The Book of Revelation: Chapter 5: The Lion and the Lamb August 14, PRAY: Spirit to lead and guide all of us in our studies of Revelation

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1 PRAY: Spirit to lead and guide all of us in our studies of Revelation Last week, we read chapter 4 of Revelation together and saw what heaven looked like. What do you remember about what you saw? Loud voice saying, come up here. Saw a throne with God sitting on it, brilliant as gemstones shing rainbows 24 thrones with elders Flashes of lightning, rolling thunder 7 lampstands Sea of glass 4 living beings covered with eyes: Lion, Ox, Human face, Eagle with wings Worshiping God by all creatures, casting their crowns John shows us heaven before showing us earth so that we will not be frightened by future events. Revelation 5 READ: Chapter 5 1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. In John s day, books were written on scrolls pieces of papyrus up to 30 feet long rolled up and sealed with clay or wax. The scroll that John sees contains the full account of what God has in store for the world. The 7 seals indicate the importance of its contents. Very common in that day to have important documents sealed in wax. PPT Picture: Scroll The seals are located throughout the scroll so that as each one is broken, more of the scroll can be read to reveal another phase of God s plan for the end of the world. As we read the chapters that follow, as each seal is opened, it is God s divine judgment on the world. 1 P a g e P r o p e r t y o f L. P a u l B e r n a r d a n d T E N 2 7 C h u r c h

2 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it? 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. 1. A strong angel - this is the first of 3 "strong angels" introduced in the Revelation. These angels are not identified by name, but by duty. They proclaim God s revelation. 2. Who is worthy - this rhetorical question. Naturally, the one who owns the scroll can break the seals. However, the question suggests that someone else is necessary to set in motion the events connected with breaking of the seals. 3. But no one - John states that no one answered the question. At that point in scripture, nobody answers. However, Jesus who is able and worthy to open the book does not answer the angel s question. How did John respond to this lack of response to the question? Look at vs. 4: 4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 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. 1. I began to weep bitterly As if consumed by the thought that mankind will perish in their sin with nobody responding who is found worthy to open the scroll. 2. One of the elders - evidences that this group of beings are capable of acting individually. 3. The Lion that is from the tribe of Judah - Judah is referred to as a lion in Genesis 49:9. There Jacob offers a blessing to his son Judah which is a prophetic prediction about Judah s future, which includes the promise of a future ruler. Jesus is that ruler. The Lion, Jesus, proved himself worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. Why is Jesus the only one worthy to break the seal and open the scroll? [PPT] - living a perfect life of complete obedience to God - dying on the cross for the sins of the world - rising from the dead to show his power and authority over evil and death. Only Jesus conquered sin, death, hell and Satan himself; so only he can be trusted with the world s future. 2 P a g e P r o p e r t y o f L. P a u l B e r n a r d a n d T E N 2 7 C h u r c h

3 4. the heir to David s throne refers to Jesus being from David s family line, thus fulfilling the promise of the Messiah in the OT. 5. has won the victory - This verb (in Greek) means to "to conquer absolutely." Jesus came as a Lamb at His first coming, and He will return as a Lion at His second coming. Prophecy was told 800 years before Jesus came as this sacrificial lamb to die for the sins of man. Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Called, Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sins of the world by John the Baptist in John 1:29. vs. 6 6 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. 1. A Lamb standing Throughout Revelation, we ll see that this word, lamb [arnion] occurs 29 times. This is the first of 29 times 2. looked as if it had been slaughtered The wounds inflicted on Jesus body during his trial and crucifixion could still be seen (John 20:24-31). The point is that He was slain, but now He is alive. 3. seven horns and seven eyes - a horn is a symbol of strength and power (Jeremiah 48:25, Daniel 7:7-8) and 7 horns represent absolute power. a. 7 horns means that Jesus has compete power, is present everywhere and sees everything, as represented by the 7 eyes. [PPT: Sevenfold Spirit of God] Then we come to this climactic moment in heaven, when Jesus steps forward! Look at vs. 7! 3 P a g e P r o p e r t y o f L. P a u l B e r n a r d a n d T E N 2 7 C h u r c h

4 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 1. took the scroll - this particular verb expressions action with the emphasis on the result. Took does not suggest force, but the appropriate action in response to an outstretched hand. In other words, God is holding the scroll out waiting for Jesus to take it. 2. The right hand = symbolizes power. 8 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. 1. The four before the Lamb They break out in worship again! This is the only scene presented in the Revelation where the heavenly court falls down before the Lamb. 2. had a harp, and they held gold bowls symbolize worship and prayers of God s people = Revelation 8:3 will speak again of the prayers of God s people. 3. God s people = the Greek says literally, "the holy ones." This term is used 13 times in the Revelation (5:8, 8:3, 4; 11:18; 13:7, 10; 14:12; 16:6; 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:8; 20:9). This is clearly John s word of choice to designate those who belong to Jesus Christ throughout the ages. 9 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. 10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth. In vs. 9, the saints in heaven, which include you and me, are singing a new song to the Lamb. The lyrics include the important words, You are worthy. That s what worship is really all about declaring the worthiness of God through praise and adoration. 1. you were slaughtered (sphazein) - indicates the basis upon which the Lamb is worthy to open the seals. The Lamb is worthy because of 3 things He did. (was slaughtered, shed blood ransomed people, caused them to become a Kingdom) 2. every tribe and language and people and nation This encompases every person, every tribe and nation, every ethnicity throughout the earth. Everyone was purchased by the Jesus death. 4 P a g e P r o p e r t y o f L. P a u l B e r n a r d a n d T E N 2 7 C h u r c h

5 3. you have caused them to become a Kingdom - This act was done at the time the purchase was made. This helps all believers understand their position in Christ. We were bought before we were born and established as a kingdom. This is good news for the broken of our world. We are a kingdom and we are priests of God. 4. they will reign on the earth - this is the final and ultimate outcome of the Lord s work at death. Notice that the location of the saints' reign. Where does it say the saints reign with Jesus? The reign will be on earth.not heaven! 11 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. 12 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. 1. Imagine the worship taking place in honor of the Lamb. ILLUSTRATION: 13 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. 14 And the four living beings said, Amen! And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. 1. And the four living beings said, Amen! - As every creature sang, the cherubim say, Amen! This means, so be it. It s a word of affirmation. The saints are singing and the angels are agreeing. Sadly, while the church heavenly beings are in heaven worshiping God, it is business as usual for the people of earth, as we will see in the next chapter. NEXT WEEK: We look at breaking of the first six seals. This is the first of 3-7 part judgments. As each seal is opened, Jesus sets in motion events that will bring about the end of human history. 5 P a g e P r o p e r t y o f L. P a u l B e r n a r d a n d T E N 2 7 C h u r c h