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In Revelation 5, the One who sits on the throne holds a scroll in His right hand, a very important scroll, sealed with seven seals. This scroll contains His sovereign decrees for the destiny of the world, His plan for judgment and redemption. Who is worthy to open this scroll and to break its seals (and thus put it into effect)? The question goes out to all the universe, and NO ONE is found who is worthy and qualified.
John weeps greatly because no one is found. What would happen to God’s plan and all His promises? Would sin and death and Satan win? Is there any purpose to the suffering that Christians are going through? Is there any ordained end to human history? John had very good reason to weep!
Then John is told to stop weeping? Why? Because the triumphant, ascended Christ now enters onto the scene. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the rightful one to rule over God's people forever--and He has overcome the enemies of God and His people!
When John turns to see this victorious Lion, He sees Him instead as a Lamb standing as if slain (or slaughtered). But He is no helpless victim. He is all-powerful (7 horns) and all-knowing (7 eyes), sending out His Spirit into all the earth just as He had promised His disciples. Through His sacrifice, He has conquered and rules from heaven above.
And as the worthy One, He takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father--to break its seals and put into effect God's decress for judgment and redemption. And when He takes the scroll, the entire universe breaks out in praise...PRAISE OF THE LAMB.
This praise begins with the new song of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
This Christmas...let us worship the Lamb that was slain!
Jeff Ryan
Calvary Bible Church
Rogers City, Michigan
John weeps greatly because no one is found. What would happen to God’s plan and all His promises? Would sin and death and Satan win? Is there any purpose to the suffering that Christians are going through? Is there any ordained end to human history? John had very good reason to weep!
Then John is told to stop weeping? Why? Because the triumphant, ascended Christ now enters onto the scene. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the rightful one to rule over God's people forever--and He has overcome the enemies of God and His people!
When John turns to see this victorious Lion, He sees Him instead as a Lamb standing as if slain (or slaughtered). But He is no helpless victim. He is all-powerful (7 horns) and all-knowing (7 eyes), sending out His Spirit into all the earth just as He had promised His disciples. Through His sacrifice, He has conquered and rules from heaven above.
And as the worthy One, He takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father--to break its seals and put into effect God's decress for judgment and redemption. And when He takes the scroll, the entire universe breaks out in praise...PRAISE OF THE LAMB.
This praise begins with the new song of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
This Christmas...let us worship the Lamb that was slain!
Jeff Ryan
Calvary Bible Church
Rogers City, Michigan
3 comments:
Nice one - I am delighted to see you refrain from speculative interpretations of the text. Thank you
"Refrain from speculative interpretations of the text..."
Are you kidding me? These guys come to the Bible with the presupposition that God saves monergistically. How about a little love for synergists, who are your brothers in Christ? Or, are you so arrogant as to believe that your dogma is the only proper interpretation of the Bible? (If so, cf. Matthew 5:3 and Ephesians 4:2)
Mr. Harry Tick (nice name BTW)
I believe that Kaitiaki was referring only to this post when he thanked Pastor Jeff for refraining from speculative interpretations.
We are fully aware that some Christians do not share our understanding of regeneration. While we disagree with them, we do not question their faith neither do we arrogantly assume we are right. We come to our conclusion through the study of Scripture, our own theological reflection, and the help of other believers both historical and modern. If we have acted in anyway unchristian in presenting our point of view, I apologize, and we will attempt to do better in future discussions.
Pastor Jeremy Lee
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