Lesson 461 - Junior

Memory Verse

"John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin Of the world" (John 1:29).

Notes

The Lamb of God

Christ truly became the "Lamb of God" when He died on the cross He had been chosen to be that "Lamb" from the foundation of the world.

Man's sin was, and still is, so horrible that only the Son of God's dying on Calvary could redeem lost souls. His Blood was shed to wash away the sins of those who truly repent. "For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" [REV:5:9]).

How thankful we should be that God would send His only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification! We, who were sinners, a "Lamb" offering that was in every way perfect, all-sufficient!

God's Throne

As John was beholding so many wonderful things on that Lord's Day, on the lonely Isle of Patmos, he saw God's Throne and One sitting on the Throne. It was all so radiantly beautiful, like unto precious stones. Around the Throne was a rainbow. Seated around the Throne were twenty four elders clothed in white raiment; on their heads were golden crowns.

How humble John, a lonely outcast, must have felt to see the glory of God's very Throne! What an honour to be bestowed upon a mortal man!

From time to time the elders would fall down before the One who sat upon the Throne, that One without a doubt being God the Father. They would cast their crowns before the Throne and say, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" [REV:4:11]).

The Sealed Book

In the right hand of God on the Throne was a Book, with writing on the inside and on the backside. The Book was sealed with seven seals.

As John watched, a strong angel cried with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" [REV:5:2]).

There was not a man in earth or Heaven who was found to be worthy to open and read the Book -- or even to look at it. John wept much when no one was found among men to open the Book. Did you ever weep to know God's will, and then rejoice as He made it plain to you?

As John wept, one of the elders said to him, "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" [REV:5:5]).

Praise to the Lamb

John saw Jesus as a Lamb that had been slain, standing in the midst of the Throne and among the elders. He came and took the Book out of the hand of the One sitting on the Throne. This caused a scene of exultation and praise. The twenty-four elders fell down to worship Him. They all had golden harps, and golden vessels filled with odours, which were the prayers of the saints. Think of it! The possibility of your earnest prayers being included in such a glorious praise service unto the Lord! As the elders worshipped they sang a new song saying, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: . . . and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" [REV:5:9-10]).

The twenty-four elders were no doubt representative of the raptured saints, as they had been redeemed from every people and nation. They were to reign on the earth, which is the promise to the saints who go up to meet the Lord in the Rapture. They are to return with Him and reign with Him here upon this earth for a thousand years (the Millennium).

Who would not feel like singing God's praises with a hope like that? A Christian is a happy person; sometimes he receives a foretaste of heavenly things, and he has a hope of seeing Jesus and reigning with Him.

As the elders sang, the voices of many angels and a countless multitude of redeemed joined in saying, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" [REV:5:12]). Then all the universe seemed to join in glorifying the Lamb.

Man's Weakness

How weak and inadequate is the best of our singing and praising God now as compared with the great scene John saw! If all the hosts of Heaven so readily joined in adoration of the Lamb of God, how is it that men and women, boys and girls, do not now give God the glory due Him? Those who are Christians try to praise God, but many times find that it is impossible to express their innermost feeling. Those who are not Christians fail to see the goodness and glory of God.

There is a time coming when all will have to bow their knees to God [ISA:45:23]). There will be no glorious joy and hope for the one who has to be forced to bow his knees and worship. There will be only dread and fear, and the knowledge that his soul is lost and that he is a partaker of the second death, forever cut off from God.

Let us seek and worship, honour and adore the Christ, the Lamb, our blessed Saviour. Let us give Him our lives, our talents; let us sing and praise Him. Let us aspire to be among that number who will come back with Him to rule and reign as kings and priests upon this earth for a thousand years, and then to be with Him throughout eternity.

Questions

1. When was Jesus chosen to be the Lamb of God?

2. What were the words of John the Baptist in regard to Jesus as the Lamb of God?

3. Describe the Book held in the right hand of the One sitting on the Throne.

4. For whom were they seeking to open the Book?

5. What did one of the elders say to John as he wept?

6. What were the vials full of odours?

7. What did the elders do when the Lamb took the Book?

8. Did the angels help sing the new song? Why?

9. Of whom were the elders representative?