The Lion, the Lamb, and the Scroll
Revelation 5
The fundamental problem in the church today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the church. His truth is too distant, his grace is too ordinary, his judgment is too benign, his gospel is too easy, and his Christ is too common.
~David F. Wells
Main Idea: Come, let us adore him.
I. The Sealed Scroll (v. 1)
Revelation 5:1: 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.
In the right hand of God is the the scroll of all of his promises, all of his purposes for redemption and judgment for the entire universe. But they are sealed up, and the only way they are going to be brought to pass is if the seals are broken and the scroll is opened.
II. Is Anyone Worthy (v. 2)
Revelation 5:2: And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
III. No One is Worthy (v. 3)
Revelation 5:3: And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.
IV. Weeping as if All is Lost (v.4)
Revelation 5:4: …and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
V. Weep No More, Behold (v.5)
Revelation 5:5: 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.”
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9–10)
The Root of David (Isaiah 11:1–10)
VI. Jesus Alone is Worthy (v. 6-7)
Revelation 5:6-7: 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. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
1 Peter 3:22: [Jesus] has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Hebrews 10:12-13: But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
Notice what happens around him. “… encircled by the four living creatures and elders.” They’re offering their homage to him. From now on in the book, again and again and again, there is rarely a mention of God without mentioning the Lamb.
John’s vision of the lamb continues.:
seven Horns - Jesus has full power and authority (Matthew 28:18)
seven Eyes - Jesus has all the attributes of divine omniscience (Ps. 33:13,18)
VII. Let Heaven and Nature Sing (v.8-14)
Revelation 5:8: 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.
The Ransomed Priesthood (v.9-10)
Revelation 5:9-10: “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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
bloody Atonement (v. 9)
broad Atonement (v.9)
The Ransomed Priesthood (v.9-10)
Revelation 5:11-12: 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, 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!”
The Cosmic Choir (v.13-14)
Revelation 5:14: 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!”
