Week of September 1

How important is Jesus Christ to global events? John the Apostle opens our understanding to the universal significance of our Lord to our world—in the past, at the present, and in the future. Our focal passage in Revelation 5 serves to remind us of this central truth to make sense of the world and our place in it. Let’s examine carefully this passage today and apply its truth to our lives.

John’s revelation in chapter 5 takes up a broader vision that began in chapter 4 and continues through the opening of the seven seals (cf. 6:1-8:1). John intends for us to understand that our destinies turn upon this hinge of truth. First, the anchor passages within the vision are the three hymns we find in vv. 9, 12, and 13. We will notice that these songs are addressed to the Lamb (EBC). Secondly, the main claim in the passage rests on a central biblical truth: Jesus Christ is the only one worthy of unleashing the Judgment Scroll of destiny (HBC; cf. EBC and ATR). Thirdly, He receives rightful worship both from the angels and all created beings.

We see a theophany in verse 1. God appears seated on the throne, and He is holding a scroll in His right hand. We all know that to be near the right hand was the most prestigious position (cf. the imagery of the scroll in Ezekiel 2:9-10). The scroll was most unusual for that era because it had writing on both sides. Scholars have offered considerable analysis of this phenomenon, but we will want to recall that the stone tablets Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were written on both sides (Exodus 32:15-16). 

This pattern may also have been a statement about the Lamb’s power and authority, for Roman reliefs show emperors holding similar scrolls as a symbol of the same (NAC). The scroll was believed to have contained God’s plan to judge wickedness and righteousness, and His Son is the only one worthy to enact the plan. Who better to exercise God’s judgment than the Savior who died for us?

The elders had sung a creation song in 4:11, but now the new song is a “Redemption Song.” Jesus, the Lamb, is worthy because He was slain, and the result of the sacrifice was ransom for God’s people (v. 9; “with your blood purchased”). His blood was the purchase price for admission into the kingdom of God (v. 10; HBC). The result of purchasing representatives from all the earth’s people was that they/we would become a “kingdom of priests to serve our God” (cf. Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

The people purchased by the Lamb throughout history have been fulfilling this role and privilege. These people will one day “reign on the earth” with their king (HBC). The question, “What on earth will I do for all eternity?” finds its answer in this hymn! This will not be some paltry number of people, because John uses the largest number the Greek language could express to state that an incalculable multitude would surround the Lamb with praise (vv. 11-12). We do not want to miss it!

One of my greatest worship thrills was a journey I made to the 1995 men’s “Promise Keepers” meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The movement was at its height that year, with more than 738,000 men attending gatherings across the nation. The event was held in the old Georgia Dome, a stadium that held 80,000 people for concerts. The arena was packed! During one period of worship the entire gathering of men stood with arms interlocked throughout the stadium singing praise to Lamb! That was “Worthy is the Lamb!” moment for me, but it pales in comparison to John’s vision. One Bible commentator estimates that John must have seen more than 100 million people gathered around the Lamb (HBC). That is the equivalent of 125 packed Georgia Dome stadiums filled with worshipers throughout the ages intent on praising one worthy person—the Lamb of God!

1. Take a moment to listen to Phil Wickham sing “This is Amazing Grace” and listen to the bridge portion where he sings, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.” Worship the Lamb today. Write down ways He is worthy, and then praise Him throughout the day.

2. I believe that a great divide in our worship today finds its source in our great oversight. Churches overlook the Lamb to whom all worship is directed. Listen now to the classic rendition of “Worthy is the Lamb” from Handel’s Messiah. Seek the unifying presence of the Lamb of God as you worship.

3. For Families: As a family, take a few moments after supper some night this week and write down why you believe the Lamb of God is worthy of your worship. Go around the table and allow each person to express those things about Christ that well up in praise. Then sing a song of praise together to Him who is worthy.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock

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