The Epistle of Jesus #4: The Throne Room Part 2
Revelation 5
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Introduction:
Outline of the Book found in Rev 1:19
Write the things which thou hast seen (Ch.1),
and the things which are (Ch 2-3 conditions in Churches),
and the things which shall be hereafter (Chapter 4-21, the future)
Review
Chapter 1 is the vision of Jesus standing with His Churches and holding His pastors in His Hands.
Chapter 2 and 3 are the letters to the Seven Churches in Asia, Ephesus to Laodicea.
Chapter 4 and 5 are the opening scenes of the throne room of heaven, those on the throne and surrounding the throne. Chapter 4 our focus is on the One who sits on the throne and the praise of heaven is given to God the Father, the Creator of the Universe.
Now in Chapter 5
Our focus and the praise will shift from the one who sits upon the throne to the one who stands before the throne, The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God.
Chapter five begins with a book.
The Seven Sealed Scroll – Revelation 5:1-4
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne
a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw
a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book,
and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither
under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I
wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book,
neither to look thereon.
John Sees The Book
John sees in the right hand of God the Father, a book. This of course is a scroll since bound books did not yet exist. This scroll is the title deed to all of creation and to all creatures within. It is sealed with seven seals as wills of this time were often sealed with seven seals.
We have an example of a sealed title deed and will in Jeremiah 32:9-10 And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
No one but the rightful heir had the right to break those seals. Those seven seals which also signify the completion and finish of God’s plan for the ages. A plan that had been in place since before time began. The plan that would provide the solution to man’s sin and redemption as well as the redemption of all the universe, which had been tainted by that sin.
As John watches this scene playing out before him, he hears a strong angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book,
No man was even able to look upon this book, the title deed of heaven and earth. The seals of the scroll cannot be broken, because no man is found.
Can you sense the drama, the choreography, staging of this critical scene before us? Following the worship and praise to God the Father, He holds out a seven sealed scroll and all of heaven turns their eyes upon it. Then as we look upon this scroll realizing it is so important that God the Father holds it before us in his right hand.
Then this mighty angel calls out, “Who is worthy to open this book?” It is a challenge for a champion to step forward and by his strength, power and righteousness to claim the right to open the scroll and claim the title deed to the universe.
But as heaven holds its breath, no one steps forward, no man is found, who is worthy to claim the right. All of heaven is looking in anticipation of the champion but no man can come forward. No man has the right, the power or the strength to take that scroll from the right hand of God.
When John sees this, he is devastated and begins to openly weep. All creature is looking for a champion and there is not a man living or dead, in heaven or in earth who is worthy.
Transition:
Then in his great sorrow at such a terrible, unanswered, unfulfilled need, John hears one of he elders say, “Do not weep. Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah! And John lifts his eyes back toward the throne and there is no mere man, but the One who is the God-man and He comes forward as if it were, stepping into a spotlight and all our attention is now focused on Him.
The Sovereign Sacrifice – Revelation 5:6-7
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. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
John Sees Jesus
Jesus, only is worthy to open the scroll. This scroll, that no ordinary man, no matter how great could open or even look upon, is the will, or testament of God the Father. It give to His Son the right to claim as his own, all of fallen creation. The next few verses tell us why of all who could not step forward and meet the challenge, Jesus is worthy.
First, He Is Worthy By His Title.
He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Revelation 5:5 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.
The reference to Genesis 49:8–10, 8 Judah, thou art he whom
thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy
father's children shall bow down before thee.
9 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?
10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his
feet,
until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Jacob whose name had been changed by God to Israel, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit prophetically gave the scepter, a kings badge of office, to Judah and made Judah the tribe of the kings. Jesus is the final fulfillment of that prophecy.
The elder also calls Jesus, The Root of David, which means that the greatest King of Israel, David and all of David’s line came into existence through Jesus. Humanly speaking from the physical DNA side, Jesus came from David, but on the God side, the supernatural side, David had come by plan, purpose and protection of Jesus, the Son of God. The Messiah could be both David’s Lord and David’s son, because the Messiah was both God and man.
Jesus is also Worthy By Position.
Revelation 5:6 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
Jesus stands before the throne of God, in the place of honor, in center of the four living creatures, and in the center of the elders so that all of the throne room and all of heaven must focus on Jesus. This the place of greatest honor and only Jesus could stand in that position.
Jesus is also Worthy By His Sacrifice. Revelation 5:6 …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.
This vision of the Lamb, with its throat cut and the wound still showing, is not meant to be beautiful, but it is powerful when we understand what is symbolizes.
When this day does come for all of God’s children, we will not see a lamb but instead will see Jesus in all his glory, but now for the churches under persecution, Jesus is seen in a way that only His own will understand. He is the slain lamb of God, sacrificed for our sin, but he is also the Lion of Judah coming in all his power. John sees seven horns and seven eyes, this is the number of perfection and it symbolizes perfect power in the seven horns and perfect wisdom in the seven eyes, and perfect never absent, presence in the seven Spirits in all the earth.
These attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence are the attributes of that only God can possess and so in this symbol we see Jesus, the Lamb God, is very God of very God, God who took on human flesh to come and dwell on the earth.
Jesus alone was worthy to open the book and claim the title-deed of heaven and earth, because only Jesus died for the guilt of mankind, only Jesus suffered in our place, only Jesus rose again. Only Jesus laid down his life and then, proving He truly was God the Son, took that life back in His own great power.
Finally, Jesus is shown as worthy By His Action
Revelation 5: 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Jesus steps to the throne and takes from the hand of God, the scroll, claiming the title to all of creation and the right to be the Eternal King of Heaven and Earth.
No one questions His right to take the scroll from the hand of God.
John’s Pain Turns to Praise.
Can you imagine the feeling John must have had, the depths of his despair then soaring to the heights of praise? No man was found and all must have seemed wasted and empty. All the sacrifice, all the persecution, all the loss of family and friend, all the hope empty, but then, “Behold, the Lion.” Decades ago, John had been at the Jordan river when he heard John the Baptist say, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Then he looked where the Baptist was pointing and he sees the man Jesus.
Now he hears Behold the Lion and he looks and perhaps now expects to see the Lord Jesus as a man, standing in power and glory, but when he looks he does not see a man nor does he see a lion, but instead he sees a lamb slain.
Slain but living, wounded as unto death, but now standing before the throne with seven horns and seven eyes. This could not have been what He was expecting but it was exactly who he thought it would be. This is Jesus, God the Son slain for the sin of mankind, but now alive and possessing all power and all wisdom as symbolized by the seven horns and seven eyes.
John knows who this is, just as the church he is writing to, knows who this is, just as you and I know who this is. This is Jesus. Jesus who was, and is and is coming again. Jesus, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. The Romans wouldn’t recognize him and a lost world won’t be able to see Him but John, the churches and the children of God, will know their Lord, Savior and King.
Illustration:
Thomas from hopelessness to worship. My Lord and My God.
John 20:26-29 26 And after eight days again his disciples
were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and
stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas,
Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and
thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas
answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him,
Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that
have not seen, and yet have believed.
The Savior’s Songs - Revelation 5:8-14
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 honour, 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 honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
John Sees The Singers
The Elder’s Song. In the Elder’s song, we experience the spectrum of Christian devotion, service and worship.
First there is praise and prayer are united as the elders sing their new song, They take up their harps and they pour out their golden vials of perfume. This is praise and prayer combined in their praise to the Savior. And if the worship service in the throne room of heaven specifically tells us that the elders, offer praise and prayer to the Lord, then that should inspire us to make sure our own worship here does the same.
Every worship service should combine prayer and praise. The elders, who represent us, sing, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals for you were slain and you have redeemed us to God by thy shed blood. Jesus is worthy of our offerings of praise and prayer, because his dying for us purchased our redemption.
A Song of Worship. Now think with me for a moment about this song, sung by the elders. It is first of all, a song of worship. The word worship means to ascribe worth. And in the song, they proclaim Jesus as worthy.
A Song of Good News. The song they sing is a Gospel song! “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us by Thy blood.” It contains the good news of Jesus dying in our place and shedding His blood. Modern Christianity may not like to talk about the blood, but in heaven they fill their song with the good news, because they know there is Power In the Blood.
A Song of Missions. The song they sing is a song about God’s grace to all the world. The elders sing that they have been redeemed “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” So this is also a song about fulfilling the Great Commission, by going into all the world and preaching the Gospel to every creature.
Perhaps John that back to his own book when he wrote in John 3: 16-17 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Now that is something to sing about.
And that is something to send missionaries out into this world that God loves so that they can hear that good news and one day sing their own song of praise in glory.
I like the way the great commission is stated in Mark 16:15, it is direct and it is compelling by the force of its command 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Go everywhere and preach to everyone. And then one day, they all will be singing in heaven because God’s children went, and the Lord’s church sent, and kindred, peoples, tongues and nations heard and believed.
Finally, It is a Song of Thanksgiving. It is also hymn of thanksgiving for who we are in Christ “a kingdom of priests.” Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have been made a kingdom of priests and in that new role we will rule with Him for all eternity. How can you thank Him for that except to join in this heavenly choir of the redeemed and sing, in your perfect redeemed voice before the throne.
The Worship Service of the Ages. Throne Room Praise and Worship Concert.
Now to get the full picture of this scene before us, at least as full as we can from our earthly perspective, lets back up to chapter 4 again and look at the songs that are being sung and how they are being sung.
The 1st Song Rev 4:8-9 Four Living Creatures Sing of God’s Holiness
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.
And then the concert builds and strengthens for new we have the …
2nd Song Rev 4:10-11 Now the 24 Elders Sing of God’s Power
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Then the praise rises louder and more powerful again for now in the…
3rd Song Rev 5:8-10 the 4 Living Creatures and the 24 Elders Join to Sing. Worhipping the Lamb who has Redeemed them.
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.
But the concert is not finished, oh no, for now comes the sound of the…
4th Song in Revelation 5:11-12. Many angel, the living creatures and the elders. sing “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.”
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 honour, and glory, and blessing.
When John says he heard many angels, he looks up and somehow by the power of the Holy Spirit he knows how many are praising the Lamb and he gives us the number, 10,000 x 10,000 and thousands of thousands. That means that now in this praise service for the Lord Jesus Christ, the voices of over 100 million angels join in worship, because the Lamb is worthy.
And you may think well what can top that? 100 million angels and all the host of heaven should lift us in praise higher than we have ever been lifted, higher than we can imagine, but no, it is not high enough for our Lord. For then in the..
5th Song Revelation 5:13 All Creatures of Heaven and Earth sing
Blessing, Honor, Glory and Power to God and the Lamb. 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.
Now all of heaven and all of earth joins together to worship
God the Father and Jesus, God the Son. They cry out, “Blessing and honor and
glory and power to the Father and to the Son.”
PRAISE YE THE LORD.
Maybe the writer of the 150th Psalms in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit caught a glimpse of this heavenly scene and the wrote this Psalms of Ascending Praise.
Psalms 150 1 Praise ye the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary:
praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts:
praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:
praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance:
praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals:
praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD.
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