When John the Baptist was out at the Jordan River - baptizing and calling people to turn from their sin and to turn towards God - John saw Jesus coming towards him—John declares:  “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!”  (John 1:29b)

John’s declaration is an amazing description of Jesus - the coming Messiah - born in a manger.  God in the flesh.  Jesus the Lamb of God - Who has come for us.  John’s declaration is astounding.  The implications are huge. 

“Behold” - has the idea of seeing - discerning - spiritually getting it.  Process this at the core of who you are:  Jesus is the Lamb of God.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world - our sin.

We’ve been taking up John on his challenge.  What  does all that mean for us - for us individually - as we celebrate Jesus’ coming?

Two Sundays ago we looked the Passover in Exodus - the Blood of the Lamb - Jesus - on the cross - dying in our place.  The crucial significance of trusting Him alone for our salvation.  Last Sunday we looked at the authority of the Lamb - Jesus is God - the center of it all.  He - Jesus - is to be the center of our lives - the absolute authority over how our lives are lived.

This morning we’re coming to Revelation 5 and The Worthiness of the Lamb. 

Revelation 5 - join me at verse 1:  Then I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

Let’s pause there.  Verse 1 begins “then.”  “Then I saw.”  meaning “after this.”  After what?  Chapter 5 is the continuation of chapter 4.  What comes next. 

In Revelation chapter 4 - what we looked at last Sunday - in chapter 4 Jesus invites John into the very throne room of God.  John - in chapter 4 - is trying to  describe that scene for us - to describe what is indescribable.

John uses a whole lot of symbolism and imagery.  The Apostle John - who’s given this revelation - trying to use symbols and imagery that don’t even come close to describing what he saw.

John uses precious stones as symbols to give us a glimpse of God’s transcendent glory.   John writes about thunder and lighting to help us experience God’s awesome presence - the splendor of God’s glory.

Isaiah was given a vision of God’s throne room - Isaiah said that the presence of God was overwhelming.  The foundations of the throne room shook with God’s voice.  The holiness of God brought Isaiah - being unholy - brought Isaiah to fear.  (Isaiah 6)

God’s people before Mount Sinai saw God’s presence covering the mountain with thunder and lightening - a thick cloud - God’s voice was like a loud trumpet blast.  A fraction of the glory of God on display and God’s people trembled before God.  (Exodus 19)

How doe we process what John saw?  God on His throne?  We can’t.  Not totally.

John tells us that before God’s Throne are 24 elders - seated on thrones - thrones representing governance - authority.  Wearing golden crowns - representing royal dignity.  12 elders represent the tribes of Israel - think Old Testament saints.  12 elders represent the Church - think New Testament saints.  God’s people who’ve been given positions of authority before God’s throne.

Around the throne are four living creatures - probably angels - the Seraphim of Isaiah 6 and the Cherubim described by Ezekiel.  (Ezekiel 1)  Heavenly creatures of the highest order that are involved in worship.

The living creatures - the angels - on the four sides of the throne - like the four points of the compass - the throne in the middle - as they declare in praise the truth of God’s holiness - the 24 elders - representative of God’s people fall down - not just bow or bend over or slowly get down on their knees - they fall prostrate before God Who’s seated on His throne - and worship.

They cast their crowns - whatever authority they may have - whatever God has given to them - their crowns are cast quickly - decisively - without any indecision - cast before the throne of God - before God in worship - in utter devotion to Him. 

Everything is focused on God seated on the throne.  This is all about God.  His awesomeness.  His majesty.  His power.  His authority.  Nothing happens.  Nothing exists - past, present, future - apart from God’s complete knowledge - God’s sovereign intention.

God alone is worthy of all glory - of all honor - of all power because He alone - no angel - no man - no emperor - no created thing or being - the Lord God Almighty in all of His holiness - He alone is the source and sustenance of every created thing.  He alone is worthy of worship.

John tells us that at the focus of all the worship is Jesus - Himself God - the Lamb of God.

Revelation 5 - verse 1 - “Then” - meaning - in the indescribable reality and worship of God’s Throne Room - John writes, that God holds in His right hand a scroll.

Notice the description of the scroll.  The scroll is written how many sides?  “Within and on the back”  Two sides - inside and outside.

That God is holding this scroll makes it pretty significant.  Right?  But, having writing both inside and outside was unusual. 

In John’s day most scrolls that were used for public documents were only written on the inside.  They had successive columns of writing on the inside and as the scroll was unrolled people could read along. 

A scroll with writing on both sides was something they call an “opisthograph.”  Which tells us about the unique purpose of the scroll.  A scroll with writing on both inside and outside was private.  It contained “eyes only” significant information to be revealed only at the appropriate time and only by the person authorized to open the scroll.

The Romans used double sided scrolls for last wills and testaments - final instructions at the end of life - at the end of one’s time on earth.  Who gets the inheritance - the 57’ Chevy chariot and grandpa’s old sandals - and how all that gets distributed.  A scroll that was only opened at the appropriate time - after the death of the owner - testifying of what the owner willed to happen after his death.

The scroll has how many seals?  Seven.

Seals - were generally blogs of wax dripped on the scroll - an impression was made in the wax with the signet ring of the owner.  That we can trust that the contents of the document actually represent the will of the owner is based on those seals being intact.  If the seal is broken we know that the document has been opened.

Point being:  The owner of the scroll - or the one authorized by the owner - the executor of the will - they were the only one’s authorized to break the seals and unroll the document.  If its opened by someone not authorized to open it then the whole document is worthless - possibly tampered with - not to be believed - not to be acted upon.

The Romans generally used 6 seals.  God uses 7.  In Scripture the number 7 is used to symbolize completeness - perfection - fullness.

Putting all that together:  Seals bind the scroll until the appropriate time when the person authorized to break the seals - breaks the seals - opens the document - and executes God’s will. 

To grab the significance of what’s going on here with God and His scroll - the significance of the moment - we have to cheat a little bit.  I know this is Church.  But, we need to look ahead a bit and understand what’s in the scroll.

Reading ahead in John’s revelation - the scroll contains God’s complete perfect final instructions for executing the final events of history according to the will of God. 

Make sure your seat belts are securely fastened.

Look with me at the screen.  We’re only going to touch the highlights - just an outline of what’s coming.  But it is important to see the big picture of where God is going with the end of history. 

Our best understanding is that what’s in the scroll comes after the rapture.  Rapture comes from a Latin word that means to be “joyfully caught up.”  The rapture is Jesus coming back to call His church up off the earth.

After the rapture future history heads into a period of 7 years known as The Great Tribulation.  Why?  Because there’s great tribulation.  Worse tribulation than ever before in history.

During The Great Tribulation each of the seals on the scroll gets opened - the scroll is unrolled - revealing instructions.  Instructions that you can read in more detail starting in Revelation chapter 6.

Seal number one gives instructions for a time of cold war in which John writes about a rider on a white horse with a bow and no arrows going out and conquering.  Having a bow and no arrows probably means that all that conquering is done through diplomacy.  Think the anti-Christ setting up his kingdom - a one world - man centered - government - religion - economy.  Something we may be seeing the foundations for today.

Seal number two gives instructions for open warfare - a rider on a bright red horse is sent out to take peace from the earth.  Red meaning a whole lot of bleeding and dying is going on.

Each seal is opened and the scroll is unrolled - history - time - moves forward through The Great Tribulation - instructions are given in heaven that are carried out on earth.  Instructions that involve God’s judgment and wrath poured out on the earth and the people on the earth.

Cinch down on your seat belt.

The seventh seal - when its broken reveals instructions for seven trumpets.  Trumpets were used to announce significant events.  Meaning these are significant judgments - administered by special angels - coming directly from God.

Trumpet number one is a mixture of hail and fire with blood thrown down on the earth - with the result that one-third of the earth, trees, and grass are burned up.  Trumpet number two involves something like a great burning mountain being thrown into the sea - maybe a meteor - so that one-third of the sea becomes blood, a third of the sea life dies, and one-third of the ships are destroyed.

Future history - time - moves forward - seven trumpets each announcing 7 judgments of God.  Still together?

Trumpet number seven introduces seven bowls of judgment which take place during the second half of The Great Tribulation.  Comparing the bowls to the seals and trumpets things only get worse.  The angels who administer these judgments appear to be turning the bowls upside down so that every last drop of God’s wrath gets poured out.  These are intense.

By time God is done pouring out His wrath - the earth is pretty much toast.  Billions have died.  The man centered economic and political and social and religious systems of mankind that are operating against God are toast - forever.  Every thing that mankind - apart from God - everything that mankind has put their trust in - everything that mankind has been looking to for security - is gone in judgment.  To say that all this is devastating is hugely an understatement.

And then… Jesus comes back.  Jesus - teaching His disciples about The Great Tribulation - Matthew 24:22 - Jesus said, “If those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved.”  By God’s grace there’s an end point to God’s wrath being poured out.

At the end of The Great Tribulation there’s the battle at Armageddon - Jesus comes back with the Church - us - and His angels.  Then there’s what is described as the Millennium - 1,000 years of Christ’s rule on earth.  Followed by the Great White Throne of Judgment and eternity.

(Cartoon) “I only had enough room to go up to 2012.”  “Ha!  That’ll freak somebody out someday.”

Future history is not this. (picture:  Mayan Calendar)  Its this.  (Picture:  God's Throne Room)  Future history is what has yet to happen.  But - because God is sovereign - it will certainly happen. 

History will end how and when God says it will end.  Eternity isn’t about man’s philosophical and religious imaginings.  Eternity is determined according to the will of the sovereign God who created it.

That’s the big picture of what’s in the scroll.  God’s will for the consummation of all history.  How all things will end.  Judgment for the world and the final reward of God’s people.

Revelation 5:1 - brings us to this profound - pivotal - moment in our history.  There in the throne room of God - God - in all His holiness and splendor seated upon His throne - thunderous worship - the scroll in His right hand - the entire purpose and consummation of our history - judgment - eternity waits to unfold.

Verse 2:  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”  And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

Can you feel John’s pain?  Wouldn’t you weep?  Overwhelmed by the moment - the magnitude.  Who is worthy?  Who has the authority to execute God’s will?  No one.

Standing in the throne room of God - feel the significance - the weight - the seriousness of the moment.

Verses 5:  And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”  And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Who is worthy?  The Lamb.  Jesus.  The Lion of the tribe of Judah.  The Root of David.  These are Old Testament titles for the Messiah.

So many Christians have this picture of Jesus having some sweet unending smile on His face - going around patting children on the head - just kind of strolling around earth just waiting to solve our problems and be a friend next to us.

Jesus is The Lion of the Tribe of Judah which means that Jesus is not some anemic wimpy lamb laid out in death.  The Jews - when they used that title “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” - the Jews were looking for a messiah that was going to kick their enemies back to Rome and free Israel.  Jesus is the invincible conqueror.  Jesus is triumphant.  He has conquered over war and violence and evil and death itself.

Jesus is the Root of David.  Jesus is not only of the Tribe of Judah - with all that implies of Jacob’s blessing and the fulfilling God’s promise of Judah’s royal Davidic line and the Messiah coming to restore David’s dynasty.  But, Jesus is the root - the very source of that dynasty.

Then - verse 6 says, “I saw a Lamb standing, as though had been slain.” 

Here’s a question:  How does a slain lamb stand?  A slain lamb - meaning sacrificed on the altar - a slain lamb is sliced and diced and Bar-B-Cued.  Slain lambs generally don’t stand up unless we’re talking about resurrection.  The conquering of death.  Jesus stands - very much alive.

Then all those sevens - horns - eyes - spirits - are symbolic of Jesus the all knowing, all powerful God who moves in the fullness of the Spirit’s wisdom and understanding. 

As the Lamb Jesus is meek - the incarnation of God’s grace - led to the slaughter without opening His mouth.  As the Lamb Jesus is judged and gives Himself up as our sacrifice.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

As the Lion - as the Root - slain and resurrected - being God - Jesus alone is majesty - dignity - royalty - authority - strength - power - invincibility - victorious - conqueror - sovereign even over sin and death.

Jesus is worthy - able to open the scroll and its seven seals - why?  Because He - Jesus God’s sacrificial Lamb - has conquered.  The Lamb that was slain.  Who stands.  The Lamb is worthy.

Verse 7:  And He - the Lamb - went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne.

The verb “took” in Greek has the idea of completed action.  In other words Jesus - when He takes the scroll - Jesus takes over.  There’s a giving over of authority - ownership - the right to possess the scroll and its contents and to execute the will of God.  Jesus has the authority.  He is worthy.  Jesus is now in control of what is taking place.

Verse 8:  And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Let’s be careful.  The elders hold the harps.  They don’t play them.  Thank God that when we get to heaven we don’t become angels who sit on clouds playing harps for eternity hoping somebody rings a bell and we can get our wings.

Harps are symbols of praise.  Bowls of incense represent the prayers of God’s people.  A calling upon God to execute His will - His justice. 

When Jesus takes the scroll the elders fall down in worship.  The Lamb with the scroll is worshipped.  The focus on worship - of worthiness - is centered on the Lamb.

Verse 9:  And they sang a new song - meaning never before has this song been sung.  It couldn't have been sung.  We sing these words today.  But not until this moment in future history can it be sung like this.  Why?  Because now the Lamb has the scroll.

Look at the words of the song - going on in verse 9:  And they sang a new song, saying:  “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Jesus - born in Bethlehem - laid in a manger - is the only begotten Son of God and the virgin born Son of Man.  That means that Jesus - by a supernatural work of God - Jesus is both God and man - united in one person without the inheritance of sin.

Hang on.  Since Jesus is fully God He’s perfect.  No sin.  No blemish.  Just like God required a perfect lamb for the Old Testament sacrifices - Jesus is perfect to be offered as God’s sacrificial Lamb on the cross.  He meets the requirements.

Because Jesus if fully man - one of us - Jesus meets the requirements - He’s able to represent us - humans - as our sacrifice.  To take our place on the cross - taking on Himself the wrath of God which should have been leveled against us - to provide for us the means for our salvation from all that coming deserved coming judgment and wrath - to provide the whole basis for our restored relationship with God.

In order to - verse 10 - in order to ransom us back to God.   Ransom means to purchase.  To break - to cancel the debt - to purchase us in order to remove us from being subject to the penalty for our sin - God’s wrath.

So now - as the song says - now as ransomed people from every tribe and language and nation we can be citizens of God’s kingdom - priests - serving God.  Not living subject to the tyranny and oppression of our Adversary Satan.  But reigning under God’s authority on earth. 

The sacrifice of Jesus - is a bloody offering to appease - to sooth - the holy wrath of the sin hating - sin punishing - holy God.  The perfect sacrifice - worthy to be sacrificed - Jesus satisfies - appeases God’s legal requirement of punishment.  That’s why John can declare:  “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.”

Still together?  How does all that happen?  This whole God - man thing - without sin.  The whole God dying on the cross in my place ransom thing?  It happens - it satisfies God - because God says it does.

Bottom line:  Jesus’ death on the cross and victorious resurrection is the basis of His authority - His worthiness - to take the scroll - to break the seven seals - to redeem the world - to execute judgment - because He Jesus - God - by His own blood - has made it to be so.

Verse 11:  Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

Joining the angels and the elders around the throne are countless numbers of angels.  There’s a seven fold shout - the Lamb is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.  The focus is the infinite honor and power of the One who is at the center of it all - the Lamb - Jesus.

Verse 13:  And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”  And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

In Revelation chapters 4 and 5 - there are 5 songs of praise.  In chapter 4 - two of those songs focus on God on His throne.  In chapter 5 - the first two songs focus on the Lamb - Jesus.

Those songs grow in crescendo - intensity - volume - focusing our attention on the great profound significance of the fifth song here in verse 13.  The first is sung by four living creatures.  The fifth is a song of worship is sung by all creation.  From the farthest precincts of creation arises praise and worship - testimony to the worthiness of the Lamb.

The final song of worship - focuses on God and Jesus - so intertwined - that the reality is very clear.  Jesus is at the center - the focal point of worship.  Jesus is God.  All of creation is to bow before Him - Jesus.  Who alone is holy.  Who alone is the source and sustainer of every created thing.  Who alone is worthy of all glory and honor and power - the executor of God’s will now and forever.  Jesus alone is worthy. 

And the four living creatures and all God’s people said, “AMEN!”

That is a lot to take in.  Yes?  There are a tremendous number of realities here that we could focus on.  In processing all that and thinking about heading out of here into the world of today there are two of those realities that we want to focus on.

Reality Number One:  He Is Worthy. 

Which is what we have been looking at here in Revelation 5.  The worthiness of the Lamb.

Reality Number Two:  I Am Not.  Jesus is worthy.  I am not worthy.

At the Great White Throne of Judgment there’s a parting of the ways.  Everyone of us comes before that throne - God as our judge.  God passing judgment on our lives and determining our eternal destiny.  There are two trajectories.

One trajectory leads away from God - eternal separation from God.   Scripture describes that eternity as a lake of fire.  A lake not made of water - but fire - eternal fire - and brimstone - sulfuric gas - acrid steam - foul odor - a place of eternal burning and choking - unending weeping - sorrow - gnashing of teeth - torment without relief.  Not very pleasant.  But, very real.  What it means to be forever separated from God

The other trajectory leads to eternity with God.  Scripture describes that eternity as being in the presence of God.  We’ll be able to see God - right there on His throne - without fear.  God’s presence - God’s glory - will shine so there’s no night - no darkness - no sin.

All the crud of this world will have been wiped away.  The baggage of sin that pulls each of us down  that entangles us - that works against us - sin will be no more.  God Himself will wipe away our tears.  Wipe them away for good.  Death will be no more.  No more mourning - no crying - no pain - all the physical stuff that drags us down - all the those things will have died with this world.

Then - in Revelation 21 - John writes of that eternity with God - John writes, “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  (Revelation 21:27)  Only those who have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are the one’s who are worthy to enter into eternity with God.

Before the Great White Throne of Judgment two books are opened.  Book one contains the record of everything we’ve ever done.

I’ll spare you a lot of reading.  I have done unclean and detestable and false things.  Can anyone here say amen to that?  We all have.  We’re all unworthy to enter eternity with God Who cannot - will not - dwell with what is unholy - unworthy to be in His presence.

And nothing we do - nothing that could ever be written in the book of what we’ve done will ever make us worthy.

But Jesus is worthy.  Jesus - because we know that Jesus is worthy to be the executor of God’s will we know that He is also the one worthy to ransom us from God’s wrath.  He meets the requirements to be our sacrificial Lamb.

The second book is the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Jesus’ book that records the names of all those who are trusting in Him as their Savior - who are trusting in His ransom.  Who are trusting in His worthiness.  Who will be saved from God’s wrath - not because of our worthiness but because He who is the victorious slain and standing Lamb of God is Himself worthy. 

Saint Paul’s Lutheran - over on McKee - their sign this last week had this question from God.  Did you see it?  God asking, “Do you have any idea where you are going?”  Which trajectory are you on?

Before the Great White Throne of judgment will you stand in your worthiness or the Lambs?

One last reality.  In verse 3 - that powerful pivotal moment - no one is found who is worthy to break the seals.  No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth.  In verse 13 - the final thunderous forever and ever song of worship is sung by every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea - those who are unworthy worshiping He Who is worthy.

“Worthy” and “worship” both have the same root meaning.  What is of “worth” - value - deserving of honor - devotion.

If we are trusting in Jesus as our Savior is He not also worthy of our worship now and forever.  Forever begins today.  What would that be like for you - if - as you live your life - Jesus were to get all the glory - the honor - the blessing - the wealth?  If the very power and might and wisdom to live life was His?  

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