2. Revelation #4 The Throne Scene Worthy is the Lamb! Revelation 5

3. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! This lesson/chapter is the companion to the previous: they form one glorious scene! In chp.4 we saw John’s vision of the “One” sitting on His glorious throne in heaven; With “four living creatures” and “twenty- four Elders” around Him worshipping. And now, the second half of that vision….

4. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The chapter can easily be sub-divided into four sections: 1. John’s lament: “No one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it”. vv.1-4 2. The Elder’s reply: “Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” vv.5-7 3. The Song of Redemption, vv.8-10 4. The Chorus of Heaven gives Praise, vv.11-14 We’ll look at these individually.

5. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! John’s lament: “No one was found…” vv.1-4 -He saw a book in the right hand of God. -This book represents His eternal plan- His purpose with regard to the eternal destiny of man. -It was sealed with seven seals- closed, unrevealed, and unexecuted. To break the seals meant not only to reveal, but also to execute the plan. -No one was found worthy to carry out that plan, cf. Heb.5:1- 4. So, John wept greatly, v.4.

6. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! To leave the book unopened, unrevealed, and most importantly, unexecuted would mean several things: no protection for believers during trial no judgments upon the persecutors and no ultimate triumph for believers. Basically, it would mean no new heaven and new earth! So John wept greatly.

7. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Elder’s Reply: “Behold the Lion...” v.5 -Why is He called a “Lion” ? -Remember the patriarch Israel’s prophecy concerning his sons; especially Judah, cf. Gen.49:9-10. -Having conquered Satan by His sinless life (cf. Heb.7:26-28) and resurrection (1Cor.15:54- 57), -Jesus is now depicted as that strong as a Lion who has defeated the roaring lion! cf.1Pet.5:8.

8. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Elder’s Reply: “Behold the Lion...” vv.5-6 -But why is He also identified as “the Root of David”? -Again, note previous prophecies made: >2Sam.7:12-16 “who will come forth from you” >Jer.23:5-6 “shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign…” >Acts 2:29-33 the Apostles referenced these things on Pentecost regarding Jesus! -John saw, however, the “Lamb…slain” v.6 -Ignorant, John saw the Lamb; knowing, the Elder identified the conquering Lion!

9. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Elder’s Reply: “Behold the Lion...” v.6b -Why “horns” ? >Horns signify power and authority, cf.1Sam.2:10; Psalm 75:10. >Therefore Jesus said, “all authority” Matt.28:18. >He is here shown then to have 7 (the perfect #) horns representing perfect/divine power. -Seven eyes? These are identified as the 7 (again, divine perfection) Spirits of God sent to all the earth, cf. John 3:34 > 7:39.

10. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Elder’s Reply: “Behold the Lion...” v.7 -Thus prepared and depicted…. He takes the book from the right hand of Him who sat upon the throne! He is worthy, He is capable, He will fulfil the eternal plan to save man by opening the Book!

11. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Song of Redemption, v.8 -Those closest to the throne (creatures, Elders) fall down in worship to the Lamb with: >an instrument of praise; and >a bowl of incense (prayers of the saints). -This praise can now properly be given through a “new” song for never before has such salvation and deliverance been accomplished! -Also, the prayers of the saints now have Champion to answer their cries for justice and deliverance!

12. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Song of Redemption, vv.9-10 -The Lamb is worthy because: >God, through Him, has redeemed us, Rom.6:5-11 >of His sacrifice- He was slain, 1Pet.1:18-19 >of His Unlimited scope- “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” Mk.16:15-16 >He makes the redeemed “kings and priests” (Col.1:13 & 1Pet.2:9) “and they will reign upon the earth”? James 4:7 & 1Peter 5:8-9

13. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Chorus of Heaven gives Praise, vv.11-14 -Note the chorus members: voice of many angels, the living creatures and the elders; myriads of myriads (10,000 x 10,000); thousands of thousands. -Why was it important to list all these? -So those persecuted Christians of the last of the first century would get an Elijah complex! cf. 1Kings 19:10ff -This great host of heaven all sang, “Worthy is the Lamb….” v.12

14. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! The Chorus of Heaven gives Praise, vv.11-14 -Then all the universe joins the song! v.13 -And then the great and climatic “AMEN” from the living creatures and the elders fall down and worship! Such concludes the Great Throne Scene!

15. Revelation #4- The Throne Scene: Worthy is the Lamb! Lessons to be learned? >The church on earth (then or now) need never fear no matter how great and severe the tribulation; >The Creator on His Throne controls the Universe; >And His Redeemer, the Lion of Judah, has all authority and power! >Those who ally with and follow them will never escape Their notice and care. May we all ever sing Their praises and worship at Their feet!