Lesson Fourteen: The Lamb of God Scripture: Revelation 4:1-5:14

Transcription

1 Lesson Fourteen: The Lamb of God Scripture: Revelation 4:1-5:14 John was a worshiper of God who was living in exile because he had spent his life proclaiming truth about Jesus Christ. As a result of his lifestyle of worship, he received a call to come up to heaven and see what must take place after these things. John was selected for this task because of his faithfulness to record the truths he received. The Call to Come up Revelation 4: a. Who issues the call? (4:1, see also 1:10-18) b. What do you think is the significance of a door standing open in heaven? (4:1) c. How was John able to answer the call? (4:2) John was transported in the Spirit to the throne of God at the invitation of the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1,10), and he was given special access into the Holy of Holies. According to God s recorded word, only a few people (for example: Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Paul, and John) have received such specific revelation from the Lord. Although we may not be invited personally to come up, God has come down to us in the person of the Holy Spirit and given us the ability to see things from His perspective.

2 The Throne of God in Heaven Revelation 4:1-11 As you process this passage, first invite the Spirit of God to come and teach you. Record the insights you discover, even if they seem simple. Ask, and keep on asking; seek, and keep on seeking; knock, and keep on knocking. God the Father will come to you through the Spirit to release His word in you. In the space provided below, draw and label the scene at the throne in these verses (including what is on, around, coming from, and before) as you work questions 2 and a. What is set or standing in heaven? (4:2) (The word standing implies fixed and secure.) b. Who is seated on the throne and how is He described? (4:2-3)

3 c. What and who is around the throne? (4:4) d. How are they clothed? (4:4) 3. a. What is coming from the throne? (4:5) b. What is burning before the throne? (4:5) c. What other entities does John see before the throne, in the center of it, and around it? (4:6) 4. Summarize John s description of the four living creatures. (4:6-8) Although the word creatures captures our imagination, the real emphasis should be on the word living. These beings have life, and they move from the throne (fixed in heaven) to earth. They represent the omnipresence of God because they follow the Spirit as He moves and works. (See Ezekiel 1:4-21) They are constantly listening to God: when the Spirit speaks, they move; when the Spirit is silent, they wait. Personalize this truth: How different would life be if we listened and waited for the Spirit to speak before we moved? Are you willing to endure the feelings of discomfort and uncertainty as you listen to and wait on God?

4 5. a. How do the four living creatures express their worship of God? (4:8) b. How often do they repeat these words to Him? (4:8) 6. a. What does God receive when the four living creatures proclaim these truths before the throne? (4:9) b. What does He receive from us when we proclaim truth about Him? 7. How do the words offered by the four living creatures affect those who surround the throne? (4:10-11) 8. a. What are the words of worship spoken by the twenty-four elders? (4:11)

5 b. How do their actions correspond with their words? (4:10) The elders respond with worship to the living creatures words of glory, honor and thanks to God. Have you ever been affected by someone else s worship of God? We can actually create an atmosphere of worship as we glorify God ourselves; through our worship, we extend an invitation to those around us to join in. 9. How do the words and the actions of the four living creatures and the twentyfour elders prepare the way for the Lord God Almighty to redeem earth? (4:8-11) Personalize this truth: Proclaiming the truths we receive from God is worship! It is returning God s truth to the One who spoke it and revealed it to us. Worship is a response to a truth revealed and the preparation for the revelation of more truth and more worship. As we proclaim God s truth, over time we will see a change in us as the words move from our head to our heart. What we have read and spoken aloud in agreement with Him will become real in our experience. This is what it means to worship in spirit and in truth, as Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in John, chapter 4. The kind of worshipers the Father seeks are not those who are dressed a certain way or attend services in a certain place on a certain day, but those in whom His Spirit lives. The Word comes alive by the Spirit of God in us, and this is revelation! In true worship, the Word and the Spirit are inseparable. When you have experienced a truth from the Lord in this way, it brings life to you and to anyone with whom you share it. As you continue to worship in spirit and in truth, you prepare yourself to receive more of His Word, and this experience leads you to more worship. When you worship God in spirit and in truth: You glorify Him (present a clear, unobstructed view of God) You honor Him (exalt God above all things) You thank Him (appreciate God for who He is)

6 Let the Word take root as you WORSHIP. Choose a passage of scripture that declares who God is (for example, Revelation 4:8) Read (or sing) the truth aloud. Reflect on the ramifications of the truth. What does it tell me about God? What does it require of me? Recite the truth from memory. Realize the truth as you believe it, obey it, experience it by the Spirit, and share it with others. GOD MOVES when we worship with His Word in Spirit and in Truth! So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. For you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:11-12 The Scroll Revelation 5:1-14 Before John could see the scroll and what must take place, he had to be in the Spirit: focused on the throne of God and the One who is seated on it. The same principle applies in our lives. God discloses Himself to those who have set their heart and their focus on Him instead of on circumstances and outcomes. 10. a. What does John see? (5:1) b. Who is holding it? (5:1)

7 At this time, the sealed scroll is still in the hands of God the Father; He determines the time for its unveiling. Jesus continues to rule under the authority of His Father, the One seated on the throne in heaven. His obedience to the Father--in life, in death, and even now--prepares the way for the completion of God s perfect plan. When the time is right, Jesus will take the scroll from the hand of His Father. 11. a. What was the strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice? (5:2) b. Why do you think the proclamation was posed in the form of a question? Do you think the angel knew the answer? If so, why was he asking? 12. a. Why did John begin to weep? (5:3-4) b. Why was he told stop? (5:5)

8 Personalize this truth: In Lesson 7, we talked about Jesus as our Kinsman-Redeemer. A kinsman can redeem a relative who has sold himself, his land, or his inheritance. He has to prove he is of the same family, can afford the price of redemption, and is willing to make the payment for the person, land, or inheritance. Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He is The Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David He has... overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals. Jesus came as a baby, born into the line of David. He is a son of man, our kinsman. Jesus declared His intention to redeem through His life and His teaching. Jesus was able to pay the price of redemption: He lived among us and yet was without sin. Jesus completed the transaction when He went to the cross and died. So, Jesus has all authority to open the scroll and its seven seals. Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer who died on the cross, returned from death and went through the heavens to the Throne of God where He was approved by the Father. He offered His blood for all the sins of the world for all time. His blood was poured out on the Mercy Seat at the Throne of God in heaven and covers everyone who truly believes their price of redemption is paid in full. Because of the blood, He and only He, is worthy to open the scroll. Your sin is covered by the blood of Jesus, and only by the blood of Jesus, but you must first repent and receive this gift from Him. You must believe that your redemption is paid and secure, and realize there is no way you can redeem yourself. Only those who come to God through Jesus Christ are covered in His blood and forgiven of sin. Only Jesus is worthy to open the seal, and only He is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. 13. a. What unusual Being does John see? (5:6) b. Who is He?

9 c. Why does He appear as a Lamb standing, as if slain? d. Where is He standing? (5:6) (Do you see any significance in where He is standing?) Seven is a significant number throughout Scripture; it signifies perfection and completion. For example, there are seven days in a week, seven holy feasts in a year, and seven branches on the lampstand. In The Revelation of Jesus Christ, there are seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, and seven bowls. The Lamb of God that John sees in the vision has seven horns and seven eyes. 14. In Scripture, horns represent power, strength, and the authority to rule. How do the seven horns of Jesus compare to the power of the seven kings in Revelation 17:9-10? 15. a. According to Isaiah 11:1-2, what are the seven spirits of God?

10 b. How does Jesus use His power (seven horns) and spiritual insight (seven eyes)? (Isaiah 11:3-5) 16. a. What occurs when the Lamb takes the scroll from out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne? (Rev. 5:7-8) b. What are the twenty-four elders holding? (5:8) 17. What truths do the twenty-four elders proclaim about the Lamb in their worship? (5:9-10) 18. What truths are proclaimed by the thousands of thousands who surround the throne of God in heaven? (5:12)

11 19. a. What is the response of every created thing in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea and all things to the transfer of the scroll from God the Father to God the Son? (5:13-14) b. Why does creation rejoice at the prospect of Jesus taking the scroll and beginning His reign on earth? (Romans 8:19-21) Personalize this truth: All of creation awaits the moment of the revelation of the true sons and daughters of God. Why not worship Him now as a son or daughter by proclaiming the words of praise uttered by those who surround the throne? Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:12 The Day of the Lord begins the moment the scroll is transferred into the hand of Jesus Christ. It is a time set by God the Father to purge the earth of sin and rebellion, to reward the saints, and to usher in the reign of Jesus Christ. The events of the Day of the Lord will last for seven years and will be so turbulent that it is also called the time of tribulation, the last part of which is called the great tribulation. In the beginning, Adam and Eve handed their authority to rule over creation to Satan when they listened to the serpent s voice and began to doubt the goodness of God. In the end, Satan will violently oppose relinquishing his limited authority, but he will lose! As we have studied, it will appear for a time that he has the upper hand, but when the Day of Lord comes to a close, Satan will be defeated and all things will be made new!