The Worship & Witness of The Redeemed
Revelation (ESV):
5 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.2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,4and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.5And 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.”
6And 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.7And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.8And 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.9And 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,
10and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
11Then 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,12saying 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!”
13And 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!”
14And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Introduction: Some occasions are so significant that they deserve a new song. This is the song and the message we need to embrace now, especially in light of recent news about wars, corruption, and acts of violence, as well as some of the divisive
comments we've heard. We must fill our minds with things that are pure, lovely, and beautiful. It’s time for a fresh vision of the glory and triumph of the Lamb who was slain.
- Dennis Johnson writes, “Revelation 5 is the hinge of history. The Lamb’s death and resurrection unlock the meaning of all that follows.”
I. A Scroll of Salvation and Judgment: Who is worthy? (Revelation 5:1-7) Symbols:
A. The Four Living Creatures – The Angelic Hosts (Cherubim and Seraphim)
B. The Twenty-Four Elders – Saints of the Old and New Testament C. Scroll – Plan of Redemption and Judgment
- Verse 1: The scroll is in the right hand of God, symbolizing divine authority. It is written “within and on the back,” indicating
completeness. The seven seals represent divine secrecy and fullness. This is not a random document. It is the decree of God’s redemptive and judicial plan for history.
- Verses 2–3: A mighty angel asks, “Who is worthy?” - A
question that echoes through heaven and earth. No
creature, no prophet, no angel is worthy. This
highlights total human inability and the necessity of
divine intervention.
- Verse 4: John weeps. This is not sentimental; it’s theological. His tears reflect the despair of a world without Christ.
- Verse 5: The elder announces: “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of Judah…the Root of David… has conquered.” This is messianic language from Genesis 49 and Isaiah 11. Christ is the Davidic King, the conquering Lion (but paradoxically), He conquers as a slain Lamb.
- Dennis Johnson - “The Lion is the Lamb. His conquest is not by sword but by sacrifice.”
Illustration: Think of the recent images from wars in different parts of the world: children in bunkers, churches bombed, families torn apart. The world asks, “Is anyone in control?” Revelation 5 says: Yes. The Lamb holds the scroll.
II. A Song of Redemption: Jesus is worthy! (Revelation 5:8-14)
- Verse 6: The Lamb stands “as though slain” - A vivid image of crucifixion. The seven horns symbolize perfect power; the seven eyes, perfect knowledge. The “seven spirits” represent the fullness of the Holy Spirit sent into all the earth (Rev. 1:4; Isa. 11:2).
- Verse 7: The Lamb takes the scroll. This act is a cosmic coronation. Christ is not waiting to reign. He reigns now! His death was not a detour. It was the path to dominion.
- Vern Poythress - “The Lamb’s death is the turning point of history. His blood purchases a people, and His mission becomes ours.”
Why is he worthy?
A. Jesus is worthy because of his redemptive sacrifice on the cross
1. For being “slain” – “Jesus did not die due to an
unavoidable tragedy; instead, he died as a voluntary
act of sacrificial love for his people.” (Richard Phillips, REC, 198) 2. For shedding his blood to “ransom people for God” (5:9)
- Benjamin B. Warfield (lecture to incoming students at
Princeton) – He emphasized that for Christ’s church, the “most precious title” is “Redeemer.” Why? Because, “It gives
expression not merely to our sense that we have received
salvation from Jesus, but also to our appreciation of what it
cost him to procure this salvation for us.” (REC, 199)
- Revelation 5:9, then, underscores “effectual redemption.” B. Jesus is worthy because of the result of his redemptive sacrifice. God redeemed particular people from all over the world. Jesus died to ransom “people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:9). This is the heart of missions. Christ’s blood secures a global people. Notice that the passage did not say that he died for everyone “without exception” (universalism or general redemption), but “from every tribe/language/people/nation” he died to ransom “without distinction.” 1. What we have been saved from
2. What we have been saved to
3. What he has made us to be (A theology of restoration: Adam was made to be king and priest, Israel was established by God to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” [Exo 19:6]). Jesus succeeded where they failed.
When you have this concept firmly in your mind and deeply in your heart, your vision will focus not on the divisive and trivial matters that waste our time, energy, and resources, but rather on the higher goals that unite us, uplift others, and promote the work of God in this dark and broken world.
How can we recognize and honor the supreme worth of Jesus? A. In our Worship – Worship that engages the mind,
emotion, and will. Worship in “Spirit and in Truth”
(John 4:24). The chapter ends with the entire creation
(heaven and earth) joining the adoration of the four
living creatures and the twenty-four elders. Creation wells up in worship. Why? Because of Jesus. Jesus sparks worship!!!
Prayer as worship – Prayer is not only petition but also worship. As the Jewish priests daily burned incense before God, so, too, are we to pray fervently. In Revelation 6, we will see that God’s judgment falls on the wicked in response to the petitions of his people (Rev 6:10). B. In our Witness
- Chinese house-church Pastors, Samuel Lamb and Allen Yuan. After 26 years of imprisonment, Lamb stated “the more
persecution, the more the church grows.” Yuan added, We
have a saying in Beijing, if you dare to preach, people will
believe.”
- Derek Tidball – The role of the church, then, is to be a faithful witness and to take an uncompromising stand for God, even to the extent of its members’ laying down their lives.”
- Joseph Tson (Romanian Pastor) – “Sir, your supreme weapon is killing. My supreme weapon is dying. Sir, you know my sermons are all over the country on tapes now. If you kill me, I will be
sprinkling them with my blood. Whoever listens to them after
that will say, ‘I’d better listen. This man sealed it with his
blood.’ They will speak ten times louder than before. So, go on and kill me. I win the supreme victory then.”
- Application: Our mission is not a reaction to evil; it’s a response to glory. We go to the nations not because the world is safe,
but because the Lamb is sovereign.
Conclusion:
1. It is good news that Christ is enthroned.
2. Have you joined the song? Believe in Jesus Christ.
Gospel Invitation:
● Jesus lived the life you could not live.
● He died the death you deserved.
● He rose again to give you eternal life.
● And today, He calls you to Himself.
3. Worship and witness for Him. Revelation 5 is not just a heavenly scene; it’s a commissioning. The Lamb who was slain is now enthroned. The scroll is being opened. The nations are being gathered. And we are sent.
Let us all rise and confess together: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing… To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. Amen!” (Revelation 5:12-14)