Last 5 Days
HE IS WORTHY
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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 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.”
6 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. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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. 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, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
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, 12 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!”
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!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
In John’s vision, he saw the Lord seated on the throne being worshipped. The Lord was described as the Lamb of God. He was the only One worthy to open the scroll in God’s right hand where the Lord also sat. The scroll was the title deed to what He had redeemed with His blood. Thus, He is the rightful owner and worthy to break the seals to open the scroll.
John was weeping before he knew the Lamb was worthy to open the scroll. The Greek word “weep” is the same word used when Jesus wept over Jerusalem in Luke 22:62. It was a strong unrestrained emotional crying. You may wonder why there were tears in heaven since it was supposed not to have tears. First, John was crying before he knew the Lamb was worthy to open the scroll. Second, John was in a vision and not in heaven. An elder told him to stop crying because it was “The Lion of the tribe of Judah (His national descent); and “The Root of David,” (His kingly descent) as the Messianic king of Israel who was worthy to be worshipped and who would open the scroll.
First, the Lamb stood between the throne and the four living creatures; and was introduced by the elder as the Lamb of God who rose from the dead because of His looks, slain but alive. Second, the Lamb had seven horns that represented His strength and power to rule and judge the world. Third, His seven eyes were the seven spirits. “Seven” represents fullness and perfection enabling Him to see all things clearly and so able to judge the world justly.
There were two hymns of praise in the book of Revelation embedded in two chapters. The first is in chapter 4, The Hymn of Creation. The other is in chapter 5, The Hymn of Redemption. They praised the Lamb for His worthiness as the Redeemer and Judge. “The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before Him, the Lamb” as an act of worship. In chapter 4:10, they fell before God to worship Him. Now they fell before Christ to worship Him.
Someone said it was like the coronation of a king as Christ is crowned as the Ruler of Creation. Each elder has a harp. Harps were associated with prophecies. He had fulfilled all the prophecies to become the Savior, King, and Judge. Thus, worthy to be worshipped. They had the “golden bowls full of incense.” Bowls in the earthly temple were to hold incense and symbolized the priestly intercession for the people. The bowls held the prayers of the saints from all ages and the prophecies that were made. The prayers for justice and judgment against the wicked were not made in vain. Redemption and restoration have begun. The Lamb has reversed the curse of sin.
As the elders brought before God the petitions and prayers of the saints. The saints and angels “sang a new song.” Job is the only other place in the Bible that mentioned angels singing. The hymn of redemption is also found in Psalms 33:3; 4:3; 96:1; 98:1 affirming Christ’s worthiness to take the scroll as the Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. He is praised for His redemption of the world, “because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
The four terms, “every tribe and language and people and nation” encompass all of humanity. The result: “You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” John said four times in this chapter, “I looked, and I heard.” The worshippers proclaimed, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” This should also be our praises to Him who is seated on His throne! Worship and praise Him alone.
The four living creatures shouted, “Amen.” It means “let it be” or “make it happen.” Then God’s wrath is poured on the wicked and before God’s people are gathered to establish His kingdom. From chapter 6, the vision will shift from worship in heaven to judgment on earth! He will punish the wicked for persecuting God’s people. The saints will be vindicated and ushered into eternity as Christ emerged victorious over the enemies and establish the kingdom of God.
We worship the Lord for what He did and what He will do for us. He is worthy as our Savior, King, and Judge! For He saved us from our sins, He rules over His creation, and He judges our enemies. There is none like Him. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth, and Life. No man comes to the Father but through Him. Praise be to the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah who is worthy of our praise. As we come each week to worship Him, remember He is worthy of our worship.