Worthy Is The Lamb
INTRODUCTION
For the first time in the series of messages we are moving beyond the Letters to the Seven Churches. This will not be an exhaustive series and it will not answer all your questions about the Book of Revelation. It is not intended to be an in depth study of this powerful book. In the first place I do not understand all I read in Revelation. It is a well to deep for anyone to empty, yet it is a well from which we are all invited to drink. In fact, we are promised a blessing when we read the Book or hear it read.
I might add that there are three basic approaches to the Book of Revelation. Post-Millennialists believe Jesus will return for His church after a thousand years of peace on earth, which is produced by the victory of the Gospel throughout the world. In other words, things are going to keep getting better and better. A-Millennialist means exactly what the name implies - no millennium. Pre-Millennialists believe that Jesus will return prior to His one thousand year reign on earth. Some believe Jesus will return for His church before the Great Tribulation, some believe the church will go through the Rapture. A careful study of the New Testament Scriptures dealing with this subject has led me to the conclusion that Jesus will return for His church before the Tribulation. In other words, I subscribe to a pre-tribulation rapture and a pre-millennial return of our Lord. I not only subscribe to it, I pray for it. "Even so, come now, Lord Jesus!"
My purpose in this series is not to prove my position or to provide enough proof to convince one who holds another position. It is to skim the surface so that we may glean some obvious blessings and so that we may glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Please keep certain things in mind as we continue with these messages from the Revelation:
1) I cannot answer all your questions.
2) I cannot answer all my questions.
3) We will all gain new insight when we get to Heaven.
4) Your salvation does not depend upon how much you know about end-time events.
5) You will never persuade all those who disagree with you.
6) You can love and worship with those who disagree with you.
7) If you cannot worship with them you need to confess your sin and seek forgiveness.
8) Look eagerly to the return of our Lord.
9) In the mean time, apply the truths of the Gospel no one can misunderstand.
The Lord has revealed what He wants us to be doing until the return of Christ. He holds us accountable for seeking His will, obeying His Word, carrying our His Great Commission, worshiping Him, and serving Him. Now, let us look at some of the surface blessings we may glean from the Revelation. Let me warn you - this can get pretty deep!
I. GOD REVEALS HIS THRONE ROOM TO US, Rev. 4:1- 3.
"After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ""Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."" Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there in heaven a throne was set. One was seated on the throne, and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne" (HCSB).
A. There Is an Open Door in Heaven, 4:1a.
The purpose in the Revelation is both to reveal and to conceal. The imagery of the Revelation would conceal the truth from those who would have destroyed it and persecuted those who read it, while revealing its meaning to the saints. Unlike the so-called "mysteries" of paganism, Heaven is an open door. God takes the initiative in revealing Himself. Man’s ego loves to "find" some god, of "discover" some mysterious spiritual truth only known to the initiates. The Lord does not reveal all there is to know about Heaven. In fact, He told John at one point that he could neither understand nor explain what he had been privileged to see. He does, however, reveal to us what He wants us to know.
B. There Is a Special Invitation, 1:b.
1. The voice is very clear (like a trumpet).
If you reject Jesus Christ you are not going to be able to plead ignorance. The voice of God is loud and clear. If you doubt that, read the first chapter of Romans where we learn how God reveals Himself to man. Those who reject Him do so, not through ignorance but iniquity. I know that may seem hard to us, but the One who understands completely assures us this is true.
2. The voice said, "Come up here."
Jesus invites lost people to come to Him: "And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). At the same time, He makes it abundantly clear that you cannot come on your own. Only those who are drawn to Him by the Father through the ministry of the Holy Spirit can ever come to the Father.
3. He promised, "I will show you what must take place after this."
I used to hear people speak of the "hereafter" very often. Some inferred that most of what we read in the Revelation would occur in the "hereafter." The term simply means "after this." There are events that are being unveiled in the world today that tell us that the return of our Lord is drawing near. I used to hear people talk about the signs of His coming: "Don’t you think the signs point to the return of our Lord?" Well, I have stopped looking for signs and started listening for the shout! He can come today.
C. God’s Throne Is Set in Heaven, 1:2.
1. John was immediately in the Spirit.
In 1: 10., John says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day." Here, he says, “immediately I was in the Spirit." A. T. Robertson points out that the Greek suggests either results or sequel, not entrance into the Spirit.
2. The throne was set in Heaven.
The language of the New Testament shows that the throne is eternally set in heaven. The throne is not being set up in Heaven. There has never been a time when it was not set in Heaven, and there will never be a time when it will not be set there. Satan and his minions have done everything they could to usurp that throne - and you can be sure that no other such powerful force has ever, or could ever assault that throne. It is secure in Heaven. We had better take the throne of our Lord very seriously:
"Then Micaiah said, ""Therefore, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly host was standing by Him at His right hand and at His left hand" (1 Kings 22:19).
Isaiah wrote of his great vision:
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple" (Isaiah 6:1).
D. The One Seated On the Throne Is Described.
"One was seated on the throne, and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne."
1. He is the Sovereign Lord.
The one who is seated on the throne is the sovereign God of eternity. He is Elohim, the One with power to create the world. He is Adonai, the One with the sovereign right to reign over all He created. He is the one God, the only God there could possibly be. He is Yahweh, the great I AM, the God of the covenant. Just as the throne is eternally established in heaven, God is eternally seated on the throne.
2. His is the God of the Covenant.
The jasper stone is clear as crystal (cf. 21:11). The carnelian or sardius stone is blood red. The emerald is light green. The rainbow speaks of the covenant God made with Noah, and consequently with all mankind, in which He promised that he world would never again be destroyed by water. It stands as a testimony to the veracity, integrity, authority, and immutability of the Word of God.
II. ACTIVITIES AROUND THE THRONE ARE REVEALED, 4:4-7.
A. Four and Twenty Elders Surround the Throne, 4:4.
"Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads."
Some see the number twelve as the number for organized religion. There were twelve tribes of Israel, even though two of Jacob’s sons, Levi and Joseph, did not receive an inheritance. To bring the number back to twelve God gave Joseph the double honor of giving his two sons an inheritance.
According to the system of using numbers to portray truth, the significance of a number is intensified when it is multiplied by the number 2, or any multiple of ten, or even by itself.
The Believer’s Study Bible Notes are worth out attention:
The identity of the 24 elders can be established from a careful observation of the descriptive data. They are clothed in white, indicating purity; seated on thrones, suggesting responsibility and status; crowned with victors' wreaths (stephanous, Gk.); and they themselves bear witness that they have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and, therefore, constitute a kingdom of priests.... Such a description can only represent redeemed humanity. Twenty-four is twice twelve. In the picturesque vision of the New Jerusalem in ch. 21, the city is said to have twelve pearl gates, inscribed with the names of the twelve sons of Jacob, and twelve foundations, inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles. A similar truth is presented in the number of elders. Both O.T. and N.T. saints are gathered as the family of God in heaven and are here represented in the 24 elders (BSB).
Admittedly, a lot more may meaning may be given to this than I will take the time to mention today. What is significant is that the four and twenty elders are dressed in white clothes - white stands for righteousness. Here on earth "There is none righteous, no, not one." In Heaven, all are righteous. There are no hidden agendas, no deceptions, no unholy motives, no sin.
The four and twenty elders have gold crowns on their heads. Whatever else that may mean; it certainly reminds me that we will reign with Him. Now, let me make this as personal as I possibly can. If you husband, your wife, your mother or father, or your child stands before the judgment bar of God and hears our Savior say, "Depart from me, I never knew you!", you are going to say, "amen! There is no place in Heaven for anyone who sins are not covered by the blood of the Lamb." You will totally and absolutely agree with His judgment. It will be too late to do anything about it then. The only time you have to try to persuade your lost friend or family member to trust in Jesus Christ for eternal life is right now. If you do not do it God is going to hold you accountable. If you have warned that friend or family member his blood will not be on your hands. If this does not motivate you to seek the salvation of lost friends, neighbors, and relatives I don’t know what will.
B. There Is an Awe Inspiring Scene Before the Throne, 4:5-6a.
"From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and thunder. Burning before the throne were seven fiery torches, which are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal."
1. Lightening, rumblings, and thunder speak of power and authority.
2. The seven spirits of God denotes the Holy Spirit.
3. The sea of glass speaks of the holiness of God.
Here, there is a sea before the throne. The sea stands for separation. The Mediterranean Sea separated people and nations from their enemies. This sea separates God from all that is ungodly. Lost people are forever separated from God. Christians can only come into the presence of the Lord because their sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb of God. Even Moses could not see the face of God and live. When we are glorified we will be ushered into His presence, never to be removed. There is a sea before the throne today, but there is coming a day when there will be no more sea before the throne of God. John wrote in Rev. 21:1, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.."
C. The Four Living Creatures May Be Cherubim, 4:6a-7.
"In the middle and around the throne were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle."
1) The four living creatures serve before the throne.
These are not beasts like those of chapter 13, but living ones: "The creatures in Ezekiel's description are almost identical (Ezek. 10:20). Furthermore, Ezekiel names the living creatures of his vision "cherubim," an order of angelic beings (cf. Ezek. 10:20, note). There are four cherubim in Ezekiel, indicating their relationship to the world (BSB).
2) The first living creatures was like a lion (representative of untamed animals).
3) The second living creature was like a calf (representative of domestic animals).
4) The third living creation had the face of a man (the highest of God’s creations).
5) The fourth living creation was like a flying eagle (representative of the birds of the air).
6) These living ones demonstrate God’s purpose in created life.
These cherubim are God's agents in the implementation of the decrees of God in His creation. Numerous eyes indicate spiritual perception, insight, and knowledge. Thus, the heavenly scene depicts the angelic messengers and the redeemed, resurrected human beings all worshiping, honoring, and extolling the eternal God (BSB).
III. ALL IN HEAVEN PRAISE THE ONE WHO SITS ON THE THRONE, 4:8- 11.
A. The Four Living Creatures Praise the Lord, 4:8.
"Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming."
1. The six wings speak of service.
2. The eyes tell us that they recognize the holiness of God.
3. The living creatures praise the Lord.
"Day and night they never stop, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming."
This is one song we can be sure we will be singing in Heaven. While we know that God is love, all who see the Lord, or any manifestation of the Lord are stricken with an awareness of His holiness.
The changeless God of eternity is holy. He is also the great I AM - the One Who is, the One Who was, the One Who is coming. Are you aware of the fact that we have just seen the meaning of the covenant name God gave Moses at the burning bush? In its fullest expression, that is what His covenant name means - I AM.
B. The Elders Respond By Casting Their Crowns Before the Throne, 4:8-11.
"Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, the One who lives forever and ever, the 24 elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, worship the One who lives forever and ever, cast their crowns before the throne, and say: Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created."
1) The living creatures offer glory, honor, and thanks to the One on the Throne.
2) The twenty four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne.
3) They worship the One who lives forever and ever.
4) They cast their crowns before the throne.
5) They say, Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power.
6) He is worthy because He created all things and because of Him all things exist.
Evolution is a lie from the pits of hell. For every born again believer it should smell of fire and brimstone. It is demonic - in fact it is so demonic that those who are hooked on the theory of evolution never miss an opportunity to demonize creationists. Read Genesis One - it is the testimony of the only One Who was there. Read John One - it answers all the evolutionists as well as all those compromising preachers and teachers who are trying to give God an out by inventing and publishing compromise theories, like the Gap theory or the Day-age theory.
Let me be painfully blunt for a moment. If your God could not have done what the God of creation tells us He did in Genesis One, you need another God! If you are a Christian who has adopted some compromise theory of origins, I would like to know why you spell your God with a capital "G". Francis Shaeffer said the most insignificant word in the English language is the word god spelled with a small "g". I spell my God with a capital "G". If he said He did it, He did it.
I visited a church in the New Orleans area many years ago to hear R. G. Lee in revival services. I had heard Dr. Lee many times. In fact, I had heard him every Sunday for several years on television and I had heard him in various churches. I heard him preach PAYDAY SOMEDAY at First Baptist Church, Senatobia, Mississippi, a sermon he preached over twelve hundred times!
That night I looked above Dr. Lee’s head and read these words on a banner: GOD SAID IT, I BELIEVE IT, AND THAT SETTLES IT. The pastor meant well, but I have news for you. If God says it, it is settled! Forever. It is settled whether I believe it or not. The only question is whether I am going to get in on what God is up to!
The Bible says, "In the beginning God created." That is good enough for me. If it is not good enough for you, you will have an opportunity to explain that to Him someday. God also says that He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for your sins, and that if you believe in Him you will not perish but have everlasting life. God said it. It is settled. Forever! Jesus promises that He is returning for His church. It is settled. He is coming. The only question is, are your ready.
CONCLUSION
We have just read the words, " Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created." Jesus is worthy of your praise - and God forbid that we get caught up in some of the chants that people are calling praise music on Sunday morning unless you praise Him with your life the rest of the week. We have people who are drinking, lying, cheating, and following the lusts of their hearts who non the less, approach Sunday morning services "feeling good", expecting to leave feeling better. They never anticipate the conviction power of the Holy Spirit that brings one before His Creator with a broken and contrite heart. Those are the ones God hears.
Jesus is worthy of your praise. He is worthy of your devotion. He is worthy of your obedience. He is worthy of commitment. He is worthy of your faithfulness. He is worthy of your attendance. He is worthy of your tithes and offerings. He is worthy of your service. He is worthy of our praise for what God is trying to do for you today - He is trying to confirm you to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). That is what Sanctification is really all about, my friends.
Now, let me remind you that Jesus says He is coming again. It could be today. Are you ready? No one needs to be confused here. The Bible is so clear that children understand, even when adults stumble all over the truth. If you have never called on Jesus Christ for His great salvation, His message for you is very clear:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:16-18, NASB).