WORSHIPING OUR REDEEMER

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Opening Prayer

Lord, in the midst of much that does not make sense, I rest in the assurance that you never slumber or sleep.

Read REVELATION 5:1–14

^[1] Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ^[2] And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ^[3] But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ^[4] I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ^[5] Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” ^[6] Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ^[7] He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ^[8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ^[9] And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. ^[10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” ^[11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ^[12] In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” ^[13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” ^[14] The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Meditate

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all” (Isaac Watts, 1674–1748). Pause for a moment to reflect on the one who laid down his life for you.

Think Further

In chapters 2 and 3, Jesus has comforted but also confronted his church. Judgment has begun with the household of God (1 Pet. 4:17). But the believers are living in a culture where empire worship is demanded, and some of their own have paid with their lives to remain faithful. John himself is writing from the Island of Patmos, where he has been exiled as a criminal.

John longs to see how God will bring an end to the unjust suffering and bring the world under his just reign.

In the scroll is the revelation of God, waiting to be disclosed. Since the days of Daniel, John and his people have waited and longed for the time when these truths would be unfolded (Dan. 12:4). John mourns to learn that no person is found worthy to open the seals, but sadness is brought to an end by a fresh vision of the risen Jesus, the only one worthy to open the scroll.

The imagery continues. The lamb stands “at the center of the throne” (6); he is the one who mediates God’s reign to his creation (the living creatures) and his people (the elders). Although alive, he bears all the marks of sacrifice—one who has offered himself up to save his people. He bears the Spirit of God in his person, but also sees reality by means of the Spirit of God; his word to us is “Spirit and life” (John 6:63). He is able to unfold God’s purposes because he died to ransom a people for God and rose again to be their Captain and King. In doing so, he fulfilled God’s purposes for his people—to be a holy nation and a priestly kingdom from every nation (Exod. 19:6). In Jesus, we find the meeting point of suffering and kingdom (Rev. 1:9), of reality and hope, of failure and faith.

Apply

Are there areas of your life and world where you don’t yet see God at work? Hold them before Jesus.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the way to God, the revealer of truth about God, and the bringer of life in God. All thanks and praise to You.

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