Worthy Is The Lamb!
Part of what makes the Marvel and DC comics superheroes so compelling is that they selflessly use their power to defend and defeat forces that would bring destruction and evil to the Earth. But, the feats of comic book heroes are nothing compared to what Jesus has already achieved on the cross to save us. In His death and resurrection, our victory has already been assured, even as Satan and his forces of evil desperately take their last gasps. In Revelation 5:1-10, the Apostle John was told not to weep, for there is one who is worthy and has already triumphed. He is the Lamb who was slain for our sins. He alone is worthy and able to open the scroll and end Satan’s evil reign. I pray that you will give the Lord the praise and worship that He is worthy of, for the victory He has already won for us. Amen
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.” (Revelation 5:1-5)
In the Apostle John’s vision, he saw a scroll sealed with seven seals, which prevented its opening. As he looked at the scroll, John heard an angel ask in a loud voice “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” John began to weep because it didn’t appear that there was anyone who could open this important scroll. Yet one of the 24 elders told him not to weep because Jesus (Lion of Judah/ Root of David) had already triumphed (achieved victory), and therefore, He is able to open the scroll.
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. (Revelation 5:6-7)
John’s vision switches from the image of Jesus as the triumphant Lion of Judah, to Jesus the Lamb who was slain for our sins. In addition to Jesus, the Holy Spirit is present (the seven spirits of God). Jesus, the one who is worthy to open the scroll takes it from the the right hand of Him who is seated 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.” (Revelation 5:8-10)
As soon as Jesus took the scroll, the elders and the four creatures fell down in worship and began singing that the Lamb who was slain is worthy to open the scroll because by His shed blood He purchased (redeemed) persons from every tribe, language, people and nation, making them a priestly nation who serve God and reign over the earth.
John’s vision gives us insight into the events that will take place in the end times. The blessing for us is that Jesus has triumphed already and is worthy to be able to bring an end to the forces of evil in the world. Just as the elders and the creatures fell down in worship and singing in John’s vision, so too should we bow down in praise and worship of the Lord for the sacrifice He made and the victory He has already won for us. When no one else could save us, Jesus sacrificed His life to give us the victory. Worthy is the Lamb!
Blessings
Rev. Glenn
