Revelation Study Series 10 - God’s Mysterious Plan Fulfilled
12.19.21
Message…
Revelation 5:1-4
1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
John stood before the throne of heaven, a witness. He saw a scroll in the right hand of the One on the throne.
This scroll had seven seals. ?Some scrolls have been found to be up to 300’ long.
You could unroll this scroll partially, revealing what was written. Then, there would be another seal, further revealing what was written, then another seal...and so on...seven seals in all.
In those days, any important documents/scrolls...whether they contained business transactions or the like...were sealed in this manner. ?The Romans required seven seals and seven witness signatures on their estate wills.
–(John MacArthur Study Bible Notes)
Revelation 5:2
2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”
“strong angel” is an interesting reference to an angel. I don’t picture any angels as being weak. I don’t think this angel is one that’s been working out at the gym.
It is unclear who this angel is...Commentator John McArthur states that it could be the angel, “Gabriel”...his name means “strength of God”. (Daniel 12 speaks of the archangel Michael and a book which could be a reference to this scroll.)
You can imagine the scene as this “strong angel” loudly cried out, “Who will open the scroll? Who can break the seals? Who will declare what is written?”
After the loud booming question...silence…
In the silence John waited for someone to take the scroll from the right hand of the One on the throne.
The twenty-four elders waited.
The four living creatures with six wings waited.
The One on the throne waited.
Will anyone step forward? Is anyone worthy?
What about Abraham, the father of faith, the “friend of God”?
What about Moses? He led God’s people out of Egypt! He led them across the parted Red Sea!
What about the great prophet Elijah? Elijah called fire down from heaven!
What about King David? A king after God’s own heart!
What about Peter? Peter walked on water!
What about Paul? There was no one as committed and passionate for Christ as was Paul!
Silence...No movement.
This moment must have seemed like an eternity to John...
No one stepped forward. Not one of the angelic hosts. Not even the “strong angel”!
Revelation 5:4
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
No one had the right, the authority, no one was deserving or worthy...to take that scroll.
No man or woman, no angel, no created being…
John wept because no one was worthy to open this seven- sealed scroll. No one was worthy to step forward and to read what was written.
Author, Tim Lahaye writes, “...For all intents and purposes the seven-sealed scroll is the title deed to the earth. This title deed was given by God to Adam, who lost it through sin to satan; for that reason satan is in control of the world from the time of Adam until the glorious appearing of Christ. John wept because he knew that this scroll represented the title deed to the earth and that as long as it was left sealed, satan would remain in control of the earth.”
Remember when satan tried to tempt Jesus? satan was tempting Him with a shortcut to that title deed!
Luke 14:5-8
5 Then the devil took Him up and revealed to Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 “I will give You the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please.
7 I will give it all to You if You will worship me.”
8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only Him.’”
John saw the title deed to the earth...and there was no one worthy, no one deserving to take claim to that deed.
No one worthy to open its seals, to declare what was written. John wept!
Will the enemy forever occupy the earth?!! Will satan forever have control?!!!
Imagine this world never getting better! Imagine this world never being redeemed from the consequences/grip/curse of sin!
Romans 8:19-22
19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are.
20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope,
21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
(Global Warming is a mislabel…this world is cursed from sin!)
Revelation 5:5
5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
How was this One worthy?
“the Lion of the tribe of Judah”...
Hebrews 7:14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.
“the heir to David’s throne”...
Jesus’ earthly bloodline came through Mary
Jesus’ legal right of the earthly throne, the inheritance (first born son) came through Joseph
“has won the victory”-
1 Cor. 15:56-57
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ
“He is worthy”...
Revelation 5:6
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty- four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
John looked for a Lion...but, John saw a Lamb...a slaughtered Lamb!
Another John, John the Baptist declared…
John 1:29
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
The Bible tells us that John baptized Jesus to fulfill scripture. John saw the Holy Spirit descend on Him like a dove.
John 1:32-34
32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon Him.
33 I didn’t know He was the One, but when God sent me to baptize with water, He told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that He is the Chosen One of God.”
Who is worthy to open the scroll, to undo the seals?
Jesus the Lord is worthy! The Lamb of God!
The rightful Heir of what He purchased by His shed blood!!! He alone is worthy!!!
The seven horns mentioned symbolize His complete power and authority.
The seven eyes symbolize the characteristics of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 5:7-8
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.
8 And when He took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
As worship and praise were offered up to our Lord, as He took the scroll...these gold bowls picture prayers of the saints. ?(We will talk more about this in upcoming chapters.)
Revelation 5:9-10
9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For You were slaughtered, and Your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
”new song” - this is a future song to be sung…a specific, future event… “new”...it has not happened yet!
We are living in the end times, but not yet in the Tribulation time!
10 And You have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
The Lord is worthy to rule and to reign.
He is worthy because He came to die…He came to redeem those who believe in Him from their sin!
Vs. 10 “You have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.” Who’s “them”?
We are “them”!
We who are redeemed by Him will rule and reign with Him over the earth!
Revelation 5:11-12
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
Seven reasons are given in this verse, this “mighty chorus” of why He is worthy!
Seven reasons why we are to worship the Lord…
“Power”-He is in control!
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. NKJV
“Riches”-He is the Giver of all riches!
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
“Wisdom”-His way is truth!
1 Corinthians 1:20-24
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. NKJV
“Strength”-He is victorious!
Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise Him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt Him!
“Honor”-He only, is rightfully worthy!
Philippians 2:8-11
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NKJV
“Glory”-He is Holy, and therefore should be worshipped!
Hebrews 1:3
who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
“Blessing”-He is loving and merciful. He provides, preserves, and protects!
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
All of those things are listed under the fact that He was slaughtered...slain for you and me!
Revelation 5:13
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
1 Chronicles 29:11
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things.
Do you believe all that?
Do your actions and your faith match with the truth of what that verse says?
Do you worship Him as the Lamb that was slain?
Do you live out your faith in this world as this is His Kingdom?!
Do you worship Him as the One who is over all things?
There was silence in Heaven as Jesus stepped forward to take the scroll.
Maybe there should be silence in your life as you surrender control of your life to Him!
