Jesus was worshipped the greatest

JESUS WAS WORSHIPEDTHE GREATEST
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Revelation5:12 12In a loud voice they were saying:
"Worthyis the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power
and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and
glory and praise!"
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
The Angelic And Universal Chorus
Revelation5:11-14
R. Green
Now the song bursts out beyond the circles of the redeemed host. "The voice
of many angels,"even"ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
thousands," bears onwards the same burden of song, "Worthy is the Lamb,"
and the chorus is completed only when it is takenup by "every createdthing
which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea;"
and the song ascribes "the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the
dominion" unto "him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb," and
that "foreverand ever."
"The whole creationjoin in one
To bless the sacredName

Of him that sits upon the throne,
And to adore the Lamb." The vision is prophetic - it anticipates the final
condition, the ultimate triumph of redemption, the ultimate acknowledgment
of it. It is the song from the redeemed, and declares the widespreadinfluence
of redemption. It is creation's song. All creatures, "every createdthing,"
praises the creating and redeeming Lord.
I. IT IS THE UNIVERSAL RECOGNITIONOF THE BLESSINGS OF
REDEMPTION.
1. The angelic host, forming a semi-chorus, exult in the gracious work of the
Lamb - in which figure must be seenrepresentedthe total idea of redemption
by "the Lamb of God." Angels, who desired to "look into" these things, have
found in them matter for praise. High above the incidents of the human
history rises the image of him to whom all is due.
2. The "greatvoice" of the many angels "andthe living creatures and the
elders" is exceededby that of "everycreatedthing" in heaven, earth, and sea,
even "all things that are in them." This voice of the entire, the grand chorus,
the holy seerheard. It was his to discern the beneficent effectof redemption,
his to catchthe re-echoing song of all things as they praised the holy Name. It
stands as the counterpart to "Godcursed the ground for man's sake."All is
ordered and readjusted. The disturbance by sin gives place to the harmony of
all creation"in him" in whom all things are "gatheredtogetherin one."
3. All is followedby the solemn "Amen," the reverent assentofthe four living
creatures - representatives ofall creature life, not excluding the Church.
II. IT IS CREATION'S TESTIMONYTO THE GLORY OF GOD IS THE
REDEMPTION OF MEN.
III. IT IS DECLARATIVE OF THE UNIVERSAL INTERESTIN THE
HISTORY OF THE REDEEMEDRACE. The angels, who rejoicedover one
sinner repenting, rejoice now in the completedwork of the universal
redemption. They who saw "first the blade," and sang over it, now behold
"the full corn in the ear," and offer their loudest praise to the Lord of the
harvest. Herein is signified the unity of the entire creation. Subtle links bind

all in one. Eachpart is helpful to the other. There is mutual harmony, and
there are mutual dependence and relationship. The whole finds its
termination in a new act of adoring worship: "The four and twenty elders fell
down and worshipped." As is most meet, the praise of all is paid to him "of
whom and to whom and for whom are all things." The Church below may
learn:
1. The certainty of the final triumph of the Lamb in his ownconquering work
of redemption.
2. The identification of the work of redemption with the purposes of creation.
3. The duty of praise to God for this his unspeakable gift.
4. The sympathy of the angelic and universal life in the spiritual careerof the
redeemed. - R.G.
Biblical Illustrator
The voice of many angels round about the throne.

Revelation5:11-13
The greatfestalgathering and song of heaven
J. R. Macduff, D. D.
I. THE COMPLACENCYWITHWHICH CHRIST LOOKS BACK ON HIS
OWN ATONING WORK AND SUFFERINGS.
II. THE PERPETUALEFFICACYOF THE SAVIOUR'S SACRIFICE.
III. THE CONTINUED IDENTITYOF CHRIST'S PERSONAS GOD-MAN
MEDIATOR.
IV. REDEMPTION IS THE GRAND THEME OF ADORATION FOR
UNREDEEMED ANGELS AS WELL AS FOR THE REDEEMED FAMILY
OF GOD.
V. THE PRE-EMINENT DIGNITYAND BLISS OF THE RANSOMED
SAINTS.
VI. THE UNITY WHICH PERVADES THE HEAVENLY RANKS.
VII. THE VISION SEEMS INTENDEDTO PREPARE THE CHURCH ON
EARTH FOR HER OWN SUFFERINGS, AND RECONCILE HER TO HER
APPROACHING TRIBULATION.
(J. R. Macduff, D. D.)
The hymn of the angels and of creation
W. M. Johnston, M. A.
I. First let us understand THE ATTITUDE AND POSITION OF THE
ANGELS. They are round about the throne of God, around the elders — that
is, the Church — and around the living creatures. Theyare, therefore, the
sentinels and the guardians of Divine and human things. So they stand equally
around the emblem of eternalpower, around the fourfold forms of life,
around its drudgery as well as its ambition, and around the Church,

distressedand broken and divided and betrayed. No thought of fear dims the
lustre of their eyes, nor lessens the precisionand the emphasis of their song.
And it is worthy of notice that they secure ample leisure for worship. It is a
lessonthat ought not to be lostupon our hurrying age. Thank heaven, there
are still secludedcorners of our land where the shriek of steam-engines, the
clamour of crowdedstreets, the driving of pulse and brain, is unknown; where
the valleys laugh and sing with the standing corn, where the hilltops are silent
as the seas, andwhere jaded brains may shape some thought of God. But
heaven is busy too, and there is work enough to be accomplished. There are
sinners lostin the wilds of the hill, and in loathsome dens of the city, who will
need to be brought home. There are claims and needs and dangers of the
Church the world over — energies to be cherished, works to be encouraged,
impurities to be purged, sorrows anddisappointments to be assuaged. And
with all these interests in hand their eye is upon the throne, for here only do
angels and men alike behold, and thence only receive the interpretation of life
and the wisdom and guidance for work. And wellwere it, not only for its
honesty, but even more for its progress, if the commerce ofEngland and
Scotlandand Ireland were directed by the laws which abide in God. Only
those who obey can worship, and only those who rightly worship cantruly
live. And so —
II. The centralthought of the angels, like that of the Church, was THE
WORTHINESS OF CHRIST. "Worthyis the Lamb that was slain." And as it
was in the mind of the Church, so here again this worthiness is associatedwith
sacrifice. Formostmen suffer only when they must, and they fail to perceive
that sacrifice atonce tests what we are, and makes us what we ought to be. In
this way Christ's sacrifice provedHis essentialworth, and, beyond this,
proves to-day His permanent worth to His people. It is not His poweralone.
That never elicits adoration. It is the goodnessthat reigns paramount within
Him which men worship and love.
III. THE RESPONSE OF CREATION.The poet of Palestine had said, many
a year before St. John lived, that there is neither speechnor language
throughout the earth in which the voice of the firmament is not heard. "The
songs ofthe spheres" was anothermethod of expressing the same truth. The
sky vibrates with praise as the greatstars stand out in their places. "Earth,

with its thousand voices,"saidColeridge, "praisesGod." And while these call
to man, whateverhis tongue or his worship, man the world round feels that he
must respond. He cannot help worshipping. Under the gaslight, and in the
heated atmosphere of some remote meeting-place in the big town, he may
lustily proclaim that Godis nothing to him. But when the gas is out and the
cheering companions are gone, when he is alone on the mountain-side, and the
thunder booms out its terror above and the lightning flashes death around
him, a voice within answers the voices without, and the infidel is compelledto
pray. And as man must worship, so his worship adopts a more expansive form
than that which angels take as yet (Revelation7:12). His eyes, too, are indeed
filled with the image of the Lamb. What mind can forgetCalvary and Olivet?
But awaybeyond the present fact he contemplates the continuous recognition,
and age upon age he hears the same hymn. And further yet, and fuller, the
worship of the Lamb broadens into the worship of the Godhead. It is offered
to "Him that sitteth upon the throne." And it expresses the spiritual history of
every saint. We see ourselves in this hymn. When first our life lay before us,
and we took it up and placed it upon the altar of God's salvation, Jesus Christ
was all, was everything to us. Then as faith deepenedand threw up the greater
and strongerlife, we saw Jesus in all things. And then we beheld the love of
the Fatherto be as greatand tender as the love of the Son, and the strength of
the Holy Ghostgatheredround us and within us, and God in His blessed
Trinity embracedall things.
(W. M. Johnston, M. A.)
Christ the objectof angelic worship
R. Balmer, D. D.
I. THE HOMAGE HERE REPRESENTEDAS RENDEREDTO THE
SAVIOUR BY THE ANGELIC HOSTS.
1. Angels are the worshippers to whom our attention is more particularly
directed in the text.

2. The nature of the homage which they render Him. The particulars here
specifiedrelate rather to the natural than the moral attributes of our Saviour,
to His greatness ratherthan His goodness;that is, to His prerogatives and
glories which He most obscuredin His humbled state, or of which He then
emptied Himself, as the Scripture expressesit.
3. The ground of this homage. As a person inherently possessedofall Divine
excellencesand glories, the Son of God, in common with the Father, has an
incontestable title to the worship and obedience of the heavenly hosts. He has
a further claim as the author and preserver of their existence, and as the
source and dispenser of all their happiness. It is not, however, on this ground,
strong as it is, that the homage manifested in the text is rendered Him. Look
to the passageandyou will at once perceive that the basis on which the Son of
God is worshipped, both by the representatives ofthe Church and by the
angelic hosts, is His death or sacrifice. Butdoes the death of Christ give Him
any new or peculiar claims to the homage of the heavenly hierarchies who are
not immediately interestedin its benefits? Unquestionably it does, and some of
these claims it is not difficult to discover. His death was not only in itself the
most extraordinary event that ever took place, it afforded incomparably the
most magnificent display that ever was exhibited of generosityand kindness,
of compassionand tenderness. It is an essentialpart of true excellence to
admire excellence inanother, and the admiration ought to be proportioned to
the measure of excellence displayed. What a resistlessimpulse, then, must it
communicate to the adoration and praise of the holy angels, to contemplate
the death of the Sonof God. Recollectnextthe display of the Divine character
and perfections exhibited in the death of Christ, and you will see in it another
reasonto ampel the hosts of heaven to honour and adore Him. Consider,
again, that while the death of Christ contributes so much to advance the
honour of God, it contributes not less to promote the happiness of man. "They
rejoice overone sinner that repenteth." In further illustration of this topic, I
might add that it is the opinion of the great Mr. Howe, and of some other
eminent divines, that angels, though not redeemedby Christ, are confirmed in
happiness in consequenceoftheir union to Him. It is further certainthat in
Him angels and saints are united in one harmonious and happy association,
and that it has pleasedthe Fatherby Him to reconcile allthings unto Himself;

by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven." And these
wonderful arrangements furnish angels with anotherreasonto worship and
serve "the Lamb that was slain."
II. THE ARGUMENT SUGGESTED BYTHEIR CONDUCT TO INDUCE
US TO RENDER THE LAMB A SIMILAR HOMAGE.
1. We have a direct and personal interestin His death. If His matchless love
excites, as wellit may, the admiration even of creatures not immediately
interested, and impels them "to prepare new honours for His name," what
words can express the claims which He has to our admiration, gratitude, and
praise?
2. We are still in circumstances ofdanger. Many and formidable are the
enemies who seek ourruin, numerous and painful are the toils and hardships
we must encounterere we reachour "Father's loved abode." There is one,
and only one, who can protectyou amid your multitudinous dangers, and
bring you to the land which you wish to reach. "Jesus Christ, the captain of
salvation, having been made perfectthrough sufferings, will conduct you to
glory," if only you will confide in Him. What an argument to love and trust, to
adore and praise Him!
3. I might remark that, allowing He has conferredon angels higher capacities
and higher joys, our happiness has been procured by Him at a price far more
costly. To communicate to angels existence and happiness required nothing
more than a simple volition of His irresistible will, a single word of His
omnipotent voice. It was not thus that the happiness of the apostate race could
be restored, that the redemption of our lost world was to be achieved.Lessons:
1. How inconceivablyglorious must heaven be, and how worthy of our earnest
desire and our constantpursuit!
2. How reasonable thatwe should render Divine honours to the Lord Jesus.
3. How important that we cultivate a love to the exercises ofheaven.
4. This subjectsuggests a testby which we may ascertainwhether we are fit
for heaven. To ascertainyour meetness forheaven you have then only to

inquire whether you take delight in devotional exercises andin holy pursuits
and enjoyments.
5. This subjectshows us the folly of the irreligious. Think of heaven with all its
joys and splendours. Contrastwith this hell with its horrors, a place of outer
darkness and of gnashing of teeth.
(R. Balmer, D. D.)
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
The worthy sacrifice ofChrist
T. Adkins.
I. CONTEMPLATE CHRIST AS HE IS REPRESENTEDUNDER THE
CHARACTER OF A LAMB. The lamb is an appropriate symbol of innocence
and meekness.Neverwere the lamb-like virtues brought to so severe a test,
and never were they so strikingly portrayed. A recluse in his cell may reason
justly on the duties of forbearance and forgiveness, but it is difficult to carry
into practice the dictates of sober solitude, yet Jesus gave not only the theory
but the practice of every possible virtue.
II. MEDITATE ON THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
1. He was slain decretively in the purposes of Jehovah.
2. He was slain emblematically by the sacrifices under the Levitical
dispensation.
3. He was slain instrumentally by the hands of the Jews.
4. He was slain really by the justice of God for the sins of His people.
III. CELEBRATE HIS PRAISE.
1. He is worthy of the trust and confidence of His people.
2. He is worthy of the adorationand praise of the redeemed spirits above.

3. He is worthy the adorationof the purest intelligences of the universe.
4. He is worthy of the final conquestof the world.
(T. Adkins.)
Christ the Lamb slain
John Russell.
I. THE WONDERFULPERSON ofthe glorious sufferer will furnish occasion
of unceasing admiration to the great multitude before the throne.
II. The multitude before the throne will have occasionto give glory to the
greatRedeemerwhen they contemplate THE MYSTERIOUS NATURE OF
HIS SUFFERINGS.
III. Similar acknowledgments willbe calledforth when the saints in heaven
remember THEIR SINS as the procuring cause of the Saviour's sufferings.
IV. The sufferings of the Redeemerare consideredby the multitude before the
throne as the result of A PLAN CONTRIVED BYTHE INFINITE WISDOM
OF GOD in His eternalcounsels.
V. The sufferings of the Redeemerare consideredby the multitude before the
throne as the genuine effect of His OWN UNCONTROLLED AND
SOVEREIGN PLEASURE. To Himself alone, and to the free exercise ofHis
own goodwill, this act of grace and humiliation must be referred.
VI. The sufferings of the Redeemerare consideredby those who stand around
the throne as affording THE BRIGHTEST MANIFESTATIONOF THE
DIVINE PERFECTIONS.
VII. The sufferings of the Redeemerpresent new occasionofadmiration and
triumph to the multitude before the throne, because therebyREDEMPTION
IS COMPLETELYPURCHASED.
(John Russell.)

Glory ascribedin heavento the Lamb
J. Dixon.
1. The sacrifice of Christ has had the effectof developing the hidden
perfections and glories ofGod in what may be consideredtheir Christian and
evangelicalaspect, both in the Church above and in the Church below,
consequentlyall glory is due to Christ upon this principle.
2. The elementary state cud high reward of heaven is the result of our
Saviour's work, and consequentlythe glory must be due to Him.
3. The relationship in which the triumphant Church will stand to her Lord
will induce these sentiments, and leadto this triumphant song. In what
relationship does He stand to us here? "Godwith us." In what relation does
He appear to the Church above? "Godwith them."
(J. Dixon.)
The worthiness of Christ to receive man's riches
Homilist.
I. BECAUSE HE IS THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETOROF IT. The gold that
any man holds in his hands is his in a very secondarysense;his property a few
years ago was in the possessionofothers, and a few years hence it will pass
from him into other hands. All material wealthbelongs to Christ.
II. BECAUSE HE HAS ENABLED YOU TO PROCURE IT. Why have you
wealth more than others? Has it come to you through heirdom, legacy, or
your own industry? In either case you have it through Christ.
III. BECAUSE HE GIVES YOU THE QUALIFICATION TO ENJOYIT.
Who gave you the unmiserly spirit, the bodily health, the mental capacityby
which you can enjoy your riches?
IV. BECAUSE HE WILL MAKE THE BEST USE OF IT.

1. The best use of it for yourselves. There is no better investment. Your
contributions to Him serve you in many ways.
(1)Serve to test your character.
(2)Serve to detach you from materialism.
(3)Serve to ennoble your character. It is a greatthing to be trusted, to be
thrown upon your honour. Christ trusts you.
2. The best use of it for the world. When you are gone Christ's Church will be
here working with the means you have entrusted to it, and working to spread
truth, virtue, and happiness through the world.
(Homilist.)
Praise a duty
J. R. Miller, D. D.
No other duty is enjoined so often in the Scriptures as praise. The Bible is full
of music. The woods in the summer days are not so full of bird-notes as this
sacredbook is of voices of song. Christian life can realise the Divine thought
for it only by being songful. The old fable of the harp of Memnon, that it
beganto breathe out sweetmusic the moment the morning light sweptits
chords, has its true fulfil. ment in the human soul, which, the instant the light
of Divine love breaks upon it gives forth notes of gladness and praise.
(J. R. Miller, D. D.).
The Lamb opened one of the seals. &&&
Revelation6
The development of goodand evil in human history
D. Thomas, D. D.

I. The development of GOOD in human history.
1. The good is embodied in a personal life. "He that sat," etc. "Grace and
truth came by Jesus Christ." He was the Right — incarnate, living, acting;
and this, not only during His corporeallife here, but in all His disciples
through all times.
2. The good embodied in a personallife is aggressive in its action. "He went
forth," etc. Wherever the sunbeams break, darkness departs;so with the
right, it is always conquering. In its aggressivenessit moves —(1) Righteously.
The "horse" is the instrument it employs to bear it on to victory. The good is
not only pure in its nature and aims, but pure in its methods.(2)
Triumphantly. The "bow" carries the arrow, and the arrow penetrates the
foe.(3)Royally. "There was givenunto Him a crown." Right is royal, the only
royal thing in the universe, and the more perfectly it is embodied the more
brilliant the diadem. Hence Christ is crownedwith glory and honour, "exalted
above all principalities and powers," etc.
II. The development of EVIL in human history.
1. War (ver. 4). The spirit of murder burns throughout the race. The "red
horse" is ever on the gallop.
2. Indigence (ver. 5). Famine generally follows the sword.
3. Mortality (ver. 8). With every breath we draw some one falls.
4. Martyrdom (vers. 9-11).(1)A martyr is one who dies for the truth.(2) He is
one who in heaven remembers the injustice of His persecutors.(3)He is one
who in the heavenly world is more than compensatedforall the wrongs
receivedon earth. In heaventhey have —
(a)Purity.
(b)Repose.
(c)Socialhopes.
5. Physicalconvulsion (vers. 12-17).(1)Our earth is constantly subject to great
physical convulsions.(2)These are always terribly alarming to ungodly

men.(3) The alarm of ungodly men is heightened by a dread of God. "The
wrath of the Lamb." A more terrific idea I cannot get. It is an oceanofoil in
flames.
( D. Thomas, D. D.)
A white
The going forth of the gospel
James Durham.
1. That the preaching of the gospelcomethnot by guess amongsta people, but
is sent and ordered as other dispensations are, and hath a particular
commission. It is one of the horses He sendeth here. So, Acts 16., the Spirit
putteth them to one place, and suffereth them not to go to another place.
There is not a sermon cometh without a commission.
2. That the successofthe gospelgoethnot by guess. The gospelhath its end as
well as its commission(Isaiah 55:10; 2 Corinthians 2:14).
3. The gospelis most mighty to conquer when Christ armeth it with a
commissionand doth concurtherewith (2 Corinthians 10:4).
4. From this description of the horse and his rider and his employment,
observe that the greatend of the gospel, where it cometh, is to subdue souls.
Thai is the end of a ministry, to bring souls in subjection to Christ (2
Corinthians 10:5). And it hath its end when Christ's arrows are made
powerful to pierce hearts (Ephesians 4:8; Psalm68:18).
5. The gospelconquereth more or less whereverit cometh. When Christ is
mounted He is going to conquer, if it were but to take one fort or one soul
from Satan.
6. Taking this conquestand flourishing estate of the gospelto relate to the first
times thereof when it came into the world. Observe that most frequently the
gospelat its first coming amongsta people prevaileth most, and hath more
sensible successthan at any other time. So was it when it came first to the

world, its victories were swift and speedy, increasing more for a few years at
that time than afterwards in many generations.
(James Durham.)
Conquering, and to Conquer
The Redeemer's conquests
J. Parsons.
I. THE ADVERSARIES OF OUR REDEEMER.
1. The powers of darkness.
2. All men in an unrenewed and unconverted state.
3. False systems ofreligion, which, although perhaps assuming the name of
Christianity, are hostile to its spirit and design.
II. THE INSTRUMENTSWHICH OUR REDEEMER EMPLOYS.
1. The publication of His Word.
2. The agencyof His Spirit.
III. THE VICTORIES OF OUR REDEEMER.
1. They are founded upon His right to universal domain.
2. They are continuous, and widely extended.
3. They are essentiallyconnectedwith the diffusion of pure and perfect
happiness.In conclusion:how important it is —
1. That you should yourselves surrender your hearts in personalsubjection to
the Redeemer's power.
2. That you devote your energies to the further extensionof His empire.
(J. Parsons.)

The future triumph of our King
J. Clayton, M. A.
I. THE ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONAGEDESCRIBED.
1. His spotless charchter. "A white horse."
2. His warfare. "A bow."
3. His exaltation to regaldignity. "A crown."
4. His gradual conquest. "Conquering and to conquer."
II. SENTIMENTSAND REFLECTIONSSUITABLE TO THE SUBJECT.
1. We should cultivate and cherish the most exalted estimate of the personof
Jesus Christ.
2. The imminent peril in which those are placed who continue among the
adversaries ofJesus Christ.
3. Are you among His true and faithful subjects?
4. Strive, by every means in your power, to advance the extent and glory of
His dominion.
(J. Clayton, M. A.)
The Conqueror
W. M. Punshon, D. D.
Behold the combat beyond all others important, the combatbetweenChrist
and Satanfor the human soul.
I. THE CAUSE OF STRIFE — the soul. A colony of heavenhad been taken
by the powers of hell, and the effort to restore it to allegiance was the main

cause ofthis celestialwar. The domination of Satanover the human soul is
despotic, degrading, and destructive.
II. THE BATTLE. The Divine Saviour strongerthan the strong man armed as
our champion. The first grapple seems to have been the temptation in the
wilderness, the next in the performance of miracles, the next the death
grapple, the last the rising from the dead and ascensioninto heaven.
III. THE VICTORY. It was complete, it was benevolent, it was unchanging.
The attack which the Saviour made upon the enemy was such as to tear away
the very source and energies ofhis power. In the time of the Lord's victory we
do not see traces ofcarnage, norhear orphans wailing the dead; but a voice
breathes the comfortable word, "Theyshall not hurt nor destroy in all My
holy mountain." The triumphs of the Saviour brighten with the lapse of time.
Time cannot tarnish their lustre, nor death itself destroy.
(W. M. Punshon, D. D.)
COMMENTARIES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
The Angelic And Universal Chorus
Revelation5:11-14
R. Green
Now the song bursts out beyond the circles of the redeemed host. "The voice
of many angels,"even"ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
thousands," bears onwards the same burden of song, "Worthy is the Lamb,"
and the chorus is completed only when it is takenup by "every createdthing
which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea;"
and the song ascribes "the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the

dominion" unto "him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb," and
that "foreverand ever."
"The whole creationjoin in one
To bless the sacredName
Of him that sits upon the throne,
And to adore the Lamb." The vision is prophetic - it anticipates the final
condition, the ultimate triumph of redemption, the ultimate acknowledgment
of it. It is the song from the redeemed, and declares the widespreadinfluence
of redemption. It is creation's song. All creatures, "everycreatedthing,"
praises the creating and redeeming Lord.
I. IT IS THE UNIVERSAL RECOGNITIONOF THE BLESSINGS OF
REDEMPTION.
1. The angelic host, forming a semi-chorus, exult in the gracious work of the
Lamb - in which figure must be seenrepresentedthe total idea of redemption
by "the Lamb of God." Angels, who desired to "look into" these things, have
found in them matter for praise. High above the incidents of the human
history rises the image of him to whom all is due.
2. The "greatvoice" of the many angels "andthe living creatures and the
elders" is exceededby that of "everycreatedthing" in heaven, earth, and sea,
even "all things that are in them." This voice of the entire, the grand chorus,
the holy seerheard. It was his to discern the beneficent effectof redemption,
his to catchthe re-echoing song of all things as they praised the holy Name. It
stands as the counterpart to "Godcursed the ground for man's sake."All is
ordered and readjusted. The disturbance by sin gives place to the harmony of
all creation"in him" in whom all things are "gatheredtogetherin one."
3. All is followedby the solemn "Amen," the reverent assentofthe four living
creatures - representatives ofall creature life, not excluding the Church.
II. IT IS CREATION'S TESTIMONYTO THE GLORY OF GOD IS THE
REDEMPTION OF MEN.

III. IT IS DECLARATIVE OF THE UNIVERSAL INTERESTIN THE
HISTORY OF THE REDEEMEDRACE. The angels, who rejoicedover one
sinner repenting, rejoice now in the completedwork of the universal
redemption. They who saw "first the blade," and sang over it, now behold
"the full corn in the ear," and offer their loudest praise to the Lord of the
harvest. Herein is signified the unity of the entire creation. Subtle links bind
all in one. Eachpart is helpful to the other. There is mutual harmony, and
there are mutual dependence and relationship. The whole finds its
termination in a new act of adoring worship: "The four and twenty elders fell
down and worshipped." As is most meet, the praise of all is paid to him "of
whom and to whom and for whom are all things." The Church below may
learn:
1. The certainty of the final triumph of the Lamb in his ownconquering work
of redemption.
2. The identification of the work of redemption with the purposes of creation.
3. The duty of praise to God for this his unspeakable gift.
4. The sympathy of the angelic and universal life in the spiritual careerof the
redeemed. - R.G.

Biblical Illustrator
The voice of many angels round about the throne.
Revelation5:11-13
The greatfestalgathering and song of heaven
J. R. Macduff, D. D.
I. THE COMPLACENCYWITHWHICH CHRIST LOOKS BACK ON HIS
OWN ATONING WORK AND SUFFERINGS.
II. THE PERPETUALEFFICACYOF THE SAVIOUR'S SACRIFICE.
III. THE CONTINUED IDENTITYOF CHRIST'S PERSONAS GOD-MAN
MEDIATOR.
IV. REDEMPTION IS THE GRAND THEME OF ADORATION FOR
UNREDEEMED ANGELS AS WELL AS FOR THE REDEEMED FAMILY
OF GOD.
V. THE PRE-EMINENT DIGNITYAND BLISS OF THE RANSOMED
SAINTS.
VI. THE UNITY WHICH PERVADES THE HEAVENLY RANKS.
VII. THE VISION SEEMS INTENDEDTO PREPARE THE CHURCH ON
EARTH FOR HER OWN SUFFERINGS, AND RECONCILE HER TO HER
APPROACHING TRIBULATION.
(J. R. Macduff, D. D.)
The hymn of the angels and of creation
W. M. Johnston, M. A.

I. First let us understand THE ATTITUDE AND POSITION OF THE
ANGELS. They are round about the throne of God, around the elders — that
is, the Church — and around the living creatures. Theyare, therefore, the
sentinels and the guardians of Divine and human things. So they stand equally
around the emblem of eternalpower, around the fourfold forms of life,
around its drudgery as well as its ambition, and around the Church,
distressedand broken and divided and betrayed. No thought of fear dims the
lustre of their eyes, nor lessens the precisionand the emphasis of their song.
And it is worthy of notice that they secure ample leisure for worship. It is a
lessonthat ought not to be lostupon our hurrying age. Thank heaven, there
are still secludedcorners of our land where the shriek of steam-engines, the
clamour of crowdedstreets, the driving of pulse and brain, is unknown; where
the valleys laugh and sing with the standing corn, where the hilltops are silent
as the seas, andwhere jaded brains may shape some thought of God. But
heaven is busy too, and there is work enough to be accomplished. There are
sinners lostin the wilds of the hill, and in loathsome dens of the city, who will
need to be brought home. There are claims and needs and dangers of the
Church the world over — energies to be cherished, works to be encouraged,
impurities to be purged, sorrows anddisappointments to be assuaged. And
with all these interests in hand their eye is upon the throne, for here only do
angels and men alike behold, and thence only receive the interpretation of life
and the wisdom and guidance for work. And wellwere it, not only for its
honesty, but even more for its progress, if the commerce ofEngland and
Scotlandand Ireland were directed by the laws which abide in God. Only
those who obey can worship, and only those who rightly worship cantruly
live. And so —
II. The centralthought of the angels, like that of the Church, was THE
WORTHINESS OF CHRIST. "Worthyis the Lamb that was slain." And as it
was in the mind of the Church, so here again this worthiness is associatedwith
sacrifice. Formostmen suffer only when they must, and they fail to perceive
that sacrifice atonce tests what we are, and makes us what we ought to be. In
this way Christ's sacrifice provedHis essentialworth, and, beyond this,
proves to-day His permanent worth to His people. It is not His poweralone.

That never elicits adoration. It is the goodnessthat reigns paramount within
Him which men worship and love.
III. THE RESPONSE OF CREATION.The poet of Palestine had said, many
a year before St. John lived, that there is neither speechnor language
throughout the earth in which the voice of the firmament is not heard. "The
songs ofthe spheres" was anothermethod of expressing the same truth. The
sky vibrates with praise as the greatstars stand out in their places. "Earth,
with its thousand voices,"saidColeridge, "praisesGod." And while these call
to man, whateverhis tongue or his worship, man the world round feels that he
must respond. He cannot help worshipping. Under the gaslight, and in the
heated atmosphere of some remote meeting-place in the big town, he may
lustily proclaim that Godis nothing to him. But when the gas is out and the
cheering companions are gone, when he is alone on the mountain-side, and the
thunder booms out its terror above and the lightning flashes death around
him, a voice within answers the voices without, and the infidel is compelledto
pray. And as man must worship, so his worship adopts a more expansive form
than that which angels take as yet (Revelation7:12). His eyes, too, are indeed
filled with the image of the Lamb. What mind can forgetCalvary and Olivet?
But awaybeyond the present fact he contemplates the continuous recognition,
and age upon age he hears the same hymn. And further yet, and fuller, the
worship of the Lamb broadens into the worship of the Godhead. It is offered
to "Him that sitteth upon the throne." And it expresses the spiritual history of
every saint. We see ourselves in this hymn. When first our life lay before us,
and we took it up and placed it upon the altar of God's salvation, Jesus Christ
was all, was everything to us. Then as faith deepenedand threw up the greater
and strongerlife, we saw Jesus in all things. And then we beheld the love of
the Fatherto be as greatand tender as the love of the Son, and the strength of
the Holy Ghostgatheredround us and within us, and God in His blessed
Trinity embracedall things.
(W. M. Johnston, M. A.)
Christ the objectof angelic worship

R. Balmer, D. D.
I. THE HOMAGE HERE REPRESENTEDAS RENDEREDTO THE
SAVIOUR BY THE ANGELIC HOSTS.
1. Angels are the worshippers to whom our attention is more particularly
directed in the text.
2. The nature of the homage which they render Him. The particulars here
specifiedrelate rather to the natural than the moral attributes of our Saviour,
to His greatness ratherthan His goodness;that is, to His prerogatives and
glories which He most obscuredin His humbled state, or of which He then
emptied Himself, as the Scripture expressesit.
3. The ground of this homage. As a person inherently possessedofall Divine
excellencesand glories, the Son of God, in common with the Father, has an
incontestable title to the worship and obedience of the heavenly hosts. He has
a further claim as the author and preserver of their existence, and as the
source and dispenser of all their happiness. It is not, however, on this ground,
strong as it is, that the homage manifested in the text is rendered Him. Look
to the passageandyou will at once perceive that the basis on which the Son of
God is worshipped, both by the representatives ofthe Church and by the
angelic hosts, is His death or sacrifice. Butdoes the death of Christ give Him
any new or peculiar claims to the homage of the heavenly hierarchies who are
not immediately interestedin its benefits? Unquestionably it does, and some of
these claims it is not difficult to discover. His death was not only in itself the
most extraordinary event that ever took place, it afforded incomparably the
most magnificent display that ever was exhibited of generosityand kindness,
of compassionand tenderness. It is an essentialpart of true excellence to
admire excellence inanother, and the admiration ought to be proportioned to
the measure of excellence displayed. What a resistlessimpulse, then, must it
communicate to the adoration and praise of the holy angels, to contemplate
the death of the Sonof God. Recollectnextthe display of the Divine character
and perfections exhibited in the death of Christ, and you will see in it another
reasonto ampel the hosts of heaven to honour and adore Him. Consider,
again, that while the death of Christ contributes so much to advance the

honour of God, it contributes not less to promote the happiness of man. "They
rejoice overone sinner that repenteth." In further illustration of this topic, I
might add that it is the opinion of the great Mr. Howe, and of some other
eminent divines, that angels, though not redeemedby Christ, are confirmed in
happiness in consequenceoftheir union to Him. It is further certainthat in
Him angels and saints are united in one harmonious and happy association,
and that it has pleasedthe Fatherby Him to reconcile allthings unto Himself;
by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven." And these
wonderful arrangements furnish angels with anotherreasonto worship and
serve "the Lamb that was slain."
II. THE ARGUMENT SUGGESTED BYTHEIR CONDUCT TO INDUCE
US TO RENDER THE LAMB A SIMILAR HOMAGE.
1. We have a direct and personal interestin His death. If His matchless love
excites, as wellit may, the admiration even of creatures not immediately
interested, and impels them "to prepare new honours for His name," what
words can express the claims which He has to our admiration, gratitude, and
praise?
2. We are still in circumstances ofdanger. Many and formidable are the
enemies who seek ourruin, numerous and painful are the toils and hardships
we must encounterere we reachour "Father's loved abode." There is one,
and only one, who can protectyou amid your multitudinous dangers, and
bring you to the land which you wish to reach. "Jesus Christ, the captain of
salvation, having been made perfectthrough sufferings, will conduct you to
glory," if only you will confide in Him. What an argument to love and trust, to
adore and praise Him!
3. I might remark that, allowing He has conferredon angels higher capacities
and higher joys, our happiness has been procured by Him at a price far more
costly. To communicate to angels existence and happiness required nothing
more than a simple volition of His irresistible will, a single word of His
omnipotent voice. It was not thus that the happiness of the apostate race could
be restored, that the redemption of our lost world was to be achieved.Lessons:

1. How inconceivablyglorious must heaven be, and how worthy of our earnest
desire and our constantpursuit!
2. How reasonable thatwe should render Divine honours to the Lord Jesus.
3. How important that we cultivate a love to the exercises ofheaven.
4. This subjectsuggests a testby which we may ascertainwhether we are fit
for heaven. To ascertainyour meetness forheaven you have then only to
inquire whether you take delight in devotional exercises andin holy pursuits
and enjoyments.
5. This subjectshows us the folly of the irreligious. Think of heaven with all its
joys and splendours. Contrastwith this hell with its horrors, a place of outer
darkness and of gnashing of teeth.
(R. Balmer, D. D.)
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
The worthy sacrifice ofChrist
T. Adkins.
I. CONTEMPLATE CHRIST AS HE IS REPRESENTEDUNDER THE
CHARACTER OF A LAMB. The lamb is an appropriate symbol of innocence
and meekness.Neverwere the lamb-like virtues brought to so severe a test,
and never were they so strikingly portrayed. A recluse in his cell may reason
justly on the duties of forbearance and forgiveness, but it is difficult to carry
into practice the dictates of sober solitude, yet Jesus gave not only the theory
but the practice of every possible virtue.
II. MEDITATE ON THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
1. He was slain decretively in the purposes of Jehovah.
2. He was slain emblematically by the sacrifices under the Levitical
dispensation.

3. He was slain instrumentally by the hands of the Jews.
4. He was slain really by the justice of God for the sins of His people.
III. CELEBRATE HIS PRAISE.
1. He is worthy of the trust and confidence of His people.
2. He is worthy of the adorationand praise of the redeemed spirits above.
3. He is worthy the adorationof the purest intelligences of the universe.
4. He is worthy of the final conquestof the world.
(T. Adkins.)
Christ the Lamb slain
John Russell.
I. THE WONDERFULPERSON ofthe glorious sufferer will furnish occasion
of unceasing admiration to the great multitude before the throne.
II. The multitude before the throne will have occasionto give glory to the
greatRedeemerwhen they contemplate THE MYSTERIOUS NATURE OF
HIS SUFFERINGS.
III. Similar acknowledgments willbe calledforth when the saints in heaven
remember THEIR SINS as the procuring cause of the Saviour's sufferings.
IV. The sufferings of the Redeemerare consideredby the multitude before the
throne as the result of A PLAN CONTRIVED BYTHE INFINITE WISDOM
OF GOD in His eternalcounsels.
V. The sufferings of the Redeemerare consideredby the multitude before the
throne as the genuine effect of His OWN UNCONTROLLED AND
SOVEREIGN PLEASURE. To Himself alone, and to the free exercise ofHis
own goodwill, this act of grace and humiliation must be referred.

VI. The sufferings of the Redeemerare consideredby those who stand around
the throne as affording THE BRIGHTEST MANIFESTATIONOF THE
DIVINE PERFECTIONS.
VII. The sufferings of the Redeemerpresent new occasionofadmiration and
triumph to the multitude before the throne, because therebyREDEMPTION
IS COMPLETELYPURCHASED.
(John Russell.)
Glory ascribedin heavento the Lamb
J. Dixon.
1. The sacrifice of Christ has had the effectof developing the hidden
perfections and glories ofGod in what may be consideredtheir Christian and
evangelicalaspect, both in the Church above and in the Church below,
consequentlyall glory is due to Christ upon this principle.
2. The elementary state cud high reward of heaven is the result of our
Saviour's work, and consequentlythe glory must be due to Him.
3. The relationship in which the triumphant Church will stand to her Lord
will induce these sentiments, and leadto this triumphant song. In what
relationship does He stand to us here? "Godwith us." In what relation does
He appear to the Church above? "Godwith them."
(J. Dixon.)
The worthiness of Christ to receive man's riches
Homilist.
I. BECAUSE HE IS THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETOROF IT. The gold that
any man holds in his hands is his in a very secondarysense;his property a few
years ago was in the possession ofothers, and a few years hence it will pass
from him into other hands. All material wealthbelongs to Christ.

II. BECAUSE HE HAS ENABLED YOU TO PROCURE IT. Why have you
wealth more than others? Has it come to you through heirdom, legacy, or
your own industry? In either case you have it through Christ.
III. BECAUSE HE GIVES YOU THE QUALIFICATION TO ENJOYIT.
Who gave you the unmiserly spirit, the bodily health, the mental capacityby
which you can enjoy your riches?
IV. BECAUSE HE WILL MAKE THE BEST USE OF IT.
1. The best use of it for yourselves. There is no better investment. Your
contributions to Him serve you in many ways.
(1)Serve to test your character.
(2)Serve to detach you from materialism.
(3)Serve to ennoble your character. It is a greatthing to be trusted, to be
thrown upon your honour. Christ trusts you.
2. The best use of it for the world. When you are gone Christ's Church will be
here working with the means you have entrusted to it, and working to spread
truth, virtue, and happiness through the world.
(Homilist.)
Praise a duty
J. R. Miller, D. D.
No other duty is enjoined so often in the Scriptures as praise. The Bible is full
of music. The woods in the summer days are not so full of bird-notes as this
sacredbook is of voices of song. Christian life can realise the Divine thought
for it only by being songful. The old fable of the harp of Memnon, that it
beganto breathe out sweetmusic the moment the morning light sweptits
chords, has its true fulfil. ment in the human soul, which, the instant the light
of Divine love breaks upon it gives forth notes of gladness and praise.
(J. R. Miller, D. D.).

The Lamb opened one of the seals. &&&
Revelation6
The development of goodand evil in human history
D. Thomas, D. D.
I. The development of GOOD in human history.
1. The good is embodied in a personal life. "He that sat," etc. "Grace and
truth came by Jesus Christ." He was the Right — incarnate, living, acting;
and this, not only during His corporeallife here, but in all His disciples
through all times.
2. The good embodied in a personallife is aggressive in its action. "He went
forth," etc. Wherever the sunbeams break, darkness departs;so with the
right, it is always conquering. In its aggressivenessit moves —(1) Righteously.
The "horse" is the instrument it employs to bear it on to victory. The good is
not only pure in its nature and aims, but pure in its methods.(2)
Triumphantly. The "bow" carries the arrow, and the arrow penetrates the
foe.(3)Royally. "There was givenunto Him a crown." Right is royal, the only
royal thing in the universe, and the more perfectly it is embodied the more
brilliant the diadem. Hence Christ is crownedwith glory and honour, "exalted
above all principalities and powers," etc.
II. The development of EVIL in human history.
1. War (ver. 4). The spirit of murder burns throughout the race. The "red
horse" is ever on the gallop.
2. Indigence (ver. 5). Famine generally follows the sword.
3. Mortality (ver. 8). With every breath we draw some one falls.
4. Martyrdom (vers. 9-11).(1)A martyr is one who dies for the truth.(2) He is
one who in heaven remembers the injustice of His persecutors.(3)He is one

who in the heavenly world is more than compensatedforall the wrongs
receivedon earth. In heaventhey have —
(a)Purity.
(b)Repose.
(c)Socialhopes.
5. Physicalconvulsion (vers. 12-17).(1)Our earth is constantly subject to great
physical convulsions.(2)These are always terribly alarming to ungodly
men.(3) The alarm of ungodly men is heightened by a dread of God. "The
wrath of the Lamb." A more terrific idea I cannot get. It is an oceanofoil in
flames.
( D. Thomas, D. D.)
A white
The going forth of the gospel
James Durham.
1. That the preaching of the gospelcomethnot by guess amongsta people, but
is sent and ordered as other dispensations are, and hath a particular
commission. It is one of the horses He sendeth here. So, Acts 16., the Spirit
putteth them to one place, and suffereth them not to go to another place.
There is not a sermon cometh without a commission.
2. That the successofthe gospelgoethnot by guess. The gospelhath its end as
well as its commission(Isaiah 55:10; 2 Corinthians 2:14).
3. The gospelis most mighty to conquer when Christ armeth it with a
commissionand doth concurtherewith (2 Corinthians 10:4).
4. From this description of the horse and his rider and his employment,
observe that the greatend of the gospel, where it cometh, is to subdue souls.
Thai is the end of a ministry, to bring souls in subjection to Christ (2

Corinthians 10:5). And it hath its end when Christ's arrows are made
powerful to pierce hearts (Ephesians 4:8; Psalm68:18).
5. The gospelconquereth more or less whereverit cometh. When Christ is
mounted He is going to conquer, if it were but to take one fort or one soul
from Satan.
6. Taking this conquestand flourishing estate of the gospelto relate to the first
times thereof when it came into the world. Observe that most frequently the
gospelat its first coming amongsta people prevaileth most, and hath more
sensible successthan at any other time. So was it when it came first to the
world, its victories were swift and speedy, increasing more for a few years at
that time than afterwards in many generations.
(James Durham.)
Conquering, and to Conquer
The Redeemer's conquests
J. Parsons.
I. THE ADVERSARIES OF OUR REDEEMER.
1. The powers of darkness.
2. All men in an unrenewed and unconverted state.
3. False systems ofreligion, which, although perhaps assuming the name of
Christianity, are hostile to its spirit and design.
II. THE INSTRUMENTSWHICH OUR REDEEMER EMPLOYS.
1. The publication of His Word.
2. The agencyof His Spirit.
III. THE VICTORIES OF OUR REDEEMER.
1. They are founded upon His right to universal domain.

2. They are continuous, and widely extended.
3. They are essentiallyconnectedwith the diffusion of pure and perfect
happiness.In conclusion:how important it is —
1. That you should yourselves surrender your hearts in personalsubjection to
the Redeemer's power.
2. That you devote your energies to the further extensionof His empire.
(J. Parsons.)
The future triumph of our King
J. Clayton, M. A.
I. THE ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONAGEDESCRIBED.
1. His spotless charchter. "A white horse."
2. His warfare. "A bow."
3. His exaltation to regaldignity. "A crown."
4. His gradual conquest. "Conquering and to conquer."
II. SENTIMENTSAND REFLECTIONSSUITABLE TO THE SUBJECT.
1. We should cultivate and cherish the most exalted estimate of the personof
Jesus Christ.
2. The imminent peril in which those are placed who continue among the
adversaries ofJesus Christ.
3. Are you among His true and faithful subjects?
4. Strive, by every means in your power, to advance the extent and glory of
His dominion.
(J. Clayton, M. A.)

The Conqueror
W. M. Punshon, D. D.
Behold the combat beyond all others important, the combatbetweenChrist
and Satanfor the human soul.
I. THE CAUSE OF STRIFE — the soul. A colony of heaven had been taken
by the powers of hell, and the effort to restore it to allegiance was the main
cause ofthis celestialwar. The domination of Satanover the human soul is
despotic, degrading, and destructive.
II. THE BATTLE. The Divine Saviour strongerthan the strong man armed as
our champion. The first grapple seems to have been the temptation in the
wilderness, the next in the performance of miracles, the next the death
grapple, the last the rising from the dead and ascensioninto heaven.
III. THE VICTORY. It was complete, it was benevolent, it was unchanging.
The attack which the Saviour made upon the enemy was suchas to tear away
the very source and energies ofhis power. In the time of the Lord's victory we
do not see traces ofcarnage, norhear orphans wailing the dead; but a voice
breathes the comfortable word, "Theyshall not hurt nor destroy in all My
holy mountain." The triumphs of the Saviour brighten with the lapse of time.
Time cannot tarnish their lustre, nor death itself destroy.
(W. M. Punshon, D. D.)
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRIAN BELL
“Worship The Lamb!”

1. Intro: 1.1. Prayer: God prime our hearts, & prepares our minds!
1.2. In one wonderful moment John experiences the purpose for which
mankind was created– “union with God”.
1.3. Worship = to ascribe Worth! 1.3.1. Worshipmeans, “To use all that we
are & have, to Praise Godfor all that He is & does!” (www) 1.4. Worship is
also Wonder! 1.4.1. Thomas Carlyle said, “Wonderis the basis of worship”.
1.4.2. Wonderis “a priceless ingredient in the life of any thinking person!”
1.5. Last week PastorDanshared on ch.4 (Worship of the Father) 1.5.1.Now
the spotlight moves to the Lamb. 1.5.2. Drawing everyeye, & prompting
endless Praise! 1.5.2.1. Q:Why would they do this in the sight of God the
Father if Jesus was notGod?
2. WORTHY! (1-14) 2.1. THE QUESTION!(1,2)2.2. Explain scrollw/7 seals:
2.3. Why 7 seals? 2.3.1. One document that was sealedw/7 seals was a Will!
2.3.2. Under Roman law the 7 witnesses to a Will sealedit w/their seals(wax,
along 1 edge), & it only could be opened w/all 7, or their representatives. 2.3.3.
This was the case with both CaesarAugustus & Emperor Vespian. 2.3.4. So,
such a document was sealedwith waxor clay & could be opened only by a
qualified person.
2.4. (2) The issue wasn’t finding someone “willing”!2.4.1. Manya men were
willing to rule the earth: Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Napoleon,
Hitler,...The issue wasn’t who was “willing” but who was “Worthy”. 2.4.2.
We hear no voice speak up…“Here give me that scroll”…notAbraham, not
Peter, not even Mary!

2.5. THE LION, THE ROOT, & THE LAMB! (3-7) 2.6. (5) Only the Lion
from the Tribe of Judah has the moral right to open the scrollwhich will
reveal& bring about history’s completion.
2 2.6.1. Manycall this Scroll: “Gods Will, His final settlementof the affairs of
the universe, the Title Deedto creation.” 2.6.2.Fromwhat’s written on the
scroll(ch.6)it’s obvious the subject of the scrollis regarding the sphere of
man. 2.6.3. The right to rule the earth is about to be declaredat the Throne of
God, once & for All!
2.7. THE LION! 2.7.1. Why a Lion? 2.7.2. Read!Gen.49:8-10 2.7.3.Lion
speaks of“Dignity, Sovereignty, Courage, Victory!”
2.8. THE ROOT!2.8.1. Why a Root? Becausehe existed before David &
brought David’s kingly line into being. 2.8.2. Is.11:1 - As far as His Humanity
was concerned- Jesus had his roots in David. 2.8.3. Is.11:10 -As far as His
Divinity was concerned- Jesus is the root of Jesse(David’s dad). 2.8.4.
Remember when Jesus askedthe Pharisees how the Messiahcouldboth be
David’s Lord & David’s son? (they couldn’t answer)Mt.22:41-46.
2.9. THE LAMB! 2.9.1. Whya Lamb? – Because onlythrough His sacrificial
atonement is our future w/God possible. 2.9.2. WhenJohn turned around to
see the Lion, he saw a Lamb! 2.9.3. A standing lamb, w/blood on it, w/7
horns(power), & 7 eyes(7 sp.)! 2.9.4. Slain…(i.e.)He still had the markings!
{To remind man for eternity the “cost”oftheir redemption!} 2.9.5. Yet, He
was standing…meaning Victorious! 2.9.6. Emphasis then on His Res. not on
the crucifixion… “Had been slain”. 2.9.7. Jesus is called“Lamb” 29 times in
the book of Rev.
2.10. Q:How can He be both Lamb & Lion? 2.10.1.Theyrepresent 2 aspects
of Jesus’nature: the Royal& the Sacrificial!2.10.1.1.As Lamb he offers

salvation[Sacrificial]2.10.1.2. As a Lion He judges those who rejectHim
[Royal]
2.11. Note the Progressive Rev. ofRedemption: 2.11.1. [1]In the beginning 1
animal was sac. perIndividual! (Adam/Eve) 2.11.2. [2]At Passover1 animal
was sac. per Family! 2.11.3. [3]On the Day of Atonement 1 sac. per Nation!
2.11.4.[4]John the Baptist announced 1 Lamb that would take sins away
from the Whole world!
3 2.11.5.The O.T. question from Isaac was, “Where is the Lamb?” 2.11.6. The
N.T. answerfrom John the Baptist was,“Beholdthe Lamb of God!” 2.11.7.
The Choirs in Heaven will sing, “Worthy is the Lamb!”
2.12. (7)Satan offered Him the whole world in return for one actof
worship(Mt.4:8-10), but Jesus wonthe right to receive the scroll when He
gave Himself on the cross.
2.13. WORTHYTimes 4! (8-10)2.14. (8)Incense – represents prayer. 2.14.1.
Ps.141:1,2. 2.15. Ifyou ever thought your prayers don’t matter, look at these
storedhere! 2.15.1. The prayers of God’s people play a vital part in God’s
governing of the world. ☺
2.16. I wonder…will we play air harps in heaven? hmmm
2.17. Worthy – He is worthy not only because He is Creator(4:11)but even
more because he is our redeemer.

2.18. A 5-fold new song: 2.18.1. [1]A Worship Song - “you are worthy”.
2.18.2.[2]A GospelSong - “you were slain…have redeemed…by your blood”
2.18.2.1.Interesting, Heaven sings about the Cross & the Blood, & yet some
churches today have omitted all Hymns with this subject matter out of their
hymn books!2.18.3.[3]A Missionarysong - “Every tribe, tongue, people,
nation”. 2.18.3.1. Lifted from Daniel 7:13,14. 2.18.3.2. The church now serves
as Israel once did, with the tasks of worshiping God & making Him knownto
the world. 2.18.3.3. Q:What does this mean for evangelismthat the Lamb has
purchased people from every tribe, language, people, & nation? 2.18.4. [4]A
Priestly song - “and have made us a kingdom of priests”. 2.18.5. [5]A
Prophetic song - “We shall reign on earth”. 2.18.5.1.The future is to share
Christ’s rule on earth. 2.19. (9) New? – It’s 2000 years old! 2.19.1. New,not in
time or origin; but new in the sense of its nature, something previously
unknown & unprecedented. 2.19.2.Moses song in Ex.15 was a song of
redemption from Egypt. 2.19.2.1. Anew work of redemption calls for a new
song!2.20. Redeemed- In 1776 Thomas Paine, American Revolutionpatriot
and writer, wrote about the price of freedom: What we obtain too cheap, we
esteemtoo lightly; 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven
knows how to put a proper price upon its goods;and it would be strange
indeed, if so celestialanarticle as Freedomshould not be highly rated.
4
2.21. WORTHYTimes 7! (11,12)2.22. Note the 7 things.
2.23. WORTHYTimes 4, Times 2! (13,14)2.24. Note the 4 things. Plus it is to
both receiving it!
2.25. (13)The whole heaven explodes into praise! [The crescendo ofworship!]
2.26. Notice how contagious, infectious, irresistible, & communicable true
Worship is! 2.26.1. From:the 4 living creatures(4:8);to the 24 elders(4:10); to
the multitudes in heaven(4:12;5:9,10);to every creature above, on, & under

the earth(5:13)2.26.1.1. Eventhe demonic world & unsaved humanity thus
fulfilling Phil.2:9-11.
2.27. Heavenis a place of worship, so begin to getready now to join in the
praise! 2.27.1. This isn’t a “do we have to” thing! 2.27.2. It’s what happens
automatically when a goodsong comes on in a store where it’s hard not to tap
your foot, whistle, or sing to. 2.27.2.1.Ex: Todayat Submarina, when an oldie
song came on.
2.28. Times 2 – Worship is to be given to both the Father & Jesus!2.28.1.
Athanasian Creedstates, “We worshipone God in Trinity, & Trinity in
Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nordividing the Substance.” 2.28.2.
Both receiving worship thus again proving Christ to be God!
2.29. Shock & Awe! 2.29.1.Elihu said, “Behold, Godis great, and we do not
know Him.” Job 36:26 2.29.2. Zopharsaid to Job “Canyou searchout the
deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?” Job11:7
2.29.3.Paulsaid, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and
knowledge ofGod! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past
finding out!” Rom. 11:33 2.29.4.Read - “Screwtape” (Pg.49 RealWorship)
2.30. Worshipis to feelin your heart and express in some appropriate manner
a humbling but delightful sense ofadmiring awe and astonishedwonderand
overpowering love in the presence of that most ancientMystery, that Majesty
which philosophers callthe First Cause, but which we callOur Father Which
Are in Heaven. A. W. Tozer
2.31. (14)The 4 living Creatures are a little Pentecostal…“Amen”! 2.31.1.Q:
Hearing this praise to Jesus as the Redeemer - Do you find your heart saying

Amen? 2.31.2. Q:Last week you may have agreedto Worship God as
Creator;but how about Jesus as Redeemer?
CHRIS BENFIELD
Worship Around the Throne (Message#15)
Revelation5: 8-14
Our text tonight remains around the throne of God. Jesus, our precious
Lord, the worthy Lamb, has just takenthe book from the right hand of God.
As He takes the book, the host of heaven erupts into magnificent praise of the
Lord. The judgment of God will shortly be poured out, but there is a pause in
the judgment process forpraise unto the Lamb.
This is a worship service unlike any we’ve everseen. Through these verses,
we get an up-close view of the praise that will be offered as the redeemed
gather around the throne. There are times that we offer worship, but it is
often hindered by physical limitations, unconfessedsin, and the influence of
Satan. In heaven we will worship without any hindrance or limitation
whatsoever. Let’s take a few moments to considerthis time of: Worship
around the Throne.
I. The Picture of Worship (8) – And when he had taken the book, the four
beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every
one of them harps, and goldenvials full of odours, which are the prayers of
saints. Allow me to remind you that we are there at this point in time. As
we’ve moved through this book, my focus has certainly changed. I no longer
view these as just future events. I have learned to try and place myself among
these happenings.
 These events involve the redeemed; we are there! They are personalto every
born againchild of God. With that in mind, try to picture these events from a

personalperspective. Allow the Spirit to take your heart and mind into a
worship service that you are a part of.
A. Our Posture – And when he had takenthe book, the four beasts and four
and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb. The hostof heaven, including
you and me, fell down before the Lamb. We have prostrated ourselves at the
feet of Jesus. We have entered the presence ofour Saviorand King, and have
humbled ourselves before Him.
 There won’t be any thoughts of our deeds or goodness, only heart felt
worship unto the Lord. This won’t be a forced positionas with the captives
before Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold. The very presence of Jesus will
compel us to fall before Him in worship. I’ve enjoyed some goodworship
services, but nothing like this.
B. Our Praise – having every one of them harps. The host of heaven is seen,
every one, with a harp in their possession. Often harps were used to
accompanythe singing of psalms among God’s people. They were also played
in associationwith divine prophecy.
 Clearly this is a picture of the redeemed in heaven offering praise unto the
Lord. He is praised for who He is, what He has done, and what He is about to
perform as His promises are completely fulfilled. All prophecy that is yet
unfulfilled will very sooncome to pass.
 Think of this, I’m kind of like the fellow who said he couldn’t even play a
radio without static, but one day I’ll play a harp in that heavenly choir
offering praise unto the Lamb of Godfor all eternity!

C. Our Prayers – Notonly does the host possess harps, but golden vials full of
odours, which are the prayers of the saints. The prayers of the redeemedof all
ages are brought before the Lord as a sweetsmelling aroma to Him.
 Consider the countless prayers that have been offered throughout the ages
of time. Many suffering persecutionhave prayed for the Lord’s return. Many
have prayed for the suffering of God’s people to end, for Satan to be defeated,
and sin fully and finally removed.
 Jesus taught us to pray that prayer. Our Fatherwhich art in heaven,
Hallowedbe thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is
in heaven. Every prayer the saints have prayed has entered the presence of
God. He hasn’t forgottenor ignored a one of them. I Jn.5:14 – And this is the
confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will,
he heareth us. The prayers for deliverance from evil will soonbe answeredin
mighty power!
I. The Picture of Worship (8)
II. The Purpose of Worship (9-10, 12) – And they sung a new song, V.9a. We
find the host of heavensinging a new song. It is a new song in the sense that
the heavenly choir has just assembledand begun to sing, but it is a song as old
as time. It is the song of the old, old story that never looses its splendor. It is a
song of praise lifted to magnify the Lamb who is worthy! This song comes
from the hearts of those whose faith has ended in sight. So’ let’s see what the
Bible reveals about our motivation to sing.
A. Our Redemption (9b) – And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy
to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:for thou wastslain, and hast

redeemedus to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and
people, and nation; It is there that we’ll fully realize our eternal redemption.
We will understand, as never before, what the sacrifice on Calvary did for us.
We will be completelyaware that His blood made all the difference and
redeemedus from sin.
 We won’t sing because ofour deeds, but of the Lamb that was slain. That’s
how all who are there have made it; they’ve come through the blood. There is
no other wayof redemption than through bloody Calvary.
 I have known some greatsoldiers of the cross, those who lived a godly life.
They loved the Lord and weren’t ashamedto tell it. They have challengedand
encouragedmy walk with the Lord. But, the fact remains, they were just
sinners savedby grace. If you could’ve taken awaythe blood, their lives
would’ve been empty and meaningless.
 The redeemedwill sing the song of redemption. Praise God for His
unspeakable gift!
B. Our Relationship(10) – And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:
and we shall reign on the earth. We’ll also praise the Lord for our relationship
with Him. We won’t be viewed as outcastor secondrate citizens. We will be
the bride of Christ.
 A great price was paid that we might be found in heaven. We won’t be
exalted, but we will be loved and acceptedofGod. Have you ever thought
about that, a lowly sinner such as we, acceptedby a holy and righteous God?
Our relationship is twofold. It involves:
1. Our Position– We have been made kings and priests. As kings we’ll have
powerwith Christ throughout the ages. The redeemedhave overcome through

the blood of Christ. As priests we’ll offer service acceptable unto God as we
worship Him in heaven.
 But, we can claim that promise right now! I Pet. 2:9 – But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath calledyou out of darkness into
his marvellous light:
2. Our Promise – There is a promise that we shall reign on earth. This
doesn’t speak ofan elevatedposition within ourselves, but the gift of God.
When sin and Satanare defeatedall of creationwill be as God intended.
Creationwill be free of sin.
 Christians will no longer be suppressed, in a minority due to sin. We shall be
part of the glorious kingdom of God, reigning victorious upon the earth,
Rev.20:6 – Blessedand holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:on
such the seconddeathhath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
C. Our Redeemer(12)– Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that
was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour,
and glory, and blessing. We shall praise our Redeemerin heaven. He will be
the focus of all praise. The host of heaven will cry, Worthy is the Lamb!
 He was slain for you and me. He is the source of our salvation. We were
redeemedby the finished work at Calvary. It is there that Jesus became our
substitute. He willingly took the sin of all men upon Himself and endured the
judgment of God for our sin.
 We are free in Him. He fully atonedfor sin as He died and rose again. The
ultimate sacrifice was made never to need blood shed again. The savedare
bound for heaven; this was securedat Calvary.

 Rejoice tonight because ofyour Redeemer. We could never stand within
ourselves accountable forsin. Thank God we don’t have to! Jesus took care of
the debt I owed and my accountis marked paid in full!
I. The Picture of Worship (8)
II. The Purpose of Worship (9-10, 12)
III. The Participants of Worship (11, 13) – Finally we’ve come to find those
who will be worshipping the Lamb. It isn’t limited to the redeemed.
A. The CelestialBeings willWorship (11) – And I beheld, and I heard the
voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders:
and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands
of thousands; John saw and heard the angels praising the Lamb.
 They can’t sing the song of redemption. They know nothing of sin or the
struggles oflife. They are however, praising their Creator. They are
worshipping the God of heaven. They have never been washedin the blood,
but they recognize the Lamb is worthy!
B. The ConvertedBeings will Worship (11) – With the angels were the elders.
I can’t discern specific numbers or distinctions between, but a great multitude
worshipped Christ, v.11b, the number of them was ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands.
 Eachand every child of God will be there praising the worthy Lamb. The
OT saints, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Zacchaeus, the thief, the Philippian jailor,

the martyrs, those loved ones who’ve already gone, you and I, will all be
praising the Lamb for our salvation.
 Eachlife will have been different, eachsalvationexperience unique, but
we’ll all sing the same song of redemption!
C. The CreatedBeings will Worship (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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and
power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever
and ever. This praise won’t be offered just by the angels and saints in heaven.
This praise will extend to all creationas all creatures, greatand small, even
those tormented in hell, praise the Lamb of God, Phil.2:9-11 – Wherefore God
also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every
name: That at the name of Jesus everyknee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christis Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 Many today refuse to acceptChrist. He is still despised and rejected. One
day every knee will bow and every tongue confess. Jesus will be exalted by all
who ever lived. I had much rather praise Him in His presence than have to
praise Him in His absence!
Heaven will be a place of worship unto the Lamb. It is my prayer that each
of you will be present to offer praise in heaven. A glorious time awaits the
children of God. Will you be in that number?
ALAN CARR
Revelation5:1-7

WORTHY IS THE LAMB
Intro: As we enter this fifth chapter, it would be a good time for a little
review. In chapter 4, John is caught up into Heaven. When he arrives there,
he sees GodHimself sitting on a glorious throne. John sees Heavenarrayedas
a courtroom. God is preparing to unleash His wrath on the inhabitants of the
earth.
In the midst of this awesome scene, we also seethat Heaven is filled with
the praises ofJehovah. Heaven understands what the Lord is about to do and
the inhabitants of that city praise the Lord for His glory, His power and for
His creation. Theyare also acknowledging His right to judge the earth.
It seems that John is takento Heaven to give him a heavenly perspective
concerning what is about to happen on the earth. I mentioned this last week,
but it is still true: when the events of this earth are viewedfrom a purely
earthly perspective, they can cause fear, doubt and confusion. But, when all
the events of history are viewedthrough the eyes of Heaven, everything makes
sense!
So, chapter four ends with God receiving the praise of His createdones
and of His redeemedones. Heaventhrobs with the voices of those caught up
in their love for Almighty God. Chapterfive finds us in the same courtroom
in Heaven. Now, praise has ceasedfora moment and heavenly business is
about to be transacted, and we are going to have front row seats as it is acted
out.
We are about to find out that, in Heaven, Jesus is the central Figure. He is
the centerof attention. I believe that Heaven will be a glorious, wonderful
place. I believe there will be streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates ofpearl, and
more glory than you and I canimagine. I believe it will be great to see
Abraham, Moses, Paul, and the rest. But, the main attraction of Heaven will
be Jesus Himself. In this passage, we are going to see Jesus Himself, in His
rightful place;glorified and exalted in Heaven.

This passagesets the stage for the judgments that will come during the
Tribulation. It also reveals Jesus inHis exalted glory. Let’s look at these
verses and considerthe thought: Worthy Is The Lamb.
I. v. 1 A MYSTERIOUS SCROLL
(Ill. As this chapter begins, God is said to be holding a book. Now, this is not a
book like you and I think of a book. It is actually a scroll. Paperwas made in
long sheets, and as it was written on, it would be rolled up. A portion would
be written, and it would be rolled up and sealed. Another portion would be
written and then that portion would be rolled up and sealed. This scrollGod
holds has sevenseals on it. This is a mysterious scroll;let’s see if we can
unravel the mystery of the scroll.)
A. The CharacterOf This Scroll – As we read these verses, the characterof
this scrollbecomes clear.
· First, it has something to do with “man”, v. 2-4.
· Second, it has something to do with the “earth”. In Revelation6, the
seals ofthis scrollbegan to be opened and the contents of the scrollare read.
When they are, they reveal what will be happening on the earth during the
Tribulation Period.
· Third, it seems that this scroll has something to do with “redemption”.
When Jesus takes this scroll, He is praised for His redemptive work, Rev. 5:9-
10.
This is a book of redemption. Redemption is something we talk about a
lot. It is an important truth. Understanding redemption is vital to
understanding God’s greatplan for the ages. Everything He does and has
ever done is related to His redemptive work.
To understand redemption, we need to look back to Old Testamenttimes.
In that time period, three things could be redeemed.

1. A Slave could be redeemed – If a master losta servant, he could pay a
redemption price and buy that servantback. (Ill. That is what Jesus did when
He came to die on the cross for us, Rev. 5:9; Gal. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19. We have
been “bought with a price”, 1 Cor. 6:19-20.)
2. A Wife could be redeemed – If a woman was left as a widow with no male
children, a close kinsmanof her dead husband could redeem her, and her
husbands inheritance, by paying a redemption price. This is seenin the book
of Ruth, when Boazpaid the price to redeem Ruth and her dead husband’s
inheritance. (Ill. Jesus died on the cross to redeem a Bride unto Himself, Eph.
5:25-27.)
3. Land could be redeemed – If a man lostthe land he had been given as an
inheritance, he could buy his property back by paying a redemption price.
This truth is demonstrated in Jeremiah 32. Jeremiah’s uncle had lost a
piece of property. Jeremiah’s cousin comes to him when he is in prison and he
asks Jeremiahto buy back the property, v. 8. Jeremiahdoes this and records
the transactionon a scrolland seals it up, v. 10.
From what I have read, they would record the information relatedto
the redemption on both sides of a scroll. On the inside they would write the
reasonthe land was forfeited. On the outside they would write the terms of
the redemption.
Apparently, they kept two copies of this transaction;one was open to
the public for all to read and another copy was kept sealedup, v. 10-11. These
scrolls were laid up in the Temple, in earthen jars for safekeeping, v. 14.
Jeremiahserves the function of a kinsman redeemerfor the property that
belongedto his uncle. (Ill. What we are witnessing in Rev. 5 is the heavenly
version of what men did in Old Testamenttimes. If you will notice, the book
God holds is written on both sides. It is written up and sealedjust like a deed.
When Jesus died on the cross, He did not just die for us, He also died
for a ruined creation, Rom. 8:22-23.)

B. The Contents Of This Scroll – I believe this scrollthat we see here, is the
title deed to the planet earth. When man sinned in Eden, sin entered this
universe. Manfell that day, and God’s creationcame under a tragic curse.
We will never know the full extent to which sin has ruined creation;but we do
know that when Adam fell; creationfell also.
Here is the problem, when God made man and placedhim in the
Garden of Eden, God gave man dominion over all of creation, Gen. 1:27-28.
When man fell, he gave awayhis dominion and Satanbecame the godof this
world, 2 Cor. 4:4. When God sent Jesus to redeem mankind on the cross, the
blood of Jesus redeemedfallensinners. But, it was and is also sufficient to
break the bondage of sin over creation. The SecondAdam bought back
everything the first Adam gave away.
So, this scrollin the hand of God is written within and without. On the
inside is the tragic story of sin, tragedy, death, failure and defeat. On the
outside are the terms of redemption. If we could read these terms, we would
find that the redeemer must be one who is willing to redeemand one who is
worthy to redeem.
I. A Mysterious Scroll
II. v. 2-4 A METICULOUS SEARCH
(Ill. That is a little information regarding the characterand the content of this
mysterious scrollJohn saw in the hand of God. Forthe next few verses, this
scrollis front and center in Heaven, as a searchis made for one who is worthy
to break the seals and read the contents of the scroll.)
A. v. 2 The Requirements Of This Search – An angelasks the all important
question, “Who is worthy to open the book?” The questionis this: “Who is
morally fit to read the text of this scrolland to carry out all that is necessary
to redeem the earth?”

Notice that the angeldid not say, “Who is willing to open the book?”
There have been many men down through the ages that were more than
willing, but they were not able. More than one ruler has determined that he
would have dominion over the earth.
Alexander the Great conqueredthe knownworld by the time he was 33
and wept because there were no more lands to conquer. He did not redeem
the world; he left it worse than he found it! Before him, Nebuchadnezzar saw
himself as the greatestruler ever. He was not worthy to take dominion either.
Julius Caesar, NapoleonBonaparte, Charlemagne, Adolph Hitler and scores
of others were more than willing to have dominion over the earth, but they
were not worthy.
Soon, the world will see the rise of a demonically chargedmadman called
the Antichrist. He will come far closerthan any mortal man to ruling the
world; but in the end, he will merely ruin the world. He too will prove that he
is unworthy to possessthe title deed to this planet and to rule over all.
Thank God, there is One Who is worthy to take the book and to open its
seals. We will discoverwhy He is worthy in just a few minutes.
B. v. 3 The ReachOfThis Search – A searchis made throughout the
universe for one man who is worthy to take the book and open it up. They
searchedHeavenabove; Hell beneath and earth in between. Theycould find
no one worthy to take the book!
There was no saint in Heaven, not Abraham, Moses, David, or Paul, found
worthy. Gabriel, Michaeland all the angelic host of Heaven were not worthy
to take that book. No one living on the earth, no king, no president, no ruler,
no billionaire, no politician, no scientist, no preacher, no one was worthy to
take the book. No one in Hell, no demon, no doomed sinner, not even old
Satanhimself, was worthy to take that book.
They searchedhigh and low, but no man was found who was even worthy
to look upon the book that restedin the hand of Almighty God!

C. v. 4 The Results Of This Search – When the results of the searchare made
public, something happens in Heaven that had probably never happened
before or since:John burst into tears!
There are two words used for weeping in the New Testament. One is used
in John 11:35, where the Bible says, “Jesus wept.” Thatwordrefers to “silent
weeping”. Jesusstoodthere at the tomb of His friend and He wept in silence.
The other word is used when Jesus weptover Jerusalem, Luke 19:41. This
word refers to “uncontrollable sobbing.” It is the kind of crying that a small
child does when its little heart is broken. It is the kind of weeping you see
when someone loses a loved one unexpectedly. It is open, unabashed weeping!
It is the same word used of John’s weeping in this verse. John is in Heaven
and he is weeping out loud because no one is worthy to open the book, or even
to look upon it.
Why is John weeping? John knows whatthat book represents. He knows
that if no one can open the book, creationis doomed to feel the effects ofsin
for eternity. John’s tears represent the tears of all humanity since man fell in
Eden. John weeps for us all!
I. A Mysterious Scroll
II. A Meticulous Search
III. v. 5-7 A MAGNIFICENT SAVIOR
(Ill. We have seenThe Mysterious Scrolland The Meticulous Search. In these
verses, we are going to meet the One Who is worthy to take the book, to look
on the book and to open the book. We are introduced in these verses to A
MagnificentSavior!
John is weeping, but one of the elders comes to him and gives him some
encouraging news. He tells John to wipe his eyes and stop his crying because,

while no mere man is worthy, One has been discoveredWho is! Let’s examine
this worthy One together.
Notice the elder’s words, “Weepnot, behold…” Then, he points John to
Jesus! That is the messagethe church has been preaching for 2,000 years,
“Weepnot, behold…” Regardlessofthe problem, Jesus is the solution! Weep
not, look to Jesus and He will meet the need! What a Savior!)
A. v. 5 A Conquering Lion – The elder tells John that “the Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the Rootof David hath prevailed…” When John hears the title
“Lion of the tribe of Judah”, he immediately knows that the elder is referring
to the Messiah. InGen. 49:8-10, the Jews are promised that a greatruler will
arise out of Judah. Like a lion, He will be powerful, strong, brave, majestic,
and He will be a mighty conqueror. The Jews were looking fora Messiah
Who would throw off the yoke of their oppressors and give them liberty.
They were looking for a military leader to lead them to victory over their
enemies.
This person is also called“the Rootof David”. This title reflects both the
humanity and the deity of the MessiahWho was to come. He would raise up
the withered branch of the line of David and bring it to poweronce again.
That is the human side of the Messiah. But, He was also the “powerbehind
the throne”. The Messiahwas the Rootout of which David sprang! So, He
was a King and He was the King of Kings!
When Jesus came to this world, claiming to be the Messiah, He did not
fulfill the expectations ofthe Jewishpeople. Insteadof delivering the Jews
from their bondage in a great military victory, and establishing the Kingdom
of Heaven on earth, Jesus went around healing, preaching and performing
miracles. As a result, the Jews rejectedHim and their Messiahand crucified
the “Lion of the tribe of Judah, and the Rootof David”.
When John hears of Jesus in Heaven, He is describedas a mighty Lion and
as a King and as the King of Kings. John is told that this Lion has prevailed.
So, Jesus is described as a Conquering Lion.

B. v. 6 A Crucified Lamb – When John turns around to see this mighty,
conquering Lion, he sees a “lamb as it had been slain.” The word “lamb”
means “a little lamb; a pet lamb”. When John looked, he expectedto see a
greatand powerful Lion; what he saw insteadwas a little, pet Lamb.
Of course, this scene is wrapped up in Jewishsymbolism also. With this
image of the “little Lamb”, we are reminded of the Passoverlamb. In Exodus
12, the people of Israel were instructed to selecta perfectlamb, one without
blemish and without spot. They were to take that lamb into their home and
nourish it and care for it for a number of days. During that time, you know
what happened, that little lamb became like a pet lamb to that family. Then,
on the prescribed day, they were take that lamb, kill it, apply its blood to the
doorposts of their home, roastits little body and eat it. When the people did
this, they were promised that they would be spared when the Lord came to
judge the Egyptians. Don’t you know that it broke the hearts of that little
family to kill that pet lamb?
In that little dead lamb, the Israelites were givena power picture of what
the Lord was going to do someday through the RedeemerHe was going to
send into the world. Just as that family would kill their pet lamb; God would
judge His darling Son on Calvary’s cross. Oh, how it must have broken the
Father’s heart to send His Son into a world filled with people who would hate
Him, rejectHim and crucify Him. How it must have broken the heart of the
Father to judge the Sonin the place of sinners!
But, it was on the cross that Heaven won the greatestvictory of all time
and eternity! We are told that the Lion-Lamb has “prevailed”. This word
means “to carry off the victory”. Just because Jesus is a Lamb does not mean
that He is weak!Jesus carriedoff the victory at every possible turn.
· He carriedoff the victory on the Mount of Temptation, Matt. 4:1-11.
(Satan thought Jesus would Fall!)
· He carriedoff the victory in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matt. 26:38-44.
(Satan thought Jesus would Fail!)

· He carriedoff the victory on the cross, John19:30. (Satanthought
Jesus was a Fool!)
· He carriedoff the victory when He rose from the dead, Matt. 28:1-8!
(Satan thought Jesus was Finished!)
Satanthought he had defeated Jesus whenJesus died on the cross. Hell
must have celebratedas the broken, bleeding, body of Jesus was removed
from that cross and placedin that borrowed tomb. For three days, the
demons and devils of Hell must have cavortedin glee as they celebratedwhat
they thought was Satan’s victory over the Lord Jesus Christ.
What Satan thought was his greatestvictorywas in fact his greatest
defeat! The cross was God’s greatestaccomplishment! In the cross, God
displayed more powerand glory than He did in creation. When Jesus cried
“It is finished”; it was a far greaterachievementthan when He said, “Let
there be!” Jesus is called“Lamb” 28 times in the book of Revelation. Satan,
the Lamb’s enemy is described as “a great, red dragon”, Rev. 12. Satan’s
poweris describedas massive. He masses a greathuman army and a great
demonic army, all intend on defeating God. Heaven’s response to this vast
display of infernal poweris to send “a little Lamb”. When a nation chooses a
symbol, they usually choose andanimal that suggestspowerand authority.
The Lion is the Symbol of GreatBritain. The Bearis the symbol of Russia.
The Eagle is the symbol of the United States of America. When Heaven
lookedfor a symbol, it shoes a “slainLamb”; a symbol of meekness,
submission and gentleness.JesusconqueredSatan’s kingdom not by military
might, but be meekness,compassion, love and submission!
So, a “little, pet Lamb” won the victory and because ofthat, He is worthy
to take the book. Before we leave this thought, let’s take a moment to examine
this Lamb in a little more detail.
· This Lamb is in Heaven – He is not in a dirty manger. He is not on a
dusty road in Galilee. He is not on a ship in a storm. He is not sitting wearied
and thirty on the rim of a well. He is not hanging in shame and agonyon a
cross. He is not lying in a cold, sealedtomb. He is where He deserves to be.
He is in the throne. He is in Heaven! He is glorified and exalted.

· This Lamb had been there all along – This Lamb had been in the middle
of the actionall along. Johnhad not see Him until now, but He had been
there the while time. Let me just remind you that Jesus is always in the midst
when we gather. We might not recognize Him, but He is always here, Matt.
18:20.
· This Lamb still bore the marks of having been slain – When we see
Jesus in Heaven, we will see the marks of His suffering in His body. For all
eternity, Jesus willbear the wounds of the cross as a constantreminder of
what He did for us. There will be no room for pride in Heaven! No one will
be able to brag about how he got there. When we see Him, we will see His
love on permanent display. What a cause for continuous worship and praise!
· This Lamb was standing – When Jesus ascendedback to Heaven, we
are told that He satdown at the right hand of God, Heb. 1:3. He sat down
because His work of redeeming sinners was complete. He stands in these
verses because His work of delivering the earth is about to begin!
· This Lamb has seven eyes – He is all wise and all knowing. This Lamb
is Omniscient. Nothing escapes His gaze.
C. v. 7 A Completing Lord – The Lamb takes the book out of the hand of
God. When He does, Heaven breaks out in an anthem of praise. Heaven
knows that Jesus is about to do the work of the Lion and deliver the earth and
all of creationfrom the bondage of Satanand from the blight of sin. He is
about to complete His redemptive work.
The Lamb is worthy to take the book and open the seals. If this scroll
really is the title deed to the planet earth, what right does He have to open it?
There are at leastthree reasons why He has this right.
· The world is His by right of Creation – He made it!
· The world is His by right of Calvary – He redeemed it!
· The world is His by right of Conquest – He will retake it!

Conc: One day in Heaven, the Lamb will take the seven-sealedscrollout of
the hand of the Father. When He does, it will signalthe beginning of the end
for sin and for Satan.
On that day, Jesus will receive the glory that He has been denied by the
world for so long. He will be shownto be worthy of worship and to rule and
reign over all of creation. He has earned the right because He squared off
againstall of Hell and He carried off the victory!
Jesus is a Winner! Those who know Him as their Saviorare winners too.
When Jesus stands, takes that scrolland opens it up; we will be standing there
watching and we will rejoice and He takes the world by force.
Who is Jesus to you? He will be Who you let Him be! He will be a Lion
Who will come to judge you some day if that is what you want Him to be. Or,
He will be a Lamb Who will conquer your sins and save your soul. I am glad I
know the Lamb! And, because I do, I will never have to face the Lion! What
about you?
ALAN CARR
Revelation5:8-14
SWEET SONGSIN HEAVENLY PLACES
Intro: This passagefinds us still in Heaven in the presence ofGod and of the
Lamb. The church has been raptured, perfectedand safelydelivered home to
Heaven. The landing has been safe! Revelationchapters 4 and 5 find us in
Heaven’s courtroom. Godis preparing to judge this world. But, before He
does, there is a pause for praise in glory. It is that worship service that we
have been looking at for the last few weeks.
In these verses, Heavenis unable to contain itself and all the residents of
that fair land burst forth in rejoicing and praise to God and the Lamb. There

is praising, singing and there is music. This the first mention of music in this
book, but it will not be the last.
Music is a vital part of our lives. From the time the alarm clock sounds in
the morning, we are surrounded with music. The radio and televisionare all
about music. We have music in our cars, in our homes and at our places of
business. Music is used to move the minds of people. When a restaurant is
busy, for example, they might play fast music. When fast music is playing,
people eatfasterand clearthe tables sooner. Music canset the scene in a film
and let you know whether you should be afraid, sad or happy. Music is an
important part of our lives.
It is also an important part of our walk with the Lord. Eph. 5:19 and Col.
3:16 speak about the vital role music plays in our relationship with the Lord.
Thank God for music that honors Him!
This passageseems to indicate that music will be one of the things that will
follow us from earth to Heaven. The music in Heaven will but serve to make
Heaven sweeter.
In these verses, John takes us into Heaven and gives us front row seats at
the concertof the ages. Let’s go in, take our seats and listen to the hosts of
Heaven as they lift their voices in praise and worship of God and the Lamb.
As the Lord gives liberty, I want to preachon the thought of SweetSongs In
Heavenly Places.
I. v. 8 THE SINGERS OF HEAVEN’S SWEET SONG
A. The Identity Of The Singers – The four beasts and the twenty-four elders
make up this heavenly choir. When the Lamb takes the book they begin to
praise His name. Remember, these four beasts representall of createdlife.
The twenty-four elders represent every one of God’s redeemed ones. They
picture all the saints of God, in His presence, singing His praises. (Ill. These

twenty-four elders are us! What they are doing is what we will be doing on
that day!)
B. The Involvement Of The Singers – What are these redeemedones doing?
They are doing what they do every time we see them in the Revelation:they
are on their face in the presence oftheir Redeemer, offering Him their love,
their praise and their worship, Rev. 4:10; 5:8; 5:14; 7:11; 19:4.
Let there be no mistake about it, when we arrive home in Heaven, we will
be busy praising the One Who died for our sins on the cross! We will all
praise Him when we get to Heaven! (Ill. We ought to be doing it now – Heb.
13:15;Psa. 107:21.)
C. The Instruments Of The Singers – We are told that these worshippers
have certain items in their possession. Theyuse these items in their worship
of the Lord.
1. Instruments Of Praise – The harp was used to accompanythe people of the
Lord as they praised God and sang His psalms, 2 Sam. 6:5; Psalm 92:1-4;
Psalm150:3.
It appears that instruments will accompanythe singing and the worship in
that land. I thank God for the ones who play the music in our services. What
a blessing they are! Some of the rest of us will be able to make beautiful music
to the glory of God when we arrive home.
2. Instruments Of Prophecy – The harp was also associatedwith prophecy, 1
Sam. 10:5. Elisha prophesied while a man played on a harp, 2 Kings 3:15.
The harp is also tied to prophecy in 1 Chron. 25:1.
The worshippers in Heaven are praising God because He is about finish
the fulfillment of all His prophecies. Theyworship Him because He has
promised it and He is about to bring it all to pass.
3. Instruments Of Prayer – The “goldenvials full of odours” are said to be
full of “the prayers of the saints.” These worshippers come before the Lord
with all the prayers of the redeemedthrough the ages. These prayers have

ascendedinto God’s presence with a sweetaroma. Theseprayers that were
offered in faith are about to be answeredin power.
Ill. Jesus told His people to pray this prayer: “Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven,” Matt. 6:9-10. God’s children have prayed that prayer for
at leasttwo thousand years. And, for two thousand years evil has reignedin
this world. Godhas been hearing those prayers and He had not forgottena
single on of them. They are about to be answeredin a demonstration of His
power.
That is why Heaven praises God! He is a God Who hears and answers the
prayers of His children! Nota single prayer that prayed within the scope of
His will ever falls to the ground unheard and unanswered, 1 John 5:13-14;
James 4:2-3. But, every one will be answeredin His time and in His way.
I. The Singers Of Heaven’s SweetSongs
II. v. 9-10 THE SUBJECT OF HEAVEN’S SWEET SONG
(Ill. Down here, people sing about everything under the sun! If you listen to
secularmusic, you know they make up songs about everything! The church is
just about as bad. I heard a song one time that has a line that goes like this:
“We are bound togetherin all we do by the Holy Spirit and Elmer’s Glue.”
That is silly! Church folks will sing songs about mama and her Bible; daddy
and his hands; “The Little Brown Church In The Vale”;angels holding up
ladder, etc.
While many of the songs people sing in the church are about as spiritual as
a worm wrestle, there are others that are helpful to our hearts. But, isn’t it
true that most of the songs we sing are less about glorifying the Lord than
they are about encouraging our own hearts?

In Heaven every song will have the same theme. In Heaven, every song
will be about Jesus. Everysong will glorify Him: Who He is and what He has
done. Let’s examine this “new song” that they are singing in Heaven.)
A. v. 9a TheySing About The PersonOf The Lamb – They lift their voices
and sing “Thouart worthy!” The song of Heaven declares the worth of the
Lamb of God. He is the focus of the song. He is the objectof their praise.
They lift up His Name because He is worthy to be praised.
By the way, Jesus is just as worthy of praise today as He will be when we
arrive home in Heaven! He is still Lord. He is still God. He is still our
Redeemer. He is worthy of every Amen!”; “Hallelujah!”; and “Glory to
God!” He receives. He is still worthy of every saint who stands to say, “I love
Jesus and I thank Him for saving my soul!” He is worthy!
Our problem here is that our praise is diluted by the twin problems of
pride and evil. We don’t praise Him because we are afraid of what someone
else might think. And, we don’t praise Him because we are usually not in a
position to feel the touch of His Spirit.
If we could just lose our pride and deal with our sins, the Lord would
come close to us and remind us of the worth of the Lamb and we would offer
up His praises. Whetherwe ever graspit or not down here, Jesus is worthy to
be praised.
B. v. 9b They Sing About The PassionOf The Lamb – They sing because the
Lamb was “slain”. Thatword means “to butcher”. It brings to mind the
brutality of the death Jesus endured for you and me, Isa. 52:14;Isa. 53:4-6.
Heaven praises Jesus becauseHe went to the cross and bore the sins of the
guilty so they we might be saved. Heavenpraises Him because He died for
them!
That is a worthy refrain for us to pick us here on earth! I can’t think of a
better thing to sing about than the death of Jesus! I love those old songs about
the Lamb and the blood! Praise God, when I hear Heaven sing about the
Lamb, I am tempted to join right in!

At The Cross
Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
and did my Sovereigndie!
Would he devote that sacredhead
for such a worm as I?
Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groanedupon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
Chorus:
At the cross, atthe cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I receivedmy sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
DownAt The Cross
Downat the cross where my Savior died,
Downwhere for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

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