Worthy is the Lamb! Part 2

Worthy is the Lamb! Part 2

By Pastor Matt Black

29 July 2007
Lord's Day morning
Revelation 5:1-14

Introduction: Open your Bibles to the book of Revelation 5:1-14. The title of this morning’s message is “Worthy is the Lamb”. Once you’ve found John’s Revelation, won’t you stand with me this morning?

Revelation 5:1-14, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book [SCROLL] written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

I. First of all, we saw the Lamb’s Prominence. His prominence. There’s no higher Name than the Name of Jesus. Look at verse 6. He says, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood [there was standing] a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth..” He’s not just there in the midst of the throne. He said, “The Lamb standing…”

He is the center of heaven’s attention, and the central figure of heaven’s activity. The Lord Jesus Christ is no longer bowed down in shame, humiliation, and in death. Now He stands in glory, and this speaks of His prominence. He stands in His prominence.

II. Secondly, We saw the Lamb’s Provision. His provision. Look at verse 6. He says, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne… stood [there was standing] a Lamb as it had been slain…” He’s standing, but He’s slain. We saw that He was precious to the Father—like that of a lamb that is brought into the home as a precious part of the family. God gave His ONLY begotten Son, the apple of His eye, and it was a propitiatory sacrifice. Christ took your place.

III. And then thirdly, we not only see the Lamb’s prominence and through His provision, but through His Power. Look at verse 6. He says, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood [there was standing] a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth..”

What are the Seven Horns???

A. First it speaks of Amazing Omnipotent Power. It speaks to His Ability to do anything! Can I say that this Lamb was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? Nobody took His life from Him—He gave it!

You see He is the Lamb that has Seven Horns. What is that? It is speaking of His omnipotence. In Jesus Christ, you have the perfection of power. He has seven horns. These horns speak of omnipotent power—that is Christ can do anything. He is omnipotent. He is the “power of God”. He can do anything. This Lamb is One of AWESOME POWER!

B. But these seven horns also speak not only of His ability to do anything—His awesome power, but they also speak to His Authority to do anything. His Authoritative Power.

He also says in Matthew 28:18 before He ascended to Heaven—he said, “All power [authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Illustration (Court of Last Appeals): Jesus Christ is the Supreme Court of the Universe. Here on earth if you’ve got a problem you go the judge. If you don’t like his decision, you can do what? You can APPEAL. And you can appeal judge after judge after judge. You don’t like the decision, you can appeal. But then you get to where? Yes, the supreme court is the COURT OF LAST APPEALS. There is no higher court.

My friends, this morning, Jesus Christ is the court of LAST APPEALS. There is no higher authority than Him. Every knee shall bow! Rich and poor; Kings and paupers; EVERYONE from every tribe, tongue, and nation! We will all bow before His almighty throne, because He is worthy! So we see His POWER—He’s a Lamb standing, slain, and having seven horns.

Christ has the keys of death and hell. Fear Him!

Christ spoke of this on the earth. Listen to His words in Matthew 10:27-28, He says to those following Him—Jesus says, “I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”

IV. Fourthly, We not only see His power, but the Lamb’s Perception.

Back at our text, Revelation chapter 5 and verse 6. Notice what else it says. Let me just read it all again. He says, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood [there was standing] a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns [His Power] and seven eyes [His Perception], which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth..”

Now once again, the word “seven” here emphasizes the completion or the perfection of His perception. Now where, where the word “horn” spoke of power or, omnipotence, the word “eyes” here speaks of His omniscience, all-knowing.

The point is, in His perfect perception He sees all sin and all evil, and nothing will escape. Nothing can escape the fiery eyes of His omniscient judgment. What an awesome thought and an awesome picture.

Actually, in the very opening pages of the book of Revelation, in Revelation 1:14, we have this terrifying and amazing description of the Risen Christ. He has conquered and is coming to conquer. He’s at War and He’s taking on the whole world. Look at Revelation 1:14, “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire”. Again in Revelation 19:12 says, “His eyes were like a flame of fire.” His judgments will be just and accurate. Nothing, no thing and no one will or can escape. What an awesome thought.

Friends, there is nothing hid from the eyes of Jesus. He sees as Psalm 139:2 says, “your downsitting and your uprising, he understandest your thoughts afar off”.

Jesus Christ is the judge of all the earth, and “Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?” Not one little tiny sin will go unjudged when He comes to planet earth, carrying out the commission to reclaim earth and bring in the new creation and the everlasting Kingdom of His Father.

V. Well, there’s a fifth thing mentioned here. Not only do we see His prominence, “the Lamb” that stood in the throne”, and His provision, “the Lamb slain”, and His power, “seven horns”, and His perception, “seven eyes”, but notice next, His Presence. Seven Spirits of God!

He says in Revelation 5:6, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood [there was standing] a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns [His Power] and seven eyes [His Perception], which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”

VI. Notice sixthly, the Lamb’s Postion. He has the position of one of authority.

In verse 7 it says, “And He came,” that means came to the throne where God the Father, the Commander-in-Chief, is sitting. “And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” He’s walked up to the throne of the Commander-in-Chief, and He takes His place, His prominent place, at the right hand of God the Father. This verse speaks of Christ awesome position. You just get an overwhelming sense that that is right! Christ deserves and He alone deserves the position at the right hand of the Father. He alone can take the title deed to earth from the hand of the Father. And He alone can execute the battle of final redemption and the plan of operation “Reclaim Earth” and establish God’s everlasting kingdom on earth.

If you will, at this point in time, Jesus walks up to God the Father and says, “Reporting for duty, Sir.” What an awesome thought.

And the Father says, “Son, here’s the scroll. Here’s the battle plan established from eternity past. It’s absolutely perfect. It’s absolutely just. And You’re the only One worthy to execute it. And, Son, execute it with absolute precision and perfection. Don’t compromise one single thing in this commission.” “Yes, Sir.” What an awesome picture. What an awesome position.

VII. Finally, we see the Praise of the Lamb. We read in verse 8, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

We live in a time where Satan has his outposts on the earth. But as we approach the end, his activity is going to be come more and more. Satan is going to be loosed and take over the earth. He’s the invader. He’s the usurper. Now here you have a crowd in heaven that knows who has won the battle. They know that Satan has already been judged. John 16 and 11 says, “The prince of this world has been judged already.” And, but Christ is coming to redeem the earth and redeem all who have believed on Him for salvation.

Now when we all get to heaven, there will be this amazing praise!

Final judgment is about to take place. Christ is reclaiming the earth, and the saints know that all enemies are going to be put under Christ’s feet.

They understand the truth that is involved here. He’s gone to earth. He’s paid the price on the cross. And they know that at this very moment the execution of that final judgment is about to take place. So what do they do?

Look at verse 8: “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps.”

Now the harp is a picture of joy. Any time the harp is played in the, in the scripture, it’s a statement of joy. And it says, “golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints..” Now golden bowls and vessels were used in the temple to represent prayers going up to God.

So here we have these, these angelic servants around the throne standing before Jesus, who’s about to go and execute judgment on earth. And they come before the throne and at the prayers of those persecuted and martyred saints, those prayers that have been prayed throughout the ages, those who cried out to God for divine justice to be rendered against their oppressors.

A. Praise of Saints

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

And they sang a new song… Thou art worthy

And, notice, how they sing it there, they say, beginning in verse 9. And they sang a new song saying, “Worthy are You.” The worship here is centered on His worthiness. His worthiness, that is, to take the title deed of earth, the scroll, and to execute the battle plan operation “Reclaim Earth.” And the worthiness here is centered on His substitutionary death. Look at it there. “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof” that’s execute the battle plan, that’s operation “Reclaim Earth.” “for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;…” It’s based on His redemption. Now all of this speaks of the price of redemption He paid. “Worthy are You because You were slain. You paid the price of redemption. And we worship You and we honor You and we praise You.”

B. Now look at the praise of the Angels.

Look at verse 11, And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands”—a limitless number, an infinitude number of angelic beings are just crowding in and they just got to get on praising the Lamb! They can’t miss out on praising the Lamb!

Job tells us in Job 38:7 that during creation, the morning stars sang together. But ever since sin entered creation and the curse of sin infected planet earth, the angels do not sing anymore.

We see the angels, but the Bible also, always says they are speaking. Like when Jesus was born, the Bible says the angelic host appeared saying, or speaking, “Glory to God in the Highest.” Could it be that after the curse of sin spoiled the beauty of God’s original creation, their song was silenced?

I believe after God recreates heaven and earth, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, the angels are going to sing again, but not until then.

Well, they’re not singing, but here they do burst forth with praise, not singing but speaking this praise. Look at verse 12. They give a seven-fold description to the worthiness of the Lamb. It says they’re “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

So these speak of His power. Up in, up in verse 9 they worshipped Him and honored Him and exalted Him because of the price He paid for redemption. Now down in verses 12 and 13, they worship and praise Him because He has the power to bring about redemption.

C. Praise of all Creation.

Verse 13, now we see all of creation joining in. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

And then we come to verse 14, and we just cannot imagine the glory of what’s going on. Can you imagine millions of angelic beings filling heaven with the roarous thunder of “Worthy is the Lamb”?

How’s your praise of the Lamb? Does He overwhelm you sometimes? Are you overcome with His glory and His majesty and His goodness and His grace and His love and His mercy? These guys are overwhelmed. I love the way it says that: 14 And the four beasts said [KEPT SAYING], Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

Conclusion: I thought we’d rehearse this thing a little bit tonight just to kind of close out this day. I’m going to function as the myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. And, choir, I want you to be the seventy living creatures. All right?

Now here’s your job. All you got to do is say “Amen.” And I want it to be a hearty “Amen.” Okay. Now, when I tell you to. All right? Now the text says they just kept saying “Amen.” And I see it something like this: When the myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands of angels would cry, “Worthy is the Lamb to receive power.” (Amen) See? Now let’s try that again.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power (Amen), and riches (Amen), and wisdom (Amen), and strength (Amen), and honour (Amen), and glory (Amen), and blessing (Amen). All right, we’re gonna go all the way through it this time. Are you ready? Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power (Amen) and riches (Amen) and wisdom (Amen) and might (Amen) and honor (Amen) and glory (Amen) and blessing. And they couldn’t stop there. All of creation says, “We got to get in on this. It’s just too wonderful. It’s just too glorious.”

So we jump down to verse 13, And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing(Amen), and honour(Amen), and glory(Amen), and power(Amen), be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Amen)