April 27th, 2025: The Lamb is Worthy | Revelation 5:1-10

At our house, we used to watch the Antique Road Show quite a lot. For those unfamiliar, this was a television show where old, unused things found in attics and basements were brought in, evaluated by experts, and appraised for their value. Some items had been hidden and dusty, looking completely worthless. However,  when the experts, or those in the know, researched and shared the history, the appraisal price could become amazing. The world saw a man beaten and tortured when they looked at Calvary. They saw a man who ate with sinners and traveled around with a group of unlearned men. But as we study our lesson today, we will find that God saw His Son much differently. God saw the sin of all mankind placed upon the perfect, sinless substitute. God saw a new covenant, a door opened for all who would come through Him.

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Chapter 5 of Revelation is a continuation of Chapter 4. The beloved John has been called up through an open door into heaven. From this perspective, John will see things from God’s point of view.  It is important to note that he goes through an open door.  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20). 

Most scholars consider this to be a reference to the Rapture (the calling up) of the church.  John attempts to describe the wonders that he is seeing. A book, a scroll, catches his attention. The God of heaven is holding a document written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. Some have called this the book of the New Covenant. Others have called this the book of Judgement. For things to continue, someone has to be found who has the right and worthiness to take this scroll from the throne and open it up. 

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Consider that there are many strong angels surrounding this throne. Many creatures that stir our imaginations as we read their descriptions. But who is worthy?  This is not a contest. This is a declaration. There is one who is worthy. There is one who can take this scroll and open it.  A very important point is being made.

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

The search didn’t just include the heavenly. Those present also searched the earth. Think of all the great men who have done great and courageous things. Think of those who followed God faithfully. Consider the sons of Adam, Abraham, and David. Yet nowhere is there found anyone good enough, worthy enough, to take that scroll out of the hand of God the Father. Notice that john says they even looked among those under the earth. Satan may fool us, but he never fools God.  He, nor any of his powerful followers, are worthy. 

What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.(Romans 3: 9-12).

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Can you feel the desperation? Who has the right and title to open this book/scroll? Who can turn the world around and make all things right and just? If we looked at our leadership today, what do we see?  Corruption, lies, deception, greed, and power.  Many men strive to be great, but there is one thing that stops them all from being worthy - sin.  We are born with a sinful nature. We live in a sin-cursed world. John isn’t just sad, he weeps. Those present know that the words on this book/scroll will have significant consequences of Judgement and Justice.  

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

But there is something that the elders know, that John, like us, hasn’t wrapped his head around just yet! There is no need to cry. There is one worthy. There is one from the tribe of Judah.  He is mentioned way back in the book of Genesis.

Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:8-10).

He is a descendant of King David. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. (2 Samuel 7: 12-13). He doesn’t just get to be worthy.  He meets all the criteria and He PREVAILED in obedience and authority to be worthy! 

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.

John heard about the Lion, but he sees the Lamb. A bloody, slaughtered lamb that lives!  The number seven in scripture represents completeness. This lamb has all power (horns), is all seeing (eyes), and is filled with the Spirit. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:33-36) 

John sees a harmless maltreated lamb. Yet this lamb, obedient to the Father,  fulfilled the plan created before the foundation of the world. This spotless, sinless Lamb took the cruelty of Calvary. Though the world could not see it, the Father recognized the great worth! This Lamb died to take away the sins of the world. This Lamb arose and stands before God the Father, despite the shame. Despite the horrendous death, He overcame! He is worthy!  He stands here resurrected and ready to continue to do the Father’s bidding.  

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Only Jesus. The only one worthy. Worthy because He created it all. Worthy because He alone holds it all together - by Him all things consist. Worthy because He stood in the gap as the Redeemer Kinsman, as the pure and spotless sacrifice. Worthy because of the resurrection.  He alone can take the book/scroll. He left nothing undone.  

 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. 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; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Can you imagine this rejoicing in Heaven! It will still be going on when we believers get there! The Twenty-Four elders represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles falling down before the Lamb, subject to Him and in His honor. The sadness is now great joy.  It is great joy for all believers!  Without this Lamb, there would be no new song of redemption to sing. We are redeemed (bought and brought into a right relationship with God) from every kind of people, all languages, and every nation. The world divided is united in Jesus. When God sees believers, He sees the lamb slain and resurrected. He sees through the dusty, old nature to reveal the priceless value of His Son! Because He is worthy, our trust and belief in Him make us worthy.  Our value is determined by who is doing our appraisal. The world will not see it. They will forever rank us based on our history, our lineage, or our abilities. God the Father, the expert appraiser and historian, will determine our value and eternity based on our faith in His Son.  

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!