Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3 NIV
Welcome, welcome, I’m so glad you’re here. This is week 5 in our study of Revelation.
We’re going back to the NIV today and I’ll assist that with some AMP. Because some of what is in the AMP will help us understand what is in this chapter, the NIV, though, is easier to read. You can find both at biblegateway.com.
Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Jesus, thank You for this time and this book and all those who join me to study it. I’m asking You to lead us through this chapter as it is very much You centered. Thank You, Lord, for all You do. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
Please Read Revelation 5:1-3
The Scroll and the Lamb
worthy: [having the authority and virtue]
under the earth: [in Hades, the realm of the dead]
But no one … could open the scroll…
Please read Revelation 5:4-5
Isaiah 11:1
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
Genesis 49:9
You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
He is able. He is worthy. He is.
Please read Revelation 5:6
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.
Please write all the descriptors of the Lamb in this verse.
John 1:36
When he [John, the baptizer] saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
Please read Revelation 5:7-8
John 18:4-6
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
The ones who don’t believe ‘drew back’ but every knee will bow.
Philippians 2:5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Please read Revelation 5:9-10
I can kind of imagine what this song sounds like, can you? I have learned in making slides all these many years for worship that most song lyrics aren’t written exactly like they’re going to be sung. See if you can imagine this.
I’m hearing…
You are worthy. You are worthy. You are worthy, Lord.
To open the scroll and its seals.
You are worthy because you were slain.
Oh your blood
purchased for God
people from every
tribe and nation.
You are worthy, Lord, so worthy.
You made us to be a kingdom.
You made us to be priests.
To serve You, Lord our God.
You are worthy, Lord.
You are worthy to take the scroll.
You are worthy to open it too.
Worthy, Worthy, Worthy are You.
Please read Revelation 5:11-12
Oh the songs. Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb.
Notice John’s awareness of his surroundings grow with every ‘then I looked’?
Please read Revelation 5:13-14 NIV
AMP
13 And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],
“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].
The praise and the glory and the worship is all over this. Can you imagine all of creation saying ‘to Him… be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever’ and the elders all saying “Amen, Amen, Amen” over and over again.
Thank You, Jesus, for this beautiful chapter. You alone are worthy of all our praise. In Your holy name. Amen.