Toronto UBF Bible Study : WORTHY IS THE LAMB

Bible Study Materials

WORTHY IS THE LAMB

by 05/26/2020

Question

1. What did John see and hear? (1-2) Why did he weep so much? (3-4) What did one of the elders say to him? (5) Why? What were the names of Jesus mentioned here and what do they mean? (Gen 49:9; Isaiah 11:1,10) 2. Whom did John see and what did the one he saw look like? (6a) What did he have? (6b) What did the Lamb do? (7) How did the living creatures and elders respond to it? (8) 3. Read the new song they sing. Why was the Lamb worthy to take the scroll and open its seals? (9a) What did he do through his death and with his blood? (9b, 10) Think about the blessings we received through the blood of the Lamb. (1 Peter 1:18-19) 4. How did the many angels praise the Lamb? (11-12) What was the song of all creatures? (13-14) Why is the Lamb worthy to be praised and worshiped in this way? Think about the seven great possessions that belong to the Lamb.

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Question

1. Now what did John see? (1) What did he hear? (2) What does John’s weeping mean? (3-4) Who is the Lion of tribe of Judah, the Root of David (22:16) and why is he able to open the scroll? (5) 2. Then what did John see? How was the Lamb depicted? (6) What does this description reflect about him? What did he do? (7) 3. When the Lamb took the scroll, what did the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders do? (8-9) Think of the new song. 4. How did the numerous angels and all the creatures respond? (11-13) What is the significance of their saying? And of the four living creatures’ and the elders’? (14) What does all this teach us?

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Message

Thank God for blessing our study of Revelation and giving us abundant grace through his words. Last week we learned the glory of God seated on the throne. He is the sovereign Ruler of the world and each individual. Today we will learn about the glory of the Lamb and why he is worthy of our praise and worship. Look at verse 1. â€œThen 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.â€ John saw a scroll in the hand of God with writing on both sides. The scroll was made of papyrus, and only one side of it was good for writing. But if someone had a great deal to write, he would use both sides. The fact that the scroll was written on both side shows that a lengthy message was written on it. Also, it is important to note that the scroll was sealed with seven seals. The contents of the scroll were such secrets that it needed to be completely sealed with seven seals. Then John saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, â€œWho is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?â€ The angelâ€™s voice was so loud that it reached everywhere in heaven, on earth and under the earth. But no one was coming up to open the scroll or look inside. No one was found worthy enough to open the scroll. If there is no one to open the scroll, John would never see the secrets within it. John had anticipated that someone would come up to open the scroll. But when he realized that no one was able to do it, he was overcome with sorrow. He wept and cried loudly for he could not contain his sorrow. He was sorrowful not because he had been banished and exiled to a lonely Island away from his family and friends. Rather, he was sorrowful because no one was able to reveal Godâ€™s secret to him. He probably would have cried until he could find someone who could open the scroll and show him what was written inside. As we know, the Bible was written on scrolls at that time. It was like hidden treasure. Many times, we feel that the Bible is like a scroll sealed with seven seals and hidden from our eyes. Dr. Samuel Lee once said that the Bible is like chemistry. Most of chemical reactions are hidden from our eyes because molecules are microscopic and are not visible to our eyes. But a good chemist can see what is going on in this microscopic world. Some say that the Bible is like an ocean, full of treasures in it, but too big to figure out. Sometimes, when I open the Bible I feel as though I am standing in front of a great ocean, and I am simply overwhelmed. Many people search for the Bible and give up when they feel that it is too difficult to understand. But we must be eager to see and know the secret of God until God opens the scroll for us and reveal his secret. We should be like John who wept and wept until God opens our spiritual eyes to understand the secrets of God. We have many reasons to cry as we live in this troublesome world. However, we must cry instead when the word of God is sealed and hidden from our eyes. Because John was crying so sorrowfully, one of the elders said to him, â€œDo not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is about to open the scroll and its seven seals.â€ What good news! There is indeed someone who can open the scroll and its seven seals. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David. The lion is the King of the beasts. No animal can defeat the roaring lion. In Genesis 49:9, Judah was compared to a lionâ€™s cub. Jesus is the Lion who has come from the tribe of Judah and who conquered the whole world through his death and resurrection. Only he is worthy to open the scroll and reveal Godâ€™s secrets. John was so happy and grateful hearing this news. His sorrow turned into great joy. Look at verse 6. â€œThen I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.â€ John was looking around to where the Lion had been. Instead, he saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. It was standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The mark of suffering and death was still in its appearance. Here, we see the two opposite sides of Jesus. He was as majestic as the triumphant Lion and as humble as the Lamb who was slain. The Bible depicts Jesus as the lamb many times. In Revelation alone, Jesus was called the Lamb 28 times. Jesus died on the cross as the Lamb of God in obedience to Godâ€™s will. But God raised him on the third day and made him a glorious King. Now he is standing in 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. Seven horns stand for omnipresence, and the seven eyes for omniscience. He is all powerful and all wise. No one can stand against his power and wisdom. Look at verse 7. Now Jesus came and took the scroll from his right hand. He was now about to open the scroll and its seven seals. What a glorious moment! A long awaited moment had at last arrived. When he had taken it, the four creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb and worshipped him. Here, the living creatures and the elders represent the glorified Church. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Harp is a musical instrument which was often used for praising God in Israel. David was also a harp player. I realized that each of us, including myself, needs to master at least one musical instrument so that we can praise God with it in addition to our voices. They were also holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. The saints also were participating in this great heavenly event through their prayers. Sometimes we are discouraged when we feel that our prayers do not have any effect. But that is not true. Not a single prayer of ours falls to the ground. All our prayers go up to heaven and are gathered in the golden bowls and offered to the Lamb in heaven. Our prayers are fragrant incense to God. May we offer our prayer for the messengers and Godâ€™s flock for our upcoming Canadian Summer Bible Conference. Letâ€™s read verses 9 and 10. The living creatures and elders sang a new song. It is a new song because this kind of praise to the Lamb had never been sung before. Why did they sing a new song for him? Look at verse 9a. â€œAnd they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slainâ€¦â€ They praised Jesus because he was slain. Jesusâ€™ death was not an accidental event. It was not a tragic death of a righteous man. Jesusâ€™ death was an act of obedience to the will of God. It was the climax of Godâ€™s redemptive plan for the world, which was ruined by sin. Because of his death, Jesus is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. Because of his death, Jesus is worthy to be praised and worshipped forever and ever. Then what kind of blessings came upon us through his death on the cross? First, Jesus purchased men for God with his blood. Verse 9b says, â€œâ€¦because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.â€ We purchase something because it is someone elseâ€™s possession. And when we purchase it, we must pay the price. Nothing is free in this world. Originally, men are precious possessions of God. God was very happy when he created men. Men are the apple of Godâ€™s eye. But as we know, Satan tempted man in the garden of Eden. Man disobeyed Godâ€™s command, and as a result sin came into the world. Man became sold to sin like a slave. The problem is that slaves cannot free themselves. The only way for a slave to gain freedom is that somebody must purchase him with a due price. This is called a Ransom Payment. This is precisely what Jesus paid for us. Sin demands blood as the price of our sins. Jesus gave his own life as the Ransom payment for our sins. It cost his own life in order to purchase us for God. Jesus died on the cross and paid for all our sins with his precious blood. It was through Jesusâ€™ blood that we are redeemed from our sins and became children of God with glorious freedom. God so loved sinners like us that he made his own Son a Ransom payment in order to bring us back to him. We must know that although we are saved by Godâ€™s grace, our salvation was not free. Jesus paid the price with his precious blood in our places. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, â€œFor you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.â€ These days silver or gold is very precious. But silver or gold cannot save us from the empty way of life under the power of sin. We must know that Jesusâ€™ blood is more precious than silver or gold. With his precious blood Jesus saved us from the empty way of life under the power of sin. He purchased us for God with his precious blood. His redemption is not only for us but also for all tribes and people of all nations. Praise Jesus who loved us so much that he shed precious blood for us. He is worthy to receive our wholehearted praise and worship. Second, Jesus made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God. Look at verse 10. â€œYou have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.â€ When Jesus redeemed us, he had purpose for us. It was to make us a kingdom and priests to serve our God. Godâ€™s purpose for creating men is that they may serve God and glorify him. Now we have become a kingdom of priests to serve God and glorify him. Once we were unable to serve God even though we eagerly wanted to do so because of fear and the bondage of sin. But through the blood of Jesus, the curtain of the temple was torn. Now we can freely access God as a kingdom and priests. As the priests had the privilege to serve God in the temple, we have a privilege, like a VIP pass, to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days. Then when Christ comes, we will reign with him forever. From verse 11, the scale of worship becomes larger and greater. Look at verse 11. â€œThen I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.â€ Now all the heavenly angels sang in a loud voice. â€œWorthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!â€(12) Then John heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: â€œTo him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!â€ It seems that now the whole universe was singing a chorus to God and to the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb! Only Jesus is worthy to receive our wholehearted worship because he was slain and he purchased us for God with his precious blood. Who can truly worship God? Someone said, â€œWhen you recognize God as Creator, you will admire him. When you recognize his wisdom, you will learn from him. When you discover his strength, you will rely on him. But only when he saves you will you worship him.â€ It is the redeemed people of God who can truly worship God because we are purchased by the blood of Jesus. We have the glorious freedom which even angels cannot know. Even angels cannot sing this song of joy and freedom. May God bless us to worship God and the Lamb throughout all our life and serve him as faithful priests of Godâ€™s kingdom.

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Message

Revelation chapter 4 is glorious: it reveals Godâ€™s throne in heaven encircled by rainbow resembling emerald, and his appearance of jasper and Carnelian. The four living creatures praise God day and night for his perfect holiness, and the twenty-four elders representing the redeemed people of the church praise God for his wonderful creation, and lay their crowns of gold before the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. This is truly a glorious scene. However, in chapter 5 there is a deep sorrow of man, and then with the appearing of the Lamb there is the praise of the living creature and the elders and numerous angels and the whole of creation to God and the Lamb. This is a stunning transition from the deep sorrow to the praise and glory. It is due to the Lamb who was slain. On this Thanksgiving Sunday may we go deep into the marvelous grace of our Lord Christ Jesus so as to be full of thanks and praise to him. First, â€œWho is worthy to open the scroll?â€ (1-5) Look at verse 1. â€œThen 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.â€ â€œA scrollâ€, in Greek, biblion, is also rendered â€œa bookâ€ (Rev 1:11; 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:7, 9-10, 18-19). A scroll written in both sides is typical of various kinds of contracts in the ancient world, including deeds, marriage contracts, rental and lease agreements, and wills. The inside of the scroll contained all the details of the contract, and the outsideâ€”or backâ€”contained a summary of the document. In this case it almost certainly is the title deed to the earth. We will see this. Here a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals, meaning complete sealing, was in the right hand of him who sat on the throne. So this scroll was not only completely sealed but also completely kept in the right hand of the Lord God Almighty. In the book of Daniel, God showed Daniel the coming future world in a vision that the king of Babylon of that time would be followed by the kingdom of Medo-Persia, the kingdom of Greece and the kingdom of Rome. Yet regarding the distant future Daniel was told, â€œâ€¦close up and seal the words of the scrollâ€¦Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the endâ€ (Da 8:26; 12:4,9). Then in verse 2 John wrote, â€œAnd I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, â€˜Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?â€™â€ A mighty angel shouts out a challenge for anyone to come forth who is â€˜worthyâ€™ to open the great scroll and its seals. Then verse 3 says, â€œBut no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.â€ All creation in heaven and earth and under the earth stood motionless and speechlessâ€¦no one had the authority and virtue for such a task,â€ It seemed that as the echoes of his cry receded there was only silence. The powerful archangels Michael and Gabriel did not answer. Uncounted thousands of other angels remained silent. All the righteous dead of all the ages, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Peter and the rest of the apostles, Paul, and all the others from the church age, said nothing. Look at verse 4. â€œI wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.â€ John, involved in this tremendously important event, showed his emotional response. Why did John weep and weep? For what did he weep? Yes, he wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then why was not being able to open the scroll a great sorrow to him? What does opening the scroll mean? Opening the scroll not only means to read the words, the secret in the scroll, and let the mystery of God be known to his people, but also the accomplishment of it (Rev. 10:7). In Revelation chapters 6 through 18, when each seal is opened, dreadful judgment comes upon the earth, and the seventh seal contains the seven-trumpet- and seven-bowl-judgments. So opening the scroll means to carry out Godâ€™s judge upon the earth so that the kingdom of this world ruled by Satan will be completely restored to the original state as written in Revelation 11:15, â€œThe kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.â€ So not being able to open the scroll means Satanâ€™s continuous rule. John, who was in the Spirit, must have known this. So he wept and wept. While on earth Jesus taught his disciple to pray with this prayer topic: â€œâ€¦Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heavenâ€ (Mt 6:10; Lk 11:12). According to Romans 8:22, this is the groaning of the whole creation: to be liberated from Satanâ€™s rule and bondage to decay, into the glorious freedom along with the children of God. When God created the world, he made male and female, and blessed them and said to them, â€œBe fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the groundâ€ (Ge 1:28). In this blessing God appointed men the rulers of the world. God gave them right to rule the world. But when Adam failed, sinning against God by disobeying Godâ€™s command, he lost the right and authority to rule. And so did all Adamâ€™s race. Adam must have wept and wept in great bitterness and helplessness and misery. Actually this is related to the weeping and crying of all mankind, as Apostle Paul confessed, â€œWhat a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?â€ (Ro 7:24). And this weeping of John is also related to Jesusâ€™ weeping. Jesus wept when he saw his beloved ones, Mary and Martha crying under the power of Satan and death in front of the graveyards of their dead brother, although Jesus who is the resurrection and the life was there (Jn 11:35). Jesus wept also when he entered Jerusalem, because the peace and salvation Jesus was bringing were hidden from their eyes and as a result they would face the impending judgment of God (Lk 19:41). Then who is worthy to open the scroll? What are the qualifications for this? The one who can open the scroll is to be a kinsman of human beings, for because of manâ€™s sin the world became the kingdom of Satan. So all the angles are dropped from the qualification. Next, the one who is able to open the scroll is to be sinless to take the scroll from the hand of the holy God. And the one is to be the person who has paid the price for the legal right of transaction to regain the kingdom from Satan; the price was holy blood without contamination of sin. So all human beings also dropped from qualification. While John wept and wept, one of the elders who must have been redeemed by the blood of Christ Jesus said, â€œDo 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.â€ At this the whole atmosphere of heaven must have changed from unbearable grief to unspeakable joy. Here what one of the elders needs our attention: â€œThe Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.â€ It is because Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, whom Jacob had blessed in his prophetic vision as the lion to rule the nations with the scepter (Ge 49:9-10). And it is because not only Jesus as to his human nature was a descendant of David in the line of Judah, but also God promised David that his kingdom would endure forever and his throne would be established forever through his off spring (2 Sam 7:13-16). Jesus the promised Messiah indeed had triumphed over sin and Satan through his death and resurrection, establishing the eternal kingdom and overthrowing Satanâ€™s kingdom according Godâ€™s Davidic promise. In this triumph Christ Jesus would be able to open the scroll and its seven seals, which is retaking that which he purchased at Calvary. Through the victory he won at Calvary, Christ will evict Satan and his forces and take permanent possession of the earth. This victory and triumph of Jesus Christ is for you and for me and for all of his people. Second, â€œYou are worthy because you were slainâ€ (6-14). Look at verse 6. â€œThen I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slainâ€¦â€ One of the elders said to John, â€œSee/behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judahâ€¦â€ But John did not see a Lion roaring and victorious, but a Lamb terribly wounded. This stresses that victory came through his sacrifice. And it is notable that John did not write, â€œI saw a Lamb who was slainâ€, but â€œI saw a lamb, looking as if it had been slain.â€ It was most probably because after hearing of the Lion, the appearing of a Lamb was quite sudden and unexpected to him, such that at first he could not associate the Lamb as the Lamb of God who was killed on the cross. Then, soon after seeing the Lamb looking as it had been slain, John could remember Jesus who was crucified on the cross, and particularly whose side was pierced by a spearâ€”as John himself testified in the gospel of John. And also in his gospel John described that even the risen Jesus had nail marks in his hands and had his side pierced (Jn 20:25-27). And here furthermore, although Jesus was ascended and gloried in heaven, his wound marks remain there and are never to be erased as the eternal marks of his sacrifice and redemptive love for us sinners. In Revelation, here is the first appearance of the Lamb related to Jesus, amid the 32 times of Jesusâ€™ description as the Lamb in the book, more than any other name or title of Christ. The Lamb is to be contrasted with the beast throughout this book. The Lamb slain is the epitome of revelation. The Lamb was standing in the centre of the throne encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. This shows that the time for Christ to sit on the right hand of God and intercede for his people (Ro 8:34) will be over. This is in accordance with what Jesus said to the people while on earth, to show who he really is, quoting the words of Psalm 110:1, the Psalm of David, â€œThe Lord said to my Lord: â€˜Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feetâ€™â€ (Mt 22:46; Lk 20:42-43). The Lamb who was standing in the centre of the throne had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Lambs are defenseless with no horn to protect themselves. But here the Lamb had seven horns. The horn is a biblical symbol denoting power or government (1 Sa 2:10; 2 Sa 22:3; Ps 132:13-17). So seven horns stand for complete power and authority (omnipotence), and the seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God for complete wisdom or perfect intelligence (omniscience) from the indwelling Spirit of God in all its fullness, and the seven spirits of God (the Holy Spirit) sent out into all the earth for ever-presence (omnipresence). He is all powerful and all wise and all present. No one can challenge his power, his wisdom and his presence. So his dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed (Da 7:14). Then what did he do? Look at verse 7. â€œHe came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.â€ As we had thought of until now, he had all right to take the scroll from the right hand of the Lord God Almighty. As he took the scroll, what a significant moment! Now he had the authority in his hand to execute the judgment upon the earth. Since he took the scroll from the right hand of God, the events of opening the seals one by one would follow consequently. So when he had taken the scroll, the living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, surely in deep adoration. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which the prayers of the saints. Notably, at this time of anticipation of the opening of the seals, the golden bowls were full of incense. All our prayers related to â€œyour kingdom comeâ€ will never fall to the ground, but go up to heaven like incense to be gathered in the golden bowls to be filled for God to act. Our prayers are fragrant incense to God. We remember what Jesus said in Luke 18:7, â€œWill not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night?â€ Then after falling down before the Lamb, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang a new song: â€œYou are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.â€™â€ In this song, the words are directly spoken to the Lamb who is standing there. This is a new song, for no one ever sang such a song. We can think of this song in three parts. The part â€œYou are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you are slainâ€, we have been thinking of all along. Then at this moment, the elders in particular were reminded of the wonderful grace of the Lamb, saying, â€œand with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priest to serve our God.â€ In KJV, this song is written in the first person plural noun â€œusâ€, not third person noun â€œmen.â€ Then the song is, â€œwith your blood you purchased us for Godâ€¦You have made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.â€ This can be our song and we can say, â€œwith your blood you purchased us for God.â€ This is the core of the gospel message we have learned in the Bible. The Greek word for â€œpurchasedâ€ can also be translated into â€œransomedâ€ or â€œredeemed.â€ According to 1 Peter 1:19, he redeemed us not with perishable things such as silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.â€ The 2015 Canadian federal budget was about 300 billion dollars. But even this immense sum of money would be not be enough to purchase us. But he purchased us with his blood. We can think of three kinds of blood. In the Old Testament so many animals were sacrificed and their blood was shed for menâ€™s sins so that they might be ceremonially clean. After the flood judgment, God established capital punishment so that people might respect other human beings. He said, â€œWhoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made manâ€ (Ge 9:6). The life of human beings though sinful was to be respected, for the image of God was still there in each man. According to Colossians 1:15, â€œHe is the image of the invisible God.â€ And Hebrews 1:2 says, â€œThe Son is the exact representation of his being.â€ Yet God let him be killed and shed his sinless holy blood so that sinful human beings like us might be purchased to be his own. Revelation 1:5b says, â€œTo him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his bloodâ€¦â€ By his blood he purchased us and freed us from our sin and from Satan and made us his own, his own children, who call God â€œAbba, Father.â€ By his precious blood we were purchased and have become Godâ€™s dearly loved children. We know that when we purchase something, particularly if it costs a lot of money, the thing we purchased becomes so precious to us. Who am I that he purchased me with his blood? The truth is that he purchased me with his blood and I have become his own, his treasured possession. As we studied, the high priest of the Israelites wore a breastplate, on which were twelve stones including carnelian (or ruby the first stone on the list) and jasper (last stone). On each stone was engraved like a seal the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, representing Godâ€™s chosen people (Ex 28:17-21). The Israelites were to be in the heart of the high priest, as he entered the temple of God. In Revelation 4 the only description of God himself sitting on the throne in heaven is that he had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, which symbolize his precious people redeemed through his Son Jesus Christ. This implies how much God loves them. He loves them so much as his adopted children so that he cannot be separated from them, his treasured possession. Thatâ€™s why Apostle Paul confessed in Romans 8:39, â€œI am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.â€ In this love nothing really can matter. It is all because of the Lamb who through his blood purchased us for God. We are forever thankful for this marvelous grace of the Lamb. And in verse 10, â€œYou have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.â€ In KJV, â€œYou have made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.â€ This is also written in 1:6-7, â€œTo him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father...â€ We are made a kingdom because now Godâ€™s rule is in our hearts, where once Satanâ€™s rule was. Godâ€™s people are also collectively made his kingdom, whereas once we were all under Satanâ€™s kingdom. Indeed, the Lamb has made us a kingdom and also priests to serve our God. This kingdom has been battling with the kingdom of this world, namely, the kingdom of Satan. Yet, how to battle is to come to God on behalf of the people of this world as priests so that they may also become Godâ€™s children in his kingdom under his rule. â€œHe has made us a kingdom and priests to serve our Godâ€: this is our identity and our clear purpose of life in this world. And then it says, â€˜They will reign on the earthâ€, in KJV, â€œWe shall reign on the earth.â€ The victory in the battle against Satanâ€™s kingdom is guaranteed to his people as the Lamb took the scroll from the right hand of God sitting on the throne. We shall reign on the earth along with him. We should hold on to this promise of God. Then there is praise of numerous angels and of every creature. In verses 11 and 12, â€œThen 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. In a loud voice they sang: â€˜Worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!â€™â€ And in verse 13 and 14, â€œThen I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: â€˜To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!â€™â€ At this the four living creatures said, â€œAmen,â€ and the elders fell down and worshiped. We also thank and praise God for his bountiful grace poured out upon us through the Lamb this year. We are assured that by his blood he purchased us for God and he enabled us to live as a kingdom and priests to serve our God. Through him we could come to the throne of God calling him, â€œAbba, Fatherâ€ and pray for ourselves and for his flock of sheep. Also in him, God gave us his words abundantly, especially each week so that we could worship God in spirit and truth. I really thank God for the words of Lukeâ€™s gospel, Galatians, Psalm 119, Psalm 23, 1 Corinthians 13 and Hebrews 4, and gospel key verses, and 1 Samuel. Through his words and prayer we could engage in a spiritual battle for ourselves and for Godâ€™s ministry, and God gave us victories over the evil one personally and ministry-wise, despite our sins and weaknesses and groaning. I am very thankful to God that we could have a very graceful EBC and a victorious SBC, and he sent his precious flock of sheep who have a strong desire for the word of God through the club day in the fall. I also thank God that he is going to establish a family of God, a disciplesâ€™ family, a house church in Christ, between Ian and Jemmie in this ministry. In his grace of this first house church we pray for 12 house churches to be established in U of T campus pioneering work in the hope of Toronto to be a holy city and Canada to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, for victory belongs to the Lamb and his followers. Most importantly each one of us may keep the grace of the Lamb and his kingdom ever increasing in our heart with thanks and praise to him. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Praise him for with his blood he purchased us for God and has made us a kingdom and priests to serve our God and we shall reign on the earth.

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Message

We thank and praise God for richly blessing 2018 ISBC, with the theme â€œHis Kingdom.â€ Coming back from the conference, we want to review particularly Revelation chapter 5 and chapter 21 so that we may keep his grace in our hearts through his words. Revelation chapter 4 is glorious: it reveals Godâ€™s throne in heaven with his appearance of jasper and Carnelian, encircled by a rainbow resembling emerald. The four living creatures praise God day and night for his perfect holiness, and the twenty-four elders representing the redeemed people of the church praise God for his wonderful creation. They lay down their crowns of gold before the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. This is truly a glorious scene. However, in chapter 5 there is a deep sorrow of man, and then with the appearing of the Lamb there is the praise of the living creatures, the elders, numerous angels, and the whole of creation to God and the Lamb. This is a stunning transition from the deep sorrow to wondrous praise and glory. It is due to the Lamb who was slain. In Revelation chapter 5 we see a progressed picture of heavenly worship in Godâ€™s heavenly Kingdom. All the redeemed mankind and myriads of angels and all creatures including all the redeemed mankind do one thing, that is, worship. They worship one who sits on the heavenly throne and the lamb. May we more think of the worthiness of the Lamb, Christ Jesus, and why he is worthy of our worship and our wholehearted serving. First, â€œWho is worthy to open the scroll?â€ (1-5). Look at verse 1. â€œThen 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.â€ â€œA scrollâ€, in Greek, biblion, is also rendered â€œa bookâ€ (Rev 1:11; 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:7, 9-10, 18-19). A scroll written on both sides is typical of various kinds of contracts in the ancient world, including deeds, marriage contracts, rental and lease agreements, and wills. The inside of the scroll contained all the details of the contract, and the outsideâ€”or backâ€”contained a summary of the document. In this case it almost certainly is the title deed to the earth. We will see this. Here a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals, meaning complete sealing, was in the right hand of him who sat on the throne. So this scroll was not only completely sealed but also completely kept in the right hand of the Lord God Almighty. Then in verse 2 John wrote, â€œAnd I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, â€˜Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?â€™â€ A mighty angel shouts out a challenge for anyone to come forth who is â€˜worthyâ€™ to open the great scroll and its seals. Then verse 3 says, â€œBut no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.â€ All creation in heaven and earth and under the earth stood motionless and speechlessâ€¦no one had the authority and virtue for such a task. It seemed that as the echoes of his cry receded there was only silence. The powerful archangels Michael and Gabriel did not answer. Uncounted thousands of other angels remained silent. All the righteous dead of all ages, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Peter and the rest of the apostles, Paul, and all the others from the church age, said nothing. Look at verse 4. â€œI wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.â€ John, involved in this tremendously important event, showed his emotional response. Why did John weep and weep? For what did he weep? Yes, he wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then why was not being able to open the scroll a great sorrow to him? What does opening the scroll mean? Opening the scroll not only means to read the words, the secret in the scroll, and let the mystery of God be known to his people, but also the accomplishment of it (Rev. 10:7). In Revelation chapters 6 through 18, when each seal is opened, dreadful judgment comes upon the earth, and the seventh seal contains the seven-trumpets- and seven-bowls-judgments. So, opening the scroll means to carry out Godâ€™s judgement upon the earth so that the kingdom of this world ruled by Satan will be completely restored to the original state as written in Revelation 11:15, â€œThe kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.â€ Not being able to open the scroll means Satanâ€™s continuous rule. John, who was in the Spirit, must have known this. So, he wept and wept. While on earth Jesus taught his disciple to pray with this prayer topic: â€œâ€¦Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heavenâ€ (Mt 6:10; Lk 11:12). According to Romans 8:22, this is the groaning of the whole creation: to be liberated from Satanâ€™s rule and bondage to decay, into the glorious freedom along with the children of God. When God created the world, he made male and female, and blessed them and said to them, â€œBe fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the groundâ€ (Ge 1:28). In this blessing God appointed men as the rulers of the world. God gave them the right to rule the world. But when Adam failed, sinning against God by disobeying Godâ€™s command, he lost the right and authority to rule. And so did all Adamâ€™s race. Adam must have wept and wept in great bitterness and helplessness and misery. Actually this is related to the weeping and crying of all mankind, as Apostle Paul confessed, â€œWhat a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?â€ (Ro 7:24). And this weeping of John is also related to Jesusâ€™ weeping. Jesus wept when he saw his beloved ones, Mary and Martha crying under the power of Satan and death in front of the graveyards of their dead brother, although Jesus who is the resurrection and the life was there (Jn 11:35). Jesus wept also when he entered Jerusalem, because the peace and salvation Jesus was bringing were hidden from their eyes and as a result they would face the impending judgment of God (Lk 19:41). Then who is worthy to open the scroll? What are the qualifications for this? The one who can open the scroll is to be a kinsman of human beings, for because of manâ€™s sin the world became the kingdom of Satan. So, all the angles are dropped from the qualification. Next, the one who is able to open the scroll is to be sinless to take the scroll from the hand of the holy God. And the one is to be the person who has paid the price for the legal right of transaction to regain the kingdom from Satan; the price was holy blood without contamination of sin. So all human beings also dropped from qualification. While John wept and wept, one of the elders who must have been redeemed by the blood of Christ Jesus said, â€œDo 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.â€ At this the whole atmosphere of heaven must have changed from unbearable grief to unspeakable joy. Here what one of the elders said needs our attention: â€œThe Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.â€ It is because Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, whom Jacob had blessed in his prophetic vision as the lion to rule the nations with the scepter (Ge 49:9-10). And it is because not only Jesus as to his human nature was a descendant of David in the line of Judah, but also God promised David that his kingdom would endure forever and his throne would be established forever through his off spring (2 Sam 7:13-16). Jesus the promised Messiah indeed had triumphed over sin and Satan through his death and resurrection, establishing the eternal kingdom and overthrowing Satanâ€™s kingdom according Godâ€™s Davidic promise. In this triumph Christ Jesus would be able to open the scroll and its seven seals, which is retaking that which he purchased at Calvary. Through the victory he won at Calvary, Christ will evict Satan and his forces and take permanent possession of the earth. This victory and triumph of Jesus Christ is for you and for me and for all of his people. Second, â€œyou are worthy because you were slainâ€ (6-14). Look at verse 6. â€œThen I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slainâ€¦â€ One of the elders said to John, â€œSee/behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judahâ€¦â€ But John did not see a Lion roaring and victorious, but a Lamb. According S. Steve Seballeâ€™s message, the national animal for America is the Bald Eagle; for Ukraine, it is the Bear; for the UK, it is the Lion; and for Korea, it is the Siberian Tiger. But for Godâ€™s Kingdom it is a Lamb. Not just a lamb, but a lamb terribly wounded. What is the relation of Lion and Lamb regarding Christ Jesus? This stresses that victory came through his sacrifice. And it is notable that John did not write, â€œI saw a Lamb who was slainâ€, but â€œI saw a lamb, looking as if it had been slain.â€ It was most probably because after hearing of the Lion, the appearing of a Lamb was quite sudden and unexpected to him, such that at first he could not associate the lamb as the Lamb of God who was killed on the cross. Then, soon after seeing the Lamb looking as it had been slain, John could remember Jesus who was crucified on the cross, and particularly whose side was pierced by a spearâ€”as John himself testified in the gospel of John. Also in his gospel, John described that even the risen Jesus had nail marks in his hands and had his side pierced (Jn 20:25-27). And here furthermore, although Jesus was ascended and glorified in heaven, his wound marks remain there and are never to be erased as the eternal marks of his sacrifice and redemptive love for us sinners. The Lamb was standing in the centre of the throne encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. This shows that the time for Christ to sit on the right hand of God and intercede for his people (Ro 8:34) will be over. This is in accordance with what Jesus said to the people while on earth, to show who he really is, quoting the words of Psalm 110:1, the Psalm of David, â€œThe Lord said to my Lord: â€˜Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feetâ€™â€ (Mt 22:46; Lk 20:42-43). The Lamb who was standing in the centre of the throne had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Lambs are defenseless with no horn to protect themselves. But here the Lamb had seven horns. The horn is a biblical symbol denoting power or government (1 Sa 2:10; 2 Sa 22:3; Ps 132:13-17). So seven horns stand for complete power and authority (omnipotence), and the seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God for complete wisdom or perfect intelligence (omniscience) from the indwelling Spirit of God in all its fullness, and the seven spirits of God (the Holy Spirit) sent out into all the earth for ever-presence (omnipresence). He is all powerful and all wise and all present. No one can challenge his power, his wisdom and his presence. So his dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed (Da 7:14). Then what did he do? Look at verse 7. â€œHe came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.â€ As we had thought of until now, he had all right to take the scroll from the right hand of the Lord God Almighty. As he took the scroll, what a significant moment! Now he had the authority in his hand to execute the judgment upon the earth. Since he took the scroll from the right hand of God, the events of opening the seals one by one would follow consequently. So when he had taken the scroll, the living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, surely in deep adoration. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which the prayers of the saints. Notably, at this time of anticipation of the opening of the seals, the golden bowls were full of incense. All our prayers related to â€œyour kingdom comeâ€ will never fall to the ground, but go up to heaven like incense to be gathered in the golden bowls to be filled for God to act. Our prayers are fragrant incense to God. We remember what Jesus said in Luke 18:7, â€œWill not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night?â€ Then after falling down before the Lamb, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders sang a new song: â€œYou are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.â€ In this song the words are directly spoken to the Lamb, who was standing there. We can think of three things in this song. The first thing, â€œYou are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slainâ€, we have been thinking of all along. Then at this moment, the elders in particular were reminded of the wonderful grace of the Lamb, saying, â€œand with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priest to serve our God.â€ In KJV, this song is written in the first person plural noun â€œusâ€, not third person noun â€œmenâ€, and to God. Then the song is, â€œwith your blood you purchased us to Godâ€¦You have made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.â€ This can be our song and we can say, â€œwith your blood you purchased us to God.â€ This is truly a new song no one ever sang. Angels cannot sing such a song. The Greek word for â€œpurchasedâ€ can also be translated into â€œransomedâ€ or â€œredeemed.â€ According to 1 Peter 1:19, he redeemed us not with perishable things such as silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.â€ All the wealth of this world would be not be enough to purchase us. But he purchased us with his blood. We can think of three kinds of blood. In the Old Testament so many animals were sacrificed and their blood was shed for menâ€™s sins so that they might be ceremonially clean. After the flood judgment, God established capital punishment so that people might respect other human beings. He said, â€œWhoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made manâ€ (Ge 9:6). The life of human beings though sinful was to be respected, for the image of God was still there in each man. According to Colossians 1:15, â€œHe is the image of the invisible God.â€ And Hebrews 1:2 says, â€œThe Son is the exact representation of his being.â€ Yet God let him be killed, brutally butchered and slaughtered, and shed his sinless holy blood so that sinful human beings like us might be purchased to be his own through forgiveness of sins. As we studied in Hebrews 9:22b, â€œwithout the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.â€ Revelation 1:5b says, â€œTo him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his bloodâ€¦â€ By his blood he purchased us and freed us from our sin and from Satan and made us his own, his own children, who call God â€œAbba, Father.â€ By his precious blood we were purchased and have become Godâ€™s dearly loved children. We know that when we purchase something, particularly if it costs a lot of money, the thing we purchased becomes so precious to us. Who am I that he purchased me with his blood? The truth is that he purchased me with his blood and I have become his own, his treasured possession. We know that Abigail is a treasured possession to Ian and Jemmie. It is much more true to God that each one of his people whom the Lamb purchased with his blood is Godâ€™s treasure possession. And in verse 10, â€œYou have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.â€ In KJV, â€œYou have made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.â€ This is also written in 1:6-7, â€œTo him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father...â€ We are made a kingdom because now Godâ€™s rule is in our hearts, where once Satanâ€™s rule was. Godâ€™s people are also collectively made his kingdom, whereas once we were all under Satanâ€™s kingdom. Indeed, the Lamb has made us a kingdom and also priests to serve our God. In the Old Testament, only Aaronâ€™s descendants would be priests. But the Lamb made us priests. The priests come to God on behalf of the people of the world and speak the words of God to them so that they may also become the members of Godâ€™s kingdom. â€œHe has made us a kingdom and priests to serve our Godâ€: this is our identity and our clear purpose of life in this world. We are reminded of Luke 1:74 in the song of Zechariah, â€œto rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.â€ We thank God for the privilege to serve our God as priests! And then it says, â€˜They will reign on the earthâ€, in KJV, â€œWe shall reign on the earth.â€ The victory in the battle against Satanâ€™s kingdom is guaranteed to his people as the Lamb took the scroll from the right hand of God sitting on the throne. We shall reign on the earth along with him. We should hold on to this promise of God. Then there is praise of numerous angels and of every creature. In verses 11 and 12, â€œThen 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. In a loud voice they sang: â€˜Worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!â€™â€ And in verse 13 and 14, â€œThen I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: â€˜To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!â€™â€ At this the four living creatures said, â€œAmen,â€ and the elders fell down and worshiped. The worship that began with four living creatures and 24 elders was now joined by the myriads of angels and now finally by every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them! Here, we can see the final celebration and the grand ending to the story of scripture when God finally restores all things. After the church age has run its course, Christ fully restores everything. Christ is worthy because he restores the original hope that God had for mankind in the Garden of Eden. All these myriads of angels and all creation worship because Jesus has delivered this whole world from bondage and restored it to its original state and purpose. This is truly a magnificent and grandiose worship. We worship here on earth in a much smaller scale and lower dimension. But the essence is same. Then who can join in the glorious heavenly worship in Godâ€™s heavenly King? They are those who find the right object of worship in this world. We member the Magi who came to Jerusalem and asked, â€œWhere is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.â€ When they found their right object of worship in the baby Jesus, they worshipped him with all their being and with all they had and in true satisfaction they returned to their country. In this passage the word â€œworthyâ€ is written three times, â€œWho is worthyâ€¦?â€ â€œYou are worthyâ€¦because you were slainâ€ and â€œWorthy is the Lamb who was slain.â€ Many people today, instead of worshipping Christ Jesus, they have idolized other unworthy things like wealth, careers or whatever else they think is worthy of worship. We need to be assured of the worthiness of Christ Jesus, the only one who is worthy of our worship and our whole life dedication. We are reminded of Romans 12:1, â€œTherefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Godâ€™s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godâ€”this is your spiritual act of worship.â€ We thank and praise God for the Lamb who was slain and so by his blood purchased us to God and made us to be a kingdom and priests. May we worship and serve him with all whole life dedication for his kingdom in the anticipation of the glorious, grandiose heavenly worship of all creation in Godâ€™s heavenly kingdom.

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