Revelation 5:1-14. Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
There may be no more glorious scene in all of scripture. Thousands of angels singing. Hovering cherubim holding the burning prayers of the saints. Worshiping elders. God himself on the throne. A mysterious scroll. And, of course, the Lamb. The Lion of Judah and Root of Jesse who alone can open the scroll.
It is a description of the indescribable. The throne room of Heaven. And we are offered a glimpse. A glimpse that raises many questions. But a glimpse that also answers all of our biggest questions. Who will judge the earth? Who will destroy our sin? Who will make all things right? Who will return humanity to a state of worship? All of our biggest questions are asked and answered by the question of the mighty angel of heaven – “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
And John wept loudly because he did not have an answer to this question.
But then the answer came. The Lamb.
The Lamb is worthy. The Lamb born in a manger among shepherds. The Lamb worshiped by magi. The Lamb who resisted all temptation. The Lamb who fulfilled all righteousness. The Lamb slaughtered upon a cross. The Lamb ascended into heaven. He is worthy. Why? Because he is the one who ransomed humanity by his blood. He purchased us. He bought us back for God. Now he alone can judge us. Now he alone can restore us. Now he will make us a kingdom of priests to rule upon the earth. Now we must worship him alone.
This is the destiny of Christ, the destiny of humanity, the destiny of all creation. This is what we are waiting for. This is the end and the beginning. To worship the Lamb in all his glory giving him all of our lives in eternal praise. To rule beside him as priest-kings, finally restored to our Edenic mission.
But this isn’t only our future. This is our present. Our today. Our right now. Can you hear the mighty angel asking Who is worthy? Who is worthy to be worshiped today? Who is worthy to judge your life today? Who is worthy to rule in your heart today? Who deserves all your power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing today?
The answer is not a king who demands your life. It’s a king who GAVE you his life. The one we worship is a slaughtered Lamb.
He’s not worthy because he overpowered us. He’s worthy because he was overpowered for us. He’s worthy because in the weakness of his cross he conquered all that would destroy us.
“To live is Christ” means no more wondering what is the meaning of life. It is Christ. Our worthy Lamb. It is living for his glory as his co-regents on earth. Someday? Yes. Today? Yes. Every day? By his grace.
You
Can you imagine yourself within the scene of Revelation 5?
You in Christ
In Christ means finding our worth in the worthiness of the Lamb. Is Christ alone the source of your worth?
Christ in you
Do you see yourself as one of Christ’s king-priests on earth? How might you live differently if you did?
Playlist: Worthy
To Live is Christ 