This morning, as we begin our journey into Revelation 5, I want you to understand that the events we will read about are still taking place in the throne room in heaven. So this is a continuation from Revelation 4. The beauty that was in Revelation 4 will still be seen in Revelation 5. And here is what you are going to see in this text (summary): Jesus Christ, who is the only one in all of creation worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals, who is the sacrificial slain Lamb of God, who has ransomed people from every tribe and every language and every nation by his shed blood, is worthy of all our never-ending exaltation. That is what I hope to help you see in this text, because that is what this text is all about. Why is that important?
The reason this is important is because unlike the four living creatures, 24 elders, and the angel’s in heaven, we fail to give Jesus the praise he so rightly deserves. Why? Why do we fail to give him the praise he deserves? My answer is this: we fail to give Jesus the praise he is worthy of, because we fail to understand the depth of our sin and what was really accomplished at the cross.
If we truly understood how great Jesus really is, we would treasure him more deeply and worship him more sincerely. If we truly understood the depth of our own sinfulness and our unworthiness to be saved, and then really thought about what God accomplished for us by offering his one and only begotten Son on the cross while were still sinners, I think we would be more apt to humble ourselves to Christ and exalt his name forever. I believe Jesus would be more of a priority in our lives, and our lives would be living sacrifices of praise.
Therefore, my hope is that you will see the worthiness of Jesus. His worthiness to be praised continuously. So that, when you worship King Jesus, the song you sing will be more than just a song, and your lips will do more than just lip service. It will be true, white-hot, blood-earnest exaltation.
We begin with John, still in the throne room, seeing a scroll in the right hand of Almighty God.
Verse 1 reads, “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.” Imagine yourself to be John. You have been exiled on an island called Patmos for preaching the gospel, you just dictated Jesus’ seven letters to seven churches, you are in the Spirit, and you look, and you behold an open door in heaven. Then, Jesus summons you to it. You look in the door. You see the triune throne of God and you see God the Father sitting on the throne. You see twenty-four elders sitting on their twenty-four thrones surrounding the throne of Almighty God. You also see flashes of lightning and hear the roar of thunder. You see the one Holy Spirit standing before the throne. You see a floor of glass as vast as the ocean protruding from the throne of God. You see four living creatures leading worship, singing day and night, without ceasing saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”, and when the four living creatures sing their song, you witness the twenty-four elders getting off their thrones, casting their crowns before Almighty God, and as they bow before him they are saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Now you see a scroll, sealed with seven seals, and it is in the right hand of God Almighty who is sitting on his glorious throne.
Can you imagine the awesomeness of this? As John is beholding all of this, I imagine John is full of astonishment and wonder and reverent fear. But now, at the observation of this scroll, I am certain John is also filled with curiosity.
What is this scroll? In John’s day, scrolls were no rare thing, they were what books were recorded on. Scrolls were often pieces of papyrus and would be up to 30ft long, rolled up and sealed with clay or wax; in this case, the scroll is sealed with seven seals. The fact that this scroll is double-sided tells us that it resembles a Roman will or contract or deed. The contents would be written in detail on the inside and summarized briefly on the outside.
Why is it sealed with seven seals? It is suggested that the seven seals imply the importance of this document. The more the seals, the greater its significance.
What’s in the scroll? As you will see in Revelation 6, as the seven seals are broken, the scroll contains the full account of what God has in store for the world after the rapture of the church as a result of mankind’s sinfulness. But in order to know that, the seals must be broken to reveal what’s inside.
The next scene John witnesses is an angel asking who is worthy to open the scroll.
Verse 2 states, “And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” As John is beholding Almighty God sitting on his glorious throne with a scroll rolled up in his right hand, and all that is present around his throne, here comes this angel asking loudly, if there is anyone in heaven worthy enough to break the seven seals and open the scroll. Which implies, the seven seals cannot be opened by just anyone. Whoever is to open this scroll and break the seals must be worthy. It must be someone with nobility. Which bears the question: who is worthy enough to break the seven seals and open the scroll?
What we discover is that no one is found in all of creation worthy enough to do so.
Verse 3 says, “And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.” So, the twenty-four elders sitting on their twenty-four thrones were not worthy enough to open the scroll and its seven seals. The four living creatures who surround the throne of God leading unceasing worship day and night are not worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals. The Holy Spirit who is before the throne of God is not worthy enough to open the scroll and its seven seals. No angel in heaven is worthy enough to open the scroll and its seven seals. No person on planet earth is worthy enough to open the scroll and the seven seals. And apparently no one in hell is worthy enough to open the scroll and its seven seals. And not only is there no one worthy enough to open the scroll and its seven seals, there is no one in heaven, on earth, in the universe, or in hell, worthy enough to even look at the contents in the scroll.
At this news, John was greatly and deeply saddened.
Verse 4 says, “and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.” So, here is John, he is in the throne room in heaven. He is beholding all the awesomeness and splendor and majesty in the throne of heaven. He is beholding the throne of Almighty God. He is seeing Almighty God sitting on the throne. He is seeing 24 four elders sitting on their 24 thrones. He is seeing the Holy Spirit. He is seeing these four living creatures leading worship day and night. He is seeing a floor of glass as vast as the ocean protruding from the throne of God. Seeing flashes of lightning and hearing the roar of thunder around God’s throne.
And as John is beholding all of this beauty, he is moved by great sadness, loudly and deeply and bitterly weeping because there is no one found worthy enough to break open these seven seals, open the scroll, and look into it to see what it has to say. What does that mean? It means the contents of this scroll being held in the right of Almighty God had to seem so significant to John to have such a response. To John, who had seen many scrolls in his day, this was no normal or ordinary scroll. And he was moved to deep sadness at the thought of not knowing what was inside it.
But there had to be someone, right? Like I told you, we know the contents of the scroll, because they are revealed to us in Revelation 6. So there had to be someone who was worthy enough and noble enough to open the scroll, break the seven seals, and reveal what’s inside.
As John was loudly weeping, we discover there is actually one who exists that is worthy enough to open the scroll, break its seven seals, and look at the contents within.
Verse 5 says, “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.”
So imagine, if you will, you are weeping and crying and lamenting, because Almighty God is holding in his right hand a scroll that is sealed with seven seals, and there is no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth worthy enough to open it. But then, one of the 24 elders comes off his throne, and as you are bitterly weeping, puts his hand on your back, tells you to weep no more, and informs you that there is only one in all of creation, in all of the universe, and in all of heaven that is worthy enough to do so. And the elder directs you to look upon this person who is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and “the Root of David.”
Who is this person? Who is the one worthy enough to approach the throne of the triune God? Who is worthy enough to take the scroll from the right hand of Almighty God as he is sitting on his mighty throne? Who is the one who is worthy enough to open the scroll, break open its seven seals, and look upon the contents that are within the scroll? Who is this “Lion of the tribe of Judah”? Who is this “Root of David”?
There is no one else but Jesus Christ. How do I know this is Jesus? Because no one else fits this description.
How do we know that Jesus is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah”? Judah is one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Old Testament, in Genesis 49:10, tells us that the Messiah would descend from the tribe of Judah. According to the genealogy found in Matt. 1:1-16, Jesus did that. Thus fulfilling OT prophecy concerning the Messiah. And when the elder refers to Jesus as “the Lion”, it symbolizes Jesus’ authority and power; that he is the head of the tribe of Judah.
How do we know that Jesus is “the Root of David”? David was the second king of Israel, who also belonged to the tribe of Judah. The word “root” implies descendent. The Old Testament tells us, in Isaiah 11:1 & 10, that the Messiah would not only descend from the tribe of Judah, but specifically tells us the Messiah would descend from the son of Jesse, and the son of Jesse is this David, referred to here in Revelation 5. Again, according to the genealogy in Matt. 1:1-16, Jesus descended from David. And so Jesus descended from David who belonged to the tribe of Judah, who was the second king of Israel, which makes Jesus “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and “the Root of David”; again, fulfilling OT prophecy concerning the Messiah, which means Jesus is in fact the the Messiah.
What does it mean that Jesus is the one who “has conquered”? What did he conquer? Jesus conquered sin, death, hell, and even Satan himself. How did he conquer sin, death, hell, and Satan? Through his death and resurrection. Which, by the way, is why Jesus is the only one worthy enough to approach the throne of God, take from the right hand of God the scroll, open it, break the seven seals, and look to see what’s in it – because he alone has conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan.
Now at this point, John has not looked up to see whom this elder is speaking of. When John turns to look upon the one who is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and “the Root of David”, who is Jesus, Jesus appears to John as a Lamb, looking like it had been slain.
Verse 6 states, “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 (symbol of Jesus’ strength and power) and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth (the one Holy Spirit).
Imagine again that you’re John. You are weeping and crying and lamenting, because Almighty God is holding in his right hand a scroll that is sealed with seven seals, and there is no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth worthy enough to open it. But then, one of the 24 elders comes off his throne, and as you are bitterly weeping, puts his hand on your back, tells you to weep no more, and informs you that there is only one in all of creation, in all of the universe, and in all of heaven that is worthy enough to do so. This elder directs you to behold one who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. So, you look up to see this person, and as you look upon him, you see he is standing before the throne of Almighty God with the four living creatures, the 24 elders, and with the Holy Spirit, and he appears to you as a Lamb who has been slain.
What does it mean that Jesus appeared to John like a Lamb who had been slain? In the Old Testament, in order for people to be forgiven of sins, they would have to go to the temple and sacrifice a bull or a goat or a lamb, because without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. However, the shed blood of animals could not forgive the sins of humanity. The shed blood of bulls and goats and lambs could never fully atone for our wrongdoing.
Therefore, God put forth his own sacrifice to atone for our sins. That sacrifice was his only begotten Son – Jesus Christ. Therefore, Jesus is likened to a Lamb that has been slain, because he was God’s perfect sacrifice, slain on the altar of a cross for the sins of all mankind.
This is why you may have heard the phrase – Jesus is the Lamb of God. That is what Jesus is – the sacrificial Lamb. Jesus is God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world. It’s why John the Baptist cried out as he saw Jesus walking along the banks of the Jordan river where John was baptizing, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)”
And this is how much God loves us! God loves us so much, he was willing to offer up his one and only perfect, sinless Son to save us sinners. God’s gift to humanity was his only begotten Son! By the shed blood of Jesus Christ our sins have been atoned for! This is why there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, because only the shed blood of Jesus, who was offered up as a blood sacrifice by God, can forgive and atone for our transgressions and iniquities.
After John looks upon Jesus who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, and the Lamb who has been slain, he sees Jesus approaching the throne of Almighty God to take the scroll.
Verse 7 states, “And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” Just imagine the wonder of what John is beholding! Imagine the awesomeness of this scene before us. Put yourself in the place of John. You have been bitterly weeping at the thought that no one was able to open the scroll, break the seven seals, and see what is inside. But then one of the elders calms you down and directs your attention to the only one in all of creation who is worthy to do so, and he appears to you as a Lamb that has been slain.
As you look upon his slain body, you see him and he is walking. He is approaching the throne of Almighty God as Almighty God is sitting on his glorious throne. There are the 24 elders sitting on their 24 thrones around God’s throne. There are these four living creatures. There are flashes of lightning and the roar of thunder. There is this floor of glass as great as the ocean coming from the throne of Almighty God. Then, there is the Holy Spirit. And Jesus, who appears to you as a slain Lamb, approaches the throne of the Almighty, and takes from the Almighty’s right hand who is seated on his glorious throne, the scroll that is sealed with seven seals. And that’s not all John is witnessing!
When Jesus took the scroll from the right hand of Almighty God, worship erupts in the throne room in heaven.
First, in verse 8-10 we see the four living creatures and the 24 elders bowing down and worshiping, “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. And they sang a new song, saying, ‘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 nation 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.
Then, in verses 11 – 12, we see an angel choir numbering millions upon millions and thousands upon thousands worshiping. “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!”
Then, in verse 13, we see all of creation worshiping. “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!
And lastly, in verse 14, as if to bring the worship to a close, we see the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders praising and worshiping the Lamb. “And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”
Can you imagine the awe John must have been in as he witnessed this? To see Jesus, the Lamb of God, approaching the throne of God and taking the scroll. Seeing and hearing the four living creatures, the 24 elders, the choir numbering from thousands to millions of angels, and all of creation singing and worshiping Jesus Christ! Just imagine how spectacular this had to have been.
If there is anything this passage teaches us, it’s this: There is no one else in heaven, on earth, or under the earth that is worthy of all our glory and honor and praise except for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. He is worthy of our praise, because he was slain on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He is worthy of our praise, because by the shedding of his blood, we have been ransomed and our sin-debt has been paid in full. He is worthy of our praise, because he alone has made a way for every person of every tribe, language, and nation to have a personal relationship with Almighty God, our heavenly Father, by the shedding of his blood. He is worthy of our praise, because he became sin, although he knew no sin, so that our sins could be atoned for. He is worthy of our praise, because he redeemed us from the curse of the law by hanging on the cross. He is worthy of our praise, because by faith in him, and by the shedding of his blood, we are made righteous in the sight of Almighty God. He is worthy of our praise, because by the shedding of his blood we have been reconciled unto God. And Jesus is worthy of our praise because by faith in him we escape the wrath of God, which God will pour out on all who refuse to believe in his only Son.
So, in summary, is Jesus worthy of all our praise? Absolutely. Why is he worthy of all our praise? Because he was slain. And why was he slain? To ransom sinful people for a holy God from every tribe and language and nation. And how did Jesus ransom us? By the shedding of his blood. And by the way, this is why we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate Christmas because God has gifted us his Son, who came into the world to save sinners by the shedding of his blood, and is therefore worthy of our exaltation.