Message 4: The Revelation of Jesus Judgment
Series: Apocalypse Now… And Again – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Revelation 5:1-14, Then 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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do 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.” Then 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. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: “You 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.” Then 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: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Chapter 5 of the book of Revelation is a pivotal in understanding the remainder of the book. We will look at this material in this chapter under six headings: The Scene, The Scroll, The Sobbing, The Sovereign Lamb, The Singing, and The Seals
THE SCENE
This chapter is a continuation of chapter 4. John is in the spiritual dimension and is before the throne of God.
THE SCROLL
The scroll represents the Title Deed of the Earth. When God created the first man and woman, he gave them the right to rule over all the earth.
Genesis 1:28-30, God blessed them and told them, ‘Multiply and fill the earth and rule over it. Be masters over the fish, the birds and the animals…” When Adam sinned, he broke covenant with God, and in essence we could say he mortgaged the earth to Satan. The world came under his dominion of darkness.
Satan is the “god of this world” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
He is the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2).
He is the prince of this world (John 12:21, 14:30, 16:11). The title deed to the earth is in God’s hand.
THE SOBBING
The unopened scroll causes John to weep. Who could pay the lien on the earth? If the scroll cannot be opened, things on earth cannot be made right. Hell would continue to have its way and Heaven’s purposes would not be realized.
THE SOVEREIGN LAMB
John is told to stop weeping because someone worthy had been found.
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Heir to David’s throne
He looked, and he saw a wounded lamb standing near the throne!
This is the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15.
The Lamb defeats the Dragon and the Beast!
When did Jesus take the scroll from the Father?
THE SINGING
All of heaven and earth burst forth in singing! There is an expanding arena of worship until every tongue sings.
THE SEALS
1ST Seal: Rider on the white horse is Jesus. (6:1-2)
2nd Seal: Rider on the fiery red horse is War. (6:3-4)
3rd Seal: Rider on the black horse is Famine. (6:5-6)
4th Seal: Rider on the pale horse is Violent Death. (6:7-8)
5th Seal: The cry of the faithful Martyrs. (6:9-11)
6th Seal: The Judgment of Jesus on the earth. (6:10-17)
7th Seal: All the Prayers of God’s people are poured out on the earth and complete rule of God comes! (8:1-5)