Scripture Reading
8 And the four living creatures,each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
who was and is and is to come!”
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
The Scroll and the Lamb
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Main Points
- God the Father is worthy
- God the Son is worthy
- The mission is worthy
God the Father is Worthy
As a small church, we don't have the luxury for our members to sit in the sidelines. Believe and seek God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Only God is worthy of praise.
Elders and creatures in the above passage have an unceasing worship. Worship the Father because:
- He's Holy -- distinct -- from us.
- He's all powerful -- not puny.
- He's eternal -- not limited to spare time.
- He's our creator (vs. 11).
- He provides meaning -- purpose -- in life.
God made us. God made the machine of man to run on God. - C. S. Lewis
He is worth it all!
God the Son is Worthy
The seven seals on the scroll means that it was VERY important. John really wanted to pen the scroll. The angels, elders, nor anyone were worthy to open it.
Revelation 4:6 - Sin separates us from God. We are under judgement.
Revelation 5:5 - Jesus is worthy.
7 eyes indicate the Lamb has great power and sight.
Revelation 5:8 - The elders worship the Lamb in the same manner as they worshiped the Father.
Revelation 5:12 - Jesus is worthy.
Jesus the Christ is the Lamb. He is why our Church exists.
The Mission is Worthy
Jesus' mission is our mission. His mission is His people. Pursue this mission until our dying breath.
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