Riches in Glory - Pt 4

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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 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.” (Revelation 5:1-5 ESV).

Third, Paul prays that we would know the riches of God’s power (cf. Ephesians 1:19-23). There is no doubt to be left in the minds of Paul’s readers as he writes this petition for their knowledge of the “power” of God. There are four words in the Greek New Testament translated “power”: dunamis (raw power as in dynamite or dynamo); energia (working power as in energy); kratos (as in mighty); and, ischus (as in strength of power). All four of these words are used by the apostle in these verses. He intends to make sure we know we have ALL the power necessary for every experience in life. The answer to fear is power. The moment you feel empowered, fear vanishes. So Paul prayed that the Christians would see the limitless power that was theirs through Christ. When we feel powerless, we are quick to give up. The struggle overwhelms us and we just throw in the towel. It is because we have lost sight of the One who gives all power, and whose power was demonstrated at the resurrection, when God raised Jesus from the dead. This is what the apostle is praying for that you would truly grasp this thought and understand the true power that He offers you. Let me draw you back to our reading today. 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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 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.” (Revelation 5:1-5 ESV). Weep no more! The Lion of Judah, the Root of David has conquered! That is a glorious display of the power of God. That is a part of our riches bestowed upon us at the completion of the work of Christ in us. Check your balance. Don’t you have more than enough to be rich in every area of your life?