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The Lamb and Lion of Heaven

Ed Rangel
12/08/19 - Sun AM

The Lamb & Lion of Heaven

Revelation 5 1-14; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

 

Introduction:

  1. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing…”  Revelation 5:12
  2. The Eternal Purpose of God has been to bring the Gospel to all people (Ephesians 3:10-11).  This was accomplished through Jesus Christ.  (Ephesians 3:12; cf. 2 Samuel 7:12-13).
  3. John the revelator looked up and saw the door to heaven opened up and was invited to go up and see some amazing things.  (Revelation 4:1-4)
    1. The scene was amazing.
    2. What he saw were millions of angels, the church (24 elders), the redeemed praising God (Revelation 4:11-12).
  4. In this scene, God is sitting on His throne with a book in His right hand.  The book is written within and without (God’s complete message), and sealed with seven seals.  (1 Corinthians 2:9-13)

 

  1. Dilemma: “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” (5:1)
    1. God is holding the book in His right hand, this means that:
      1. God is the supreme authority over everything.
        1. 1 Timothy 1:17
        2. Revelation 19:6
        3. Exodus 15:18
      2. God is ready to carry out His plan, if only there was someone worthy to take the book, break the seals and execute the plan.
    2. The book is written on the front and back, and sealed with seven seals.  Only one person is worthy to understand the message (Romans 11:33).
    3. The search was on for the Worthy One (5:2-5)
      1. The strong angel shouted throughout the universe and was heard in both heaven and on earth.
      2. No one on earth or heaven was worthy
        1. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
        2. 1 Corinthians 2:14
        3. 2 Corinthians 4:4
        4. Ephesians 4:18
      3. John breaks down and cries bitterly.  John saw something he had never seen before: “John saw the greatness of God, the supreme majesty and glory of God, how far superior God is to all living creatures.”  (Tenn 88–90)  Of all the beings no one was worthy, not even John.
    4. The book contains all the answers for man: origin, purpose, destiny.
      1. John 14:2-3
      2. Titus 2:12-13
      3. 1 John 3:2
    5. We too, should stand in utter and complete humility in the presence of God.  He is higher above us all, and everything else.
      1. Psalm 95:6; Psalm 96:9
      2. Matthew 4:10; John 4:24
  2. Answer/Solution (5:5-10)
    1. God has sent the One who is worthy to break the seals and open the book-The Christ!
    2. Names and Titles:
      1. Lion of Judah-Root of David: Messianic title
        1. From the strongest tribe.  (Genesis 49:9-10)
        2. The Jews understood that the Messiah would come from the family of David (Isaiah 11:1)
        3. His power is like a lion because He has:
          1. Conquered sin (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18)
          2. Conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:25-26; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14-15)
          3. Conquered the evil of this world (John 16:33; Galatians 1:4)
          4. Conquered Satan and the evil forces (Matthew 12:29; Luke 10:18; John 14:30; 12:31; 16:11; Acts 2:34-35; Colossians 2:15; cf. Hebrews 2:14-15)
          5. Conquered all rule and authority and power (1 Corinthians 15:24)
          6. He has conquered hell (John 5:24; Romans 8:34-39; Revelation 1:18)
      2. He is the Lamb of God: In all of Scripture the Lamb is used as a regular Passover type of lamb.  In Revelation the word lamb is used as a small lamb (while the lamb is meek, a baby lamb is even more meek.). Here John sees Jesus in the throne room as a lamb with seven eyes and seven horns.  (Lamb-Exodus 12:3; Isaiah 53:6-7; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19).  Like a lamb, He is the perfect sacrifice.
        1. Seven eyes represent the Holy Spirit of God (John 2:25; Acts 1:24; Colossians 2:3; Isaiah 11:2; Jeremiah 16:17)
        2. Seven horns represent His complete power (Matthew 28:18; John 17:2; Romans 1:4; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3)
    3. The Lamb is worthy to take the book and break the seals-He is praised
      1. Praised because He was slain and had redeemed man (5:9)
      2. Praised because He has made us be kings in His kingdom (5:10)
  3. Result (5:11-14)
    1. Every being in heaven worshiped Jesus (angels, elders <redeemed>)
      1. Praise Him for His power
      2. Praise Him for His riches
      3. Praise Him for His wisdom
      4. Praise Him for His strength
      5. Praise Him for His honor
      6. Praise Him for His glory
      7. Praise Him for His blessing
  4. Application-Jesus is the only true Savior.
    1. What did this mean for the readers of John’s revelation?
      1. They were suffering many trials, many were being persecuted, slaughtered and scattered.  John’s vision confirms that there is victory in Jesus.
      2. They would be encouraged to know that Christ not only resurrected, but has now been seen by John in the throne room at the right hand of the Father-that He reigns from heaven over all people and things.
    2. The same encouragement is for us.
    3. He, from the beginning has been the Chosen One to carry out the eternal purpose of God.  We should want to praise God for who He is, what He has done for us, why He sacrificed His Son, where God is is where we will one day be.  So, if we truly appreciate and fear the Lord we will make changes in our lives (be ye not conformed to this world, but conform yourselves to the Lord.)
      1. Romans 15:6
      2. 1 Corinthians 6:20
      3. 2 Thessalonians 1:12
      4. Revelation 14:7

 

Works Cited

Anderson, Amy S, et al. Textual Criticism of the Bible. Bellingham?; United States, Faithlife Corporation, 2018.Arthur Cleveland Coxe. Fathers of the Third and Fourth Century?: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius, Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily and Liturgies. Edinburgh, T & T Clark?; Grand Rapids, 1989, ref.ly/logosres/anf07?ref=Bible.Re5. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Beale, Gregory K, and Wm. B Eerdmans. The Book of Revelation?: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids?; Cambridge, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company?; Carlisle, 2013, ref.ly/logosres/nigtcrev?ref=Bible.Re5.1-14. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Broadman & Holman Publishers. Holy Bible?: New American Standard. Nashville, Tenn., Broadman & Holman, 1977.

Church Plant Media > www.churchplantmedia.com. “Make or Break (Revelation 5:1-14).” Way of Grace Church: Buckeye, AZ, 2015, www.wayofgracechurch.com/sermons/sermon/2015-01-11/make-or-break-revelation-5:1-14. Accessed 7 Dec. 2019.

Copeland, Mike. The Book Of Revelation A Study Guide With Introductory Comments, Summaries, And Review Questions.

Flattery, George M. “Revelation 5:1-14: The Lamb Is Worthy!” Globalchristiancenter.Com, 2019, globalchristiancenter.com/sermons/sermons-on-revelation/5034-revelation-5-1-14-the-lamb-is-worthy. Accessed 7 Dec. 2019.

H  D  M Spence-Jones, et al. The Pulpit Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich., Eerdmans, 1983, ref.ly/logosres/tpc51?ref=Bible.Re5.1&off=243. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Hailey, Homer. The Book of Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. 9th ed., Louisville, KY, Religious Supply, INC, 2007, pp. 174–185.

Harkrider, Robert. Truth Commentaries: Revelation. edited by Mike Willis, 3rd ed., Bowling Green, Kentucky, Guardian of Truth Foundation, 2008, pp. 70–77.

Henry Barclay Swete. The Apocalypse of St. John?: The Greek Text with Introduction Notes and Indices. Eugene, Or, Wipf & Stock Publishers, 1998, ref.ly/logosres/ccgnt-rev?ref=Bible.Re5. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

J  Ramsey Michaels. Revelation. Downers Grove, Ill., Ivp Academic, 2011, ref.ly/logosres/ivntcrev?ref=Bible.Re5.1. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Jamieson, Robert. Commentary, Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Zondervan Publishing House, 1934, ref.ly/logosres/jfbcomm?ref=Bible.Re5. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.

Ogden, Arthur M. The Avenging of the Apostles and Prophets. 3rd ed., Dyersburg, TN, Ogden Publications, 1991, pp. 181–192.

Oologah Church of Christ. “Behold, The Lamb Revelation 5.” Oologah Church of Christ, 4 Mar. 2018, www.oologahcofc.org/uploads/1/0/3/3/10331659/beholdthelamb-3.4pm.pdf. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019. Sermon page.

Reese, Gareth L. New Testament Epistles?: 1 Corinthians?: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary. Moberly, Mo. (520 Meadowbrook Dr., Moberly 65270), Scripture Exposition Books, 2004, pp. 76–86.

Tenn, Chattanooga. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible?: New Testament, King James Version. Chattanooga, Tn, Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991, pp. 88–90.

West Palm Beach Church of Christ. “Revelation 5:1-6, The Scroll – West Palm Beach Church of Christ.” Westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.Com, 26 Sept. 2010, westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.com/new-testament/revelation-made-clear/rev5_1-6.html. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019. Sermon notes.

Willis, Mike. Truth Commentaries First Corinthians. edited by Mike Willis, 3rd ed., Bowling Green, KY, Guardian of Truth Foundation, 2008, pp. 61–66.

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