Don't Cry Over a Sealed Scroll!

You probably recognize my sermon title as a takeoff from the idiom, “Don’t cry over spilled milk.”  What does that mean?  It means there is no use in being upset over situations that have already happened and cannot be changed.  However, today, we are going to see a situation over which John is crying, but this situation will change, and praise the Lord. 

 

What if there was no Jesus?  That scenario perhaps crossed John’s mind here in Revelation 5, but praise the Lord we know the answer.

 

In many ways, Revelation 5 is a continuation of Revelation 4 and a glimpse of heaven.  In chapter 4, we saw a throne in heaven, and we saw elders and creatures around the throne, and we saw them worshipping God the Father for eternity. 

 

However, that is not only who they worshipped.  In chapter 5, we see the appearance of God the Son.

 

This morning, from Revelation 5, I want you to see the problem with the scroll, the prominence of Lion/Lamb, and the praise for God the Son.

 

 

1. The Problem with the Scroll, Revelation 5:1-4

1 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. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.  4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.

 

In verse 1, John saw a scroll in the right hand of God the Father.  This scroll had writing on the front and back and had seven seals. 

 

The first question that immediately comes to mind is what was on the scroll?  In some form or fashion, I would say this is the history of humanity that includes the fall of man with Adam and Eve and God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. 

 

The seven seals will be focus of chapters 6-8 so I hope you’ll come back and find out their nature.  However, simply put, they normally are on scrolls to guarantee the integrity of the contents.  In this instance, we will see them to be judgments of God in the coming weeks.

 

In verse 2, John heard the loud voice of an anonymous angel.  This could have been Gabriel, but we can’t know for certain. 

 

He asked who is worthy open the scroll by loosing or breaking the seals.  Then, a universal search will happen with no apparent success.  Consequently, in verse 4, we see the only tears in heaven.  John wept because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll.  Perhaps, here is where we are reminded of the question, what if there was no Jesus?

 

 

2. The Prominence of the Lion/Lamb, Revelation 5:5-7

5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”  6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

 

But, there is Jesus, and we see His appearance in verse 5.  John’s fears were assuaged by the words of the elder.  Remember, I believe these 24 elders represent the raptured Church. 

 

These titles for Jesus is OT language reserved for the promised Messiah.  He will be of the tribe of Judah, and He will be of the family of David. 

 

In verse 5, He is the Lion, and He has prevailed.  That is the first aspect of His prominence.  He has prevailed as evidence of His standing as the Lamb who was slain.  Yes, He was slain, but in heaven, He is standing victoriously, and He will prevail, being the only one, to open the scroll and loose its seals.

The second aspect of His prominence is His position.  Notice where the Lamb is in verse 6.  He is in the middle of the throne.  He will be the center of attention.  Around Him will be the 4 living creatures, angelic in nature, representing all of God’s creation as well as the 24 elders representing the raptured Church. 

 

This Lamb is strong and powerful as seen in His seven horns and united with the Holy Spirit as evidenced by His seven eyes. 

 

In verse 7, His prominence is demonstrated when He will go to God the Father and take the scroll from His hand. 

 

Don’t ever entertain the thought of no Jesus because here He is in all of His prominence. 

 

 

3. The Praise for God the Son, Revelation 5:8-14

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

 

“You are worthy to take the scroll,

And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth.”

 

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

To receive power and riches and wisdom,

And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

 

13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

 

“Blessing and honor and glory and power

Be to Him who sits on the throne,

And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

 

14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

 

For the rest of chapter 5, we see elders and the angels praising and worshipping God the Son through song and loud chanting in 3 hymns. 

 

The elders in verse 8 had harps and fell to the ground singing a new song in verse 9.  Notice what qualified the Lamb to take and open the scroll.  It was His death on the cross for the entire world.  It wasn’t just for Americans or just for Baptists or just for conservatives.  His blood was shed for every single human being, and if He demonstrated His love in that way, we should demonstrate our love as well.

 

Verse 10 foreshadows Jesus’ earthly kingdom and the redeemed reigning with Him. 

 

In verse 11 is the second hymn, and John saw an uncountable number of angels and elders praising and worshipping God the Son with a loud voice. 

 

Then in verse 13, John saw every creature singing a third hymn of praise and worship to God the Son.  The angels said Amen, and the elders bowed down.

 

 

Conclusion

First, get ready for worship in heaven now.  Every redeemed person can do that by singing loudly on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings with passion and enthusiasm regardless of what you think your talent level is.

 

Second, bless God with your prayers now.  Go back to verse 9.  The prayers of the redeemed are a fragrant aroma in the nostrils of God.  Pray about today and tomorrow and yesterday.  Pray when you are in trouble and when you are not.  Pray for yourself and your neighbor.  Pray, pray, pray!

 

Finally, worship and obey God the Son today because He is the only One worthy of our love and devotion.  He said Himself, if you love Me, keep My commandments.  Obey Him brothers and sisters, and all of the commandments in the OT can be boiled down to two in the NT: love God and love your neighbor.