The Conquering Lamb - Himalayan Heights – June 6 Readings: Revelation 5:1-7 – Is Anyone Worthy?

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 5:1-7

The last book of the Bible does exactly what its title says it will do, it reveals Jesus Christ to us in a way that is unique in Scripture.

Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. 2 I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open[a] the scroll or even to look in it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and[b] its seven seals.” 

6 Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Kings 17-18, John 11:28–44, Psalm 71:1–6, Proverbs14:23-24

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:   The Conquering Lamb  

Drama rises as chapter 5 opens. The Father holds a scroll in his right hand, a scroll which will reveal his plan for the future of the world; his awesome plan to judge the sin of the world, and culminate all things in victory and glory. The seals of the scroll are to be opened, revealing trumpets which when blown will reveal bowls of judgment which will signal the end of all things and the beginning of a new heaven and a new earth. The Father holds the scroll in his hand and extends it. Someone must execute his plan, but that is the problem.

A mighty angel asks a question, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?” Not just anyone can direct the story which God has written. A search commenced and no one in heaven or on earth was found worthy to take this scroll from the hand of God. Not a single person was worthy to execute God’s plan, to judge the world, or to stand in glory at the end of all things. No man. No woman. No angel. No one was worthy. No great king ruling over a vast nation was worthy. No politician could scheme, manipulate, or manage the plan. No preening heir’s blood was blue enough to be worthy. No businessman had accumulated enough wealth to buy the right to take the scroll from the hand of God. No one. No, not one. John broke down into tears and wept uncontrollably because God had a plan to display his glory on earth but there was no one who was worthy to execute the plan.

But the angel said to John, “Stop your crying.” This world may look hopeless. It may look like war and poverty and racism and violence and crime and perversion and unbelief and abortion and hate have won the day. It may look like the world has turned away from God and there is no way to make things right. You may despair because of the wickedness in this world or in your own experience. You may feel like crying because of the onslaught of evil in your world. But this feeling means you are looking for help in all the wrong places.

“Look,” the angel said. “The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” A balm exists. This world has a fix and it works. There is one who has conquered all and is worthy to take God’s scroll, so stop your despair, let the moaning and groaning cease. There is no place for despair because there is hope. The Lion of Judah has conquered and he is able. 

John looked, as he was told, but what he saw was nothing like what he expected. The one who was worthy was no mighty warrior, no tall soldier in glorious armor. This world always looks for conquerors to solve its problems. It looks for winners; for victors. God had a different plan. John saw something stranger than strange. He saw a lamb. It was the most sublime mixed metaphor is history.

The Lion was a lamb!

Standing before the throne of God was a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. A slaughtered lamb! God’s solution was a sacrificial lamb. A helpless sheep sacrificed on an altar, but helpless no more. If any picture ever illustrated how different things are done in the kingdom of God, it is this. Jesus did not come to establish a political movement to control governments. He did not gather an army to conquer his enemies. He amassed no wealth. He came as a lamb and was slaughtered for the sins of the world. But by his death he had accomplished more than any politician, any soldier, or any billionaire ever has. This Lamb, slain for our sins, rose from the dead and defeated death itself. By his sacrifice he paid for the sins of the world. By handing himself over and enduring the shame inflicted on him by the enemy, he triumphed over Satan and all the forces of darkness infinitely and eternally.  By humbling himself to walk the Way of the Cross he was exalted to the highest place and given the name that is above every name. 

He is worthy. Oh, yes, he is worthy.

And the Lamb who was slain stood before the Father and took the scroll. Yes, he was worthy to receive it and execute the Father’s eternal plan to consummate the world. Yes, he was worthy to stand in the end as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is worthy. The Lion of Judah became the Lamb of God and by dying for our sins he roared so loudly that evil quivered and Satan quaked, death died and sin’s power to enslave was broken. When he rose from the dead he stepped on Satan’s neck and was the victorious conqueror.

I thank you, Father in Heaven, for your son, the Lion of Judah who triumphed over sin and death and hell by sacrificing himself as the Lamb of God. Your Son, the Lamb who the Lion, is my life, my hope. 

Think and Pray:

Consider this eternal irony - the Lamb of God is the Lion of Judah. Meditate on that concept.
Consider how the fact that eternal victory comes through death and sacrifice ought to affect your life.