Friday October 30^th- Revelation 5

Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain!

 

I did not always enjoy reading the book of Revelations.  At first it was scary to me and then as I have grown in my faith in Him, I see it in a whole new way.  He is our Kinsmen-Redeemer!

So far in chapters 1-3 we have read about the warnings to the 7 churches.  In chapter 4 God the Father is seated on His throne and being worshipped. 

We begin this chapter with God the Father seated on His throne and in His right hand was a scroll written on the inside and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals. 

The question is asked, who is worthy to open the scroll and break the 7 seals?  No one in heaven, earth or under the earth is found to be able to open the scroll or even look into it. :2-3

This distressed John so much that he was weeping uncontrollably.  :4

Stop weeping!  Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and break its seven seals. :5

Why can Jesus open the scroll and break the seal

First, he is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (v. 5). This reference originated in Genesis 49:9, where Judah was called a lion. The lion is considered king of the beasts because of his majestic dignity, strength, courage, and ability to rule over his domain. Christ is from the tribe of Judah (Mt. 1:2; Heb. 7:14)—majestic and strong, and, after His Second Coming, He will reign as King over the earth.

Second, the one qualified to open the scroll is from “the Root of David” (v. 5; cp. 22:16). This is a reference from Isaiah 11:1, 10, linking Christ to the Davidic line (cp. 2 Sam. 7:12–16). But Christ is greater than His father David (Mt. 22:41–46) and will one day sit on David’s throne to rule in the Kingdom Age (Lk. 1:32–33).

Third, the one qualified to open the scroll is identified as “a Lamb” (v. 6). The Lamb is Christ, pictured in three ways:

1.   The Lamb is standing in “the midst of the throne” (v. 6). Christ has stepped down from His throne at the Father’s right hand and moved in front of God the Father to receive the scroll (v. 7).

2.   The Lamb looks as if it “had been slain” (v. 6), although it is still standing. Christ is often portrayed in the New Testament as a slain Lamb (Jn. 1:29; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:18–19; Rev. 13:8) who still possesses the scars of His death (the crucifixion).

3.   The Lamb has “seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (v. 6). This is a picture of Christ in the fullness of His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. Twenty-eight times in the book of Revelation Christ is referred to as a Lamb. [Israel my Glory]

 

 

:8-9 When He had taken the scroll, the four-living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song.

 

This new song revealed five marvelous insights:

1.   The Redeemer is “worthy” (v. 9) to open the sealed scroll on the basis of His sacrifice. In being “slain” (v. 9), He opened the way for worldwide redemption.

2.   The ransom price was paid through His blood (v. 9). Worthiness is not based on mankind’s performance but on Christ’s personal blood sacrifice (1 Pet. 1:18–19), which made it possible for God’s grace and mercy to be manifested to mankind.

3.   A representative group “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (v. 9) were redeemed.

4.   As a result of mankind’s redemption, God has formed the church into a royal “kingdom of priests” (v. 10; 1 Pet. 2:9).

5.   The church will rule and “reign on the earth” (v. 10) with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom. No wonder heaven breaks out in praise to the Lord, who has provided all this for His creation. [Israel my glory]

 

Don’t you just love this chapter?  We are reassured of His redemptive love for us before He opens the scroll.  Take time today and this weekend to focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Fall in love with Jesus anew.  Remember to know Jesus is to know the Father and we have the Holy Spirit living in us.

 

 

 

Ephesians 1:13-14

In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit.
That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it—to the praise of His glory. [Amp. Bible]

 

 

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  II Cor. 13:14

Lyn