The Lamb that is Worthy

 

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. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, reach holding a harp, and 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 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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:6-10 ESV).

 

With the current world events unfolding before us I have received more requests than usual concerning the visions of John in The Revelation. We ought to remember that the apostle John, one of Jesus’ closest followers, received these amazing visions of Jesus, heaven, mighty angels, and much more while he was exiled on the island of Patmos (cf. Revelation 1:9). These passages are meant to help us to grow in faith so that we can learn to live faithfully for Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, who came to lay down his life for us so that we can be saved from sin and death and live forever with God.

 

Our reading today describes a surprising, dramatic scene in heaven. God is seated on the throne, and he is holding a scroll that is sealed with seven seals. It seems that no one is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. John is heartbroken and begins to weep. But then an elder says to John, in effect, “Look! The Lion of Judah has triumphed, and he can open the scroll!”

 

There are so many moments in our journey when all seems lost. The strength to go on fades. Our hope is shaken and our peace is stolen. This passage is for us at these times. John sees a Lamb, looking like it had been slain. This is no ordinary lamb. This is Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). As the Lamb takes up the scroll, the many thousands of angels in heaven and all the creatures and elders around the throne sing out, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” And in the following scenes Jesus, the Lamb, opens the scroll to portray the story of how God frees us from sin and death and sets us on a journey of living by faith. Keep that vision close in your memory. It will happen… and perhaps soon!