Worship Before the Throne of God: Part 3

The Scroll in God’s Right Hand and the Search for the Worthy One

Praise God. So as we come to Revelation chapter 4, we've already looked through Revelation 4, I'm sorry, chapter 5, we've already looked at chapter 4. We'll continue this little series, Worship Before the Throne of God, Worship Before the Throne of God, and this includes these two chapters.

We're going to look at just the first seven verses this morning. And we're going to pick up the next Lord's Day, verse 8, to the end of the chapter, verse 14. We're going to roughly get through half of it with God's help.

So if you're there in Revelation chapter 5, hear the word of the living God. I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals.

No one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, stop weeping.

Behold, the lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals. And I saw between the throne with the four living creatures and the elders a lamb standing as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out in all the earth.

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb, each one holding a harp and a golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

And they sang a new song saying, 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.

And you have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God and they will reign upon the earth. And then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels, angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

And the number of them were midrids and midrids of thousands and thousands saying with a loud voice, worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea and all things in them, I heard saying to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.

And the four living creatures kept saying, amen, and the elders fell down and worshiped. Praise God. Let's bow in prayer and ask our Lord to speak to us. Father, we thank you for this great text. Thank you for that word.

When your word speaks, you speak. Lord, we pray, open our ears, unstop our deaf ears, Lord, that we may hear your voice. For you have spoken through your son in these last days. Father, I pray this morning that every one of us may see Jesus and him crucified and glorified as well.

In his name we pray, amen and amen. Well, it's wonderful to see what is happening here in this great chapter. As we saw in chapter 4 of Revelation, John the apostle was called up into the presence of God in the spirit on the Lord's day.

And he was so called up, he saw things that was beyond the language of mere mortal men. There he saw the throne of God. Could you imagine trying to describe the throne of God? Well, he does in the best way he could.

We saw that in Revelation chapter 4. And though the scene in chapter 5 is still in heaven, the theme changes. The theme changes from the worship of the Creator God to the worship of the Redeemer. And that's really the theme through chapter 5 here.

Chapter 4 is focused on, first of all, God the Father. And then in chapter 5, the worship is focused on the second person of the Trinity who is the Lord Jesus Christ himself, our Redeemer. These two chapters provide us a glimpse of what will be going on in heaven before God pours out His judgments on planet earth.

In Revelation chapter 6 through 18, we see those judgments being poured out. The vows, the bowls, and eventually the trumpets. Each seven, they come in sevens. And it's both our duty, I suppose, and our great privilege to worship the Creator God.

Because all that we have, all that He's given, and His creative power comes from Him. And we recognize that, don't we? I like what James 1, 17 through 18 says. And actually, in context, he's talking about the greatest gift is salvation.

Because without salvation, without faith, without repentance, we cannot behold these things and see them even by the Spirit of God. God gives us His Spirit. And what a remarkable gift that is. That's the greatest gift there is, is salvation, eternal life through Jesus Christ.

He is the unspeakable gift, Christ Himself. But as James says, every good and good gift and every perfect gift is from above. And comes down from the Father of lights. With whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

And then he says this, of His own will. Not our will, but of His own will. Of His will. Not of flesh, not of blood, but of God. What John says. Of His own will. He brought us forth by the word of truth.

By this great word of truth. And that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. So we are His first fruits to offer up praise and worship. And to live for Him and worship Him. As Romans 11, 36 says.

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things to whom be glory forever and ever. So it's unto our creator God that created us. And formed us. And made us. For who we are to worship Him and to love Him.

To adore Him. I cannot help but think like the first Adam. Lost this ability as we looked at last week. It's like he threw that harp in the mud. And he lost that ability to worship. And in the garden, then sin came in.

But Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, 45. And so it is written. The first man Adam became a living being. But the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. The first man was of the earth made of the dust. But the second man is the Lord from heaven.

Isn't it wonderful to see that in the whole plan. In the scepter of salvation. You see, sin fills the pages. But in the beginning there was no sin. And then at the end there's no sin. The book ends. There's absolutely no sin.

But in between is all the history of sin. And God deals with this. God deals with this. And we find out how He does it in the pages of this wonderful book of truth. Now, what man lost, our Redeemer restored.

And this is what Revelation actually comes to. It's a consummation. The greater theme in the scriptures is really the redeeming love through our Lord Jesus Christ. In one word, we can really describe what salvation is.

What it is all about. And it's the story of redemption. Redemption is the key word. That God buys us back. Buys us back through the blood. Through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. And we see that all focused on the cross.

As God the Father pours out His wrath upon His Son. And Jesus becomes that sin offering for us. And He washes us and cleanses us. You know it's wonderful. The hymn puts it, I think we're going to sing it today, near the cross.

But in the cross of Christ, I glory. Towering over the wrecks of time. All the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. Jesus Christ Himself crucified, buried, resurrected, glorified. And one day coming as coming King.

And I'm telling you, that's what it's all about. In the entirety of the plan and the scope of God. So in chapter 5, the Apostle John turns his gaze to the throne of God. But there are two points I'd like to bring out today in verse 1 -4.

We're going to look at, very briefly, the search for the worthy one. The search for the worthy one. And this will take place in heaven. And John has a precursor of it. He sees it by the Spirit of God.

There's a search for the worthy one. And then in verses 5 -7, there is the selection of the worthy one. So we will look at the search for the worthy one. And the selection of the worthy one. Let's begin with the search.

There's a great search in heaven. For the worthy one. Verse 1. The Apostle says this by the Spirit of God. And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. A scroll written inside and on the back.

Sealed with seven seals. That's very important. A scroll written inside and on the back. A lot of writing. Sealed with seven seals. Sealed with seven seals. What the Apostle John continues to reveal. What is observed is He was permitted by God.

God chose Him. Chose these certain men. Holy men of God. Moved by the Spirit of God. Gave us. And they wrote by the Spirit, the inspiration of God. The passage. The books of the Bible. But here John has the glorious privilege.

And is permitted to look into heaven. And to see the very throne of God itself. And he relates what he saw at the throne. But avoids the use of God's name. You notice he never mentions God's name. Now I think this is significant.

And there's a reason for this. He does not mention God's name. Now why is this so? As I was studying this. A Jewish scholar by the name of Simon Keistemaker. Keistemaker says. And I read quite a bit of his.

And he's very. He's a Messianic Jew. And he's a scholar. And he said this.

Quote.

For a Jew. Mentioning the name of God. Was forbidden. Especially in connection with God's dwelling place. His throne. And he goes on to say this. So John writes about one sitting on the heavenly throne.

And his right hand. Which symbolizes divine power. And authority. End quote. That is so true. Usually a Jewish person. That understood the holy name of Yahweh.

God.

When they came to it. They would just drop everything they were doing. And just fall down and worship. That's how the name of God. Was so sacred to them.

It's sad.

Because nowadays. You see people blaspheming the name of God. You get on social media. You see OMG. That's basically blaspheming God's name. God's name is blasphemed. Time and time again. I even approached a boss years ago.

And I said.

You know.

You're blaspheming God's name. Why don't you use a false God. I think that would be far better. Than blaspheming the true living God. The name of the true living God. And he actually took me up on it.

Every time he would stomp and get mad.

He would. I said.

Use Buddha's name.

He said. Oh Buddha. Oh Buddha. And I said. That's good.

But I would hope and pray.

That he did it for God.

Just not for me. But anyway. But it's. God's name was sacred. But it is interesting. In this wonderful chapter. That we never see God's name. Being used.

But.

There's worship that's taking place. And it's very obvious. Who is being worshipped on the throne.

Now.

There's questions that naturally arise here. And let me give some questions. And I think that's a good start. In this introduction. As we look at this chapter. What does this scroll represent? What does this scroll represent?

Why.

Is it sealed up? Why is this scroll.

Sealed up?

And.

Why.

Is it written. On the front. And on the back. That's a good question there. Why is it written on the front and the back? Another question is. Who can be found to open the scroll? Who can be found to open the scroll?

Well.

The Bible tells us. And we'll see that. And what is required. In order.

To open.

The scroll.

I think that's a great question there. What is required? What kind of qualifications.

Is.

Is.

To be met. To open. Such a scroll. That God. The father holds in his right hand.

Now.

Chapter four.

Is.

We began focusing on our attention. Upon the throne of God. As we saw. We see this constantly. The throne. The throne. The throne.

Now.

In chapter five.

There.

Seems to be a. Drawing. Attention.

To the scroll. The scroll.

That's the attention.

That's our.

Focus.

In chapter five.

So.

In God. The father's right hand. The apostle.

John.

Saw.

A scroll.

And.

What.

More.

Profound.

Way.

Of picturing.

God's.

Ultimate. Sovereignty.

Over.

All.

Of history.

Think.

Of this.

All.

Of history.

Could be.

Found.

In.

This.

Picture. Of a scroll. Resting.

In.

God.

The.

Father's.

Hand.

Now.

However.

Strong.

Evil.

Becomes.

In.

Our.

Day.

However. Fierce.

The.

Satanic. Evil.

Powers.

Assail.

God's.

People.

In.

This.

Earth.

And.

It's.

Happening. History.

Still.

Is.

Resting.

In. The.

Hands.

Of. Our.

Sovereign.

God.

We.

Can. Say.

That.

Because.

Right.

Here.

As.

God.

The.

Father.

Holds.

In.

His.

Right.

Hand.

This.

Scroll.

I.

Submit.

To.

You.

Everything.

That.

Is.

He's. Holding. Is.

The.

History.

Of. All. Of.

Mankind.

He. Is.

The.

Sovereign.

God.

Now.

This.

Is.

Powerful.

Because.

In.

God's.

Right. Hand.

In. Heaven. Is.

Symbolic.

Of.

His.

Power.

And.

Authority.

And. To.

Translate.

The.

Contents.

Of.

This.

Scroll.

Into.

Action.

By.

The.

Way. We.

See.

That.

There.

Is.

Only.

One.

As.

Will.

See.

In.

Heaven.

That.

Is.

Qualified.

That.

Is.

Worthy.

To.

Take.

This.

Sacred.

Scroll.

From.

God.

The.

Father's.

Right.

Hand. Think.

Of.

That.

And.

Then.

By. Breaking. The. Seven.

Seals.

He.

Opens.

It.

Thus.

Unleashing. All.

Of.

His.

Wrath.

And.

Fury.

And.

The.

Judgements.

Upon.

Planet.

Earth.

This.

Is.

Incredible.

This. Scroll.

And. To.

Understand.

Really.

What's.

Taking.

Place.

We. Have. To.

Understand.

This.

We.

Have. To.

Understand.

Like.

The.

Questions.

I.

Brought.

Forth.

About.

The.

Scroll.

So.

Let's.

Look.

At.

About.

The.

Scroll. First.

The.

Scroll.

This.

Scroll.

Is. So. Full.

Of.

Words. As.

The.

Scripture.

Says.

I. Saw. In. The.

Right.

Hand.

Of.

Him.

The.

God.

The.

Father.

Who.

Sat.

On. The. Throne. A. Book. A.

Scroll. Written.

Inside.

And.

On. The.

Back.

Sealed.

Up.

With.

Seven.

Seals. Inside. As.

Well.

As.

Outside. All.

The.

Writings.

Now. It.

Doesn't.

Say.

What.

Language.

I. Would.

Probably. Guess.

Maybe. Hebrew.

I.

Don't.

Know.

But.

It.

Was.

Something.

That.

John.

I.

Don't.

Know.

If. He.

Could.

Actually.

As.

Scripture.

Doesn't.

Necessarily.

Say. Can.

Can.

Find.

Out.

What.

Is.

Said.

But. He.

Knows.

There's.

A lot.

Of.

Writing.

There.

Now. There.

Is.

A.

Old.

Testament. Passage. That.

Kind.

Of.

Gives. Us.

Little.

Glance.

Into.

This.

Scroll.

Go. With. Me. To.

Ezekiel.

And.

You.

Know. The.

Scriptures.

Interpret.

The.

Scriptures.

And.

That.

Helps.

Us.

To.

Understand.

The.

Context.

Of.

What.

Taken.

Place.

Here.

Now.

In.

Ezekiel. Chapter.

Two.

The.

Prophet.

Ezekiel.

And.

By.

The.

Way.

Chapter.

Two.

Is.

Pretty.

Much.

A.

Summation.

A.

Chapter.

On. The.

Call.

Of.

Prophet.

This. Whole.

Chapter.

Which.

Is.

Only. Ten.

Verses.

Speaks.

Of. The.

Prophet's.

Call.

You.

Can.

Read.

This.

Whole.

Chapter.

In.

Your.

Devotional.

Time.

But.

God.

Basically.

Is.

Sending.

Them. Out. To. The.

Children.

Of.

Israel.

To.

God's.

People. They.

Are.

Obstinate.

They.

Are.

Stubborn. And.

God.

Says.

Whether.

They.

Listen.

To.

You.

Are. Not.

There.

Are.

Rebellious.

House.

Okay.

The.

Rebellious.

People.

House.

Represents.

The.

Family.

All.

These.

People.

And.

He.

Says.

Do.