, His ministry, Gethsemane, the Cross, the grave; the result of which conferred on Him the authority, right and capacity to open the Book and break the seals and so unleash the judgments. He is worthy to both open and loose the seven seals. Verse 6. I beheld, and, lo A sense of awe and wonderment from the Apostle at this scene. The newcomer is at the center of everything, the focus of Heaven and its residents. stood a Lamb as it had been slain It showed evidence of a horrendous wound. It is the kind of wound that no living creature should have survived. The Lamb is not dead, though! This is John s way of saying that the Lamb had been dead but is now alive again a reference to the resurrected Christ. This metaphor is used of Jesus in two distinct senses: (a) as an innocent sacrificial victim and (b) as the overcoming victor Jesus is seen here as a lamb and the term is actually little lamb, a term of endearment, sometimes applied to Passover lambs, that were brought into the home and to whom there was some attachment (Exodus 12). Unlike the term Lion which is only used here in Revelation to describe Jesus, the word Lamb is used twenty-eight times. To some, the implication is that His sovereignty, royal credentials, and power lay in His Person and redemptive work, as the Lamb of God who died in our place. For Christ, the biggest battle was won on the cross, so there had to be humiliation before glorification; Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (Luke 24:26). His worthiness to open the book and break the seals rest in His Personage, humility and submission; clearly depicted in the figure of the lamb. 7

8 This is an unmistakeable picture of Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, (John 1: 7, 29; Isa. 53:7). This is the resurrected and victorious saviour, but seemingly the marks of his crucifixion are somehow still visible, perpetual reminders of His sacrifice on our behalf. seven horns and seven eyes The Lamb had seven horns representing the fullness of His power. The horn is a common Old Testament symbol for power or strength, and it came to represent kingly authority (Deut. 33:17; 1 Sam. 2:1; 2 Sam. 22:3; 1 Kings 22:11; Ps. 75:4; Dan. 7:20-21). Thus, the Lamb is the all powerful warrior and king. The Lamb also had seven eyes representing the fullness of His divine wisdom and discernment (Zech. 4:10). The sevens are symbols of perfection and applied to horns, speaks to His absolute victory over His enemies and His ensuing perfect rule in justice and righteousness. Eyes signify the totality and perfection of His wisdom and insight, and are instruments of His virtuous rule, (Isaiah 11:3-5; Col. 2:3). Verse 7. took the book out of the right hand This is the moment for which the heavenly hosts and all God s children wait! Finally, the Only One worthy in all the universe stepped forward and took the Book. This scene will be enacted in heaven at a time appointed by God Himself and it will mark the beginning of the end for Satan, his followers and his system on the earth. This is as it were, Jesus receiving the Deed for the earth from the Father and authority to execute judgment, demolish all enemies and establish His righteous rule and kingdom. This rule will be manifest in the millennial kingdom after the defeat of Satan and his followers. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.(daniel 7:13-14.) The Scroll and its decrees are prepared for the Lamb, and only He can break the seals and open the scroll. Verse 8. Instantaneous applause, ovations and rapturous praise in a coronation like scene, as heaven and all it s hierarchies gratefully and joyously applaud the Lamb, for His wonderful accomplishments in His work of redemption. As we see in the next chapter, this signaled that Christ would begin judging. While the four living creatures and twenty-four elders prostrated themselves in worship, only the elders had harps (lyres) and bowls. They used the harps to praise God in song (Ps. 33:2; 98:5). Interestingly the prayers of the saints are represented as fragrant odours in golden vials and these are released as tributes to God, akin to the incense offerings of Israel. Because smoke from incense rises and creates a pleasing aroma, incense came to symbolize prayers rising to God (Psalm 141:2). 8

9 In the Old Testament the offering of incense was a priestly prerogative (Num. 16:6-7). saints refer to the people of God. The concept of believers as saints is common in Revelation (8:3-4; 11:18; 18:24; 20:9). This scene should be instructive to us as to what our prayers should be. One writer comments: today, prayer consists of confession, intercession, and worship. When we confess we are occupied with our sins; when we intercede, we are occupied with human needs, ours and others but when we worship we are occupied with Him alone. The day will come when prayer will be emptied of its need of confession. There will be no more evil. Prayer will be emptied of its need for intercession. There will be nothing remaining but that which may be symbolized under the bowls of incense, and all our prayer shall be praise and worship. Verse 9. they sung a new song is a well-known expression in the Psalms, relating to songs sung on festal occasions and celebrating new mercies from God, especially his deliverances from distress (Ps. 40:1, 98:1). The emphasis on new things is characteristic of the new age in Isaiah The Lamb receives honor as being worthy in view of four things: a). The first is His death; a clear reference to the Cross. b). The second is the purchase (redemption) of a people for God by His death, including those yet to be saved (14:2-3; 15:2-4). This is a recognition of the vicarious atonement of the Lamb of God; His efficacious sacrifice. kindred, tongues, peoples, and nations from every family group (kindred), every language group (tongue), every cultural group (people), and every ethnic group (nation). Together these terms describe the universal nature of the redeemed people of God. People from every branch of the human family will make up this company (Gen. 10:5, 20, 31). This does not mean that all will be saved because Jesus died for all, of course. Only those who appropriate the benefits of Christ's death by faith will be; he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world! (Eph.1:4). Verse 10. c). kings and priests The third reason for praise is the creation of a kingdom and priests (a priestly kingdom) for God by the Lamb's death (1 Pet. 2:5, 9). Those redeemed have become part of His kingdom. Priesthood involves immediate access into God's presence for praise and worship as well as the privilege of priestly service; offering sacrifices-ourselves, represent Him to men and men to Him. d). The fourth reason for praise is the blessing of His people by allowing them to rule on the earth (during the Millennium). 9

10 Verse 11. the voice of many angels It is a heavenly scene which encapsulates the supreme power, splendor and glory of God. John hears the voice of many angels around the throne, and the word voice is singular, so as to express the measure and force of the oneness of the heavenly hosts around the throne. The notion of voice within the heavenly context, is far from the limitations of human voice as we know and understand it here on earth. ten thousand times ten thousand, and The language at this point is meant to give the idea that the number of angelic hosts along with the Elders is virtually incalculable. This is an apocalyptic symbol for innumerable, countless thousands of angels who lift their voices in this great doxology. Verse 12. Once again, the Lamb, perhaps the meekest of all animals, is highly exalted and given supreme praise and power. Worthy is the Lamb highlights this measure of greatness that is attributed to the Lamb of God for His redemptive work, to the extent that He is now given all power, glory and honor. It is a glorious scene, a heavenly-like concert involving the entire universe as the audience, the crowning ceremony of a King; there has never been such on occasion as this one, both in and outside of time as we know it. was slain is slain in the past with the marks remaining. When we see Jesus, He will still have the marks of the crucifixion. They have become His badge of honor! This majestic choir proclaims what we might call the second stanza of the new song. It too acknowledges the worthiness of the Lamb that was slain, and therefore the appropriateness of worshipping Him. New is this stanza s recognition of the Lamb s worthiness to receive the sevenfold listing of power (ability), riches (wealth), wisdom (knowledge and how to use it), strength (might), honour (esteem), glory (splendor), and blessing (praise). These attributes include every possible qualification for worthiness. Verse 13. The universe and all its inhabitants, including those of the underworld, literally every creature throughout the course of history; John hears them confess Jesus as the glorious Lamb of God. Let us now consider Philippians 2:10 which reads as follows, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on the earth, and of those under the earth, and so it is that John sees the very fulfillment of this before his eyes. A marvelous scene, and so it will be as John puts it, blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever. The perfect list of seven attributes in the earlier new song has been condensed to four: blessing, honour, glory, and power. The fourfold nature of this version is appropriate for the creatures of the world in their entirety. The list is similar to the original song of God s worthiness in Revelation 4:11 with one key difference: this time worship is directed to the 10

11 Lamb. This is not the worship of a second deity, but an affirmation of the unity of Christ with the one seated on the throne. Verse 14. John s attention is drawn back to the four living creatures. What he sees and hears in this half-verse and the next is a repeat of Revelation 4:9, 10. The Amen voiced by the four living creatures is derived from a Hebrew word that means, It is true or It is correct. Every thing is proper in the scene. The Amen of the beasts is followed by a physical act from the four and twenty elders as they repeat their posture of worship (Revelation 4:10, 11). The Lamb is the one who was dead but now liveth for ever and ever. By His resurrection He has unlocked the prison house of death and released God s people from death s power (1:18). He is truly the worthy one, and we cannot worship Him enough. CONCLUSION Acknowledging achievements is a good thing in and of itself. We must be careful, however, to distinguish proper from improper applause both given to and accepted from our fellow human beings. A primary lesson of Revelation is that God alone is worthy of receiving worship. God alone must be glorified (Acts 12:21-23; 14:11-18). Revelation shows us that Christ, the Lamb of God, is also worthy of worshipful praise and glory. We may not understand fully the relationship within the Godhead of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are important in Revelation, but there is no essential division between the three. They are one God. Worship in Heaven is given to the one on the throne and to the Lamb, and it is the same worship. Jesus has taken the Scroll. There is excitement in heaven. Remember that the Cross is highly regarded in heaven. Should we not on earth so regard it, trust in Jesus who died and delivered us from our sins and was resurrected. Christians should understand and be assured that God s plans and purposes will and must come to pass. Currently everything appears to be going the way of evil, as immorality on every level is increasingly gaining acceptance. Thankfully God has given assurance, as in this lesson, that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The Lamb of God has prevailed and overcome. Satan and his system will be defeated and banished and one day all Christians will rule with our Lord and Saviour as the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. The praise, rejoicing and glorifying of God witnessed in Heaven should be part of our daily lives, for we already have knowledge of our redemption and assurance of eternal life in our Saviour Jesus Christ. So ask yourself why is there so much singing in Heaven? 11

12 Is singing an indispensable part of worship? We advise you to sing more. Do not wait for others to be around you so you can start singing. Singing is always be a part of worship. So when you are under stress, remember what the Apostle Paul stated. You must sing psalms, and spiritual songs, and make melody in your heart. Those actions will take you and keep you closer to the throne room of heaven. 12