“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.” (Revelation 5:1–3)
Everyone at one time or another looks “for a hero to ride in and save the day.” Our favorite movies be they apocalyptic – end of the world scenarios, or set on some foreign field of battle, thrive on the hunger of our hearts for a hero.
Our heroes are larger than life – men and women of great courage, outstanding achievement or possessing some noble quality. My heroes run into burning buildings. My heroes ran into the towers on 9/11 or were victims on the inside whose focus was on the others victims in the building rather than upon themselves. They have a quality of selflessness which, under the pressure of a hopeless situation emerges from them in incredible acts of courage.
The most pivotal question in Revelation comes at arguably the second most pivotal moments in human history (v.2):
“Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
Note it was not God, “Him who sat upon the throne” with a scroll in His hand asking this question. We are not told whether the “strong angel” was Michael the arch angel or Gabriel; what we are told is that this angel announced, he proclaimed with his question a challenge to the host of heaven and to men – produce if you can one who is worthy to open the scroll.
Our Champion
How long did the search take before it became clear that none of the elders, beasts, or representatives of men contained one so worthy; we cannot say. But that there was a dramatic pause in heaven is clear in John’s response in (v.4):
“So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.”
Could it truly be that John, the beloved apostle did not know the only one worthy to take the scroll?
Go back with me for a moment in your thoughts to the other pivotal moment in human history – the first one; the moment Jesus Christ made it possible for sinners to be forgiven, restored, and redeemed by God through His own precious blood.
Jesus did not shrink back from what His mission on our behalf would require of Him (John 12:27). Ours was a situation of absolute hopelessness. Consider the view from (Ephesians 2:1): we “were dead in trespasses and sins.”We were doomed to eternal destruction (John 3:18) because of our sin and unbelief but Jesus stepped into human history (Gal. 4:4-5): “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Jesus made war with Satan from the cross (John 12:31-32) “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
I love the song by Carmen called The Champion; the first time I heard it, I was on the road, headed towards Denver with a heavy load of steel.
At first, I was upset by what I was hearing, the song, more like a dramatic dialogue involves the scorn of Satan, demons as well as the humans who were present to see Jesus nailed to and hanging on the cross. But then, in much the same way as a boxer is counted out after being knocked to the ground by his opponent, the “referee” in the song began to apparently count someone out as well; and as he began with 10, 9, 8, 7, 6….I began to weep. This was not the counting out of my Savior – this was His victory!!!! Satan, that deceiver of men and enemy of God was being counted out as the countdown continued – the demons couldn’t believe it, they were out of their minds as the Savior of man overcame the “odds’ and defeated their leader.
What does it say in (Eph 2:1)? “And you He made alive!” (Eph.2 12-13):
“…at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Worthy is the Lamb
In light of the victory which the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus gained for you and I, it should come as no surprise to us that He alone is worthy! He has prevailed over sin, over Satan and over death!
“Do not weep” declared one of the elders to John in (v.5), “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.””
These two titles point to Jesus deity as the “Root of David” and to His humanity as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” As the “Root of David,” Jesus Christ is according to Paul in (Romans 15:12) quoting (Isaiah 11:1,10) “He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.””
It is His blood which the Elders sing about in (v.9) – Jesus’ sacrifice for the sins of man. His selfless obedience to the will of His Father seems to be the greatest reason for His worthiness to take the scroll. The price He paid; the suffering which He endured – all that our redemption cost Him make Jesus Christ the ONLY ONE WORTHY to take the scroll.
But to me, He is worthy because of His courage and love for me. He did what I could not do – I was dead in trespasses and sins yet He ran into my life to rescue and redeem me.
Take note: it was not the Lion standing before the throne. Not a figure of power or might. Consider what the spotlight of heaven landed on in this moment (Re. 5:6-7):
“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”
There, before the throne stood a lamb, blood stains still apparent upon Him who had been slain.
Worshipping Our Hero and Great King
Note the response of the “four living creatures and twenty four elders” in (v.8); as soon as the Lamb took the scroll, and before He opened it, they all fell down in worship before Him:
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Much has been said about the prayers of the saints because many prayers have been prayed and all prayer is seen as a sweet smelling aroma to God offered by His people – prayers of worship, praise, and adoration; prayers of dependance and of surrender. But considering what is happening in the moment depicted in (v.5), it seems as if the prayer Jesus taught men in (Matt. 6) is the specific “prayers of the saints” in mind here; do you remember it?
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9–13, NKJV)
As the light shines on Him who has the scroll – just then His kingdom was coming! Just then, His will was about to be done on earth as it was already in heaven.
I cannot imagine that worship in heaven is ever lack luster, is ever less than over the top, full blown, heartfelt, worship and yet the moment before us here depicts even GREATER worship! The elders and creatures “sang a new song” (v.9-10) to the Lamb:
“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Beginning with their new song, praise rippled out from before the throne of God to the corners of heaven. A numberless assembly of angels joined their voices to the worship saying (v.12):
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Finally all of creation – every created, living thing with a voice in heaven and on earth joins in the refrain of the new song, saying (v13): “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Eternal praise to the eternal God and His Son Jesus Christ is the theme of heaven’s worship.
Wrapping up, I have to say that in my life, I have looked up to a scant few people, but I have only ever had one true hero.
Jesus Christ is my hero.
I picture the moment highlighting Jesus amid all the host of heaven, spotlight on Him alone as I worship. I see Him with all the filth and evidence of the battle He fought for me still upon Him. I see Him who went to such incredible lengths to set me free. His blood is certainly NOT a common thing!
Can I challenge you to fix your minds eye and heart of worship on Jesus as you live, as you praise and as you worship Him? Our worship in prayer and in song is fueled by our knowledge that we are both known (1 Cor. 8:3) and also (Eph.1:6) “accepted in the beloved.” One day, we will be a part of the group singing that new song (this is prophecy after all) of the redeemed in the very presence of the Lamb of God who took away our sin!!!
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain; worthy is the King who conquered the grave!!!
May we ever worship Him in deepest devotion – even now, for all He is and all He has done for us.
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