There's a brief interlude in the worship...
There's a problem... a glitch....
We are introduced to a book that is sealed with 7 seals.
The opening of these 7 seals play a prominent part in the up and coming Great Tribulation.
☆ Revelation 5:1...
"And I saw in the right hand (signifies power) of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals."
John spies a very special book in the right hand of God Who sits on the throne.
This book or more correctly a scroll (roll of paper or parchment), is written upon both sides (within and backside).
The scroll is sealed, closed with 7 seals.
A seal is a mark of privacy, or genuineness... a token or proof.
Being sealed with 7 seals, this scroll is obviously a document of great significance.
There have been many attempts made to identify this scroll.
Dr Harry Ironside suggests that this scroll is the title deed to this world.
What do I think? I believe it to be a scroll or book of judgement.
We will find out when the seals are opened.
☆ Revelation 5:2...
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?"
Next, John sees and hears a "strong angel" proclaiming loudly, "Who is worthy (who has the right) to open the scroll... who is worthy to undo the seals?"
This strong angel is a powerful and loud angel... most likely the archangel Gabriel.
☆ Revelation 5:3...
"And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon."
The response was pretty dismal.
No man in heaven, nor in the earth neither under the earth, was suitable to open the book... not even to look upon it.
None of Adam's lineage was able to open this scroll.
None of Adam's line qualified.
☆ Revelation 5:4...
"And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon."
The Apostle John's reaction was that he wept much.
He was extremely upset, distressed and disturbed that no man was worthy to open, read nor look upon this obviously significant book.
I mean, the book was in God's right hand.
I wonder if John had any inkling as to what this book was about... if he did, he might have wept even more.
☆ Revelation 5:5...
"And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
One of the 24 Elders steps up and saves the day. He tells John to not weep.
He says... behold (look)... and directs John's attention to someone who is referred to as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah... someone who is of the lineage of King David.
The Elder tells John, that He has prevailed (He has overcome, He is victorious, and He has conquered)... and has the right to open and to undo the seals of this book.
So... who is this Lion of the Tribe of Judah... who has overcome, who is victorious and who has conquered?
Have we met Him before?
Yes we have.
Back then... He was referred to as the Lamb of God.
☆ Revelation 5:6...
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
John looks a little more closely and there in the midst of the throne, in the midst of the four beasts and in the midst of the 24 Elders... is standing a Lamb, as it had been slain.
As it had been slain?
What was the tell tale sign of it having been sacrificed?
I believe this Lamb would have been bloodied... dripping with blood... a very curt reminder what Jesus had to go through to save mankind. He had been slain with violence.
The fact it was a standing lamb... speaks of the resurrection.
This Lamb is none other than Jesus Christ the Son of God... He came into the world as the Son of man...
He was crucified to save mankind from sin, sickness, the Devil and Hell.
The Apostle John knew Him then as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
But... the Lamb is now the Lion... because He "prevailed" as the Lamb... He conquered sin, sickness, the Devil and Hell.
The Lamb refers to The Lion refers to
▪ Christ's first coming.. ▪ Christ's second coming
▪ His meekness... ▪ His majesty
▪ He is Saviour... ▪ He is Sovereign
▪ He was judged... ▪ He is Judge
▪ speaks of God's grace... ▪ speaks of government
Jesus is the only One Who is worthy to take the scroll from the Father and open its seals.
Note the features of the Lamb... He had 7 horns and 7 eyes which are the 7 Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Seven horns speaks of complete power (dominion)... He is omnipotent.
The seven eyes speak of complete knowledge (illumination)... He is omniscient.
☆ Revelation 5:7...
"And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne."
The Lamb having the credentials and authority to do so... takes the scroll from His Father's right hand.
He moves to the throne during the Tribulation period.
He judges the world in righteousness before He reigns in righteousness. He no longer intercedes for the Church because the Church is with Him.
**************
And the worship continues to intensify...
☆ Revelation 5:8-10...
"And when the Lamb had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for You were slain, and has redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."
(3) WORSHIP BY THE 4 CREATURES and 24 ELDERS (they worship Jesus the Lamb).
Singing... "YOU (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll, and to open the seals thereof:
for YOU (Jesus) were slain, and have redeemed us to God
by YOUR (Jesus) blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And have made us unto our God kings and priests:
and we shall reign on the earth."
Note the Creatures and Elders -
▪ fell down before the Lamb (this shows humility and reverence)
▪ each had a harp (there is joyous singing and there us music). A harp played skilfully is an absolute delight to listen to. Did John see the creatures with harps as well?
▪ they had golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints
What are the creatures and elders singing about?
They sing the "new song" of Redemption.
God has redeemed all of mankind to Himself through the blood sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.
Jesus is the focus of the worship here...
▪ You Jesus are worthy... to open the seals of the scroll...
▪ You Jesus were slain... and have redeemed us to God...
▪ By your blood Jesus... you have redeemed the people of the earth...
▪ You Jesus have made us kings and priests... unto God...
▪ With you Jesus we shall reign... on the earth...
The worship in heaven steps up another notch...
☆ Revelation 5:11-12...
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
(4) WORSHIP BY THE 4 CREATURES... 24 ELDERS and... many, many ANGELS (they worship the Lamb).
Saying with a loud voice... "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive POWER, and RICHES, and WISDOM, and STRENGTH, and HONOUR, and GLORY, and BLESSING."
Note the Creatures, Elders, Angels -
▪ pronounce 7 blessings upon the Lamb that was slain - power (ability)... riches (abundance)... wisdom (supreme intelligence)... strength (might).. honour (reverence)... glory (splendour)... blessing (praise).
(7 = God's perfection)
▪ the number of angels was 10 000 x's 10 000 and 1 000's of 1 000's. MYRIADS! We are talking super big numbers here. This is one humongous hallelujah chorus.
Jesus... the Son of God... the Lamb of God Who lay down His life for the redemption, salvation of all mankind is the focus of worship here.
The worship pulls out all stops...
☆ Revelation 5:13-14...
"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that lives for ever and ever."
(5) WORSHIP BY ALL CREATION (they worship God the Father and Jesus the Lamb).
Saying... "BLESSING, and HONOUR, and GLORY, and POWER, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
Note All creation -
▪ 4 blessings are pronounced... blessing (praise)... honour (reverence)... glory (majesty) and power (dominion)
(4 in the Bible represents completeness).
▪ the 4 Creatures say, "Amen!"... it shall be so!
▪ the 24 Elders fall down and worship Him that lives for ever and ever... eternal worship.
Here, we have just witnessed John's account of the worship of God the Father, and God the Son in heaven... and... it is literally going to be OUT OF THIS WORLD!
It is really encouraging and uplifting to read about this awesome worship in chapters 4 and 5 because from chapters 6 to 19 we enter into the darkest period this world has ever seen... seven years of Tribulation. It will literally be Hell on earth.
Jesus describes it this way...
☆ Matthew 24:21...
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."
We go to chapter 6 next.