Sunday School Lesson
May 09, 2004
WORTHY IS THE LAMB
Bible Background—REVELATION 4—5
Focal Verses—REVELATION 5:1-10
Devotional Reading—REVELATION 4:1-11
1. We will understand that in HIS glorious position as “LAMB OF GOD,” JESUS is second only to GOD the FATHER
2. We will understand that JESUS is the only ONE in heaven or earth qualified to reveal HIS FATHER’S DIVINE PURPOSE.
“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the LAMB that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).
John had a vision in which GOD held a sealed scroll, which no one was worthy to open and read. Then one of the elders identified the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, as worthy to open the scroll. JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO was slain for our sins, is worthy of all power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.
By way of background, according to the Gospel of Mark, John was the brother of James, the son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19). Scholars speculate that Salome, one of the women who was a witness to CHRIST’S crucifixion, was John’s mother. If, as John’s Gospel suggests, Salome and Mary were sisters, then John may have been JESUS’ cousin (John 19:25).
John, his brother James, and Simon Peter were fishing beside the Sea of Galilee when JESUS ordered them to sail out onto the lake and let down their nets. The miraculous catch of fish convinced the brothers JESUS’ divinity. They immediately “forsook all, and followed HIM” (Luke 5:11).
JESUS recognized the impulsiveness of John and labeled him and his brother the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). At the time of JESUS’ death, John was the only apostle bold enough to stand at the foot of the cross. It was here that JESUS committed the care of HIS mother to John (John 19:26-27). Upon hearing that JESUS’ body was no longer in the tomb, John ran ahead of Peter. Although he reached the tomb first, he allowed Simon Peter to go into the burial chamber ahead of him (John 20:1-4, 8).
Scholars believe that John was the most prolific writer among the original apostles. John is thought to be the author of the Gospel bearing his name, the letters of John, and the Book of Revelation. John, it is widely held, cared for JESUS’ mother and served as pastor of the congregation in Ephesus, where it is believed she died.
Refusing to honor the state religion of Rome, John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, a small, rocky island off the coast of Asia Minor, by the Roman emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96). From this barren island, John wrote the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9, 11, 19; 10:4). It is generally thought that John lived to an old age and that his body was returned to Ephesus for burial.
Under Mosaic Law, all firstborn male lambs were to be offered as a sacrifice. During annual festivals, male lambs were typically sacrificed (Numbers 28:11; 29:1-38). Female lambs could be presented as a sin offering (Leviticus 4:32), a communion sacrifice (3:6), or a guilt offering (5:6).
Under the Old Testament regulations for sacrifice, the worshipper brought an unblemished lamb to the door of the tent or temple. The worshipper placed his hands on the lamb’s head, and the animal was “accepted for him to make atonement for him” (Leviticus 1:4). The priest would then kill the lamb at the door and sprinkle its blood around the altar. The animal was quartered, and its head and fat were offered on the altar. The legs and entrails were then washed and offered, Any remains would be thrown into the ashes.
Throughout the Bible, the term “lamb” is used to symbolize the innocent, defenseless, and often abused people of GOD (2 Samuel 24:17; Psalm 44:11; 119:176; Matthew 10:6; Romans 8:36). Isaiah’s prophecy indicated that JESUS was a mute sheep that would be brought to the slaughter (53:7). Similarly, John the Baptist identified JESUS as “THE LAMB OF GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
1. THE PROBLEM (Revelation 5:1-3)
Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation (along with Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1) are among the most majestic, awe-inspiring, and breathtaking chapters in the Bible. They present such vivid images that we feel we are almost looking through a peephole into heaven. In the children’s story Alice in Wonderland, Alice goes through a rabbit hole and into a world where she sees strange and wonderful things. Similarly, but at a far deeper level, in Revelation we travel into the world of GOD’S reality where we witness wonderful things.
In chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation, our attention has been focused on the throne and its occupant. Chapter 5 turns our attention to the book and the recipient of the book. The book is initially located in the right of the ONE seated on the throne. Almost all commentaries understand this person to be GOD. The book, more likely a scroll (a long sheet of papyrus or vellum) has writing that overflows—“written within and on the backside.” Additionally, the book or scroll is secured with seven seals. In chapter 6, we will see that the book contains GOD’S PLAN for the world. The immediate problem, however, is that it appears there is no one worthy to open the book. After a thorough search “in heaven” and “in earth” and “under the earth,” it is announced that no one qualified person was found to open the book or to read the contents. This three-fold characterization of the universe is quite similar to the description in Philippians 2:10.
2. THE REACTION (vv.4-5)
Revelation 4:4 introduced the reader to twenty- four elders. One of these elders pinpoints the ideal individual to unwind the scroll and unloose the seals on it. Perhaps sensing the hopelessness of humankind, the writer demonstrates his sorrow and begins to weep. John continues to cry until one of the elders announces that CHRIST will open the book. CHRIST is described as “the LION of the tribe of Juda.” You may recall that Judah’s father, Jacob, described his son Judah in these terms when he blessed his sons shortly before his death (Genesis 49:8-9). The descriptive term “lion” serves to emphasize CHRIST’S KINGSHIP and HIS POSITION as the NOBLEST of the sons of GOD. CHRIST’S heirship to the throne of Judah is further secured in the description of HIM as the “ROOT OF DAVID” (Revelation 5:5; cf. 2 Samuel 7:8-16; Matthew 22:42-43). Here we see the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.
3. THE REVELATION (vv.6-7)
What follows is one of the most paradoxical portions of Revelation. The lion is revealed to John as a lamb. Even more startling is the description of the lamb. Here is one of the most intriguing ideas in the Bible: the speaker points to a lion, and the hearer sees a lamb! These two animals seem worlds apart. A lion is majestic, and a lamb is meek. Yet, JESUS is both LION and LAMB. HE is as the victim and sufferer as well as the victor and sovereign. Two features of the LORD as the LAMB attract our attention. First, this lamb appears as if it had been slain. Isaiah 53:7 says that CHRIST was “brought as a lamb to the slaughter.” The glorified LAMB and RISEN LORD still bears the scars from suffering for our sins.
Second, the LAMB’S seven horns signify perfect strength, and HIS seven eyes undoubtedly means that HE is ALL-SEEING and (therefore) ALL-KNOWING. There is (actually) only one HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, but “seven spirits” must mean that CHRIST possessed the fullest fullness of the HOLY SPIRIT possible (see John 3:34b). Again, this presents, from a human perspective, a contradiction in ideas. The lamb is generally portrayed as a meek and mild creature; yet it is strength, rather than timidity, that is being emphasized here. Clearly, CHRIST has not been weakened by death. Finally, the lamb is portrayed as having seven eyes. If we remember that seven is the biblical number of completeness, we can understand that these eyes represent the fullness of GOD scrutinizing the entire earth.
The imagery presented in these verses represent JESUS as the LAMB OF GOD, sacrificed for the sins of the world. JESUS alone is worthy to open the book because HE overcame the world by sacrificing HIMSELF. Thus, the LAMB OF GOD defeated sin and death and through this act is worthy to return as the LION to rule the nations.
4. THE REVERENCE (vv.8-100
At the revelation that ONE who is worthy to open the sealed book has been found, all of creation begins to praise the LAMB. In deference to HIM, the twenty-four elders fall down in front of the throne and begin to worship the LAMB. The elders have the traditional instruments of praise: harps and lyres. The prayers of the saints are described as incense in golden bowls, thus indicating that out prayers are sweet smelling to the LORD.
The worthiness of the LAMB is exalted in the song that acknowledges the redemptive quality of the LAMB’S death. The BLOOD of the LAMB purchased all of mankind, for “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” is being represented. The song also praises and acknowledges the LAMB as being responsible for the positioning of the redeemed as GOD’S “kings and priests,” who will be appointed to “reign on earth.”
One of the hallmarks of the television adventure shows of the 1960s and 1970s was the paradox of the hero. A quiet, unassuming character was often, in fact, the hero or superhero. The mild-mannered Clark Kent would discard his business suit and become Superman. Similarly, millionaire Bruce Wayne would slide down a pole and emerge as Batman. Within thirty minutes, television viewers were certain that the superhero would thwart evil, vanquish the villain, and save humanity.
The Christian’s image of JESUS is often just as simplistic. We are content to view HIM as a longhaired fellow, strolling down the streets of Jerusalem in a long robe, dispensing blessings. The gentle and holy, meek and lowly JESUS is the one that many of us are most comfortable worshipping. The Book of Revelation presents us with a startling but necessary contrast. CHRIST’S awesome majesty compels not only John, the author, but also all of the heavenly creatures to fall on their face before HIM. Picturing JESUS as weak is erroneously childish notion. JESUS, the LION OF JUDAH, IS ALL-POWERFUL!
THINK ABOUT IT!!!!
Spiritually Yours,
Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD