November 08, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Scroll and the Lamb
Scripture: Revelation 5(NIV)
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Devotional
The scene at God’s throne in heaven continues to escalate. There are the four living creatures including a lion (the king of wild animals), an ox (the most powerful of tamed animals), an eagle (the most majestic of the sky), and a human (created in God’s own image). But they were not worthy to break the seals and open the scroll in God’s right hand.
Then there were the twenty-four elders, reminding us of all the people of God in both the Old and New Testaments. They were accompanied by a hundred million angels. As great as they were, none of them were worthy to break the seals. As John saw this vision, he could only weep because God’s scroll would go unread.
Yet there is one, and only one, who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. He is the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins. By His blood He purchased redemption for people from every corner of the earth. He alone is worthy to break the seals. He alone receives honor and glory and power from angels and elders and people and creation. His name is Jesus!
Look at what the Bible says about how Jesus comes into the presence of God the Father and makes a way for us:
“Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
“But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25)
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).
His name is Jesus! Take some time right now to lay down your crowns before Jesus. Go back to Revelation 4 and look at the prayers of the elders and angels and creatures. Speak them out loud to the Lord as you offer Him your praise.
Poem
O Lamb Of God
Sweet lamb
Pure white
Deep eyes
Warm breath
Follow
God to
The slaughter
No bleat
Silent
Neck yield
Blood spills
Upon
Altar
Sacrifice
Arise
Cover
Doorposts
Your flock
Exchange
So great
Cross banner
Come forth
Break seal
Of scroll
The names
Written
‘Fore time
Your treasure
Worthy
We sing
Praises
To you
Full slain
For us
We bow—Amen!
