Word of Salvation – Vol.45 No.25 – July 2000

 

Worthy Is The Lamb

 

Sermon by Rev. L. Douma on Revelation 5

Scripture Reading: Revelation 5

Confession and Assurance: Isaiah 53:4-7; Philippians 2:1-11

Suggested Hymns: BoW 337; 354; 326; 516

 

Beloved in the Lord.

When we come together in a worship service, it is for one main reason – to worship our Lord Jesus Christ.  We do this whether we sing, or read the Bible, listen to the preaching or sit at the Lord’s Supper table.  In it all we are worshipping our Lord.  He is worthy of all praise.  And He alone.  We are not here to tell the world how good we are.  Nor to remind God that we are better than others.  We are here to admit that “like the rest we have gone astray”.  But now, “in Christ”, we have forgiveness, and we may come into the very presence of God.  There is no merit on our part.  It is all Christ’s doing.  He alone is worthy.

That is what ‘worship’ is all about.  That is what the word means.  We celebrate the ‘worth-ship’, the worth of Christ.  We stand with empty hands and silenced mouths when we look at ourselves.  But we burst into jubilation when we look at Jesus.  That is what worship is about.  That is what we see in the worship in the vision in Revelation 5.  There we see that the whole creation stands in utter shamed silence when the angel asks, “Who is worthy…?” to take the scroll.  But when the Christ steps forward, the praise resounds forth in ever widening circles.  First the “24 elders”, then “thousands upon thousands of angels”.  Then “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” sing out: “Worthy is the Lamb”!!

Revelation 5 is a continuation of the vision in chapter 4.  There John saw a vision of God on the throne.  It was the throne that dominated the whole scene displaying the awesome majesty of God.  Before God on the throne are the “four living creatures”, representing creation and “the 24 elders” representing the church.

Now in chapter 5 we see a shift in focus.  John sees in God’s right hand a scroll.  The scroll has “writing on both sides” and is “sealed with seven seals”.  This scroll is symbolic of the thought and plan of God.  It represents what God has decreed, what He has decided will happen.  The scroll is written on “both sides”.  This symbolises that God’s plans are complete.  Nothing can be added to it or subtracted from it.  The scroll is full.  We see also that the scroll is sealed “with seven seals”.  That means it has yet to be opened and its contents revealed.

Now what is the significance of the scroll?  And what is the meaning of “breaking the seals” and “opening the scroll”?  Well, as was said, the scroll symbolises the will of God.  Now the will of God is not just something He thinks about, e.g., “will I or won’t I?”  Nor is God’s will simply what He intends.  No, what He plans is a living, powerful, irresistible decree.  Like with creation God spoke, “and it was so”.  What God wills and speaks comes into being.  God’s decrees happen and nothing and nobody can stop it.

The decree here is about God’s will to bring about the kingdom of heaven.  That is not just about souls of Christians going to heaven.  It refers to the restoration of the entire creation.  That is, when God creates the new heavens and the new earth, when sin and suffering will be overcome and be no more.

The breaking of the seals and opening the scroll does not simply mean being able to read what is there.  The opening of the scroll is symbolic of things actually happening.  We see that in chapter 6, as each seal is removed another event immediately occurs.  It means that when the scroll is fully opened, fully unrolled, the kingdom will have come in all its fullness.  So whoever receives the scroll, and may open the seals, has the very will of God.  He has the power to bring about the kingdom.

So you can see it is vitally important to find someone worthy to “break the seals” and “open the scroll”.  Because, symbolically, if the scroll is not opened, the kingdom will not come.

In looking for someone, a challenge is first sent to every creature in all the world.  Revelation 5:2, “And I saw a mighty angel, proclaiming in a loud voice – who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll”?  The angel has to be mighty so his voice reaches every nook and cranny of creation.  All creation is challenged to find someone worthy, to bring the kingdom of peace – if they can.  It is a challenge to make clear that the kingdom is the work of God.  He planned it.  Only by God’s grace can it happen.

So the challenge, “You wise men, the intellectuals, you who have such deep thoughts, can you suggest a way to save the world?  Can you show the way?  You rulers of nations, you politicians, with your armies and power, can you fight and bring in the kingdom of peace?  You, the worker, you the economist, you the psychologist, are you capable, are you worthy?  Is there anyone capable?  Is there anyone worthy?”

In response to the challenge there is complete silence.  The world is struck dumb.  Revelation 5:3, “But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll and look inside”.  We soon realise that this failure by creation to bring about the kingdom of peace is not just something in this vision.  We can see it very clearly in our own history and lives.  We – with all our wisdom, money, science and technology – do you see a world of peace and joy, of justice and righteousness?  Do you?

We see a world that is torn by war, hatred, poverty, despair and drugs, discrimination, privilege and environmental destruction.  And it is not just “out there.” Even as individuals and families in the church we can bicker and argue.  There is heartbreak and bitterness at times in our own lives.  For all the achievements of mankind, we have not achieved a world of peace and joy.  We all ache for Shalom, but no one, no nation has it.  But then, we can’t, because of our very nature.  Our humanness is corrupted by sin.  We are by nature rebellious against God, and aggressive towards each other and the environment.  We cannot bring the kingdom.  We are not “worthy”.  That is precisely what needs to become clear – to get us out of our pride and see the need for a saviour.  We aren’t worthy.

The response leaves John devastated.  He says, “I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll and look inside”.  The complete unworthiness of the human race leaves John distraught.  But so does the fact that if the scroll is not opened, the kingdom will not come.  So John cries uncontrollably, “he wept and wept.”

But he is soon comforted.  One of the elders from God’s throne gives him a message of reassurance.  The elder is a representative of the church in heaven – the church triumphant.  John is part of the church on earth which is still struggling, still battling, still hoping.  That’s where we still are.  We see that the church victorious comforts the struggling church.  The elder, who is already enjoying the victory, reassures John who wonders how the kingdom can come.

Notice what he says to comfort John.  “Do not weep.  See, the lion of the tribe of Judah has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals”.  The elder talks in terms of the prophecy of Jacob – “the lion of Judah”.  Remember Genesis 49:9-10, as Jacob blessed his sons.  From Judah would come the lion, the rule.  The lion is symbolic of majesty and power.  The “lion” has “triumphed”.  He has subdued and defeated sin and Satan and death.  He is able to take the scroll.  John, do “not weep”.  Look up and “…see the lion!”

So John looks up and what does he see?  “…a lamb looking as if it had been slain…” The lion has conquered.  But how?  “As a lamb is led to the slaughter, so he did not open his mouth” (Is 53).  The lamb is a symbol of perfect submission and obedience.  As Philippians 2 puts it, “Our Lord humbled himself and became a man… and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.”  To Satan and sin and death Jesus was the conquering lion.  For the sake of the church Jesus was a lamb.  Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.  Through His blood we are made clean.  By His body we are forgiven.

We notice that “the Lamb” has the marks “of being slain”.  Yet He stands.  He has overcome.  He has “seven eyes” which represent the Spirit of God.  So the Lamb is the life of all His people.  And He has “seven horns”.  The horn is the symbol of power.  The number seven is the symbol of completeness.  So the Lamb is King over all creation – forever.  This is not just the Son of God as Lord of all – but Jesus, with our human nature, who died for the church, who has ascended to heaven and rules over all.

It is this lion-lamb, who John sees going forward and who “…took the scroll from Him who sat on the throne”.  This is a glorious moment in John’s vision.  The scroll has been taken.  The One has been found who is worthy.  Now the coming of the kingdom is guaranteed.  Jesus is Lord of all, guaranteeing the new creation for which every plant and flower, every bird and animal, and all God’s people so deeply long for.  Jesus holds the scroll guaranteeing that true peace, the Shalom of God, will come to the universe – sin gone from it all, forever.

And so the whole of earth and heaven burst into song.  John tells us in verse 9 that it is a “new song”.  The first song was the song of creation.  This is the new song, the song of redemption – the song of hope and renewal.

First the four living creatures and the 24 elders fall down before the Lamb and praise Him, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Then the angels “…numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand,” sing, “…Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and power, forever and ever.”  And then every creature “…in heaven and on the earth and under the earth” sing, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power forever and ever”.  It is a worship of Jesus that is beyond description, that has the whole creation pulsing with jubilation.  That is what our worship services are to be like – a total focussing on Jesus – a jubilation because we know He holds the scroll.  Remember that as you go about your personal life, let that strongly challenge you and deeply encourage you – Jesus holds the scroll.  When we look only at our life experience, we can often be left in doubt – the disappointments, the tragedy, the sickness.  As we look at the world at large and see the sufferings of war and storm, of famine and disease, of corruption and greed, we can wonder – is God in control?  Is there a God at all?

There are many who are worried about where the church is heading.  Is it losing its direction?  But the Word of God draws our hearts to heaven.  By faith we see the truth.  The Lamb of God holds the scroll.  Everything is in His hands.  He holds the scroll.  He is, indeed, bringing the kingdom.

Amen.