Revelation 5:1-14

1. the book that no one could open – 5:1-5
1. the mysterious book - 1
1. it is a book which refers to the future, and it makes important disclosures of coming events
2. the book contained the revelation in the following chapters, to the opening of the seventh seal
3. this book was in the right hand of God the Father
1. no description of God is given
2. it shows that we have been created in His image [right hand]
2. a search for some one worthy to open the book – 2
1. he must be one of power and ability, and of dignity and authority, a person of greatness and worth
2. that can engage his heart to draw nigh to God, and take a book out of his right hand
3. able to open it and explain it to others; to unseal it and exhibit it
4. able also to fulfill and accomplish all the prophecies in it
5. purpose of this proclamation
1. to show the impotence of all creatures to make any discovery of it
2. to illustrate the glory, excellency, ability, and worth of Jesus Christ
3. an awful discovery: no worthy person is found - 3
1. "no one in heaven"
1. whether angels, or the souls of departed saints
2. neither one know any thing of what is to come, until it is revealed unto them
2. "nor in earth"
1. of all classes of men, whether prophet, philosopher or king, none was worthy
2. none can look into the future and tell what is to come, much less bring it to pass
3. "neither under the earth"
1. neither lost souls, demons or Satan himself are able to open the seals
2. as much as Satan would like to control the future, he cannot
4. John is greatly disturbed by the present situation – 4
1. John was in awe over the things he was seeing in heaven, but now he is becoming deeply concerned
2. all had seemed ready for the judgment of Satan, his demons, and his human followers
3. but the book remained sealed, and the judgment could not proceed until it was opened
4. despite all John had heard and seen, somehow his faith was not sufficient to give him confidence
5. John’s faith is strengthened – 5
1. it was an elder that comforted John and not an angel
1. a redeemed and raptured saint like John
2. understood the intensity of his concern better than an angel could
3. the elder had been in heaven longer than John, because represents those that are alive at the rapture
2. the elder reminds John that Jesus is the One who can open the book
1. "the Lion of the tribe of Judah"
1. the lion is an emblem of kingly authority and of power
2. He is the mighty God, the able Savior, the strong Redeemer, and protector of His people
3. because of His courage He engaged Satan in a conflict over our souls
4. Christ has power to open the seals, to rule the universe, and all events are under His control
5. this title reveals His humanity
2. "the Root of David"
1. the One from whom David came forth
2. this reveals His divine nature
3. the conquest of Christ [hath prevailed]
1. He has acquired this power as the result of a conflict or struggle
2. the result of a conflict in which He was the victor (an overcomer)
4. Christ is the only One who can open the book
1. to explain and execute all the purposes and decrees of God
2. because of the merits of His shed blood
2. Jesus Christ the worthy One – 5:6-14
1. Christ as the Lamb of God – 6
1. "a Lamb" illustrates the gentleness of Christ
2. "as it has been slain" reminds us of the salvation we enjoy because of Christ dying in our place
3. "stood" reminds us that we do not serve a dead Savior, but a living Savior
1. He is no longer seated at the right hand of the Father, but is moving to the place of power
2. the judgment of the Tribulation period is about to strike the earth, and Christ will be the Judge
4. "in the midst of the throne" shows that He ready to act as the righteous Judge
5. "seven horns" signifies complete power (omnipotent)
6. "seven eyes" signifies complete knowledge (omniscient)
7. Jesus Christ is both a Lion and a Lamb
1. the lion character refers to His second coming; the lamb character refers to His first coming
2. the lion is symbolic of His majesty; the lamb is symbolic of His meekness
3. as a lion He is Judge; as a lamb He is judged
4. the lion represents the government of God; the lamb represents the grace of God
2. Christ receives the book from the hand of His Father – 7
1. the movement here is important
1. He has moved from the right hand of the Father to the throne of the Father
2. He is no longer the intercessor of the church because the church is with Him
3. He now moves to the place were He will act as Judge
4. he receives the book which are the judgments that He will carry out on this unbelieving world
2. He will judge this world in righteousness before He reigns in righteousness
3. reaction of those around the throne – 8-10
1. when Christ takes the book it symbolizes that the Father has given control of all things to His Son - 8
2. the beast and the elders fall down before Christ - 8
1. an act of worship
2. an act of submission and reverence
3. they each had a harp and vials full of odors - 8
1. the harp was for singing praises to Christ (our heavenly duty and service)
2. the vials full of odors were the prayers of the saints
4. the prayers of the saints are compared to "odours", or the smell of incense – 8
1. as incense goes upward, so do prayers go up to God, and are received, regarded, and had in remembrance by Him
2. as incense is of a sweet smell, so are the prayers of the saints
3. the prayers of the saints will be used in worshipping the Lamb after He is declared worthy to open the seals on the scroll
4. something to think about: did you know that God is bottling up our prayers
5. I wonder how many bottles of prayers each of us will have to worship Christ with
5. a new song is sung – 9
1. this song was sung by the beast and the elders [they]
2. the song is termed "a new song" because its theme, REDEMPTION, is fully accomplished
3. the old song is God's celebrated song of creation
6. the song announced that Jesus was worthy to open the book that contained the seven seals – 9
1. because He was slain
2. because He has redeemed us to God
3. this redemption was purchased at the tremendous price of His own blood
4. the redemption He purchased with His blood is for every kindred, tongue, people, and nation
7. the heavenly host was not embarrassed to sing a song extolling the blood of Christ – 9
8. the song tells of what Christ is going to make of us – 10
1. because He purchased redemption through His blood, we have been made kings and priests
2. keep in mind this fact: you are SOMEBODY if you are born again
3. we will reign right here upon this earth; there will be a literal kingdom
4. Jesus will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem and reign, and we will reign with Him
5. no wonder there was singing and rejoicing among the heavenly hosts; there was something to sing about
6. the best is yet to come; the best is just ahead
4. the angels join in on the worship of Christ – 11-12
1. the terms "I beheld" and "I heard" denote undivided attention
1. John saw these things, and heard them
2. the book of Revelation is not history, it is not fiction, it is revealed fact
3. John is testifying to the fact that these are things he actually saw and heard
2. angels are introduced here
1. to the heavenly host, the whole system of Christianity is a matter of questions (I Peter 1:12)
2. angels ask questions about our glorious redemption and salvation
3. angels delight to serve the heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14)
4. it will be their joy to serve the heirs of salvation in glory (Rev. 21:12)
5. whatever the number of the saved are, the number of angels must be far greater
6. the angels accompany the Lord in numbers that are beyond our wildest imagination
3. notice the angels are not SINGING -- they simply SAY – 12
1. angels never knew the joy that our salvation brings, because Jesus did not die for angels
2. angels are special creations of God, they are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation
3. The angels "say," but we, the redeemed, SING!
4. the angels proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain"
1. they address him as the Lamb, and not as the Lord of lords
2. they celebrate the virtue and effectiveness of his sufferings and death
3. they do not add, as the living creatures and elders do, "and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood"
5. praises and honor to the Lamb, does not reach the full momentum until the whole universe is praising the Christ – 13
1. all creatures in their way praise God
2. the same glory and honor which are given to the Father are ascribed to Christ, which shows the proper deity of Christ, and his equality with the Father
6. when the great anthem was over, the great assembly of redeemed bowed down in worship – 14
1. we see that all praise and honor and worship must go to the Lord Jesus Christ
2. He is worthy. Amen!