Revelation 5:1-14
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Devotion
John’s attention now shifts to “the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” John describes a scroll with writing on both sides. This scroll was sealed with seven seals. An angel is heard crying out, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” John began to weep because there was no one found worthy to open the scroll. Then John saw “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne.” It is clear that this Lamb was a physical manifestation of the Lamb of God, Jesus, who is seen before the throne and ready to act as righteous Judge.
The seven horns denote complete power. The seven eyes denote complete knowledge. Clearly, Jesus is seen as the omnipotent and omniscient God of the universe. Jesus then takes the scroll from the hand of God the Father. When he does, all those present break out into an anthem of praise and declare, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God…” Jesus the Lamb of God is now being praised as the Redeemer of mankind. The worship that was being ascribed to God the Father in chapter four is now being redirected to the Son in chapter five.
Chapter four ended with the worship of the Creator and chapter five begins and ends with the worship of the Redeemer. In his commentary on the book of Revelation, Leon Morris writes, “These two chapters are very important for an understanding of the message of the book. There are mysteries in life. We feel ourselves caught up in the world’s evil and misery and we cannot break free. We all, at times, feel a sense of hopelessness and helplessness in the grip of forces stronger than us. The world’s agony is real. And the world’s inability to break free from the consequences of its guilt is real. This chapter with its seals that no-one can break stresses human inability. But it does not stop there. More important is the fact that through the Lamb the victory is won. The seals are opened, and God’s purpose is worked out.”
This revelation of Christ should encourage John’s readers as the visions to come will be quite alarming and disturbing as the events of the Great Tribulation are revealed. This vision of the Lamb inspires the heart with joy and expresses itself in ceaseless praise to the One who purchased us with His blood.
Questions to Ponder
How does this vision of the Lamb of God encourage you today? Are you able to offer up ceaseless praise to the One who redeemed you? How does this vision impact the way you see Jesus? How does your love for Jesus show?
Prayer Points
- Praise the Lord that He purchased men with His blood.
- Thank Him for your salvation and specifically for our brothers and sisters at Oak Pointe Church.
- Praise Him for being the Lamb of God, Creator, Redeemer of mankind.
- Thank the Lord that victory is won in Christ!
- Confess any worry or concern.
Suggested Prayer
God Almighty, You are powerful, glorious and magnificent. I ask Lord that we will be in awe struck wonder of You, revere You in all Your splender and glory. I ask that Your church will be compelled by Your fierce love to share our hope that is found only in you.
Help us by Your Spirit I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.