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. 

To God Be The Glory And Honor Forever

The throne of God, described in Rev. 4:1-3 is surrounded by 24 other thrones, 7 burning torches of fire and 4 living creatures. We need to look at them and try to understand what is being revealed as we do. Let's start with the 24 thrones on which 24 elders were seated.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. - Rev 4:4 ESV

Who are these "elders"? Normally one thinks of the rulers of the Jewish people, either in smaller towns or as members of the highest court, the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:5,6:12, etc.). Later John's revelation points to the 12 patriarchs and the 12 apostles whose names are on the gates and foundation of the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12-14). We may also compare the number 24 with the 24 courses of priests appointed to serve in the Temple (1 Chron. 24:3-19). The duties of these sons of Aaron included leading the people in worship and teaching them God's Word. In that these 24 elders represent the ministry of the Word, they point to this ministry carried on for all time.

The elders were clothed in white garments, which as previously noted (Rev. 3:4), represents purity and holiness. On their heads are crowns of gold, symbols of victory, glory and royalty (Gen. 41:42).

God's almighty power and authority echo around His throne: "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder."This was awesome and frightening, as when God came down on Mt. Sinai as Israel began her wilderness journey.

On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. - Exo 19:16 ESV

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off - Exo 20:18 ESV

 And before God's awesome throne burn seven torches, interpreted by John as "the seven spirits of God" (Rev. 4:5). We've heard of these seven spirits before God's throne earlier (Rev. 1:4). We will see them again in the Lamb "with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth" (Rev. 5:6).

It is well at this point to introduce the sacred numbers of the Bible: 1, 22, 40, 12, 4, 10, 6, 3, 7 and 21.   These sacred numbers will occur again and again as symbols throughout the Revelation. At this point we encounter seven, the number pointing to perfection. Earlier we saw seven golden lamp-stands, seven stars and seven churches (Rev. 1:12-20). Here John points to the perfect fruit of the Spirit at work in those who live by the Spirit (2 Pet 1:3-8; Gal. 5:22-24). These burning torches are a metaphor of the Spirit encountered earlier (Acts 2:3; Matt 3:11).

"Before God's throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal" (Rev. 4:7).

 Note that John does not say that there was a great sea. Rather he says that it looked to him as if it were a sea of glass, like crystal. This seems to point to God's providence encircling the earth like the sea. His ways are inscrutable, but here they appear crystal clear (Rom 11:33-36).

The Four Living Creatures

On each side of that glorious throne of God are 4 (four) living creatures. Of the 12 tribes of Israel, Jesus' lineage is traced to Judah, the fourth tribe (Luke 3:23-33; Matt. 1:2). In Ezekiel these four creatures carry God's throne (Ezek 1:5-25) Here they encircle it and instead of having wheels with rims full of eyes the creatures themselves are full of eyes in front and behind (Rev. 4:6,8), full of eyes all around and within. Nothing escapes them. So it is with God's providence. Nothing escapes Him.

The Four Evangelists

Since the days of Irenaeus, bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, these four creatures have been portrayed as  symbols of the four Gospels. Irenaeus held that the face of a man signified the human nature of Christ, the lion His royal character, the calf an emblem of sacrifice, His priestly character, and the flying eagle the grace of the Holy Spirit ever upon Him. There is, however, no obvious connection between these four living creatures and the four Gospels. Christ is portrayed with other symbols in the next chapter. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David and the Lamb, standing as though it had been slain (Rev. 5:5-6).

We may be advised not to manufacture connections between these symbolic creatures and the four Gospels. It is enough to hear them singing the praises in the wild places (lion), in cultivated places (calf or ox), in the cities and towns where men live (man's face) and in the whole expanse of the air (flying eagle). Their hymn has three parts. The triple holy, holy, holy points to the great Three-in-One. There is also the triple name: Lord God Almighty, the almighty Ruler of the universe, "who was and is and is to come" (Rev. 4:8). This is the hymn of glory, giving Him all honor and thanks for all that He is and does (Ps. 103:19-22; 111:7-10; 145:1-21).

So whenever and wherever God's Word is proclaimed God accomplishes His purposes. This ministry of the Word accomplishes all that God pleases (Isa 55:11).

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, 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." - Rev 4:9-11 ESV