1 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:16,880 And so it's with the words of that closing verse, O Jesus, thou 2 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:21,240 hast promised that where thy art in glory, there shall thy servant 3 00:00:21,240 --> 00:00:21,600 be. 4 00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:26,240 Because tonight we're looking to the very place of Jesus. 5 00:00:27,570 --> 00:00:32,010 We're looking to where he is in this great curtain being pulled 6 00:00:32,010 --> 00:00:35,970 back of heaven, as we saw in Revelation 4. 7 00:00:36,770 --> 00:00:40,450 And last week, I began by getting you to think of places that 8 00:00:40,450 --> 00:00:43,250 were impressive to us in how they looked. 9 00:00:43,490 --> 00:00:48,290 And one of the things I suggested to us that might be impressive 10 00:00:48,290 --> 00:00:50,810 to us is the sunrise that we see each day. 11 00:00:50,810 --> 00:00:54,730 And I don't know if you saw this, but the sunrise for each morning 12 00:00:54,730 --> 00:00:58,130 at the start of this week was simply spectacular. 13 00:00:58,940 --> 00:01:01,700 And it reminded us of God's continued faithfulness. 14 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:04,540 And if you didn't get to see it, I did my best to get a photograph, 15 00:01:04,540 --> 00:01:06,900 and that's what it looked like from the manse. 16 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:11,740 And really, pictures don't do sunrises or sunsets any glory unless 17 00:01:11,740 --> 00:01:13,020 you edit them fully. 18 00:01:13,020 --> 00:01:14,380 Well, I wasn't in the mood for editing. 19 00:01:14,700 --> 00:01:16,380 And so this was the sunrise. 20 00:01:16,380 --> 00:01:18,060 And really it was Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 21 00:01:18,460 --> 00:01:22,220 I saw these as we pulled the curtains back or rolled up the blinds. 22 00:01:22,540 --> 00:01:26,500 And it was a welcome sight to see, having thought about just how 23 00:01:26,500 --> 00:01:29,780 impressive that throne room of heaven was for us. 24 00:01:30,260 --> 00:01:33,380 And so we see something impressive before us every day in 25 00:01:33,380 --> 00:01:38,180 the glory of God in the sunrise again reminding us of his 26 00:01:38,260 --> 00:01:39,620 continued faithfulness. 27 00:01:40,900 --> 00:01:45,540 And I use this sunrise, and I use this example to help us understand 28 00:01:45,780 --> 00:01:50,940 what John saw as the curtain of heaven was pulled back and he 29 00:01:50,940 --> 00:01:55,640 saw the glory of the kingdom of God, God with God on the throne, 30 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:57,400 ruling and reigning. 31 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:01,400 And you know what a sight it must have been for John to try comprehend 32 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,120 for John to behold everything he saw in front of him. 33 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,680 In chapter four, we read of his understanding of all that was 34 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:12,480 before him, in both what he could see, but also remembering what 35 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:13,240 he could hear. 36 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:17,400 And so we now move into chapter five, and John is still in 37 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,330 the throne room of heaven, but now we get to be a little bit more 38 00:02:21,330 --> 00:02:25,090 focused on some of the details that were not put before us in the 39 00:02:25,090 --> 00:02:26,330 first viewing of heaven. 40 00:02:26,730 --> 00:02:31,730 And so as John looks now, he sees the one sitting on the throne, 41 00:02:31,730 --> 00:02:34,570 not just him, but what is in his right hand. 42 00:02:35,290 --> 00:02:39,730 And so John begins in verse one by telling us, then I saw in 43 00:02:39,730 --> 00:02:42,770 his right hand, or in the right hand of him who was seated 44 00:02:42,770 --> 00:02:47,960 on the throne, a scroll written within and on the back sealed 45 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,040 with seven seals. 46 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,520 So John sees a scroll. 47 00:02:55,160 --> 00:03:01,800 That scroll is well written over, but that scroll is also locked 48 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:05,240 or sealed by these seven seals. 49 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:09,200 And it's not until we get into chapter six that we discover what 50 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:11,000 these seals are. 51 00:03:12,130 --> 00:03:15,610 And whenever you think of a scroll, you either think of a piece 52 00:03:15,610 --> 00:03:19,930 of paper that's rolled up or you think of a longer piece of paper 53 00:03:19,930 --> 00:03:24,570 with two wooden cylinder like pieces at both ends so that it can 54 00:03:24,570 --> 00:03:27,330 be rolled up and then revealed or unwound. 55 00:03:27,570 --> 00:03:29,170 And it's revealed for us. 56 00:03:29,570 --> 00:03:33,690 So however we think of a scroll, it's something that's maybe 57 00:03:33,690 --> 00:03:37,330 not as familiar to us, but it certainly was familiar to John from 58 00:03:37,330 --> 00:03:41,290 his day, because even whenever we read of Jesus back at Nazareth 59 00:03:41,290 --> 00:03:44,950 in the synagogue, the scroll was given to him, it was handed to 60 00:03:44,950 --> 00:03:46,830 him and he read from it. 61 00:03:47,070 --> 00:03:50,990 And if you've ever seen any dramatization of that, you will know 62 00:03:50,990 --> 00:03:51,830 what it looks like. 63 00:03:51,830 --> 00:03:56,270 So this was something that was nothing new to John. 64 00:03:56,350 --> 00:04:00,590 But maybe what did surprise him was the seven seals. 65 00:04:02,030 --> 00:04:06,110 Scrolls might have been clasped simply to keep them together, 66 00:04:07,310 --> 00:04:10,590 but to have seven seals on them was overkill. 67 00:04:11,730 --> 00:04:15,770 So therefore there must be deep meaning as to why these seals 68 00:04:15,770 --> 00:04:17,250 and why seven of them. 69 00:04:17,330 --> 00:04:21,570 But again, we'll look at that a little tonight, but more next week. 70 00:04:22,290 --> 00:04:27,170 And so, as we now behold this scroll, what we're to understand 71 00:04:28,050 --> 00:04:32,890 by it is that it represents the decrees of God concerning the 72 00:04:32,890 --> 00:04:37,450 unfolding of God's plans for judgment and salvation that were 73 00:04:37,450 --> 00:04:41,330 established before the foundations of the world set in motion 74 00:04:41,330 --> 00:04:45,210 by Christ's death and Christ's resurrection. 75 00:04:46,410 --> 00:04:50,450 The American New Testament scholar G.K. beale writes that the 76 00:04:50,450 --> 00:04:55,210 scrolls contains all sacred history, especially from the cross 77 00:04:55,850 --> 00:04:57,490 to the new creation. 78 00:04:57,490 --> 00:04:58,730 So that's what they're about. 79 00:05:00,010 --> 00:05:03,850 They're about God's plan for judgment, about God's plan for salvation. 80 00:05:04,850 --> 00:05:07,530 And it's a plan that has been established from the foundations 81 00:05:07,530 --> 00:05:13,250 of the world now set in motion in these last days by Christ's death 82 00:05:13,250 --> 00:05:14,370 and resurrection. 83 00:05:14,930 --> 00:05:19,170 And so this scroll, as I've now said twice, is written on both 84 00:05:19,250 --> 00:05:19,890 sides. 85 00:05:19,970 --> 00:05:24,450 And what this tells us is that the decrees of God are comprehensive, 86 00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:27,010 but they're also extensive. 87 00:05:27,890 --> 00:05:31,490 So what we have in this scroll is everything we need. 88 00:05:31,490 --> 00:05:36,090 It is full, it is bursting, full of what is to be revealed to 89 00:05:36,090 --> 00:05:36,250 us. 90 00:05:36,250 --> 00:05:38,850 And what is written on the scroll is precise. 91 00:05:39,730 --> 00:05:45,410 And it is sealed to let us know that it is complete and it cannot 92 00:05:45,490 --> 00:05:46,450 be altered. 93 00:05:46,850 --> 00:05:48,690 That's why there's seven seals. 94 00:05:49,410 --> 00:05:52,730 Whenever you think of a seal, and I've had to use from time to 95 00:05:52,730 --> 00:05:55,810 time as clerk of presbytery, a wax seal. 96 00:05:56,210 --> 00:06:00,170 And it's a brass knob that I hold in my hand, I hate the wax. 97 00:06:00,170 --> 00:06:02,650 And please, if you ever do this, don't make the same mistake 98 00:06:02,650 --> 00:06:05,770 as me by thinking you work in the post office, slamming it down. 99 00:06:05,770 --> 00:06:06,115 Because. 100 00:06:06,115 --> 00:06:12,350 Because the wax then just goes everywhere onto the manse carpet. 101 00:06:14,990 --> 00:06:21,470 A seal is a wax thing, but a seal can also be a clasp or a lock. 102 00:06:22,590 --> 00:06:26,830 And so by seven of them, what we're told is that this is not easy 103 00:06:26,830 --> 00:06:29,950 to open so that it can be changed or that it can be altered. 104 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:36,320 And I suppose any ladies here or girls who have had a diary with 105 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,880 a lock on it, you want to keep that key close to you, and you're 106 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:41,520 the only one who will be able to open it. 107 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:44,720 And so we discover in a moment or two that there is only one who 108 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,200 can open it to tell us, therefore, that not only is it complete, 109 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:52,680 not only is it precise and extensive, but it cannot be altered 110 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:55,560 and it cannot be changed. 111 00:06:56,680 --> 00:07:02,000 And so it is a scroll that is securely sealed with these seven 112 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:02,560 seals. 113 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:10,240 What's written on this scroll will not take place unless the seals 114 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:11,840 are broken. 115 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:17,440 And already for the original hearers of this, they will be transported 116 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:18,800 back to Daniel. 117 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:23,960 Because it's in Daniel chapter 12 and verses 4 and 9 that we're 118 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,500 told of a book that is sealed until the end of the day time. 119 00:07:28,860 --> 00:07:30,220 And so here we have it. 120 00:07:31,180 --> 00:07:34,900 And so the images of Daniel are now flooding into the minds of 121 00:07:34,900 --> 00:07:39,900 the readers and the hearers as they wait to see what happens next. 122 00:07:40,780 --> 00:07:44,460 And so as John sees the scroll in the right hand of the one sitting 123 00:07:44,460 --> 00:07:47,660 on the throne, his attention is now drawn to something more. 124 00:07:48,060 --> 00:07:49,700 He now sees an angel. 125 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:51,020 And this isn't any angel. 126 00:07:51,020 --> 00:07:56,870 John describes this angel as a mighty angel, and the angel has something 127 00:07:56,870 --> 00:07:57,470 to say. 128 00:07:57,950 --> 00:08:01,990 And verse two tells us, and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with 129 00:08:01,990 --> 00:08:09,470 a loud voice, who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. 130 00:08:11,150 --> 00:08:14,750 Now, John is being exceptionally descriptive here. 131 00:08:14,990 --> 00:08:18,070 He could have easily said that Jesus is the only one who can open 132 00:08:18,070 --> 00:08:19,470 the scroll, but he doesn't. 133 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:24,880 He tells us exactly what he sees and what he hears, and he's 134 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:29,120 in a way, slowing things down for us so that we appreciate what's 135 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:32,360 going on, but also that we rejoice in the majesty of the one 136 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,240 who is going to come to open the scroll. 137 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:40,520 And so John sees a mighty angel announcing his question loudly 138 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:42,680 to the entirety of creation. 139 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,880 And this is the central question that is asked in chapter 140 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:47,240 five. 141 00:08:48,020 --> 00:08:51,980 Is there anyone worthy to break open the seals? 142 00:08:51,980 --> 00:08:55,180 Because the one who breaks open the seals is the one who will 143 00:08:55,180 --> 00:08:57,540 then commence whatever is written within. 144 00:08:58,740 --> 00:09:02,460 And so what we're now given with this Question is also given 145 00:09:02,460 --> 00:09:04,140 to us in an answer. 146 00:09:04,140 --> 00:09:08,500 And it's a particular format and where we are to pause at each 147 00:09:08,500 --> 00:09:11,940 one to reflect on the question of utmost importance for mankind 148 00:09:12,580 --> 00:09:14,740 who is worthy? 149 00:09:16,260 --> 00:09:20,100 And so now, seeing the fullness of heaven before him, it 150 00:09:20,100 --> 00:09:23,780 might surprise us what the initial answer is to this question 151 00:09:23,780 --> 00:09:27,540 of is there anyone worthy to break open the seals? 152 00:09:27,540 --> 00:09:35,260 In verses three and four, we read, and no one in heaven or on 153 00:09:35,260 --> 00:09:39,740 earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look 154 00:09:39,740 --> 00:09:40,340 into it. 155 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:41,880 And what happens? 156 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:46,800 John and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy 157 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:49,480 to open the scroll or to look into it. 158 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:54,520 There's no one able to open it or look into it. 159 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,040 There's no one who can tell us what it contains. 160 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:03,560 No one, as John emphasizes, truly means no one. 161 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:08,320 There's no heavenly being, no angel who can open the scroll, nor 162 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,160 is there anyone on earth who can do so. 163 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:15,120 Nor is there anyone under the earth, the realm of the dead, who 164 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:15,880 can open it. 165 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:20,440 And in a moment of his involvement in the unfolding scene, 166 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:21,960 John breaks into weeping. 167 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:27,000 John wept with shame for the failure of the entire human race 168 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:31,440 to be so much less than what God had originally intended for it 169 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:31,880 to be. 170 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:37,050 Perhaps he wept and personal shame, seeing in himself his own 171 00:10:37,050 --> 00:10:40,090 failure to live up to what God intended him to be. 172 00:10:41,530 --> 00:10:45,050 His weeping, however, was about far more. 173 00:10:46,490 --> 00:10:49,890 It wasn't just for himself, because he wept, because if no one 174 00:10:49,890 --> 00:10:56,090 was found worthy to open the scroll, then there would be no end 175 00:10:56,810 --> 00:10:59,370 to the suffering in the world. 176 00:10:59,370 --> 00:11:03,960 Because remember, at the time that John is writing this, already 177 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:08,120 in the churches we have seen the word tribulation mentioned. 178 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:11,080 This is a time where the church is under persecution. 179 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:14,880 The church is not a friend of the world, although some have tried 180 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:15,240 to be. 181 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:16,200 But they're feeling. 182 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:20,520 This is a time when John needs to know, and the churches need to 183 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,240 know, that the suffering of this world will come to an end. 184 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,480 And so if no one can be found to open the scroll, then the suffering 185 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:28,950 is just going to go on forever and ever and ever. 186 00:11:29,980 --> 00:11:33,220 And with this, then there would be no confidence in good triumphing 187 00:11:33,220 --> 00:11:33,900 over evil. 188 00:11:34,220 --> 00:11:37,980 There would be no assurance that justice will finally be done. 189 00:11:38,780 --> 00:11:43,020 There would be no ultimate victory for God's people, no experience 190 00:11:43,420 --> 00:11:50,860 of promised blessings, no new heaven, no new earth, no end to sin 191 00:11:51,100 --> 00:11:55,800 and death, and no hope. 192 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:04,440 Do you see now why John weeps on what the significance of this 193 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:07,800 scroll and its seven seals are? 194 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:14,560 If there's a cry in heaven that no one can open it, then what 195 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:16,040 is the hope for humanity? 196 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,170 But there is Hope. 197 00:12:22,050 --> 00:12:27,130 Because what John sees next is hope that comes from words of one 198 00:12:27,130 --> 00:12:32,930 of the elders who says to John in verse five, weep no more. 199 00:12:33,810 --> 00:12:35,330 Behold or look. 200 00:12:35,970 --> 00:12:41,810 The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, 201 00:12:42,930 --> 00:12:47,740 and he has conquered so that he can open the scroll and its seven 202 00:12:47,980 --> 00:12:48,540 seals. 203 00:12:49,740 --> 00:12:54,900 And here's John reaching back to an early prophecy in Genesis where 204 00:12:54,900 --> 00:12:58,940 Judah is given the prominence and rule over his brothers and his 205 00:12:58,940 --> 00:12:59,340 enemies. 206 00:12:59,340 --> 00:13:07,260 In Genesis 49, 8, Judah is as fierce as a lion over his prey, and 207 00:13:07,260 --> 00:13:11,540 no one can stand against him, as verse nine of the chapter goes 208 00:13:11,540 --> 00:13:12,660 on to say. 209 00:13:13,300 --> 00:13:17,540 But we also see that the one who can open the scroll is from the 210 00:13:17,540 --> 00:13:18,500 root of David. 211 00:13:18,980 --> 00:13:22,900 And this will be easier for us to recall, I think, because as promised 212 00:13:22,900 --> 00:13:26,220 through the prophets and led out for us in the genealogy of Christ 213 00:13:26,220 --> 00:13:30,660 in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus is from the lineage or the line of David. 214 00:13:31,540 --> 00:13:36,100 And in the covenant made with David, God promised him an heir who 215 00:13:36,100 --> 00:13:37,940 would reign forever on his throne. 216 00:13:38,180 --> 00:13:40,740 And John is now seeing who that is. 217 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:43,040 It is the risen Lord Jesus Christ. 218 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:45,720 But before him stands a lamb. 219 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:50,800 And so the scene is set for the one who will come and break the 220 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:52,960 seals so God's truth can be read. 221 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,320 Because he died so that he could open. 222 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:59,320 He is conquered so that he can reveal to us what is God's word to 223 00:13:59,320 --> 00:13:59,640 us. 224 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:04,960 And verse six gets the stage ready for what we're about to see. 225 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:09,880 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the 226 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:15,120 elders, I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain with 227 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:18,800 seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits 228 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:21,680 of God sent out into all the earth. 229 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:27,240 Now, maybe we are expecting to see Jesus dressed in white with light 230 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:29,920 all around him, but that's not what we're shown here. 231 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:33,120 And so it surprises us that John sees a lamb. 232 00:14:34,740 --> 00:14:36,500 But this is no ordinary lamb. 233 00:14:37,220 --> 00:14:40,980 Interestingly, this lamb was alive and standing, yet looked as 234 00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:42,500 though it had been slain. 235 00:14:43,380 --> 00:14:47,060 And so this means for us that John was looking at the crucified 236 00:14:47,140 --> 00:14:51,860 and resurrected Lord Jesus in glorified human flesh. 237 00:14:52,660 --> 00:14:56,940 It is as if he could still see scars on his brow where the thorns 238 00:14:56,940 --> 00:15:00,260 had been pressed in and scars on his hands and his feet where the 239 00:15:00,260 --> 00:15:02,100 nails had been pounded into them. 240 00:15:02,950 --> 00:15:06,630 This lamb being slain is full of biblical imagery. 241 00:15:07,110 --> 00:15:12,350 It draws us to the Passover lamb there in Exodus, the lamb that 242 00:15:12,350 --> 00:15:15,710 had to be killed with its blood sprinkled on the lintel of 243 00:15:15,710 --> 00:15:20,750 the door so that the angel of death would pass by, pass over, and 244 00:15:20,750 --> 00:15:26,710 not kill the firstborn in the house of the Israelites that Passover 245 00:15:27,030 --> 00:15:32,660 lamb was was slaughtered so that it might deliver Israel. 246 00:15:33,620 --> 00:15:38,020 Lambs were also offered both morning and evening for the daily 247 00:15:38,020 --> 00:15:40,820 burnt offering bringing atonement for Israel. 248 00:15:41,540 --> 00:15:44,900 The suffering servant in Isaiah 53 that the boys and girls 249 00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:47,500 looked at this morning, that was our assurance of pardon. 250 00:15:47,500 --> 00:15:50,500 Tonight we're told, like a lamb led to the slaughter. 251 00:15:51,060 --> 00:15:55,060 And in John 1:29, what does John the Baptist exclaim? 252 00:15:55,060 --> 00:16:00,630 That Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 253 00:16:01,270 --> 00:16:04,550 Paul identifies Jesus as the passover lamb in First Corinthians 254 00:16:04,550 --> 00:16:05,510 5:7. 255 00:16:05,750 --> 00:16:10,390 And Peter says that Jesus is a lamb without blemish or spot in 1 256 00:16:10,390 --> 00:16:11,670 Peter 1:19. 257 00:16:12,309 --> 00:16:15,270 And so the importance of the lamb is evident in Revelation. 258 00:16:15,670 --> 00:16:21,750 For this is the first of 26 times when Jesus is identified as 259 00:16:21,750 --> 00:16:22,390 the Lamb. 260 00:16:23,110 --> 00:16:27,030 And so Jesus self giving in death for the sake of his people 261 00:16:27,350 --> 00:16:30,390 is the center of the New Testament story. 262 00:16:30,870 --> 00:16:35,590 Now we see at the center of the throne room in heaven. 263 00:16:37,190 --> 00:16:43,110 You see, Scripture is full of imagery pointing us to this lamb 264 00:16:43,270 --> 00:16:44,230 who was slain. 265 00:16:44,310 --> 00:16:49,360 This lamb that was alive but looked as if it had been slain. 266 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:54,000 And so we learn from John's portrait that Jesus conquers not 267 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,720 as a lion, but as a lamb. 268 00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:02,640 The seven sealed book is open not because he mauled his opponents, 269 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:06,160 but because he gave his life for sinners. 270 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:11,480 Just like that Passover lamb on the first passover, just like 271 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:15,040 that lamb that was sacrificed daily and on the day of atonement, 272 00:17:15,700 --> 00:17:20,900 Jesus, the living lamb, gave his life so that we as humanity could 273 00:17:20,900 --> 00:17:23,620 go free when we place our trust in him. 274 00:17:23,780 --> 00:17:28,060 It is Jesus who triumphs through suffering and he triumphs 275 00:17:28,060 --> 00:17:32,500 through death instead of through the destruction of his opponents 276 00:17:32,500 --> 00:17:34,180 with overwhelming force. 277 00:17:35,060 --> 00:17:37,780 And as the risen one, he stands triumphant. 278 00:17:37,780 --> 00:17:43,030 Yes, as the slain Lamb, he stands in victory with almighty strength. 279 00:17:43,590 --> 00:17:45,590 For we see here he has seven horns. 280 00:17:45,590 --> 00:17:51,430 Horns designate strength, and seven here indicates perfect and 281 00:17:51,430 --> 00:17:52,470 infinite power. 282 00:17:52,870 --> 00:17:57,430 And so the one who was slain as a lamb now reigns as the lion 283 00:17:57,670 --> 00:17:58,550 and the lamb. 284 00:17:59,270 --> 00:18:04,070 And this is the one John now sees moving around heaven, going 285 00:18:04,070 --> 00:18:05,910 forward and taking the scroll. 286 00:18:05,910 --> 00:18:09,420 And as soon as he does, we once again see worship in heaven. 287 00:18:09,420 --> 00:18:13,440 And but it's not just singing this time, because verse eight tells 288 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,240 us what happens next. 289 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:19,000 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures 290 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:23,560 and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb, each holding a harp 291 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:28,440 and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of 292 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:29,240 the saints. 293 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:35,760 The Lamb is worshipped because as the slain and risen one, he opens 294 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:39,560 the scroll, he redeems his people. 295 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:43,760 The use of harps by the four living creatures signifies their 296 00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:48,040 Joy rooted in God's faithful and saving love for his people. 297 00:18:48,360 --> 00:18:51,160 The elders, too, have harps because they are filled with joy 298 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:54,360 on account of the saving work of the slain lamb. 299 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,400 The elders also have golden bowls of incense. 300 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:01,320 Incense and golden bowls, we know harks back to Exodus and the 301 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:04,680 tabernacle that would then show us and point us to the temple. 302 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:06,600 And we'll come to look at this again. 303 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:10,880 But for now, what we're told is they represent the saints of the 304 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:11,240 prayers. 305 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:13,400 And we'll come to that again in chapter eight. 306 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:18,280 And so what we have in front of us is the site recalling the Old 307 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:23,080 Testament altar, that altar of incense described in Exodus 30. 308 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:29,280 But we also see it in Psalm 141, verse 2, as David asks that 309 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,730 his prayer be counted as as incense before the Lord. 310 00:19:32,730 --> 00:19:36,450 David writes, let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and 311 00:19:36,450 --> 00:19:40,570 the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 312 00:19:41,050 --> 00:19:43,130 What was the point of this incense? 313 00:19:43,610 --> 00:19:46,930 It was to be a sweet aroma, just like the sacrifice of a lamb 314 00:19:46,930 --> 00:19:49,130 was to be a sweet aroma unto the Lord. 315 00:19:49,530 --> 00:19:52,770 There was to be a sweet aroma of the praise of God's people before 316 00:19:52,770 --> 00:19:54,090 him day and night. 317 00:19:54,970 --> 00:19:59,730 And now we see that this aroma is the prayers of the saints who 318 00:19:59,730 --> 00:20:03,730 have come before him faithfully seeking him, trusting 319 00:20:03,730 --> 00:20:06,970 him, knowing that they need to depend on him for everything. 320 00:20:08,570 --> 00:20:11,930 And so John picks up on this image that David has for us in the 321 00:20:11,930 --> 00:20:16,570 Psalms of comparing prayer to incense, incense that was pleasing 322 00:20:16,570 --> 00:20:17,210 to God. 323 00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:20,810 And in the same way, these are the prayers of the saints. 324 00:20:21,450 --> 00:20:25,140 And so whenever we pray, I hope we know that our prayers are 325 00:20:25,140 --> 00:20:25,980 pleasing to God. 326 00:20:26,780 --> 00:20:29,100 He delights in hearing us pray. 327 00:20:29,660 --> 00:20:31,060 He wants us to pray. 328 00:20:31,060 --> 00:20:32,740 He wants us to pray in our homes. 329 00:20:32,740 --> 00:20:37,300 He wants us to pray together, so that indeed it will be a sweet 330 00:20:37,300 --> 00:20:39,980 fragrance to him in the words that we offer. 331 00:20:40,860 --> 00:20:44,380 But also on top of this, the redemption accomplished by the Lamb 332 00:20:44,620 --> 00:20:48,540 fulfills the prayers of the saints and the longings of their 333 00:20:48,540 --> 00:20:52,460 hearts, because that's what we pray for, the day when he will return. 334 00:20:52,460 --> 00:20:55,300 And that's what saints throughout the generations have been 335 00:20:55,300 --> 00:20:59,080 praying for, longing for the day when Christ will return. 336 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,200 And in verses 9 and 10, we hear the praise of Heaven. 337 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:06,720 That answers the question as to who is worthy to open the scroll. 338 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:10,680 And the words of their hymn say that it can only be the Lamb, 339 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:15,280 the risen Lord Jesus, because he bore the penalty that the sin 340 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:16,680 of humanity deserves. 341 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:21,840 The hymns affirm that this was not for one group of people, but 342 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:24,920 for every tribe and language and people and nation. 343 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:28,760 And so, having ransomed the people for God, by his blood, they 344 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:34,080 are now a kingdom of priests to God and shall reign on the earth. 345 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:39,040 In other words, the reign of the people of God is rooted in Christ's 346 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:40,000 redeeming work. 347 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:45,600 The four living creatures and the 24 elders explode with joy because 348 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:49,760 God's purposes for his creation will come to pass. 349 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,670 And what is written on the seals, which is God's plan for the 350 00:21:53,670 --> 00:21:59,390 world, will be not frustrated, but will be fulfilled. 351 00:22:00,590 --> 00:22:04,910 So the song of eternity is one of celebration for the Lamb who was 352 00:22:04,910 --> 00:22:05,390 slain. 353 00:22:06,030 --> 00:22:09,670 And we will sing it with brothers and sisters from all over 354 00:22:09,670 --> 00:22:13,230 the world, as we're told, every tribe and language and people 355 00:22:13,310 --> 00:22:14,350 and nations. 356 00:22:14,430 --> 00:22:18,670 And that's why the words of our opening hymn this morning, hymn139, 357 00:22:18,830 --> 00:22:19,590 all heal. 358 00:22:19,590 --> 00:22:24,860 The Power of Jesus Name, are so powerful for us because they describe 359 00:22:24,860 --> 00:22:30,780 this exact scene when we sing, O that with yonder sacred throng 360 00:22:31,020 --> 00:22:36,540 we at his feet may fall we'll join the everlasting song and crown 361 00:22:36,540 --> 00:22:42,860 Him Lord of all we'll join the everlasting song and crown Him Lord 362 00:22:43,260 --> 00:22:43,900 of all. 363 00:22:47,420 --> 00:22:52,410 I hope that the songs that we sing aren't just because we like 364 00:22:52,410 --> 00:22:56,690 them, but because they have meaning not just for that moment, 365 00:22:56,690 --> 00:23:00,290 but deeper meaning as scripture is more and more revealed 366 00:23:00,290 --> 00:23:00,770 to us. 367 00:23:01,730 --> 00:23:05,970 That indeed we will see that day that has been described here 368 00:23:06,130 --> 00:23:10,930 in Revelation 5 in those verses of that hymn that we sing 369 00:23:11,250 --> 00:23:15,490 and that we sung this morning and others that we sing of telling 370 00:23:15,490 --> 00:23:18,150 what is the future God's people. 371 00:23:20,070 --> 00:23:23,350 Well, the four living creatures and all these redeemed 372 00:23:23,350 --> 00:23:25,590 people are singing their new song. 373 00:23:25,750 --> 00:23:29,270 And then the angel, all angels, all the hosts of heaven join 374 00:23:29,270 --> 00:23:33,750 in verse 12 where they sing, worthy is the Lamb who was slain 375 00:23:33,990 --> 00:23:37,510 to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and 376 00:23:37,510 --> 00:23:39,190 glory and blessing. 377 00:23:39,750 --> 00:23:45,730 The Lamb is worthy of the same worship as God, and so should be 378 00:23:45,730 --> 00:23:49,610 given power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory 379 00:23:49,610 --> 00:23:50,810 and blessing. 380 00:23:51,290 --> 00:23:55,690 And John is here emphasizing that power, might, honor and glory 381 00:23:55,690 --> 00:23:59,890 should be given to the Lamb, especially as a result of his redeeming 382 00:23:59,890 --> 00:24:00,050 work. 383 00:24:00,050 --> 00:24:04,970 In other words, Jesus should be honored and Jesus should be worshiped 384 00:24:04,970 --> 00:24:09,610 as the God man for the exaltation of Jesus Christ. 385 00:24:11,030 --> 00:24:16,990 Through that, a new stage in redemptive history is realized and 386 00:24:16,990 --> 00:24:18,630 the scene ends with more singing. 387 00:24:18,630 --> 00:24:22,710 This time, all creation sings to give honor and glory and might 388 00:24:22,870 --> 00:24:25,910 to the one who sits on the throne, and also to the Lamb. 389 00:24:26,710 --> 00:24:28,630 And what is their great declaration? 390 00:24:29,430 --> 00:24:33,270 Well, their great declaration is Amen. 391 00:24:34,070 --> 00:24:36,710 That's given by the four living creatures. 392 00:24:37,630 --> 00:24:40,030 And what happens when they sing Amen? 393 00:24:40,270 --> 00:24:44,670 Well, the elders bow down and worship the Lamb. 394 00:24:45,470 --> 00:24:48,510 No further words need to be spoken. 395 00:24:49,310 --> 00:24:54,430 And so when we sing Christos Victor with its nine Amens, please 396 00:24:54,430 --> 00:24:58,950 don't get bored of singing those nine Amens, because this is 397 00:24:58,950 --> 00:25:03,470 the very song and hymn of heaven that we too, when we hear 398 00:25:03,470 --> 00:25:10,060 the four creatures singing, we too will bow down and worship and 399 00:25:10,060 --> 00:25:12,700 nothing more will need to be said. 400 00:25:14,220 --> 00:25:17,180 And so as we finish this evening, we need to consider two 401 00:25:17,180 --> 00:25:17,580 things. 402 00:25:18,220 --> 00:25:21,660 First of all, chapters four and five need to be understood together. 403 00:25:21,660 --> 00:25:24,180 What we looked at last week and this week, because what they 404 00:25:24,180 --> 00:25:26,460 do is they inform the rest of this book. 405 00:25:26,780 --> 00:25:28,700 A picture is being built for us. 406 00:25:28,700 --> 00:25:32,200 And so now we have seen the one on the throne and the Lamb and, 407 00:25:32,350 --> 00:25:35,550 and that's going to impact how we understand the rest of the book. 408 00:25:35,870 --> 00:25:39,510 So despite the persecution and opposition facing believers in the 409 00:25:39,510 --> 00:25:44,230 province of Asia, God is the mighty and sovereign Creator reigning 410 00:25:44,230 --> 00:25:44,950 on the throne. 411 00:25:44,950 --> 00:25:49,390 And Christ the son of David is the Lamb of God who ransomed them. 412 00:25:49,870 --> 00:25:54,590 So the hard pressed Christians are God's kings and priests. 413 00:25:54,910 --> 00:25:58,990 They're his kingdom on the earth, waiting the day when Christ 414 00:25:59,440 --> 00:25:59,840 will return. 415 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:04,120 And so we need to understand this so that we can understand what 416 00:26:04,120 --> 00:26:05,840 the rest of the book is going to tell us. 417 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:08,320 But second, we must. 418 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:13,200 Our understanding must be that this is the reality of those who 419 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:15,679 know salvation in Christ now. 420 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,720 And once again we've been given a picture of heaven and what 421 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:22,320 God has done for us through the Lamb that was slain. 422 00:26:23,760 --> 00:26:26,920 And the question might come, well, how do we know the Lamb was 423 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:27,280 slain? 424 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:32,400 Well, the simple answer is John has seen it and John is telling 425 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:32,720 us. 426 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:36,000 And John is not telling us anything new. 427 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:40,480 As we've seen in our scripture references this evening, it has been 428 00:26:40,880 --> 00:26:43,319 right there from the foundation of the world that this 429 00:26:43,319 --> 00:26:44,760 Lamb would be slain for us. 430 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,440 And now we see who that Lamb was. 431 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:50,160 If, in case we were in any shadow of doubt, it is the Lord Jesus. 432 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:56,320 I wonder, like John, will you see Jesus as he is? 433 00:26:57,280 --> 00:26:59,480 Will you see him as risen and exalted? 434 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:01,920 Will you know him as your Savior? 435 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:06,640 That's who John sees him as, the one who has done it all so that 436 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:09,960 we might be saved and that he will have the authority to open the 437 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:14,000 seals and reveal what is God's way of judgment and salvation? 438 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:21,730 Or will you look on him as your judge who will condemn you for 439 00:27:21,730 --> 00:27:24,850 your sin because you rejected him? 440 00:27:25,730 --> 00:27:29,010 That's why John warns us in First John 2:17. 441 00:27:29,090 --> 00:27:32,130 And the world is passing away along with its desires. 442 00:27:32,450 --> 00:27:35,890 But whoever does the will of God abides forever. 443 00:27:36,530 --> 00:27:40,970 You see, when we see the Lamb we will either approach him knowing 444 00:27:40,970 --> 00:27:45,010 he is our Savior, or we will approach him as our judge. 445 00:27:46,620 --> 00:27:51,420 And we can't make that decision in eternity as we approach 446 00:27:51,420 --> 00:27:58,740 him that is here and now, and it is what we do with Jesus now that 447 00:27:58,740 --> 00:28:01,180 will determine how we will approach him in heaven. 448 00:28:02,380 --> 00:28:07,620 And so tonight, if, let's say eternity was to come in just a few 449 00:28:07,620 --> 00:28:12,140 moments time, in your heart, you know now if you are approaching 450 00:28:12,140 --> 00:28:17,330 him as your Savior or if you're approaching him as your judge, 451 00:28:19,970 --> 00:28:21,410 only you can answer that in your heart. 452 00:28:21,410 --> 00:28:22,610 And you know the answer. 453 00:28:22,610 --> 00:28:23,090 You do. 454 00:28:24,690 --> 00:28:28,810 And so if you're approaching him as judge, I hope that fills you 455 00:28:28,810 --> 00:28:33,290 with a bit of fear, because you need to know that his judgment 456 00:28:33,290 --> 00:28:37,050 will be honest and true, it will be fair, and it will be right. 457 00:28:37,050 --> 00:28:40,690 He's not going to brush sin onto the carpet and ignore it, for 458 00:28:41,090 --> 00:28:42,770 no judge should ever do that. 459 00:28:43,410 --> 00:28:46,530 And in fact, we would cry foul if we saw it here on earth. 460 00:28:47,810 --> 00:28:50,450 He will judge, and he will judge fairly, and we will receive 461 00:28:50,450 --> 00:28:51,890 our just punishment. 462 00:28:53,010 --> 00:28:56,610 But tonight he is calling, the Lamb who was slain is calling you 463 00:28:57,010 --> 00:29:03,010 to repent of sin, to come to him and walk confidently before him, 464 00:29:03,570 --> 00:29:07,570 knowing that you are approaching him as your Savior, the 465 00:29:07,570 --> 00:29:09,490 only one who can save you. 466 00:29:09,490 --> 00:29:14,330 You see, our default way, as John writes for us here, is to pass 467 00:29:14,330 --> 00:29:17,810 away like the world with all of its desires, and to be punished 468 00:29:17,810 --> 00:29:18,330 for it. 469 00:29:18,650 --> 00:29:22,650 But by his steadfast love, God has made a way for us to know him 470 00:29:22,889 --> 00:29:28,650 and be his forever, so that we too may worship the Lamb who was 471 00:29:28,650 --> 00:29:29,050 slain. 472 00:29:30,250 --> 00:29:33,530 Please, tonight come to the Lord. 473 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:40,560 Do not fear him as your judge, but come to him as your Savior, so 474 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:46,800 that on that day who will not tremble but yet we declare him Christ 475 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:55,200 the Victor, now and forevermore, come to him, know him, 476 00:29:55,520 --> 00:30:01,420 and live for him in that full assurance his goodness and grace 477 00:30:01,820 --> 00:30:03,580 that indeed will see us whole. 478 00:30:03,980 --> 00:30:04,780 Let's pray. 479 00:30:05,580 --> 00:30:06,540 Our Father God. 480 00:30:06,940 --> 00:30:11,620 Again we come to a passage in Revelation where perhaps we are familiar 481 00:30:11,620 --> 00:30:12,940 with phrases from it. 482 00:30:13,340 --> 00:30:16,900 But to know it and what it means might have been harder for 483 00:30:16,900 --> 00:30:17,180 us. 484 00:30:17,740 --> 00:30:20,460 But tonight, Father, you've made it clear that there is a Lamb, 485 00:30:20,940 --> 00:30:25,100 and that Lamb stands as a Savior, but also as a judge. 486 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:30,440 So may we respond well to the Savior tonight, not ignoring him 487 00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:34,200 and not thinking and hoping that we'll be okay, because we won't. 488 00:30:34,760 --> 00:30:38,160 It is only when we place our trust in Jesus that we can be certain 489 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:43,040 that we will face the Savior and not face the judgment and the 490 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:45,000 punishment that our sins deserve. 491 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:49,720 So, Lord, help us to know that as we give you the glory. 492 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:54,650 So we declare that Christ has done it all so that we may go free 493 00:30:55,210 --> 00:31:00,010 and enter into that throne room of heaven and rejoice with the 494 00:31:00,010 --> 00:31:05,930 angels and the four creatures and the elders and declaring Amen 495 00:31:06,490 --> 00:31:07,690 and worshiping you. 496 00:31:08,330 --> 00:31:11,170 So Father, give us this greater vision of what it means to 497 00:31:11,170 --> 00:31:16,730 be your people in these days as we ask it in Jesus name, Amen. 498 00:31:21,220 --> 00:31:21,460 Sa.