1. Who Is Worthy? (verses 1-4)
2. The Lion is Worthy! (verse 5)
3. The Lamb is Worthy! (verses 6-7)
4. The Lamb is Worshiped (verses 8-14)

I want for you to picture yourself at a play. The audience has gathered. All are seated and the play is ready to begin. The lights go dim. The theater is dark. The music begins to play. The curtain opens up to reveal the set on the stage. You see the backdrop. You see the set pieces. Various actors enter the stage and begin moving about. Perhaps you are introduced to a number of the actors, and you begin to learn about them. But nothing happens to push the story. As an audience member, you are simply waiting for the conflict, or the problem or the tension.

Well, this is right where we are in our exposition of the book of Revelation. Last week, we looked at Revelation, chapter 4, which laid the groundwork for the drama in the play. In this case, it’s about the throne. In Revelation 4, the first 6 verses describe the throne of God. It describes the one who was seated on the throne. It describes what was around the throne, the emerald rainbow and the 24 elders on their thrones. It describes the flashes of lightning that came out of the throne. It describes the sea of glass that was before the throne. It describes the four living creatures flying around the throne, who day and night never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come" (Revelation 4:8). It describe the 24 elders casting their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to received glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

All of this is the backdrop to what we see in Revelation, chapter 5. It is the mere opening of the curtains and the revealing of the set before the drama unfolds. It's the introduction of the actors. We are about to see the drama, the problem, and the difficulty that is in heaven. The drama is about finding one who is worthy to open the scroll. This is my first point. It’s the question that is asked in the text

1. Who Is Worthy? (verses 1-4)

This is also the title of my message this morning, “Who Is Worthy?” So let’s start reading the first four verses, letting the drama of heaven unfold.

Revelation 5:1
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.

At this point, the focus of the narrative changes. It changes from the throne to the scroll. We know three things about the scroll:

1. John said that he saw it in the right hand of the one seated on the throne, that’s the hand of power.

2. John noticed that there was writing on it, on the front and on the back. this was a little bit unusual, scrolls normally had writing on the one side, unless it was an important document that needed everything in the one scroll.

3. John spotted seven seals on this scroll. These were hold the scroll together. It was to prevent its reading, until they were removed.

Now the big question is: “What is this scroll?” “What is written on it? Why does God have the scroll in his hand?” Rather than telling you what the scroll is, I think that it’s best to simply let the text describe what it is. So, let’s look at verse 2.

Revelation 5:2
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”

Again, we see the focus of the drama coming upon the scroll. This great angel brings forth a great need: Someone needs to come to open the scroll and break it’s seals. Someone who is worthy needs to be able to do this. At this point, we have more questions about this scroll. Not only "What it is?", and "What is written on it?", but now, we have more questions: “Why does the scroll need to be opened?” “Why does someone worthy need to open this scroll?” “What about God upon the throne? Can he open it?” Again, let’s let the text describe the scroll. Look at verses 3 and 4.

Revelation 5:3-4
And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

All of creation was searched: heaven, earth, and under the earth. No one was able to open the scroll. No one was able to look into it because no one was “found worthy” enough to do so. There was no animal who was worthy enough to open the scroll. There was no man who was worthy enough. There was no angelic being who was worthy enough to open the scrolls. Not even one of the 24 elders who were sitting on their thrones were worthy enough. Not of the four living creatures, who had six wings and spent all day every day in God’s presence worshiping him for his holiness, not even they were worthy to open the scroll.

John understood the significance of this. He began to weep. He began to weep loudly because nobody was able to open the scroll. John felt the devastation of what it meant if the scroll wasn’t opened. Again, what is this scroll? That has so much significance, that God holds it in his right hand. and nobody in all of creation was able to open. We get a clue in verse 5.

2. The Lion is Worthy! (verse 5)

Revelation 5:5
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.”

Here we begin to get a sense of what the scroll is. It is able to be opened by the Lion! This Lion is not an animal. it is one who comes from the tribe of Judah. It is “the Root” of David. If you know your Old Testament here, you know that this is describing the Messiah in Messianic terms. The “Lion of the tribe of Judah” takes us back to Genesis 49:9, where Judah is described as a lion’s cub. The promise to him was that “The scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10). But the ruler will come from him!

The “Root of David” takes us back to Isaiah 11:1, which speaks about the “shoot” coming from the stump of Jesse, and a “branch” from his “roots” that will bear fruit. The rest of the chapter describes the ministry of the Messiah, how the Spirit of the LORD will rest upon him, giving him wisdom and understanding and counsel and might and knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Revelation 5:5
The Lion has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.

The Messiah has come and has conquered! This idea of “conquering” has come up quite a bit in the book of Revelation. It was mentioned in every one of the seven letters in Revelation 2 and 3. In each letter, there was a specific promise to everyone in the churches who “conquered.” Another way this word is often translated is “overcome” or “be victorious.”

Just as God promised great blessing upon all who conquer, so also is there great blessing upon the Messiah who has conquered! He is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seven seals. John is told to “Weep no more!” Because the Lion has conquered! He is worthy to open the scroll! Now, the identity of this scroll is coming into more and more focus. It has something to do with the conquering of the Messiah! This clarity will increase as we continue on to our next point.

3. The Lamb is Worthy! (verses 6-7)

John turns to see this Lion, and he sees a Lamb.

Revelation 5:6-7
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.

This is unexpected! We would have expected John to see Lion come and take the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. That’s what the elder told John in verse 5, “the Lion has conquered, so that he can open the scroll." Instead, we see that The Lamb is Worthy! This is apocalyptic literature! The metaphors are mixed and not all is clear.

In fact, note the appearance of this Lamb. The Lamb stands, “as though it had been slain” (verse 6). Again, a mixed metaphor. You have this Lamb who is alive and well, and yet, it appears to have been slaughtered! Further, this Lamb has seven horns, unlike any Lamb that we have ever seen upon the earth. This Lamb has seven eyes! What a strange Lamb this is. The Lamb with hoofs, is able to take the scroll out of the hand of him who was seated on the throne. Enjoy the apocalyptic! Of course, if you are at all familiar with the Bible, you know that this Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ!

John the Baptist identified him so in the gospel of John. John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching and said to those around him, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The Lamb of the Old Testament was the emblematic sacrifice of the animal that dies in the place of our sin! This is what Jesus did upon the cross.

Jesus was our sacrificial Lamb! He died in our place to take away our sin! Yet, death could not hold him! The grave was not strong enough to hold him down! He rose from the dead, and is alive forevermore! He is coming to rule and reign like a Lion. Just like the prophets had foretold! All of these ideas are seen here in Revelation 5 in apocalyptic form. The Lion is worthy to take the scroll. But he takes the scroll as the crucified Lamb! But this crucified Lamb isn’t weak and helpless. No! He has seven horns, symbolic of strength and power! He has seven eyes, symbolic of his presence in the earth, as John tells us that these eyes “are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (verse 6).

At this point, the scroll becomes clearer and clearer. It’s meaning is related to power that Jesus has, to do what no other creature in heaven or on earth or under the earth could ever do: To die for our sins and accomplish our redemption! Now it begins to make sense why John was weeping. Because, without anyone able to take the scroll from the one on the throne, we are all dead in our sins, under the wrath of God, and without hope in this world! But when the Lamb conquers and is shown worthy to take the scroll, it is our redemption! For that becomes the focus of heaven!

4. The Lamb is Worshiped (verses 8-14)

Revelation 5:8
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.

These majestic beings around the throne all fall down in worship of the Lamb! They worship him with their harps, creating music in heaven! In some sense, all of the believers in the world are involved and engaged as the prayers of the saints are offered up to the Lamb as incense before him. The focus of their worship is on the redemption of Christ!

Revelation 5:9-10
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,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
     and they shall reign on the earth.”

The reason why Jesus could take the scroll and open it’s seals is because he died and ransomed us from our sins! Not only did Jesus ransom us, but he made us a kingdom. He made us priests! We will reign on the earth because of what Jesus did on the cross! Now, I want for you to notice two words in verse 9. “for God.”

Revelation 5:9
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
     from every tribe and language and people and nation,

Now, for sure! the death of Jesus was for us! Through his death, Jesus reconciles us to God! But Jesus died to purchase a people “for God.” Yes, Jesus died for us. But Jesus also died “for God!” Jesus died, so that God might have his people. Apart from the death of Christ, God would have no people. But with his death brings people from “every tribe and language and people and nation.” The Messiah didn’t just come for the Jews, he came for every nation! He came for all who would believe. We who trust in Jesus this morning, are all a part of this purchase that Jesus made!

Do you understand now why John was weeping? If no one was able to take the scroll, then, we would be lost in our sin, and God’s kingdom would not be! Here’s great application for us this morning: Do you feel the magnitude of the sacrifice of Jesus? It was his death that made him worthy to enter into heaven, walk past the 24 elders, go beyond the 4 living creatures right up to the throne of God himself and take the scroll from his hand, symbolizing the purchase of the kingdom!

We are going to see in chapter 6 that this scroll is more than merely a document of redemption. It is also the decrees of judgment because when the seals of this scroll are opened up, God’s judgment is released upon the earth. But if no one could take the scroll, then God’s kingdom would not be established! Apart from the death of Christ, apart from taking the scroll and opening it, none of the Revelation would come to be! God’s kingdom would not be established! Do you feel the importance and the centrality of the death of Christ? Not only for your life, but for the future of this world?

It’s good to think about what would have taken place if this scroll had not been able to be opened. Jesus would not have been worshiped as worthy (Revelation 5:9). The martyrs of Revelation 6 would not be vindicated. The kingdom of this world would not become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ (as mentioned in Revelation 11). The wicked would not be judged (Revelation 16). Jesus would not return as the rider on the white horse (Revelation 19:11). Satan would not be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). There would be no new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21). Jim Hamilton said it this way, “If that scroll is not opened, the Bible’s promises are not kept."^[1]

As much as John wept because the scroll was not opened, we should rejoice because the scroll has been opened! through the sacrifice of Jesus! The application is clear: because the scroll has been opened, we need not weep like John. We can rejoice! In fact, this is where Revelation is headed, to that time when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore" (Revelation 21:4). All of this ought to draw us to Jesus, in thankfulness, love, and in worship. Indeed, this is what we see in the rest of Revelation 5. We see the worship of the Lamb. Look at verse 11.

Revelation 5:11-14
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, 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!”

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!”

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Did you notice the crowd of those who are worshiping. It’s big! What began in chapter 4 with four living creatures, and continued with the 24 elders joining in worship, is now an innumerable angelic choir! In verse 11, we see the angelic worship. It is “many angels” who are worshiping the Lamb. John gives us a numerical approximation of how many. He said that they number “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” We know what a “thousand is.” A “myriad” is 10,000. So, a myriads of myriads are 10,000’s of 10,000’s. If you do your math, that’s well over 100 million, and approaching a billion! Thousands of thousands is several million.

Now, the point isn’t that John was able to count the number of angels. He gives us an approximation. This approximation tells us that the angelic worship of God is enormous! almost limitless! Such is the majesty of Jesus, the Lamb of God! And then, in verse 13, we see every creature worshiping the Lamb.

Revelation 5:13
every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them

There are a lot of creatures on the earth. There are 8 billion people in the world. There are many more “animals.” Now, I don’t know what this means about animals worshiping the Lord in heaven. It may be apocalyptic. It may simply symbolize the enormity of this heavenly scene that John sees. This is bigger than any worship service you have been to. This is bigger than any sporting event you have attended. All of creation will worship the Lamb! Such is the worship of Jesus! Jesus won’t be worshiped in some small corner someplace! No, all of creation will worship Jesus someday!

What about you? Here’s some application: Are you one of those who worship the Lamb? Are you longing to be one of those creatures worshiping Jesus someday? I want to close my message this morning by considering two words, found in verse 9.

There are a few words in verse 9 that I want for you to notice. The first are the words, “new song.”

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, 

What is new about this song? I believe that it has to do with the redemption that Jesus accomplished! The Old Testament saints could only look forward to the day when the Messiah would prevail! But now, at the death of Jesus, when he was revealed as the one who conquered through death, the song is new. It’s not just a song about God and his power. It’s a song about Jesus and his redemption!

If you look at the five anthems of praise here in Revelation 4 and 5, you see that the first two are directed to God, the Father, the Holy Creator! “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come" (Revelation 4:8)! “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created" (Revelation 4:11). But the worship turns here in verse 9. The worship now is directed to Jesus.

Revelation 5:9-10
“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,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
     and they shall reign on the earth.”

This is a “new song.” It’s the worship of Jesus because of his death on the cross for our sins. Jesus is also worshiped in verse 12.

Revelation 5:12
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

In verse 13 we see both the Father and the Son being worshiped.

Revelation 5:13
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

This is the “new song.” The song sung to Jesus! It’s the song of redemption.

This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on July 16, 2023 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rockvalleybiblechurch.org.

[1] Jim Hamilton, Revelation 5:1-14, a sermon preached on July 19, 2009 at Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. The quote comes at the 10:20 mark.