Sermon for 12/10/2006
Revelation 5:1-7
Introduction:
Chronicles of Narnia Clip: 2:07:47 to 2:08:55 (#23 Scene)
WBTU:
A. Around this time of the year people are using the term advent. Season of Advent. Advent literally means “a coming.”
B. In the Middle Ages, the church would celebrate the comings of Christ in December. They would celebrate both the first coming and also his second coming. The first coming meaning his birth in Bethlehem and his second coming when he returns from heaven in triumph with all of his holy ones.
C. In the verses read this morning, we have a term that describes his first coming, a Lamb. Also we have a term that describes his second coming, the Lion.
Thesis: This morning let’s study these two terms, descriptions, titles of Jesus Christ in reference to Advent.
For instances:
I. A Lamb (Vs. 6)
A. Introduction.
1. In Revelation chapter 4, 5 we have described for us the throne room in heaven. WE have a description of the throne of God, no description of God (Revelation 4:2).
2. Immediately we have around the throne 4 living creatures, Isaiah calls them cherubim. (Revelation 4:6)
3. Beyond this we have 24 elders who sit on 24 thrones, the saints
4. Beyond this we have innumerable angels (Revelation 5:11)
5. Beyond this we have all living creatures. (Revelation 5:13)
6. This is the universe from heaven or God’s perspective. God on his throne, four living creatures or cherubim, 24 elders, angels, and all living creatures.
B. Now in the midst of this grand throne room, we come to our Scriptures this morning. Where is Jesus in all of this? We know he is there. Get to that in a minute.
C. Vs. 1- God the Father has a scroll in his hand.
1. What is this scroll? Many theories but the most logical to me is that this is God’s will for the earth. This is what God wants to do in the world. He is in control of history. He has providence over this world, gives people free will but at the same time he is Sovereign. This is a record of his plans and his purposes.
2. Written inside and on the back. IT is full, only written on back when full.
3. Sealed with seven seals. Don’t want to get into this a great deal, like a lot of the things in Revelation, this is rich in imagery. Close it with a string and then seal it together with a wax seal. Interestingly enough, in the case of a will, in the Roman society, the scroll for a will was sealed not just with one seal but with seven. 7 witnesses would place their signet rings into the wax to seal it.
D. Vs. 2
1. Amplified Version- [who is entitled and deserves and is morally fit] to break?
2. Who can execute this scroll?
E. Vs. 3-4
1. (Psa 24:3 NIV) Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?(Psa 24:4 NIV) He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.
3. John is upset because there is no one who is able. (Rom 3:10 NIV) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
F. Vs. 5
1. One of the elders. Only a redeemed person would know the joy of Jesus.
2. Get back to this later on.
G. Vs. 6
1. John is expecting to see a Lion, the one in vs. 5. It is not a lion but a lamb.
2. little lamb. The preschool class and nursery in some churches are called this.
3. Lambs were often used as sacrifices in the Old Testament era. On the day of Passover lambs were sacrificed and their blood put on the door frames. Many sacrifices required a lamb but each Israelite family sacrificed one lamb a year for the Passover.
4. (1 Cor 5:7 NIV) For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
5. As though it had been slain. Three things here:
a. This lamb was standing and alive even though it had been sacrificed, reference to resurrection. (Luke 24:5 NIV) In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?(Luke 24:6 NIV) He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:(Luke 24:7 NIV) ’The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’"
b. The marks of his sacrifice are still there. (John 20:27 NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
c. The wording As it had been slain: The idea is that the sacrifice of Jesus is still fresh and current before God the Father. There is nothing “stale” or “outworn” in the work of Jesus on the cross. Thousands of years later, it is still “fresh” as the day He died on the cross. “As if now in the act of being offered. This is very remarkable; so important is the sacrificial offering of Christ in the sight of God that he is still represented as being in the very act of pouring out his blood for the offences of man.
d. Other things in this verse but we will stop there.
H. But still why a lamb? Sheep are dirty, dumb and defenseless.
1. A lamb demonstrates Christ’s emptying himself.
a. (Phil 2:6 NIV) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,(Phil 2:7 NIV) but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
b. (John 1:14) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
2. A lamb demonstrates Christ’s ability to endure pain and suffering.
b. (Isa 53:7 NIV) He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
c. (John 1:29 NIV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
3. A lamb demonstrates Christ’s meekness.
a. To be meek is to show patience and humility. One person defined it as strength under control. Meek and timid soul
b. To be born into this earth was meekness. Silent Night, Holy Night.Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild.
c. Once in Royal David’s City- Jesus is our childhood’s pattern; Day by day like us He grew. He was little, weak, and helpless; tears and smiles like us He knew. And he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.
c. (Mat 12:19 NIV) He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.(Mat 12:20 NIV) A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
d. Not by force in our day but by his example. (1 Pet 2:21) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.(1 Pet 2:22) "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."(1 Pet 2:23) When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
4. A lamb demonstrates Christ’s gentleness.
a. (Mat 11:29 NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
b. (1 Th 2:7 NIV) but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
I. At Christmas time we remember how that little lamb come into the world.
J. Mary Had a Little Lamb by Mary and Marbeth Rosenthal
Mary had the little Lamb, who lived before His birth;
Self-existent Son of God, from Heaven He came to Earth. (Micah 5:2)
Mary had the little Lamb; see Him in yonder stall —
Virgin-born Son of God, to save man from the Fall. (Isaiah 7:14)
Mary had the little Lamb, obedient Son of God;
Everywhere the Father led, His feet were sure to trod. (John 6:38)
Mary had the little Lamb, crucified on the tree
The rejected Son of God, He died to set men free. (1 Peter 1:18)
Mary had the little Lamb — men placed Him in the grave,
Thinking they were done with Him; to death He was no slave!(Mat. 28:6)
Mary had the little Lamb, ascended now is He;
All work on Earth is ended, our Advocate to be. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Mary had the little Lamb — mystery to behold!
From the Lamb of Calvary, a Lion will unfold. (Revelation 5: 5,6)
When the Day Star comes again, of this be very sure:
It won’t be Lamb-like silence, but with the Lion’s roar. (Ps. 2:12; Rev. 19:11-16)
II. Lion
A. (Gen 49:9 NIV) You are a lion’s cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse him?(Gen 49:10 NIV) The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.
B. Why a lion? Lion is better than a lamb. no sports team would want to be called little lambs.
1. The lion demonstrates Christ’s glory.
a. (John 17:24 NIV) "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
b. A lion best demonstrates Christ’s beauty and glory.
2. The lion demonstrates Christ’s majesty.
a. Majesty is the greatness of a King.
b. The lion is King of the jungle. No one messes with him.
c. (Mat 2:1 NIV) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem(Mat 2:2 NIV) and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3. The lion demonstrates Christ’s all seeing. (Lion sleeps with open eyes)
a. Christ is all all seeing. Vs. 6 talks about his seven eyes.
b. (Heb 4:13 NIV) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
4. The lion demonstrates Christ’s strength and power.
a. WE see glimpses of Christ’s strength and power when he was on earth. Walked on water, healed, controlled winds and waves, raised the dead, his own resurrection.
b. In vs. 6 we see seven horns. Horn is a symbol of strength.
c. (Mat 24:30 NIV) "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
Conclusion and invitation:
A. Vs. 7- Christs’s rank, character and ability to take the scroll and open it (and thus dictate history) has been permanently demonstrated by His work on the cross.
B. The first time Christ was here he came as a Lamb. The next time he comes he will come as a Lion. When he ascended he has gone from the Lamb to the Lion. Awaiting the Day when he will come again, His second advent.
C. Chronicles of Narnia Clip: 1:52:34 to 1:54:55 (#20 Scene)
D. (Psa 2:12 NIV) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
E. This verse describes the roar of Christ. Do you hear his roar?
