Worthy is The Lamb

Worthy is The Lamb

It is nearly impossible for me to cite a favorite chapter in the Bible; but if I had to choose only one; I would choose Revelation chapter five. For me, being a person who loves the prophetic word of God, this chapter serves as the vital key to the unlocking of both the historical and the futurist perspective of the providence of God. 

Through the lens of John’s unique heavenly visit, we are accorded a surreal panoramic overview of a  great “mystery” formulated by Almighty God from before the foundation of the world. 

That great “mystery” involved a “master plan” to recover, restore, recreate and to bring to fruition a means of restitution for mankind in the event that man should fall away from his a loving righteous relationship with God.

The essential part of that “master plan” was the emphasis of God manifesting himself into the human race, in the form of his only begotten Son to implement the “process of the great mystery!”

Scriptures in Matthew 13:25, John 17:24, I Peter 1:18-20, I Cor. 2:7, Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:1-3, 9, and Colossians 1:26 all testify to this great “Mystery of the Ages.” 

Furthermore, Revelation 10:7, which John was enabled to envision and record for our perusal, offers us a sneak preview of the “conclusion of Mystery of God!”

Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the “mystery of God” should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

But before the “great mystery” of God could ever be fully accomplished; something else needed to be finished! 

And that “something else” is reviewed for us in the verses of Revelation chapter five! In this chapter; we are granted a front-row seat to observe the most wonderful scene of all the ages! 

A Sealed Book

Therein, we are abled to give witness to an amazing unfolding drama centered around God’s throne. We see Almighty God, seated and holding a “Sealed Book.”

Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Revelation 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

This highly intriguing Sealed Book had been sealed up with seven seals, and it had been sealed up since the beginning of time. It was even referred to in ancient times by the Old Testament prophet Daniel. 

Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Daniel mentions at least twice that he was sick at heart because he found he could not understand the prophecies that he was privileged to share. 

Then, here again, in Revelation five, there is a sad sickness observed in Heaven because in the search for someone “Worthy to Open the Sealed Book” was not found! 

Revelation 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

Revelation 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Here; we observe the sight of John weeping and crying, sick at heart, just like old Daniel.

But, suddenly, John was informed by the voice of a heavenly elder to cease from his weeping as the search of all the creation had finally discovered someone who had in fact, “Prevailed” over the strategies of Satan, and  was thereby deemed divinely “Worthy” to approach Gods throne and open the Sealed Book!

“Prevailed” as Being Worthy

Point # 1. It was foreordained even before the foundation of the world that Christ would first have to “suffer” at the hands of sinful mankind in order to avail salvation to all men. (Acts 3:18, 26:23, Luke 9:22, 17:25, 24:46, Mark 8:31, 9:12, Matthew 16:21)

Point # 2. Christ had to fulfill and complete his mission to this world to be a witness of the truth of God and establish the Gospel as the means by which Gods truth could be shared to sinful mankind. (Matthew 4:23, 9:35, Mark 1:1, 15, 13:10, 16:15, Romans 2:16, Ephesians 1:13, Colossians 1:5, II Timothy 1:10, I Peter 4:6, Revelation 14:6)

The “Worthy One’s” Identity Verified 

In verse five the “Worthy One” is positively identified as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah; and as an descendant of David. 

Secondly, the twenty-four elders of Heaven positively identified this unique candidate for being cast as the “Worthy One;” as a Lamb; that had been “slain” and possessing seven horns and seven eyes, and representing the seven spirits of God! 

Later, in Revelation thirteen and verse eight, we find that the “Lamb was Slain” before the foundation of the world so that men’s names might be forever recorded in the “Lambs Book of Life!”

Opening the Book

In verse seven of Revelation five; we review the Lamb, Jesus Christ himself, approaching the throne of God and “taking the book” out of God’s right hand! 

Revelation 5:7 And he came and took “the book” out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

This is a Hallelujah scene! Like poor Daniel, I even today would be “sick at heart” were it not for this holy and majestic scene; and the historical fact that Jesus was wholly Worthy!

Many things come to my mind when thinking about this wonderful event in Heaven.

Point # 1. What would have happened if the Lamb of God had not been found “Worthy?” Had Jesus succumbed to Satan’s temptation in the wilderness, he would not have been a Worthy partner in Gods great Mystery of the Ages; and the “Kingdom of God” might never be realized!

Point # 2. Could anyone that was deemed “Unworthy” have even approached God’s throne to “take the sealed book” out of Gods right hand? I have no doubts Satan would have desired to possess the Sealed Book; perhaps to keep it hidden, or to just throw it away! 

Praising the Worthy Lamb

The concluding verses (8-14) of Revelation five are vivid portrayals of the glory of God’s Lamb and his “Finished” mission to effect the mission of his “First Visitation” to our world. 

All of the Angels of Heaven, including the 24 elders are observed praising the Lamb and attending to the ongoing work as agents of Gods responses to the prayers of the Saints.

Opening the Seals on the Sealed Book

Aside from the completed mission of Jesus Christ as the “slain Lamb of God,” and his absolute Worthiness to receive all our praise, honor, riches, glory and worship is the fact that once he had taken the “Seven Sealed Book” is the fact that he immediately began to Open the book!

Again, another absolute Hallelujah moment! I can hardly contain my emotions when I contemplate the “unsealing” of each of the seals on “God’s Mystery book!”

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:

In reality, the book of “The Revelation” is in effect an “Unsealing” of the very book that Jesus Christ took out of his Father’s right hand! And today, have it in our very own hands!

When we turn the pages of the book of the Revelation, beginning in chapter six, we can begin the exciting journey into the “unveiling” of Gods great “Mystery” and the future of our world; as well as our eternal destiny!

Revelation 5:12 Then Innumerable Angels commence saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

No wonder then that this chapter, Revelation Five is my favorite chapter in the Bible: Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

Focus on Jerusalem

Focus on the Bible

by: Darrell G. Young

November 7, 2021