THE LAMB THAT REDEEMED US REVELATION 5:1-14

Transcription

1 1 THE LAMB THAT REDEEMED US REVELATION 5:1-14

2 2 Text: Revelation 5:1-14, THE LAMB THAT REDEEMED US 1. Then I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back and sealed with seven seals. 2. And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals? 3. But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. 4. So I began weeping bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5. Then one of the elders said to me, Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 6. Then I saw standing in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been killed. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7. Then he came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne, 8. and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground before the Lamb. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints).

3 They were singing a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10. You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. 11. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand thousands times thousands 12. all of whom were singing in a loud voice: Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise! 13. Then I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them singing: To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever! 14. And the four living creatures were saying Amen, and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped. (NET) Commentary: John showed us the power of the Almighty as the Creator who is worthy of praise. (Revelation 4:1-11, After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: Come up here so that I can show you what must happen after these things. Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was standing in heaven with

4 4 someone seated on it! And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne. In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. In the middle of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.. The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like a man s, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying. Each one of the four living creatures had six wings and was full of eyes all around and inside. They never rest day or night, saying: Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful, Who was and who is, and who is still to come! And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the ground before the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crowns before his throne, saying: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created! (NET)) He is now moved to show us God s love as Redeemer. (Revelation 5:1-14, Then I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the

5 5 front and back and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals? But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. So I began weeping bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw standing in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been killed. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then he came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne, and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground before the Lamb. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints). They were singing a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand thousands times thousands all of whom were singing in a loud voice: Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and

6 6 honor and glory and praise! Then I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them singing: To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever! And the four living creatures were saying Amen, and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped. (NET)) Christians believe in the God who is all-powerful and present everywhere. He is the all wise creator and sustainer of heaven and earth. The design of Revelation five is to honor the Lamb of God, our Redeemer, by showing that power was entrusted to Him that was given to no one else in heaven or earth. Nothing better illustrated this than the fact that He alone was able to open the mysterious sealed book. John wept when he felt that no one was able to open the book. He was, however, given the assurance that the Lion of the tribe of Judah had power to open the book. This Jesus is the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and the Root of David. Revelation one pictured the majesty and power of Jesus. Revelation five remembered His sacrifice and the atonement made by His blood. Many joined in acknowledging that the Lamb of God was worthy to open this little book. He is worthy to open the book because of His redemptive work. The work of Jesus redeemed us too God. His work bought us by blood. His redemptive work reached every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. This great work of redemption made us unto our God kings and priests. Our faith must be in the loving Redeemer.

7 7 The Book Sealed With Seven Seals Revelation 5:1-3, Then I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals? But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. (NET) In Revelation five John s attention is on a scroll held by the enthroned Lord. The scroll was unusual in that it was written on both sides. It was full of information. It would ordinarily be the case that a scroll would be sealed with one seal. This scroll is sealed with seven seals. This indicated just how securely the little book was sealed. This little book contained a brief look at God s providential dealings with this world. There is a special look at God s care of Christians in the struggle with the Roman Empire. God here provided principles that will exist throughout the history of the world. At this point the emphasis is not on the content of the scroll, but on the One that is worthy to take it and open it. The strong angel asked, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? No created being was able to open the little book. In all the great realms, in heaven, on earth or under the earth, no one was qualified to open or look upon the contents of this mysterious scroll, except the Lamb of God.

8 8 The Book Opened by the Lion of Judah Revelation 5:4-8, So I began weeping bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw standing in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been killed. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then he came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne, and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground before the Lamb. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints). (NET) John wept when no one was found to open the little book. God had promised John that He would show him things that would shortly come to pass. After waiting for one to open the book and seeing none, John s emotions turned to tears. John is thinking of the terrible situation the church is facing. He desired to know the outcome, but felt frustrated that none could open the book. John was told, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. As John looked, the Lion became a Lamb. Jesus is pictured as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Christ is also called the Lamb of God because He was a sacrificial offering for our sins. The seven

9 9 horns represent the infinite power and might of Jesus Christ. The seven eyes show His infinite knowledge and wisdom. The ability of Jesus to open the little book has been demonstrated by His work on the cross. When the Lamb took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before Him. Highranking angels and redeemed man join together in worship of the Lamb. The Redeemer Receives Praise From Many Revelation 5:9-11, They were singing a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand thousands times thousands (NET) When the Redeemer takes the scroll, the response is immediate. The angels and redeemed ones join together in worship of the Lamb. They sang a new song concerning the victory of the redeemed. Under the Old Testament the people of God could only hope for redemption. Now, because of the Lamb of God, we can both speak and sing of the redeemed. The new song honors the slain Lamb as the price of redemption. The new song showed that the Lamb had redeemed us to God, by His blood. This redemption is available for every tribe and

10 10 tongue and people and nation. The result of the redemption is that we are kings and priests unto God. The statement, And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth is perplexing to many. (Revelation 5:10, You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (NET)) Observe the translation from the American Standard Version, and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon earth. Christians of all nations are now reigning upon the earth with Jesus Christ. Christ s kingdom is not of this world. It is a spiritual reign of a people who are called out of the world. The New Testament denies that Jesus ever intended or that He ever plans to rule in any temporal sense on this earth. The church is His kingdom. The Entire Creation Praised the Redeemer Revelation 5:12-14, all of whom were singing in a loud voice: Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise! Then I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them singing: To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever! And the four living creatures were saying Amen, and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped. (NET) Countless angels and others declare the worthiness of the Lamb because of the redemption He accomplished. Their message was

11 11 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. There is much rejoicing over the redemption and salvation of sinners. Christ is worthy of all honor, glory, and blessing, because He is more than qualified for the office. He is the Lion and the Lamb of God. Both heaven and earth ring loud with the highest of praises for the Redeemer. We worship and glorify God both for our creation and for our redemption. Jesus greatness, power, might and sacrifice should move us to obey Him. He is God s Lamb who redeems mankind. The precious blood of Jesus cleanses those who obey the gospel.

12 12 Questions on Revelation 5: In Revelation 4, showed us the of the as the who is of. 2. In Revelation 5, John showed us as. 3. in the who is - and. He is the all and of and. He is to be totally adored! 4. Only, the of the of, had to the. is the, the, the of the of, the of and the of. 5. was to the because of his which people of every, and, and, and nation by his.

13 The held in his a which was on and was with. Scrolls were usually written on only and were with. 7. This contained a brief look at with the. Attention was given to of in their with the. 8. Emphasis is on the that is to the and it. No other in, on or the was to or at the of this, except the of. 9. when at first no one was found able to the. wanted to know what would to. was thinking of the the church was and was concerned about the effect of these tribulations on Christians. 10. represent the and of.

14 14 The show his and. 11. When the took the, the and joined together in of the. They a concerning the of the. 12. The is for every,, and. We Christians through are and unto. Christians now upon the with. 13. and declare the of the because of the he accomplished. There is much over the and of. 14. is of all, and. He is more than to be King of kings and Lord of lords. 15. With all our being we are to and, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.