“But one of
the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open
the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw a
Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between
the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had
seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit*
of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. He stepped forward and
took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when
he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down
before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with
incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with
these words:
“You are
worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were
slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and
language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of
priests for our God. And they will reign* on the earth.”
Then I looked
again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the
throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty
chorus:
“Worthy
is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and
strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
And then I
heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.
They sang:
“Blessing
and honor and glory and power belong to the One sitting on the throne and to
the Lamb forever and ever.”
And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb” Revelation 5:5–14 (NLT).[1]
5:4–5 And I began to weep bitterly because no
one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the
elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root
of David, has conquered so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
NRSV
John wept bitterly that no one could be found who was worthy
to open or look into the scroll. John wept because he knew that the unopened
scroll would mean that the closing scene of history could not begin; thus, evil
would continue unabated on the earth, and there would be no future for God’s
people. But one of the elders
(Rev. 4:4, 10) told John not to weep any longer because someone was worthy to
open the scroll—the Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the Root of David.
This phrase, “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” comes from the prophecy that Jacob
gave to his son Judah in Genesis 49:9–10; Judah was described as “a young lion”
(nlt).
The prophecy said, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s
staff from his descendants, until the coming of The One to whom it belongs,
The One whom all nations will obey” (nlt). This is considered to be a prophecy
of the Messiah, born in the line of Judah, who would be The Only One whom
all nations would one day obey. From Judah’s line had been born King David,
hence the phrase, “the Root of David,” which alludes to Isaiah, chapter 11.
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow
a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of
the Lord will rest on Him—the Spirit of Wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of
counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will
delight in obeying the Lord. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence,
or hearsay. He will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the
wicked and destroy them with the breath of His mouth. He will be clothed with
fairness and truth. (Isaiah
11:1–5 nlt)
Isaiah
predicted that Judah (the royal line of David) would be like a tree chopped
down to a stump, but from that stump, a new shoot would grow—the Messiah. He
would be greater than the original tree and would bear much fruit. Christ, the
Messiah, is the fulfillment of God’s promise that a descendant of David would
rule forever (2 Samuel 7:16; see also Romans 15:12).
The
Messiah, Jesus Christ, has conquered so
that He can open the scroll and its seven seals. Christ proved Himself worthy by living a perfect life of
obedience to God, dying on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the
world, and rising from the dead to demonstrate His power and authority over
evil and death. Only Christ conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan himself, so
only He can set in motion the forces that will bring about the final
destruction of all evil.
I should be
ashamed to acknowledge Him as my Savior if I could comprehend Him—He would be
no greater than I. Such is my sense of sin and consciousness of my inability to
save myself that I feel I need a superhuman Savior.
Noah Webster
5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the
center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He
had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out
into all the earth. NIV While the previous verse pictured Jesus
Christ as a Lion (symbolizing His authority and power), this verse pictures Him
as a Lamb (symbolizing His submission to God’s will) that looks as though it
has been killed (perhaps a reference to the slaughter of a Passover lamb). One
of the elders called John to look at the Lion (5:5), but when John looked, he
saw a Lamb. Christ the Lamb was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all
mankind; therefore, only He can save His people from the terrible events that
will be revealed by the scroll. This is a beautiful picture: the Lion of the
tribe of Judah became a slain Lamb, who is here seen as a conquering Lamb at
the center of the throne of God.
This Lamb is different from a dead Passover lamb, however. This Lamb is standing upright, conquering and triumphant, like a strong ram. This Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes, symbolizing perfect (the number seven) power and Wisdom. The horns symbolize strength and power (see 1 Kings 22:11; Zechariah 1:18). Although Christ is a sacrificial lamb, He is not weak. The eyes are further described as the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth, most likely referring to the Holy Spirit (see 1:4; Zechariah 4:2–10; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7–15).
EVENTS IN REVELATION DESCRIBED ELSEWHERE IN THE BIBLE
|
Other Reference |
Revelation Reference |
Event |
|
Ezekiel 1:22–28 |
4:2–3; 10:1–3 |
Glowing rainbow
around God’s throne |
|
Isaiah 53:7 |
5:6–8 |
Christ pictured
as a Lamb |
|
Psalm 96 |
5:9–14 |
New song |
|
Zechariah
1:7–11; 6:1–8 |
6:1–8 |
Horses and
riders |
|
Isaiah 2:19–22 |
6:12; 8:5;
11:13 |
Earthquake |
|
Joel 2:28–32;
Acts 2:14–21 |
6:12 |
Moon turning
blood red |
|
Mark 13:21–25 |
6:13 |
Stars falling
from the sky |
|
Isaiah 34:1–4 |
6:14 |
Sky rolling up
like a scroll |
|
Zephaniah
1:14–18; 1 Thessalonians
5:1–3 |
6:15–17 |
God’s inescapable
wrath |
|
Jeremiah
49:35–39 |
7:1 |
Four winds of
judgment |
|
Luke 8:26–34 |
9:1–2; 17:3–8 |
Bottomless pit |
|
Joel 1:2–2:11 |
9:3–11 |
Plague of
locusts |
|
Luke 21:20–24 |
11:1–2 |
Trampling of
the holy city of Jerusalem |
|
Zechariah 4 |
11:3–6 |
Two olive trees
as witnesses |
|
Daniel 7 |
13:1–10 |
A beast coming
out of the sea |
|
2 Thessalonians
2:7–14 |
13:11–15 |
Wondrous signs
and miracles being done by the evil beast |
|
Jeremiah
25:15–29 |
14:9–12 |
Drinking the
cup of God’s wrath |
|
Isaiah 21:1–10 |
18:2–3 |
“Babylon”
falling |
|
Matthew 22:1–14 |
19:5–8 |
Wedding Feast
of the Lamb |
|
Ezekiel 38; 39 |
20:7–10 |
Conflict with
Gog and Magog |
|
John 5:19–30 |
20:11–15 |
Judging of all
people |
|
Ezekiel
37:21–28 |
21:3 |
God living
among His people |
|
Isaiah 25:1–8 |
21:4 |
Tears being
wiped away forever |
|
Genesis 2:8–14 |
22:1–2 |
Tree of life |
|
1 Corinthians
13:11–12 |
22:3–5 |
Seeing God face
to face |
|
Daniel 7:18–28 |
22:5 |
Believers
reigning with God forever |
The Lamb was standing in the center of the throne, near God, and was the object of adoration by all those present, including the four living creatures and the elders (see 4:4, 6).
|
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? |
|
One of the
elders alerted John that the conquering Lion of Judah was present (5:5). Yet
when John looked, he saw a Lamb that had been killed. The Lamb was a creature
of power and knowledge. Certainly, this scene in heaven was meant to evoke
worship and Praise for Christ. It also reveals how Christ differs from the
expectations of Him. Some Jews expected a conquering hero in the Messiah,
only to be disappointed by His death. Others saw a powerless Jesus; they will
be surprised when He reigns in power. As you study Revelation, see the
whole picture of Christ—His love, power, humility, and sacrifice. Don’t limit
Him by your present understanding. |
As Christ took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. This pictures all of the heavenly beings worshiping the Son, just as they had done for The One on the throne (4:10), thereby acknowledging Christ’s deity. The harp that each held would be used as music for the “new song” they would sing (5:9; see also Psalm 33:2–3). The gold bowls filled with incense are described as the prayers of God’s people (see Psalm 141:2). These prayers from the believers on earth were for God to bring His justice to the earth, as later chapters will describe (see Rev. 6:10; 8:3–4). The administration of God’s righteous justice will mean deliverance for God’s faithful people and punishment on those who have rejected God and persecuted His people.
|
GOD’S JUSTICE |
|
The prayers
of God’s people are for God’s justice to be carried out. Why is justice so
important in the Bible? ·
Justice is part of God’s nature; it is the way
He runs the universe. ·
Justice is a natural desire in every person.
Even as sinners, we all want justice. ·
When government and church leaders are unjust,
the poor and powerless suffer. ·
God holds the poor in high regard. They are
the ones most likely to turn to Him for help and comfort. Injustice,
then, attacks God’s children. When we do nothing to help the oppressed, we
are, in fact, joining with the oppressor. Because we follow a just God, we
must desire and uphold justice. Let your prayer be the prayer of our Lord:
“Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come soon.
May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9 nlt). |
The song of
the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures praises Christ’s work.
(See Psalm 96 for a similar song.) He is worthy because:
·
He was killed
·
He ransomed
people with His blood
·
He gathered people from every tribe and, language and people and nation into His kingdom.
·
He made them priests
·
He appointed them to reign on the earth.
The
twenty-four elders and the four living beings praise Christ for bringing people
of every race and nation into the kingdom and for making them kings and
priests. Believers may be despised and mocked for their faith (John 15:18–27),
but in the future, they will reign over all the earth (Luke 22:29–30). Christ’s
death made all believers priests of God—the channels of Blessing between God
and mankind (1 Peter 2:5–9).
The fact that
the Lamb was “killed” refers to Christ’s death on the cross, as recorded in the
Gospels. Through His blood shed on the cross, He ransomed his people. A
“ransom” was the price paid to release a slave from bondage. Jesus often told His
disciples that He must die, but in a later discussion, He told them why: “For
even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to
give My life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 nlt). Through His death,
Jesus would redeem His people from the bondage of sin and death. The disciples
thought that as long as Jesus was alive, He could save them. But Jesus revealed
that only His death would save them and all those who trust in Him.
How Did Christ’s
Blood Ransom People? In the Old Testament, the sacrifice of an animal and
the blood shed from it made forgiveness of sin possible. Blood represented the
sinner’s life, infected by his sin and headed for death. Blood also represented
the innocent life of the animal that was sacrificed in place of the guilty
person making the offering. The death of the animal (of which the blood was
proof) fulfilled the death penalty, and God granted forgiveness to the sinner
making the sacrifice. God’s forgiveness was based on the faith of the person
doing the sacrificing.
How Does Jesus’
Blood Relate To This? People under the old covenant (those who lived before
Jesus) could approach God only through a priest and an animal sacrifice. The
old covenant was a picture of the new, pointing forward to the day when Jesus
himself would be the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. Rather than an
unblemished lamb slain on the altar, the perfect Lamb of God was slain on the
cross. He was a sinless sacrifice, making it possible for people all over the
world (every tribe, language, people, and nation) to have all their sins
forgiven.
Jesus’ death
satisfied God’s penalty for sin (Galatians 3:28). “Under the system of Jewish
laws, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a
sacrifice for sin…. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates in
order to make His people holy by shedding His own blood” (Hebrews 13:11–12 nlt).
Only then
could sinful people “become God’s kingdom and His priests.” This had been
promised to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:6), but it was
fulfilled in God’s people, the Church, through the death of Christ. Each
believer is a priest, having access to God; all believers together form God’s
kingdom (see also 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). That these believers “will reign on the
earth” pictures their reign in God’s future kingdom.
God has ransomed people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. God’s message of salvation and eternal life is not limited to a specific culture, race, or country. Anyone who comes to God in repentance and faith is accepted by Him and will be part of his kingdom. We must not allow prejudice or bias to keep us from sharing Christ with others. Christ welcomes all people into His kingdom.
|
BARRIER BREAKER |
|
Christianity
is the only religion in the world that can truly be described as an
equal-opportunity faith. All Christians stand on level ground before the
cross of Christ: young and old, male and female, Jew and Gentile, rich and
poor, and black, white, and every other color. We are all sinners in need of
salvation. Other religions set up barriers between people. Hindus believe in
a caste system; Muslim men will not worship with Muslim women; until very
recently, black people could not join the Mormon church. Christ alone
abolishes all these barriers. Are there barriers in your Church (or in your
heart) based on race, economics, or sex? Check your attitudes and actions
against Scripture. If you find yourself out of accord with God’s Word, repent
and ask God to help you. Don’t put up walls where Christ has torn them down. |
The phrase
“thousands upon thousands” is more literally “myriad upon myriad.” The word
“myriad” was used by the Greeks to describe something too great to count. We
might think of “billions upon billions.” This is the entire angelic host.
Daniel saw a similar vision: “Millions of angels ministered to Him, and a
hundred million stood to attend Him” (Daniel 7:10 nlt).
Created by
God, angels are spiritual beings who help carry out His work on earth. They
bring messages (Luke 1:26–28), protect God’s people (Daniel 6:22), offer
encouragement (Genesis 16:7ff), give guidance (Exodus 14:19), bring punishment
(2 Samuel 24:16), patrol the earth (Ezekiel 1:9–14), and fight the forces of evil
(2 Kings 6:16–18; Revelation 20:1). There are both good and evil angels
(12:7), but because evil angels are allied with Satan, they have considerably
less power and authority than good angels. Eventually, the main role of the
good angels will be to offer continuous Praise to God (see also 19:1–3).
The angels sang a hymn of Praise. This sevenfold Praise may have been a chant that was antiphonal to the elders’ hymn of 5:9–10. Each Word describes a quality of God that was bestowed upon Christ, making Him worthy. Power and strength are synonyms (see also Luke 11:22; 1 Corinthians 1:24). Wealth is associated with kingship (see also 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 3:8). Wisdom is often regarded as a gift received from God (1 Corinthians 1:24). Honor is used to describe God (4:11; 7:12) and the Lamb (5:13), denoting the status and respect that is due Him (see also Philippians 2:11). Glory is also used of God (4:11; 7:12; 19:1) and of God and the Lamb (5:13; see also John 1:14). Praise is also used in 4:11 and 7:12 and describes what all creation can give to Him who already possesses everything.
5:13–14 Then I heard every creature in
heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in
them, singing, “To the one seated 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. NRSV
Finally, the choir grew to every
creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang both to the one seated on the throne as well as to the Lamb—both God and His Son.
This pictures the unity of the Father and the Son because, for them, all
creation sings of Blessing and honor
and Glory and might forever and ever.
The unity of the Father and the Son is a strong emphasis in Revelation.
In response to the song of creation, the four living creatures said, “Amen!” in agreement. The twenty-four elders responded by falling and worshiping the one on the throne (God) and the Lamb (Christ). Everything created, both in heaven and in earth, will one day worship God and His Son: “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11 nlt).[2]
“But one of
the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven
seals.” And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four
living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had
been slain, having 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 out of the
right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now, when He had taken the scroll, the
four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb,
each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of
the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the
scroll And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God
by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have
made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked,
and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures,
and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who
was slain To receive power and riches and Wisdom, And strength and honor and Glory
and Blessing!”
And every
creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as
are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and
honor and Glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb,
forever and ever!”
Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever” Revelation 5:5–14 (NKJV).[3]
B. THE LAMB
Revelation 5:5–7
To the rescue
comes the Lamb, Jesus Christ. He is the One Who can open the Book and disclose
its contents.
1. The Announcement About the Lamb (Revelation 5:5)
“One of the elders saith unto me, 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” (Revelation
5:5). An announcement declares the problem has been solved.
• The
person making the announcement. “One
of the elders.” One of the twenty-four elders gathered around the throne
made the announcement to John that the problem had been solved. The angels did
not make the announcement, but an elder. The elders represent the Church. The
good news of the Gospel is likewise spread, not by angels, but by men.
Privilege is determined by God, but it always brings responsibility.
• The
precept in the announcement. “Weep
not.” Whenever Jesus Christ comes on the scene, unless it is in judgment,
it brings joy. At His incarnation, the shepherds were told to not fear, for “I bring you good tidings of great joy”
(Luke 2:10). No one brings the joy that Jesus does.
• The
portrayal in the announcement. “Lion
… Root of David.” The Lamb is first identified as a lion. This is not
contradictory. The lion identification speaks of the rule of Christ, while the
lamb identification speaks of Redemption through Christ. The lion
identification is the dominant one in our text. The portrayal of the Jesus
Christ the “Lion” is twofold here,
and both speak of the kingship of Jesus Christ. First, the lion portrayal. “The lion of the tribe of Judah.” A lion speaks of the Majesty and
kingliness of Christ. Nearly four thousand years ago, Jacob, in giving the
patriarchal, prophetic Blessing to his twelve sons, spoke of his son Judah in
terms of a lion. Three times, the Word Lion is used in this
patriarchal/prophetic Blessing of Jacob for Judah (Genesis 49:9), the tribe
from whence Christ came. Second, the
lineage portrayal. “Root of
David.” Christ came from the tribe of Judah, particularly from the “Root of David.” He is the heir to the
throne of David which He will fill during the millennium when He rules the
world from David’s throne.
• The
performance in the announcement. “Hath
prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals.” Christ was able
to open the Book. The Word translated “prevailed”
is the same Word translated as “overcomer”
in the letters to the seven churches. The performance is described in a
backward sequence. Opening the Book actually came after the unsealing of the Book.
But the point is Christ conquered the problem and prevailed. A great
performance indeed!
2. The Appearance of the Lamb (Revelation 5:6)
“I beheld … a Lamb” (Revelation
5:6). The “Lamb” figure is now seen.
John saw Jesus Christ as the “Lamb.”
Jesus Christ was the One who could open the Book and declare its contents.
• The
place in the appearance. “In the
midst of the throne” (Revelation 5:6). The Lamb is in a place of
honor.
• The
posture in the appearance. “Stood”
(Revelation 5:6). “Stood”
alludes to the resurrection. Christ was not lying down as a dead man; He stood
as a living Person. He had power over death.
• The
passion in the appearance. “As it
had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). Here, we are reminded of the
passion of Christ. His crucifixion is prominent in all the future events. Had
not the passion taken place, none of the future events predicted in Revelation
would occur.
• The
power in the appearance. “Having
seven horns” (Revelation 5:6). The horns denote the absolute
dominating power of Jesus Christ.
• The
perception in the appearance. “Seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God” (Revelation 5:6). Christ
has the perception of the Holy Spirit. He is all-discerning, all-knowing.
3. The Appropriation by the Lamb (Revelation 5:7)
“He came and took the book out of the right
hand of Him that sat upon the throne” (Revelation 5:7). The
appropriation by the Lamb of the seven-sealed Book was a dignified and welcomed
action.
• The
acknowledgment in the appropriation. “He … took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the
throne.” God surrendered the Book to Christ. This acknowledged that Christ,
the Lamb, was indeed worthy of receiving, opening, and declaring the Book.
• The assurance in the appropriation. “He came and took the book.” This assured that the Book would be opened. That the judgment and vindication in the Book would occur; that righteousness would be vindicated and wickedness punished; that God’s program would be completed; that Satan could not stop the plan and program of God.
C. THE LAUDATION
Revelation 5:8–14
The last part
of this chapter is a report of the Praise given to the Lamb. Three different
choirs are recorded as praising Him.
1. Laudation by the Crown’s Choir (Revelation 5:8–10, 14)
This is the
crown’s choir, as its members are located immediately round about the
throne/crown (Revelation 4:4, 6).
• The
members of the choir. “The four
beasts and four and twenty elders” (Revelation 5:8). They are the
living creatures (four beasts) and the Church (twenty-four elders). This is the
smallest of the three choirs.
• The
music of the choir. “Harps” (Revelation
5:8). Harps would accompany their music. Their singing was not to be done acapella.
• The
meditations of the choir. “Vials
full of odors [incenses—various perfumes], which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:8). The
prayers of the saints are a very pleasant aroma in heaven. These prayers would
be for the kingdom to come and Christ’s honor to be vindicated.
• The
message of the choir. “They sung
a new song” (Revelation 5:9). It was “new” in the sense of the progress of the plan of God. It was not
the old song of creation glory (Job 38:7) or, of Israel’s victories (Exodus 15)
or of Moses (Deuteronomy 32). It was a song that spoke of the victory of Redemption.
First, the supremeness of
Christ. “Thou art worthy” (Revelation
5:9). No one else was worthy to open the Book, as we saw earlier in the
chapter.
Second, the slaying of Christ. “Thou was slain” (Revelation
5:9). This is Calvary; Christ is glorified and praised because of the
crucifixion.
Third, the salvation in Christ. “Hast redeemed us to God by thy blood” (Revelation
5:9). Redemption is honored. And salvation is not apart from the blood of
Christ.
Fourth, the service from Christ.
“Made us … kings and priests, and we
shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10). This service involves
position in the future kingdom as well as service now. Service comes after
salvation. The blessings from Christ are great, and they include the
blessings of position in service. Not many praise God for service today but
complain and shirk any assignment of service.
• The
manners of the choir. The conduct of this choir is most commendable.
First, their veneration. “Fell down before the Lamb” (Revelation
5:8). On earth, Christ is attacked and rejected. In heaven, Christ is adored
and respected. The world vilifies Christ; heaven venerates Him.
Second, their verification. “The four beasts said, Amen” (Revelation
5:14). The members of this choir approved (“Amen”)
what the other choirs said about Christ. The world (even many churches in the
world) do not approve of what this choir approved.
2. Laudation by the Celestial Choir (Revelation 5:11, 12)
A second choir
joined in with the first choir in praising the Savior.
• The
members of the choir. “Voice of
many angels … the beasts [living creatures] and the elders; the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand,
and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11). Two choirs are
present here.
First, the combining of the
members. “Angels … the beasts and the
elders” (Revelation 5:11). Angels were added to the first choir,
which combined the two choirs.
Second, the count of the
members. “Ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11). The Word
translated “ten thousand” simply
means “myriads.” It is an indefinite number. The size of this choir was
enormous. There were millions in it.
• The
message of the choir. “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). The message
was twofold.
First, the worth of the Lamb.
The Praise says the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is worthy of being given a number of
important things. Seven items are listed. We combine them into four, as some
have nearly the same meaning. Christ is worthy of power (“power,” “strength”), possessions
(“riches”), prudence (“wisdom”), and Praise (“honor,” “glory,” “blessing”—the Word
translated Blessing is the Word from which we get our English word eulogy).
Second, the work of the Lamb. “Slain.” Calvary is headlines in heaven. The earth mocks and scorns Calvary, but heaven makes it the great and honorable work of Jesus Christ.
3. Laudation by the Creation Choir (Revelation 5:13)
A third choir
is listed that also sang praises to the Lamb.
• The
members of the choir. “Every
creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as
are in the sea, and all that are in them” (Revelation 5:13). This
choir included every creature. Compare this to what Paul said in Philippians: “Every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”
(Philippians 2:10, 11).
• The
message of the choir. “Saying,
Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever” (Revelation 5:13). The
message that is popular in heaven is not popular on earth.
First, the particulars of the
message. “Blessing, and honor, and glory,
and power.” The message is basically twofold. It is Praise and power. Praise
takes in “blessing … honor … glory,”
and power takes in the word “power.”
Give all the Praise and power to the Lamb and to the Father. No one deserves it
but them. We praise so much today that is undeserving of Praise and give power
(by-elections) to the wrong people. But eternity will correct that problem.
Second, the persons for the
message. Two were involved in this Praise. They were both God the Father (“be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne”)
and God the Son (“unto the Lamb”).
Third, the perpetuity in the message. “For ever and ever.” The Praise for God is eternal, non-ending. The ACLU will not be able to stop it; the Supreme Court cannot stop it, no legislature of man will stop it. It will continue forever.[4]
“And one of
the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the
Root of David, hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the seven seals
thereof.
And I beheld,
and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of
the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And He
came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.
And when He had taken the Book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of
them harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and
to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast
made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And I beheld,
and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and
the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that
was slain to receive power, and riches, and Wisdom, and strength, and honor,
and Glory, and Blessing.
And every
creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as
are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and
honor, and Glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto
the Lamb for ever and ever.
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever” Revelation 5:5-14 (KJV).[5]
|
C. The Book of Destiny Is Opened: The Lamb
Alone Is Worthy to Open the Book, Revelation
5:5–14 |
|
|
1. The glorious
announcement: God has intervened & sent One worthy to open the Book
a. The Messiah, the Lion of
Judah b. The descendant of David c. The One who has conquered
all |
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the
Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the Book,
and to loose the seven seals thereof. |
|
2. The supreme moment: The
first sight of Christ in heaven a. His position b. His Redemption: He is the
Lamb of God c. His power: He has seven
horns d. His knowledge: He has
seven eyes |
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the
four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been
slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God
sent forth into all the earth. |
|
e. His destiny &
sovereignty: He took the Book |
7 And he came and took the Book out of the right hand of him
that sat upon the throne. |
|
3. The majestic worship of
Christ by the four living creatures & the elders a. They fell down &
played harps, praising Him b. They offered the prayers
of saints |
8 And when he had taken the Book, the four beasts and four and
twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and
golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. |
|
c. They sang a new song,
praising Him for His worthiness 1) Because He was slain &
has redeemed us 2) Because He offered
salvation to everyone |
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to
God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; |
|
3) Because He exalts us as
royalty to rule for Him |
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall
reign on the earth. |
|
4. The majestic worship of
Christ by the angels a. Their outer circle b. Their great number |
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round
about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was
ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; |
|
c. Their song 1) His power & Wealth
2) His Wisdom &
strength 3) His honor & Glory
4) His Blessing, His Praise |
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power, and riches, and Wisdom, and strength, and honour, and
glory, and blessing. |
|
5. The majestic worship of
Christ by the whole universe a. All creatures worshipped
both God & Christ |
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and
under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard
I saying, Blessing, and honour, and Glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for
ever and ever. |
|
b. The four living creatures
said “Amen” c. The elders fell down &
worshipped the eternal God |
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and
worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. |
C. The Book of Destiny Is Opened: The Lamb Alone Is Worthy to Open the Book, 5:5–14
(Revelation 5:5–14)
Introduction: this is a most
dramatic moment. Remember, John is having a vision, and his mind or Spirit has
been transported above the earth into heaven. Therefore, everything he is
experiencing is bound to be dramatic. But this moment must be the most dramatic
of all: he is about to get his very first glimpse of Jesus Christ Himself. He
is about to see the exalted Lord.
The background is this: God is holding the Book of Destiny in His right hand. A search has been conducted throughout the whole universe for someone worthy enough to open the Book. But no one is worthy; there is no one good enough to open it. John is heartbroken and is weeping bitterly, for God is ready to reveal the secrets of the end time to man. But no person can be found to open the Book and to oversee the climactic events of the end time. The situation looks hopeless. But then, all of a sudden, one of the heavenly elders steps forth and announces that someone has been found to open the Book of Destiny. There is one Person who is worthy. This is the great subject of this passage: the Book of Destiny is opened—the Lamb alone is worthy.
1.
The glorious announcement: God has intervened
and sent One worthy to open the Book (v.5).
2.
The supreme moment: the first sight of Christ in
heaven (vv.6–7).
3.
The majestic worship of Christ by the four
living creatures and the elders (vv.8–10).
4.
The majestic worship of Christ by the angels (vv.11–12).
5. The majestic worship of Christ by the whole universe (vv.13–14).
1 (Revelation 5:5) Jesus Christ, Names and Titles—Lion of Judah—Root of David: there is the glorious announcement—God has intervened. He Himself has sent One worthy to open the Book of Destiny. Who is He?
1. He is the
“Lion of Judah.” This is a title of the Messiah. The symbol of the Lion shows
that He is the strongest and most powerful member of the tribe of Israel. Judah
was the strongest tribe of Israel, the strongest by far. Therefore, way back in
history, God had prophesied through Jacob that his own son Judah would be a
“lion’s whelp” (young cub). If Judah himself was only a young cub, then the
Messiah Himself must be like the King of beasts, the Lion. Very simply, the
prophecy predicted that the coming Messiah would possess the strength and power
of a lion, the King of beasts. Who then is worthy to open the Book? Jesus
Christ, the Lion of Judah, the all-powerful Messiah and King. He and He alone
is worthy enough to take the Book and carry out the events of the end time.
V “Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, My Son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, He couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse Him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Messiah] come” (Ge. 49:9–10).
2. He is the
“Root of David.” The Messiah was to be of the household of David, of the root
and seed of Jesse, of his family tree, of his blood, of his stem. Who then is
worthy to open the Book? The prophesied Son of David, the Messiah and King of
the world. He and He alone is worthy to take the Book and carry out the events
of the end time.
V “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Is. 11:1).
3. He is the
One who has prevailed and conquered and won the victory; therefore, He is able
to open the Book of Destiny. Over what has He prevailed? What is it that He has
conquered?
V
“He hath
prevailed to open the book” (v.5).
⇒ He has
conquered sin.
V
“In whom
we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of His grace” (Ep. 1:7).
V
“Who
being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and
upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged
our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (He. 1:3).
V
“Who His
own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to
sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Pe.
2:24).
V
“For
Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might
bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit”
(1 Pe. 3:18).
⇒ He has
conquered death.
V
“For He
must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that
shall be destroyed is death” (1 Co. 15:25–26).
V
“But is
now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath
abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel” (2 Ti. 1:10).
V
“Forasmuch
then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise
took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (He. 2:14–15).
⇒ He has
conquered this evil world.
V
“These
things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn.
16:33).
V
“Who gave
Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world,
according to the will of God and our Father” (Ga. 1:4).
⇒ He has
conquered Satan and all other evil forces.
V
“Or else
how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he
first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house” (Mt. 12:29).
V
“And He
said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Lu. 10:18).
V
“Now is
the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out”
(Jn. 12:31).
V
“Hereafter
I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath
nothing in Me” (Jn. 14:30).
V
“Of
judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (Jn. 16:11).
V
“For
David is not ascended into the heavens: but He saith Himself, The Lord said
unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool”
(Ac. 2:34–35).
V
“And
having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly,
triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15; cp. Heb. 2:14–15).
⇒ He has
conquered all rule and authority and power.
V
“Then
cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the
Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1
Co. 15:24).
⇒ He has
conquered hell.
V
“Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent
Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed
from death unto life” (Jn. 5:24).
V
“Who is
he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,
who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For
thy sake, we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the
slaughter. Nay, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who
loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height,
nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love
of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro. 8:34–39).
V
“I am He
that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have
the keys of hell and of death” (Re. 1:18).
2 (Revelation 5:6–7) Jesus Christ, Person—Lamb of God: there
is the supreme moment, the first sight of Jesus Christ in heaven. John had seen
Christ in his first vision, but Christ was standing in the midst of the
churches. But now the supreme moment arrives—the moment when John catches his
first sight of the glorified Son of God in heaven. The sight was bound to be
the most spectacular sight ever seen in human history, for God was letting a
man see His Son at the throne of God. He was showing why His Son is worthy to
rule and reign over the universe. When John caught his first glimpse of Christ,
he immediately noticed five things.
1. Jesus
Christ is the center of the heavenly scene.
⇒ He was right before the throne of God,
joining God at the very throne of God itself.
⇒ Then the four living beings surround
Him.
⇒ Then come the circle of elders.
Jesus Christ
is the very center and focus of attention: every eye and thought is upon Him.
He is the centerpiece of God’s throne room, the central figure on the stage of
universal history, the history of both heaven and earth.
2. Jesus
Christ is the sacrificial Lamb of God who has been slain. The picture of
Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God is seen throughout Scripture.
Scripture
declares that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who died for our sins.
⇒ The Lamb of God was symbolized in the
Passover. The Lamb was sacrificed so that the judgment of God could pass over
the people.
V
“Speak ye
unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month
they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their
fathers, a lamb for a house” (Ex. 12:3).
⇒ Isaiah had said that the Messiah was to
bear our sins by being brought as a lamb to the slaughter.
V
“All we
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord
hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was
afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep, before His shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His
mouth” (Is. 53:6–7).
⇒ John the Baptist declared Jesus to be
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
V
“The next
day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which
taketh away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29).
V
“And
looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” (Jn. 1:36).
⇒ Peter had said that persons are
redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot and without
blemish.
V “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [behavior] received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pe. 1:18–19).
Note this:
A.T. Robertson, the Greek scholar, points out that the Word for Lamb throughout the New Testament is ho amnos. But throughout Revelation,
John uses another word, arnion, and
he uses the Word twenty-nine times for the crucified Christ. The difference is
this: the Word chosen by John stresses the slaughter, suffering, pain, agony,
and humiliation of Christ. And all the
suffering is still seen in heaven. As Robertson says: “The Lamb is now
alive, but … with the marks of the sacrifice” (Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol.6, p.334).
The point
is this: Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He lived a
sinless life when He was upon earth; He was the Ideal and Perfect Man.
Therefore, whatever Jesus Christ did as the Perfect and Ideal Man it could
stand for and cover us. When He died for our sins, He died as the ideal and
perfect sacrifice. His sacrifice for our sins was perfectly acceptable to God.
Therefore, His sacrifice for sin stands for and covers us.
What
happens is this: when we believe in Jesus Christ, God takes our faith and
counts it as the sacrifice of Christ. God counts the sacrifice of Christ for
us. This means that we are free from sin. We stand sinless before God,
acceptable to Him—all because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, removed our sins
from us. We are cleansed from sin by the sacrifice of Christ. We are made
perfectly righteous by the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God
who has taken away our sin and clothed us in the white robes of righteousness
before God.
This is the
reason Jesus Christ stands in the center stage of heaven. But even in heaven,
He stands as the One who has loved and given Himself for us; He stands as the
Lamb who was slain as the perfect
sacrifice for our sins.
V
“Neither
by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into
the holy place, having obtained eternal Redemption for us. For if the blood of
bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean,
sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (He. 9:12–14).
V
“And
every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered
one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from
henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool” (He. 10:11–13).
V
“Who His
own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to
sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Pe.
2:24).
V
“For
Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might
bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit”
(1 Pe. 3:18).
3. Jesus
Christ is the omnipotent power of the universe. Remember that the number
seven in the Bible means completeness, fulness, and perfection. Jesus Christ is
seen with seven horns, which
symbolize complete and perfect strength and power. He stands in heaven as the
supreme power and force of the universe.
V
“And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven
and in earth” (Mt. 28:18).
V
“No man
taketh it [My life] from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay
it down, and I have power to take it again, This commandment have I received of
My Father” (Jn. 10:18).
V
“As thou
hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as
many as thou hast given Him” (Jn. 17:2).
V
“And
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness,
by the resurrection from the dead” (Ro. 1:4).
V
“For by Him
were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:
all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and
by Him all things consist” (Col. 1:16–17).
V
“God, who
at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by
the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the
brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all
things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat
down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (He. 1:1–3).
4. Jesus
Christ is the supreme intelligence of the universe. The seven eyes symbolize complete and
perfect knowledge, intelligence, and Wisdom. He is omniscient; He knows all and
sees all. Absolutely nothing escapes His sight and knowledge. Note: this
is a symbol of the seven spirits of God, which is the Holy Spirit (see Re. 1:4;
3:1). In the person of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is everywhere, seeing and
knowing all.
V
“And
needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man” (Jn.
2:25).
V
“And they
prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether
of these two thou hast chosen” (Ac. 1:24).
V
“[Christ]
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
V
“And the
spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the
Lord” (Is. 11:2).
V “For Mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hidden from My face, neither is their iniquity hid from Mine eyes” (Je. 16:17).
5. Jesus
Christ is sovereign. He alone walks over and takes the Book of Destiny out
of the hand of God. He and He alone is worthy to execute and carry out the
events of the end time. This is simply a graphic way of saying what is said in
the very first verse of Revelation.
V
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God
gave unto him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to
pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John” (Re.
1:1).
3 (Revelation 5:8–10) Worship of Christ: there is the majestic worship of Christ by the four living creatures and the elders. As soon as Jesus Christ takes the Book out of the hand of God, all of heaven and earth break loose in a song of Praise. And note there are three waves of Praise sung to Christ.
⇒ There is the Praise of the four living
creatures and of the elders who surround the throne of God.
⇒ Then there is the wave of Praise from
the numberless host of angels, ten thousands times ten thousands, and thousands
of thousands of them. The idea is that the number is so large that man and his
computers could not count the number.
⇒ Then there is the majestic worship of
all creatures in both heaven and earth, and under the earth in the graves, and
in the seas. All of creation—every
being ever created—breaks
loose in a chorus of Praise to the Lord and to the Lamb of God who sits upon
the throne (Jesus Christ).
The present note covers the Praise of the four living creatures and the elders who immediately surround the Lord Jesus Christ and the throne of God. Note three things about their worship.
1. They fall down before Christ, the Lamb of God, and play harps. Remember: the harp was the usual instrument used to sing the Psalms of Praise to our Lord (cp. Ps. 33:2; 98:5; 147:7).
2. They offer up golden bowls of incense to the Lord, which is the symbol of the prayers of believers (saints).
|
Thought 1. Just think of this: the very beings closest to God
offer up our prayers to Christ for us. The heavenly host is concerned over
our welfare, even as the Lord is. They long for us to be helped through the
trials and temptations of life even more than we long to be delivered through
them. What a precious truth. |
V “Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us [man] to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Re. 5:9–10).
Note that they praise Christ for three things.
a. They praise Him because He was slain
for man and has redeemed man (v.9). The correct Greek translation of this verse is man and not “us,” as the King James
version has it. It should read that Christ “has redeemed man [or them] to God.”
They praise Christ because He died for the sins of man and has set man free
from sin and death and the punishment to come. (Re. 5:6–7; Re. 1:5–6 )
V
“Much
more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through Him” (Ro. 5:9).
V
“Christ
hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it
is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree” (Ga. 3:13).
V
“In whom
we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of His grace” (Ep. 1:7).
V
“In whom
we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col.
1:14).
V
“Who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:14).
V
“Neither
by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into
the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (He. 9:12).
V “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [citizenship] received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pe. 1:18–19).
b. They praise Him because of His
universal salvation (v.9). No person is beyond His reach. He saves
people from every tribe and, language and, race, and nation. There is no
prejudice or discrimination with Christ, no favorites, and no partiality. He
loves every person: male and female, poor and rich, black and white, yellow and
red, ignorant and wise. Christ saves all who will come from every corner of the
earth. Those who surround Christ and the throne of God shout their Praise to
Christ for His universal salvation.
V
“And all
flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Lu. 3:6).
V
“For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:13).
V
“Who will
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Ti.
2:4).
V
“For the
grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11–12).
V
“The Lord
is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance” (2 Pe. 3:9).
V “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Re. 3:20).
c. They praise Christ because He has given
believers the great gift of royalty (v.10). He makes them kings and priests,
and note: they shall rule on the earth serving the Lord Jesus Christ forever
and ever as kings and priests. (Re. 14:13; 21:24–27)
V
“His lord
said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the
joy of thy lord” (Mt. 25:23).
V
“Ye are
they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a
kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me” (Lu. 22:28–29).
V
“The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so
be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Ro.
8:16–17).
V
“And from
Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead,
and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us
from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and
His Father; to Him be Glory and dominion forever and ever” (Re. 1:5–6).
V
“And I
saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I
saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the
word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither
had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived
and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Re. 20:4).
V
“And they
that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn
many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Da. 12:3).
4 (Revelation 5:11–12) Worship—Angels: there is the majestic worship of Christ by the angels. Note three facts about the angels.
1. They are
the center circle of the praise chorus.
2. Their
number is astounding: an innumerable
number is what Scripture is declaring.
3. Their song includes seven points.
a. They praise Christ for His power. He is
omnipotent: He possesses all power. He is able to open God’s Book of Destiny
and to carry out and execute God’s will throughout the universe. He is able to
carry out the events of history and the events of the end time. He is the
sovereign Ruler of the universe.
V
“And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven
and in earth” (Mt. 28:18).
V
“As thou
hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as
many as Thou hast given Him” (Jn. 17:2).
V
“And
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness,
by the resurrection from the dead” (Ro. 1:4).
V
“But unto
them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the
wisdom of God” (1 Co. 1:24).
V “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ep. 3:20).
b. They praise Christ for His riches. He
possesses the Wealth to meet any need throughout the universe, any need that we
or any other creature may have.
V
“Or
despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering;
not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Ro. 2:4).
V
“For ye
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your
sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Co. 8:9).
V
“In whom
we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of His grace” (Ep. 1:7).
V
“That in
the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ep. 2:7).
V
“Unto me,
who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ep. 3:8).
V “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Ph. 4:19).
c. They praise Christ for His Wisdom. He
is omniscient, seeing and knowing all. He knows all about God and heaven and
all about us and our world with all its temptations and trials. He can,
therefore, carry out the will of God laid out in the Book of Destiny, and He
can help and succor us through all the trials and temptations of life.
V
“But of Him
are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness,
and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Co. 1:30).
V
“For we
have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need” (He. 4:15–16).
V
“The Lord
is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him” (Ps.
28:7).
V
“But I am
poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my
deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God” (Ps. 40:17).
V “Fear thou not; For I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” (Is. 41:10).
d. They praise Him for His strength. No
one nor anything can stand against Him, not even for a moment, unless He allows
it. He has infinite strength, the very strength of God Himself. All He has to
do is speak the Word, and His will is done. Therefore, He can carry out the
events in the Book of Destiny, and He can meet our every need.
V
“But
Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with
God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26).
V
“For with
God nothing shall be impossible” (Lu. 1:37).
V
“There
hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Co.
10:13).
V
“Now unto
Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us” (Ep. 3:20).
V
“And the
Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto His
heavenly kingdom: to Whom be glory forever and ever” (2 Ti. 4:18).
V
“Now unto
Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before
the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour,
be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever” (Jude 24–25).
V
“I know
that thou canst do everything and that no thought can be withholden from Thee”
(Jb. 42:2).
V
“But our
God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased” (Ps. 115:3).
V
“Fear
thou not; For I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of My righteousness” (Is. 41:10).
V “Yea, before the day was I am He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who shall let [hinder] it?” (Is. 43:13).
e. They praise Him for His honor. He is
the Son of God, possessing the very nature of God, the eternal and sovereign
Majesty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the One appointed to
open the Book of Destiny and to execute its events throughout the universe.
Therefore, He is the One who is to be honored by all.
V
“Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every
name: that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Ph.
2:9–11).
V
“Let us
be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb has
come, and His wife hath made herself ready” (Re. 19:7).
V
“O
magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Ps. 34:3).
V “Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders” (Ps. 107:32).
f. They praise Him for His Glory. As
stated, He is the supreme Glory and Majesty of the universe, so glorious that
His Glory shines brighter than the sun to give light in the spiritual world or
dimension. His own Glory is the light of heaven. In Him is no flaw or defect
whatsoever. Therefore, He and He alone is worthy to open the Book of Destiny
and to carry out the will of God throughout the universe. He and He alone is
due all the Glory of the universe.
V
“Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 5:16).
V
“Herein
is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples”
(Jn. 15:8).
V
“That ye
may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (Ro. 15:6).
V
“What? Know
ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye
have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body, and in your Spirit, which are God’s” (1 Co. 6:19–20).
V
“Give
unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of
holiness” (Ps. 29:2).
V “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth” (Ps. 57:5).
g. They praise Him for His Blessing. He
deserves all the Blessing that heaven and earth can give, for He has blessed
all. He has given life and all the good things of life to all creatures. All
blessings have come from Him. Therefore, all the blessings that heaven and
earth can give are due to Him.
V
“Giving
thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [fit] to be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:12).
V
“And let
the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one
body; and be ye thankful” (Col. 3:15).
V
“In
everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you” (1 Th. 5:18).
V
“When
thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the
good land which He hath given thee” (De. 8:10).
V
“Enter
into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful
unto Him, and bless His name” (Ps. 100:4).
V
“O Lord,
thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done
wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Is. 25:1).
5 (Revelation 5:13–14) Worship: there is the majestic worship of Christ by the whole universe. After each group of created beings has sung their chorus of Praise, then all of creation—every being and creature who has ever lived in both heaven and earth—shall break forth in one chorus of Praise to both God and Christ. What shall they praise God and Christ for?
⇒ for their blessings
⇒ for their honor
⇒ for their Glory
⇒ for their power
Then the four
living creatures shall shout, “Amen.” And the elders shall fall down and
worship the Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives forever and ever.
Never has
there been a chorus of worship as will be seen in the glorious day of Redemption
when all creation shall praise Him Who is our Lord and Savior, even the Son of
God Himself. And remember why:
⇒ because He is worthy to step forward
and take the Book of Destiny out of the hand of God.
⇒ because He is worthy to rule and reign
over all history, both now and in the last days and throughout all of eternity,
world without end.
V
“That ye
may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (Ro. 15:6).
V
“For ye
are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God’s” (1 Co. 6:20).
V
“That the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according
to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Th. 1:12).
V “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Re. 14:7).[6]
Only Christ, The Lion of The Tribe of Judah,
Is Worthy to Receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honor and Glory
The Adoration of
the Lamb
The theophany of ch. 4. is continued in this. We are permitted to see more of the High Court of Heaven and to witness the purpose of its session, the center of its adoration, and the transactions in which its members share. We have surveyed the throne and Him that sat thereon, the rainbow above the throne, the crystal sea, the burning torches, the elders and the cherubim, and their worship of God. But now the vision is enlarged, and we behold the seven-sealed Book, or scroll, held in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne; then the coming forth of a mighty angel, who challenges all in that august assembly, and all everywhere, be they who they may, to open the Book. Then follows the hush of awful silence, which is the only response the angel’s challenge receives, whereat St. John weeps much. Then is heard the voice of one of the elders, bidding him “Weep not,” and at once the chief portion and purpose of the whole vision is disclosed. St. John sees, fronting the throne, and attended, as was He who sat thereon, by the living ones and the elders, the “Lamb as it had been slain.” Strange, incongruous, and almost inconceivable is that figure with its seven horns and seven eyes. Great painters, as Van Eyck, have tried to portray it, but they have somewhat lessened than enlarged our conceptions of the truths that the symbol as it stands here in this vision so vividly sets forth. Here, as everywhere in this Book, it is the ideas and not the forms that symbolize them, which are of consequence. Moreover, then, the Lamb is represented as coming and taking the Book out of the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, whereupon the first adoration of the Lamb takes place. The “living ones” and the elders, each now seen with harp and censer of gold full of odors—they, together, sing the “new song.” Furthermore, lo, on the outskirts of this heavenly scene, gathering round and enclosing the whole, appear now myriads of angels, and they lift up their voices in like holy adoration of the Lamb. And now a third burst of Praise, and from a yet more varied and multitudinous chair, is heard by the enraptured seer. From the heavens above, from the earth beneath, and from the regions of the departed—from those whom the earth covered over in the quiet grave, and those whom the sea had swallowed up—there arose their anthem of Praise to God and the Lamb. And with the united “Amen” of the four living ones and the elders as they prostrate themselves in worship, this vision of the adoration of the Lamb ends. Observe Christ as—
I. The Center
of all Revelation. We behold him:
1. In His Premundane Glory. We cannot know,
and yet less comprehend, much of this. Only that He came forth from God, was in
the beginning with God; that He dwelt in the bosom of the Father, in Glory
which He had with the Father before the world was. But what words could make
this clear to our minds? We wait to understand.
2. In His Incarnation. We trace Him from the manger at Bethlehem, all through His earthly life and ministry, to Gethsemane, Calvary, and the tomb. And we see Him rising from the dead and afterward ascending to the right hand of God. But we are also permitted to see Him as—
II. The Center of Heavenly Adoration. See where He is—“in the midst of the throne,” standing on that central space immediately in front of the throne, the Centre of all that holy throng, on whom all eyes rest, to whom every knee bows and every tongue confesses. And what a circle that is! See its members. But He is the Centre; to Him, their adoring worship is given. Are we in sympathy with this? Is He the Centre of our heart’s worship and love?
III. The
Revealer and Administrator of the Purposes of God.
1. God Has Such Purposes. The Book held in His
right hand is the symbol thereof. It contains His mind, His will, His decrees.
Nothing is left to chance. All is ordered and settled.
2. But that Book is Sealed. Completely,
absolutely; this is the meaning of the seven seals. If one seal were removed,
which by man it can never be, but a portion of those purposes would be
disclosed. “His ways are past finding out.”
3. But it is Essential that that Book Should be
Taken and Opened. Hence, the angelic challenge and St. John’s tears when
none was found to accept that challenge. What would the world be without the Revelation
of God? We know, for “the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations
of cruelty.” Would that we thought more of our own obligation to the Revelation
of God’s will, that we might, as we ought to, be more eager that others should
possess it who now have it not!
4. The Lord Jesus Christ Comes Forward.
There can be no manner of doubt that He is meant. Though described as “the Lion
of the Tribe of Judah,” yet He is seen as a Lamb—a little Lamb (ἀρνίον), and with the marks of its
slaughter yet upon it, the scars and wounds of His sacrifice yet visible. He
advances and takes the Book. And so we learn that He is the ’Trustee, the
Depositary, the alone Revealer of the Divine will. All truth is in His keeping.
(1) Of
prophecy. It was He who opened, and yet opens, the minds of His disciples, that
they should understand what was foretold concerning Him.
(2) Of the Gospel.
It is He who shines in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God in
the face of Jesus Christ. But especially is meant here:
(3) Of
providence—how God would deal with the Church, the world, with individual
souls. This Book discloses all this; He shows to us what God has done and will
do.
5. But He is not only the Revealer but the Administrator of the Divine Purposes. As He opens each seal that which He discloses is at once accomplished. He is seen controlling and ruling all. What joy to think of this! For He is—
IV.
Perfectly Qualified to be All This. Observe in the vision His seven horns.
This means:
1. He has Fullness of Power. The horn is
the symbol of strength. Hence, “seven horns” means fullness of strength. Christ
is “mighty to save.” The gates of hell shall not prevail against Him. They
will, they do try, as they have long tried, but in vain. For:
2. He has also the Fullness of the Spirit.
The Lamb was seen with “seven eyes,” and these are explained as denoting the
same as the seven torches (ch. 4:5), the seven, that is, the perfect, full,
complete power, though diverse in working, of the Spirit of God. For Christ’s
victory is to be achieved, not over human bodies, but over human spirits, and His
power must and does correspond to the opposition He has to meet. And over all
the earth His Spirit goes: has not that Spirit come to us, and when He comes the
human spirit ceases to resist, and is blessed in yielding?
3. And He has all Right. “Thou art worthy:”
so sing all the heavenly choirs.
(1) The Lamb
is seen “as it had been Slain.” The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus is represented
perpetually in Holy Scripture as the righteous ground of our Redemption. The
forgiveness of man’s sin was to be by no mere gracious letting the guilty go
free, let what will come of the Law which He has violated. Not so, but in and
by the sacrifice of Christ, the Law was magnified and made honorable; by no
means “made void,” but established. We linger not now to explain this—if,
indeed, anyone can fully explain it—but we simply assert what Scripture
everywhere affirms. Moreover:
(2) He is Commissioned
by God. He receives the Book from Him. God “sent forth His Son” and “gave His
only begotten Son.”
4. And His is Fullness of Love. For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us by thy blood”—this is the overwhelming thought that prostrates the souls of all His redeemed ones in an agony of insolvent gratitude; that He, Son of God, who was with God and was God, that He should have been content to come hither to this thorn-strewn earth of ours, and to live here the life of a pour, meek man, and then to die upon the cross for us—“herein is love;” and herein is also His supreme qualification to reveal and administer the will of God.
V. Therefore is the Adoration of the Lamb. Let us join in it. We shall do so if we remember what He has revealed and that He is the Administrator of all our affairs.—S.C.[7]
* 5:6 Greek which are the seven spirits.
* 5:10 Some manuscripts read they are reigning.
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. 2015. Holy
Bible: New Living Translation.
Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
NRSV
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard
Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of
America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
NIV Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
NLT
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All
rights reserved.
[2] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The
New King James Version. 1982.
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[4] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical
Bible Expositor: Revelation.
Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
[5] The
Holy Bible: King James Version.
1995. Electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.
Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[6] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
[7] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1909. Revelation. The Pulpit Commentary. London; New York: Funk &
Wagnalls Company.
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