Worthy Is The Lamb

John has taken us with himself to stand before the awesome and frightening throne of God. As we stand there a dramatic moment unfolds.

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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. - Rev 5:1-4 ESV

What is this mysterious scroll, sealed with seven seals? And why is John so deeply moved when he sees that no one in all of heaven and earth is able to open and look into it?

In his Gospel John writes of the Word (Logos) who was with God from the beginning and is God. By Him all things were made and without Him nothing! has come into existence (John 1:1-4). This Word has revealed His secrets to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). From these prophets we learn that the names of all those who revere and stand in awe of (Heb.-yare' ) the LORD of hosts and esteem His name have their names written in a Book of remembrance. They are His treasured possession (Mal 3:16-17; Ps 56:8). John sees this scroll. It is full of names written on both sides, but it is completely sealed with seven seals and no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth is able to open or look into it. What now?

A mighty angel steps forward to ask, "Who is worthy (Gk - axios) to break the seals and reveal the names of the LORD's treasured possession?" (Rev 5:2)  No one steps forward, no one is able and John begins to weep loudly. Are all lost?

"No," says one of those 24 elders. "Weep no more. Look upon the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David . . ." Ever since the day that Israel first blessed his sons Judah has been called a lion (Gen.49:9-10). Jesus is clearly descended from that tribe and from the royal family of David  (Matt 1:3-16; Heb 7:14). He who was born in David's village, He is the righteous Branch destined to reign as the God-appointed ruler of the true Israel (Mic 5:2; Jer 23:5-6; Isa 11:1, 10; Gal 6:16).

The Lion of Judah on a Bezalel ceramic tile

So John looks, but what does he see? Instead of a lion he sees One like a slaughtered lamb.

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. - Rev 5:6 ESV

 A lion that is a lamb? Remember, as always, that we are dealing with images, symbols that point beyond to reveal something we are to understand and believe. The Lamb of God had been predicted since John the Baptist prepared the way (John 1:29-36). Jesus is that slaughtered Lamb who endured the cross under the judgment of Pontius Pilate and is now risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2). By His suffering and death He has conquered death. All those who put their faith in Him find forgiveness and life (1 Cor 15:53-57). They have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Lamb has seven horns. He has complete power (Matt 28:18; Ps 2:8-9). And His seven eyes points symbolically to the truth that He knows all things (Rev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12). Even Gentiles may now find hope in Him (Rom 15:12).

And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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 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." - Rev 5:7-10 ESV

No wonder that the living creatures and the elders and the unlimited thousands (myriads of myriads) of angels (Heb 12:22) break into loud song, 

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" - Rev 5:12 ESV

Lamb of God

And on earth our prayers rise as incense (Exo 30:34-37) to join those prayers of praise in heaven.

O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! - Psa 141:1-2 ESV

Join in your heart as the Messiah chorus leads us to praise the Lamb: Worthy is the Lamb. 

My Treasured Possession

Last Sunday, following my Bible class, a lady came up to ask what it means that the devil can appear as an angel of light. In particular, she wondered about those folks who have had a near-death experience of light shining as they moved away from their bodies. Were they, she asked, really seeing the glories of heaven or were they possibly being deceived by the devil appearing to them as an angel or messenger of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)?


Good question. I shared with her what one Christian woman whom I served said about her near-death experience. She was convinced she had gone to heaven after a swift journey through a tunnel of blazing light. She was greeted by relatives and was ready to go with them when she heard a voice calling her back. As a result of this, she was completely unafraid of death now. She knew she would be with Jesus and her family when she died.


I also shared with my Bible class questioner that Satan can indeed deceive us into thinking he bears a message of light and understanding. In the context of the passage about Satan appearing as an angel of light the Apostle speaks about false workmen who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. The world is full of such messengers.


The Old Testament lesson for next Sunday, the final Sunday in the Church Year, is from Malachi 3:13-18 and speaks to this question. The writer of this prophecy is not identified. Across the centuries people have come up with many guesses. For now, we'll let that pass. It is enough to know that Malachi was the last of the prophets before Christ's coming and that the title of his book means simply "My Messenger," with the 'My' referring to God.


The LORD is gravely concerned about the empty faith and the total disobedience of so many of those who claim to be God's people, says Malachi. But this will not be allowed forever. A Day of judgment is coming. On that Day the Book of Remembrance will be opened (Malachi 3:16-18). This reminds me of that day when the Children of Israel finally left the wilderness for good and passed over the dried up Jordan riverbed into the promised land. On that day the LORD commanded the priests to take twelve boulders and pile them on the river's edge where the priests and levites stepped out on to the land. The writer says, "And they are there to this day" as stones of remembrance (Joshua 4:1-11). The stones were there to remind the people of how the LORD had graciously brought them from slavery to this beautiful land. They were his treasured possession. That's what the LORD loved to call His people, His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2).


Is that not a beautiful image—treasured possession? We all have treasured possessions. Sometimes they are pieces of jewelry, like a wedding ring or a special painting received from one who loves you. Some treasured possessions are photographs and family letters, preserved in books or on electronic recording devices. Here the LORD speaks not about things, but about people. They are His children, His family, His beloved and His treasured possessions. He has purchased them, not with gold and silver, but with His holy and precious blood (Ephesians 2:12-14). His newborn children fear and love Him. They esteem His name above all names. He loves them. They love Him. And their names are recorded in the LORD's book of remembrance.


Now back to the question my Bible class student asked about the ability of the devil to appear as an angel of light. He does indeed, especially as he fosters the false teaching that suggests there is no distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between God's children and those who despise and disobey Him (Malachi 3:18). The LORD makes it very clear. There is a distinction. 

"But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book" (Exodus 32:33). 

If you fear death or believe yourself close to death, do not overlook the distinction, but know also that Jesus is our righteousness. He is the One who has provided for us the all atoning sacrifice accepted by the heavenly Father (1 John 2:1-2). Put your trust in Him. Follow His ways and when the Book of Remembrance is opened, your name will be read out as one of the LORD's precious possessions.