Feb 17
26
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 2
“And he said to me, ‘Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.’ And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, ‘Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house. ‘But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.’ And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel 2, ESV).
New Testament Reading: Revelation 5
“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. And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ 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. 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.’ Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’ And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped” (Revelation 5, ESV).
Introduction
Do you see, brothers and sisters, that Revelation 5 comes to focus upon Jesus the Christ? He takes center stage in the vision that was shown to John. He is the one symbolized by the lamb that John saw “between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders”. In chapter 4 everything focuses upon God enthroned. God is the one worshipped there. But in chapter 5 everything comes to focus upon Jesus the Christ who was slain, who is alive forevermore. He is the one worshipped here.
We learn three things about Jesus in this passage:
One, in all of God’s creation Christ alone was found worthy to open the scroll and to break it’s seals.
Two, in all of God’s creation Christ alone was found worthy to open the seals because he has accomplished our redemption having won the victory by his sacrificial death, triumphant resurrection, and victorious ascension to the Father’s right hand.
Three, in all of God’s creation Christ alone was found worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.
We will return to each of these principles in a moment. For now, notice that Revelation 5 begins with a predicament.
John “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 [John] 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 [John] began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it” (Revelation 5:1–4, ESV).
When we are told that John “saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll”, we are to understand this to be an anthropomorphism. God does not really have a right hand, does he? When we ask or children the question, “What is God?”, we teach them to answer saying, “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being…” (Baptist Catechism, 7). Our confession rightly says that God is “a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions”. Jesus told us so when he said, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24, ESV). It is important to understand that whenever the scriptures use human characteristics (either physical or emotional) to describe God they are anthropomorphisms (or anthropopathisms). They are human characteristics being attributed to God, though God does not really possess those characteristics. Remember when God showed Moses his glory this is how he did it: He put him in a cleft of the rock, and covered him with his “hand” until he had passed by. Then he took away his “hand” so that Moses could see his “back”. Why? So that Moses would not see God’s “face”, “for man shall not see [God] and live” (see Exodus 33:20–23). Friends, God does not have a face, a hand, or a back. He is “a most pure spirit, invisible, without [a] body.” But these anthropomorphisms help us to better understand what happened with Moses. Did he see God? Yes he did! But did he see the fulness of God’s glory? No he did not. God shielded him from it with his “hand”; he only allowed Moses to see his “back”; God’s “face” was hidden from Moses, lest he be consumed by the fulness of the glory of God. These are human characteristics applied to God, who is not human, but divine. We must not take the anthropomorphisms literally, but we must understand that truths about God are being communicated by them in way that we can comprehend. When we read that John “saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll” we are not to think, God has hands!, but rather, God is enthroned in heaven as King, and he is issuing his decree by stretching forth his strong right hand, just as an earthly king would. That is what is happening here. John saw a vision of God enthroned, and God is now issuing forth his decree.
And what did John see in God’s right hand? He saw a scroll with writing on the front and back sealed with seven seals.
If we are familiar with the Old Testament the scroll that John mentions should bring a number of passages to mind, the foremost being Ezekiel chapter 2, which we have already read. There the prophet Ezekiel describes his commissioning. God sent him to proclaim the word of God to the people of Israel concerning, one, the judgment that would come upon them, given their rebelliousness, and two, the promise of God to preserve a remnant, given God’s faithfulness to his covenant (see Ezekiel 16:59ff. and 20:33ff., for example). So the message of the prophet was twofold. It was mainly bad news – destruction is coming – God will judge, given your rebelliousness. But there was also good news peppered throughout – God will preserve a remnant and restore, because he is faithful to his covenant promises. And how was the prophet commissioned to preach? Remember, it all started in Ezekiel 1 where we are told of the vision Ezekiel saw – a vision very similar to the one that John saw described to us beginning with Revelation 4. And then in chapter 2 of Ezekiel a scroll was given to the prophet. The scroll – just like the one described in Revelation 5 – had writing on the front and back “and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel 2:10, ESV). If we were to read on into Ezekiel 3 would would see that Ezekiel was then commanded to eat the scroll – he was to ingest it – to make it a part of himself – so that he might then proclaim it to the people. If we were to read the rest of Ezekiel we would then encounter the actual preaching of the prophet. We would read of the prophesies that he uttered in the coming years – prophesies that predicted both the destructions that would come upon rebellious Israel, and also prophesies that foretold of the preservation of a remnant for the sake of the establishment of God’s covenant. That is a summery of the book of Ezekiel.
Brothers and sisters, it is essential that we make the connection between Revelation 4 -5 and Ezekiel 1 and 2. The connection is obvious. And the connection helps us to know what to expect from the rest of the book of Revelation. Ezekiel chapters 1 and 2 set the stage for the rest of that book. There the heavenly vision and commissioning of the the prophet are described. And the rest of that book contains prophesies concerning judgment and also promises concerning the preservation of God’s elect. Most of those prophesies and promises were fulfilled as history unfolded leading up to the first coming of Christ. Here is the point: given the obvious similarities between Ezekiel 1 and 2 and Revelation 4 and 5, should we not expect, therefore, that the book of Revelation will also contain prophesies concerning judgment and promises concerning the preservation of God’s elect from the time of it’s writing up until the next monumental redemptive historical event, namely, the second coming of Christ? Indeed, that is what the rest of the book of Revelation will be about – the judgment of God’s enemies, the preservation of his people, and the fulfillment of his promises, up to the very end of time. That, my friends, is the king’s decree that is written on the front and the back of the scroll that John saw in God’s right hand.
Notice that this scroll was sealed with seven seals. It was common in the ancient would to seal important documents with a wax seal. The document would be rolled up. A bit of hot wax would be dropped onto the seam, and the author would impress the wax with an mark unique to him. The document would be then be delivered and the recipient would know whether or not the information was kept secure depending upon the condition of the seal. If the seal was broken then there was reason to believe that the scroll had been read by someone who should not have read it. The scroll in God’s right hand was sealed with seven seals, indicating that the information contained within was most sensitive.
If we are familiar with the Old Testament another passage should come to mind when we are told of the seals. We have already seen that a close relationship exists between the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation. I’ve pointed out (though I have not taken the time to demonstrate it to you) that the content of Daniel 7: 9-27 and Revelation 4-5 mirror one another. The vision of the son of man in Revelation 1 is based upon Daniel 7. The book of Daniel, like the book of Ezekiel, was written a long time before Jesus’ birth and it too contains many prophesies concerning what would happen in the days leading up to the birth of the Christ. But consider this: in Daniel chapter 12 we see that some things were revealed to the prophet concerning the very end of time – concerning the resurrection and the final judgment. But the information given to Daniel was very limited. Listen to Daniel 12:1-4:
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:1–4, ESV).
What does this passage describe? It describes the great tribulation, the resurrection of the just and the unjust, the final judgment, and the eternal reward. It describes all of that, but very briefly. And Daniel is commanded to “shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end”. As the passage progress we see Daniel pressing the Lord for more information. “What will the outcome of these things be?”, he asks. Daniel was not given much more but was again told, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:9, ESV). And in verse 13 he was again told, “go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days” (Daniel 12:13, ESV). This is how the book of Daniel concludes.
So we have the book of Daniel written long before the birth of Christ. It contains many prophesies concerning what would happen in the days leading up to the birth of Christ. It also contains some prophesies that speak to what will happen at the end of time when Christ returns, but the information concerning that is very limited. Daniel, as he pressed for more information, was told “go your way”. “The words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end”. Daniel, “shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end”.
Think about it. Think about how the book of Daniel, written in the 500’s B.C., is related to the book of Revelation. The book of Daniel concludes with information being withheld. Things are hidden. The book is sealed. But this is also where the book of Revelation picks up. John sees a vision of God enthroned. In his right hand is a scroll with seven seals on it. Those seals will be opened. The book of Revelation picks up where the book of Daniel left off. Revelation builds upon and advances Daniel.
Remember that John was a Jew. He was very well acquainted with the Old Testament. He knew Ezekiel and Daniel backwards and forwards. What do you think he expected, then, when he saw that scene unfold before his eyes? Without a doubt he thought, here it is! Here is the revelation that Daniel longed to see! Here is the decree concerning how things will go from this day forward. There’s the decree. It’s in the scroll, written front and back! Without a doubt that was his expectation. He expected to receive the message contained within the scroll just as Ezekiel did. Also, remember the loud voice that John heard at the beginning of this vision. The Lord said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this” (Revelation 4:1, ESV). He must have been so excited to hear it – so eager to receive it. Without a doubt he would have instantaneously made all of these connections and would have been overwhelmed with joy at thought of seeing what Daniel and the other prophets longed to see, but were limited.
But a problem remains. The scroll was sealed with seven seals. The scroll, at this time, was as inaccessible to John as it was to Daniel. It was sealed – it was closed off to him.
It is no wonder, then, that John began to weep loudly after he 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.” (Revelation 5:2–3, ESV). No one in all of God’s creation was found worthy. “No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.”
Here is where Christ enters the scene. And when he does we learn three things about him.
Christ Alone Was Found Worthy To Open The Scroll And To Break It’s Seals
First of all, we learn that in all of God’s creation, Christ alone was found worthy to open the scroll and to break it’s seals.
Listen to the announcement that one of the elders made to John in verses 5. He said, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals’” (Revelation 5:5, ESV).
This is obviously a reference to Jesus who is the Christ. And the way that Jesus is spoken of here is very significant.
He is called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”. That is a majestic title, isn’t it? But was is the significance of it?
Remember that when Jacob, who was then called Israel, pronounced blessing upon his son’s near the end of his life he compared his son Judah to a lion and prophesied that a perpetual royal dynasty would come from him. He said,
“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Genesis 49:8–10, ESV).
Jesus the Christ is the fulfillment of this prophesy. He is “Lion of the tribe of Judah”.
And he is also called the “Root of David”. This too is a regal title!
Remember that David was the best of Israel’s kings. And remember that it was prophesied that David’s dynasty would be everlasting – David would never lack a man on the throne (2 Samuel 7). But the people of Israel would eventually be defeated and taken into exile. It seemed as if the promise made to David concerning an everlasting kingdom was failing. But Isaiah the prophet prophesied that after the exile the day would come when a shoot would spring forth from the stump of Jesse (Jesse being the father of David, and another way of referring to David’s lineage). In others words, after the exile it looked as if the flourishing dynasty of David had been cut to the ground and destroyed. But Isaiah the prophet prophesied saying,
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit… In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10, ESV).
The dynasty of David seemed dead, like a tree cut to the ground with only a stump remaining. But the day would come, said the prophet, when life would spring forth from that stump and bear fruit, not only for the Jews, but for all nations.
Jesus the Christ is the fulfillment of this prophesy. He is the “Root of David”.
It is because of this that Jesus is the only one in all of God’s creation who is able to open the scroll and to break it’s seals. He is worthy because he is the Christ. He is more than a prophet. “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11, ESV).
Christ Alone Was Found Worthy To Open The Seals Because He Has Accomplished Our Redemption Having Won The Victory By His Sacrificial Death, Triumphant Resurrection, And Victorious Ascension To The Father’s Right Hand
Secondly, we learn that Christ alone was found worthy to open the seals because he has accomplished our redemption having won the victory by his sacrificial death, triumphant resurrection, and victorious ascension to the Father’s right hand.
In verse 5 one of the elders said to John, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5, ESV).
Jesus was able to open the scroll because he had conquered.
What did he conquered? The rest of the Revelation along with the rest of the scriptures make it clear as to what he conquered. He has conquered death. He has conquered Satan. Indeed, he has conquered all of the enemies of God fully and finally.
But how did do it? How did Jesus conquered these powerful foes?
What John describes next reveals it to us. Verse 6: “And between [in the midst of] 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” (Revelation 5:6, ESV).
Now you expected this because you are familiar with the text of Revelation. But do you think this is what John expected to see? Or, if you imagine that this were the first time you had read Revelation, is this the image that you would expect to see – a lamb standing as though slain? I think not. After hearing the announcement, “weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered”, what do you expect to see? Something powerful, of course. Maybe something like what John described in chapter 1 where he saw,
“One like a son of man…the hairs of his head.. white, like white wool… His eyes… like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength” (Revelation 1:13–16, ESV).
You expect to see a powerful figure. But instead the one who has conquered appears as a sacrificed lamb. It’s a jarring transition.
What is the meaning of it? The meaning is this: Christ has conquered death, and Satan, and all of the enemies of God by giving himself up for for us as a willing sacrifice.
“He was in the form of God, [but] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8, ESV).
That is how “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered”.
Notice that he was slain, but now he is seen standing in heaven in the midst of the throne of God. How did he get there? Well, he rose from the dead and ascended to Father.
He has seven horns. Horns symbolize power. Christ has all power. Remember, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to [him]” (Matthew 28:18, ESV).
And he has seven eyes. The seven eyes symbolize Christ’s omniscience. He sees all. Remember how he spoke to each church saying, “I know”. But the eyes are specifically said to represent “the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth”. Christ sees all things even to the ends of the earth, and he has also promised to send the Spirit to support his elect in every age.
In verses 7-10 John says, “And [the Lamb] 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’” (Revelation 5:7–10, ESV).
There is a lot going on in this scene.
One, notice the transaction that took place between God and Christ. God gave the Lamb the scroll.
Two, notice that prayers were offered to Christ. The elders held “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Remember, the elders are angels who represent God’s redeemed on the earth. The prayers of the saints we brought before Christ by them.
Three, notice that worship was given to Christ. “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’”
Jesus was found worthy to open the seals because he is the redeemer of God’s elect.
He has “ransomed people”. To ransom is to “to cause the release or freedom of someone by a means which proves costly to the individual causing the release—‘to redeem, to set free’”. We were slaves to sin and death. Christ has freed us by his blood, if we know him.
He has “ransomed people for God”. We have been freed so that we might belong to God.
He has “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Do you remember Jesus high priestly prayer in John 17: Father “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word” (John 17:6, ESV).
By the way, the doctrine of limited atonement is clearly taught here. By his shed blood Christ ransomed, payed the price for, and set free, not all people, but people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
And what were these ransomed to do? To be “a kingdom and priests to… God, and… [to] reign on the earth.” We have been ransomed so that we might worship and serve God.
Why was Christ alone found worthy to open the seals? Because he has accomplished our redemption having won the victory by his sacrificial death, triumphant resurrection, and victorious ascension to the Father’s right hand. Only he is worthy to reveal and bring about the conclusion to the story in which he is the central figure and hero.
Christ Alone Was Found Worthy To Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, And Might, Honor, Glory And Blessing
Thirdly, notice that in all of God’s creation, Christ alone was found worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.
Verses 11-14: “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’ And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped” (Revelation 5:11–14, ESV).
This seen is the most majestic of all. John’s view grows far more expansive. Instead of focussing in upon the throne and the creatures surrounding the throne, all of God’s creation is brought into view. He sees thousands upon thousands of angels along with “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.” And what are they doing? The are worshiping God and Christ.
Christ, they say, is worthy “to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” He is worthy to receive it because he has earned it by his obedient life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection.
It is only right that both God and Christ receive “blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever.” Amen.
Application
Let us consider a few possible points of application before we close.
First of all, I would ask you this: have you believed upon Christ Jesus? Have you confessed your sin? Have turned from it and looked to Christ in faith? Have you asked God to forgive you because of what Christ has done for you? Have you made Christ Lord? Do you see that Christ is the redeemer? If you do not belong to him then you belong to the enemy. We must look to Christ in faith if we hope to be saved.
Secondly, having believed upon Christ, have you made him the central thing in your life? Notice that in the heavenly realm God and Christ are central. They are worshipped and served there. They alone are considered worthy of praise. Such is not the case on earth. Man is made to be central in this realm. We worship and serve ourselves. We worship and serve the creation rather than the creator. But things should be very different among the redeemed. Our lives should follow the heavenly pattern, and not the worldly one. God and Christ should be central for us. And this mindset should be evident to all who look in upon us. Our lives should be different. Sadly, it is oftentimes hard to tell the difference between the one who names the name of Christ and non-Christian today. Worldliness is rampant within Christ’s visible church. It should not be so. We have been redeemed by Christ for God to live in his kingdom as priests, offering up acceptable worship to him.
Thirdly, are you living in this world according to the way of Christ? He conquered by laying his life down for others in humble submission to the Father. Do you bear the same characteristic? Are you humble before God and man? Have you died to self completely, living instead for God and for others? All of our remaining sin and corruption exists only because we have failed to put to death the flesh and to live according to the Spirit to the glory of God and for the good of our fellow man. Die to self, friend. Live to God. Pursue holiness. And as you do rejoice, for the Lamb, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered for you and me and all who are in Christ Jesus in every place and in every age.
