The Lamb is Worthy
(Dr. Baines, Jr.)
Read: Revelation 5:1-10
Summary Highlights: In vss. 1-4 John talks about how he saw a scroll, in the right hand of the One on the throne. An Angel raised the question of who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. No one was found worthy. John is weeping, because no one is worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
In vss. 5-10 one of the elders tells John not to weep, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah is able to open the scroll and the seven seals. A Lamb who looked as if It had been slain was standing at the center of the throne encircled by four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb went and took the scroll. The living creatures and 24 elders who were holding golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of God’s people) fell down before the Lamb to worship Him. They sung a new song about how the Lamb was worthy to take the scroll and open it. The blood of the Lamb purchased for God a people who will be a kingdom and priests to serve God and reign on Earth.
Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is Jesus opened the scroll and those around Him worshipped Him. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to worship and serve the Lord.
Applications:
1. No one like Jesus. Notice in vss. 1-3 that no one was worthy to open the scroll. As in the text, Jesus is in a category all by Himself. No one can do for us what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do. He paid the price for us. He is preparing a place for us. And He is and will remain Lord. Let’s live like there is no one like Jesus. This kind of living should be known for our obedience, confidence, and joy.
2. Weeping. Notice in vs. 4 that John “wept and wept” over how he interpreted his situation. As in the text, our perception is our reality. When we think things are hopeless, it is not strange for us to “weep and weep.” But when we remember that God is able, we should at least weep less and be confident that God will work in all things for the good of His people.
Think about how all of John’s weeping was for nothing, because God still did what God was going to do. In like manner, we should be careful about over emotionalizing the circumstances of our lives. God is still in our stories working things out for our good. Let’s live like we believe that God is still working things out. As noted above, this kind of living should be known for our obedience, confidence, and joy.
3. Ministering to those who weep. Notice in vs. 5 that one of the elders told John not to weep because Jesus is able to open the scroll. First, as in the text, we should be open to others helping us with our weeping and reminding us that Jesus is able. It is so important to be in a disciple making church. In a disciple making church, we should be able to develop relationships with people who can help us with our weeping and remind us of what Jesus is able to do.
Second, as in the text, we should let God use us to help others who are weeping and who are not being mindful of Jesus’ ability. There are times when we need to be ministered to. And there are times when we need to minister to others. Let’s work on receiving and giving ministry to those in need.
4. Slain and living. Notice in vss. 6-7 that the Lamb appeared to have been slain, but yet He took the scroll from the One on the throne. First, as in the text, Jesus is the Lamb of God who has been slain for the sins of the world. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus has paid the price for us with His death. We will never be able to live right enough to be right with God. All of our hope is in the substitutionary death of Jesus for our sins.
Second, as in the text, although Jesus was slain, He is yet alive and ministering on our behalf. Just as Jesus took the scroll in our texts from the one on the throne, Jesus is preparing a place for us in His presence. Jesus was slain and He was resurrected to His current ministry.
Third, it is tempting to be distracted by all of the symbolism in the text – four living creatures, seven horns, seven eyes, golden bowls of incense and prayers, etc. Instead of focusing on speculative interpretations, we would do better to give more attention to what we clearly understand.
Don’t let speculative issues distract you from obeying clear issues. Let’s live like we believe that Jesus was slain and is now alive. Again, this kind of living should be noted for obedience, confidence, and joy.
5. Worshipping and serving. Notice in vss. 8-10 that the living creatures and elders worshipped the Lamb. The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll, at least in part because He purchased for God a people who have been made to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and reign on the Earth. First, as in the text, we should worship the Lord. God is so worthy of our worship and allegiance.
Second, as in the text, we should be mindful that Jesus purchased us to be his kingdom, priests, and rulers of the Earth. In other words, we are saved for a purpose other than to experience personal joy and comfort. God has a plan for our lives. We should work on understanding and carrying out God’s plan for our lives. Let’s work on worshipping God and carrying out His plan for our lives.