Revelation 5 – Lesson 10

 

Revelation 5 – The Scroll and the Lamb

In this chapter we see the scroll with 7 seals that no one could open until the Lion of Judah, the Lamb came and was worthy to open them.  The four living creatures and the elders sang in a loud voice.  “Worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” – Rev. 5:12.   

John saw a scroll with writings on both sides and sealed with 7 seals.  The writing on both sides means it is complete with nothing left out and there is nothing to be added to it.  A strong angel (some translations say a mighty angel) said no one was worthy to open the scroll.  These strong angels are mentioned 3 times in Revelation.  These angels are not identified; they are special and proclaim God’s revelation.  God could not open it, because He had given the right to Jesus due to His sacrifice and perfect righteousness, making Him the only one qualified to reveal the mysteries contained within the sealed book.  Jesus was the only one who satisfied the justice of God.

John reacted by weeping and weeping, because he seemed to know the importance of this scroll.  John felt hopeless, but God never leaves us hopeless.  Then an elder told John to stop weeping, because the Lion of Judah, the Root of David has overcome and He could open it.  That was Jesus, the Messiah who was foretold in Genesis 49:9-10 and Samuel 7:8-16 and others books in the Old Testament.  Only Jesus, David’s rightful descendant and heir to the throne of Israel was entitled to open the scroll.  He had achieved the victory over sin and gained the right to open the scroll and loose its seven seals.  Only He had the moral authority.

Then John saw a Lamb standing there as if slain meaning He was slain, but now is alive.  He had 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the 7 Spirits of God.  The Horns indicate great power.  The eyes show He knows everything and nothing is hidden from Him.  The 7 Spirits show His completeness, the Trinity.  The Lamb was slain as a sacrifice for our sins.

The Lamb took the scroll from the One sitting on the throne who is God.  The Lamb is worthy of worship.  This Lamb is Jesus. 

The creatures and elders responded by falling down and worshiping the Lamb.  They had with them harps and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  Then they sang a new song, “You are worthy, to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” – Rev. 5:9-10. 

He was the only one worthy to open the scroll and the song tells just why He was worthy:

He is the Lamb who had been slain. 

He died on a cross for the sins of us all. 

Now He lives.

His death provides a ransom for His people. 

He bought us freedom from the power of sin.

He makes His people into a kingdom and priests who serve God here on earth.

Then John saw thousands and thousands of angels around the throne and together with the creatures and elders they sang a song of praise.  “Worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” – Rev. 5:12.  You will notice in this verse there are 7 qualities indicating perfection.  Then every creature in heaven and on earth sang, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” – Rev. 5:13.

Wow!  You see a lot of worshiping going on and if anyone deserves it, it is Jesus.  All I can say is WOW!

Principle:  The Lamb Jesus is worthy of our praise and worship.

Join me next week as we continue our study.  --- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Revelation 4 – Lesson 9

Revelation 4 – The Heavenly Throne

In our studies of Revelation so far we saw that John wrote to the 7 churches as directed by Jesus.  He was told to write the things he saw, what is now, and what will take place later.  The letters to the churches are what is now.  Now John is shown the heavenly throne in Revelation 4.  This is the start of visions shown to John starting with a description of heaven, including the throne, elders, creatures, and what they are doing.

John was given an invitation regarding the open door.  He heard a voice calling him to come up to heaven so he could be shown what will take place next.  John enters heaven and was in the Spirit - meaning he was in a vision.  He described what he saw.  John saw God sitting on His heavenly throne.  God is the King of all kings and is the One with all power.  He is the One who controls all of history in heaven and on earth.  He has the end of history planned and He shows John what will happen. 

The throne is in the center of heaven and all of heaven looked to the throne and all worshiped God.  God seems to not have a physical body, but one as a bright light shining through precious stones, which showed His glory.   Before the throne he described the floor of God’s throne room as a sea of glass. (Rev. 4:1-3)  This was only John’s impression as he was probably unable to really find words to describe what he saw.  Can you image?  I don’t think we could describe it either.  I am sure he was in awe of God’s glory.

In these first verses we can see the Trinity.  I see the door as being Jesus, the One on the throne of course as God and the 7 lamps of fire as the Holy Spirit.

Around the throne were 24 elders on 24 thrones.  These are heavenly beings who serve and worship God.  Some say these are the 12 patriarchs of Israel (the 12 sons of Jacob) and the 12 disciples of Jesus, but we really don’t know exactly who they are.  They wore white clothes and crowns.  I believe the white clothes mean that are clean from any sin and symbolized their purity and victory in Christ.  Their crowns show they are royalty.  (Rev. 4:4)  All believers are promised white garment of righteousness and crowns of royalty. 

There was lightning and thunder indicating the power of God.  This is the sound of God’s judgment.  God is beautiful yet terrifying at the same time.  There were 7 lamps of fire which represent the Holy Spirit.  He appears as fire in other places in the Bible.  The number 7 means perfection or completeness. (Rev. 4:5-6a).

Other prophets received a vision of heaven:

Exodus 24:9-11 – Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu saw under God’s feet was sapphire clear as the sky.

Isaiah 6:1-7 – Isaiah saw the Lord on the throne, above were seraphs calling out holy, holy, holy.

Ezekiel 1 – Ezekiel saw the Lord with flashing lighting and a brilliant light and in the center was fire that looked like 4 living creatures.

In the center around the throne were 4 living creatures - a lion, an ox, one with a face one like a man, and an eagle.  They were possibly located in four directions: north, east, south, and west.  This shows that they were strong like a lion, full of power like an ox, wise like a wise man, and fast like a flying eagle.  Each had eyes in front and back and 6 wings.  The eyes could mean they could see everything.  Nothing was hidden from them.  The wings could mean they had speed when obeying God.  These creatures represent the entire created order of animals and mankind.  The creatures constantly praised and gave glory, honor and thanks to the Lord saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” – Rev. 4:6b-8  They express praises of the holy, powerful, and eternal nature of God.

What do these words really mean? 

Holy, holy, holy  - God is perfect and without flaws.  Every part of God’s nature is holy.

Lord God Almighty – God is in control and has His hand in everything.  It shows His power and authority over all.

Who is, and is and is to come - God has always existed and will always exist.  He is active and present.

What is means to give praise to God is we lift Him up.  We appreciate what He has done.  We acknowledge how wonderful and worthy He is.  We worship by acknowledging Him, by worshipping, by our gratitude, by recognizing and submitting to His authority, by repenting of sin and following His Word.  He is the object of true worship in heaven and it should be here on earth for us as well.  He is worthy of our worship.

When the creatures praised God, the elders would fall down before the throne and worship the Lord, because He is the supreme Ruler, the King of Kings and Creator of all things.  They lay their crowns before the throne.  This is an act of honor and respectfully acknowledges God is the source and authority over everything we have.  He is the giver of every gift.  Crowns will be given to the faithful and we will lay our crowns at His feet, because all our rewards come from Him.  No one else, not any king or anyone is worthy of such honor and praise as God.  The job of these elders was to solely give praises to God.  “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” – Rev. 4:11.

Can you image standing before the throne a seeing and worshiping the one true living God?  One day we will be right there in heaven before His throne.  Oh, what a day of glorious worship that will be!  Wait until you see Him!  We will be like the elders and creatures and never tire of giving Him praise.  That will be our job to worship Him.

Principle:  Our Creator God is worthy of all honor, glory and worship.

Next week we will study Revelation 5 where John’s vision continues. –  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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