Lesson 461 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (Revelation 5:12).
Cross References
I The Book with Seven Seals
1. God held the sealed Book, [REV:5:1]; [DAN:12:4], [DAN:12:9].
2. The question was asked, "Who is worthy to open the book?" [REV:5:2-4].
3. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah prevailed to open the Book and loose the seals, [REV:5:5]; [HEB:7:14].
II The Living Lamb
1. In the midst of the Throne stood a Lamb, [REV:5:6]; [REV:13:8]; [ISA:53:7]; [JHN:1:29], [JHN:1:36].
2. The Lamb took the Book out of the hand of God, [REV:5:7].
3. Honour and worship were given to the Lamb, [REV:5:8]; [REV:7:9-10].
III The New Song
1. "Thou art worthy," was the theme of the new song, [REV:5:9-10].
2. The angels of Heaven gave praise to the Lamb, [REV:5:11-12].
3. All creatures worshipped God and the Lamb, [REV:5:13-14]
Notes
Revelation
The heart of John must have thrilled time after time as the Revelation of Jesus Christ was unfolded step by step. John had seen the glorified Christ and had heard Him speak. He had received and recorded the messages to the seven churches, and then he had the most wonderful privilege of seeing the Throne of Heaven and seeing God sitting upon the Throne. "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold" [REV:4:4]). In addition to the elders round about the Throne were four beasts, or living beings, who continuously gave glory and honour and thanks to Him who sits upon the Throne.
John saw all this, but the message to him was, "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter" [REV:4:1]). The Bible tells us that God has prepared these things for those who receive and believe His Son, for those who love and serve Him. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son,' [REV:21:7]). "They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. . . . and they shall reign for ever and ever" [REV:22:4-5]). All those who reject the call of Christ, those who refuse to serve Him, those who disobey His commandments, not only will miss Heaven, but also are faced with only one alternative: that of being lost throughout eternity, condemned to the lake of fire. With the awful guilt and condemnation of sin and the sure knowledge of a lost eternity, why would anyone want to continue in an ungodly life? On the other hand, the joys received from living a Christian life, with the additional gift of God, eternal life, should be sufficient to cause everyone to serve Christ and God.
John's Vision
During the course of the Revelation, John saw in the right hand of the One who sat upon the Throne a Book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals. God gave the Revelation to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass, but this sealed Book seemed to cause a pause in the unfolding events. A strong angel proclaimed the message, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" It was not strength that was needed to loosen the seals, other wise the strong angel might have qualified to open the Book.
John wept much because no one, not even among the angels of God was able to break the seals and open the Book. If the Book remained closed the church, the world, and Heaven would be deprived of the information contained therein. It is thought by many that this Book had to do with the price and purchase of redemption. God's plan for the salvation of mankind from sin had to be fulfilled before the seals could be broken.
As John wept, one of the elders came with the comforting message: "Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." The words of the Bible can best describe the wondrous sight John saw: "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." This One stepped forth and took the Book out of the hand of Him who sat upon the Throne.
Worthiness
What qualification made the Lamb worthy to take the Book and loose the seals? Did His seven horns enable Him to qualify? The fact that the Lamb had seven horns would indicate an all powerful Being, as a horn is the emblem of power, and seven is a complete or perfect number throughout Scripture. Or the seven eyes, the seven Spirits of God: would these be the qualifications? This again is a perfect number and indicative of wisdom, knowledge and perception. These attributes are unusual and wonderful, and they have their place arid purpose; but these are not the things that qualified the Lamb to break the seals. "Who is worthy to open the book?" Jesus Chris:, the Lion, the Lamb, steps forward! At His first Coming He was the Lamb to sacrifice Himself for our sins [JHN:1:29]) At His second coming He is to be the Lion, mighty and powerful to rule and reign.
It is Christ's office as the sacrificial Lamb of Calvary that makes Him worthy to take the Book and loose the seals. The four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb in honour and worship. A new song rang throughout the portals of Glory. Another of God's great mysteries was about to be unfolded. "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou west 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." The theme of this new song inspired the angels, for soon thousands upon thousands of angels gave voice to their joy, saying "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
The Redeemed
The revelation is here made as to the identity of the four living beings and the twenty-four elders: they are representatives of the redeemed of the earth. Consider how high is their place in Heaven: they are round about the Throne of God, ever giving praise and worship unto Him. They owe their place and position to Jesus Christ, for He was wailing to give His life to redeem them.
Everyone is included in the plan and call of redemption, but only those who answer the call and endure to the end shall be saved. Mankind has been ruined by the fall into sin, with no hope of returning to God, except by God's plan. Men have sought in various ways to work out their own salvation, but the situation is hopeless unless Christ Jesus becomes man's Advocate. He is the one and only Mediator between God and men.
This is God's way, and the mediatorship of Christ has proved its efficacy to the millions who have received Him, yet millions more may come if they will. When we consider these things, should not our hearts be filled with praise? "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich', [2CO:8:9]). "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" [JHN:14:2-3]). Our lesson has given us a preview of that gloriously prepared place. We owe every thing to Jesus. On that great day when Christ stood forth to take the Book, the living beings gave praise, the elders united in the new song, the angels of Heaven with loud voice extolled His worthiness, and every creature joined in the worship. Let us praise Him, too! "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD' [PS:150:6]).
Questions
1. What was unusual about the Book that God held in His right hand?
2. Who was worthy to open the Book?
3. What two titles are given here to Christ?
4. Describe the actions of the four beasts and the four and twenty elders.
5. What is the theme of their new song?
6. How many angels joined in praising the Lamb?
7. What other group was included in the universal worship?