Introduction

Chapter five continues the vision the Apostle John saw in chapter four; The vision of the throne of God. There, God is seen as being worshiped as the Sovereign Creator. But here in chapter five the focus moves to John seeing the Lamb (Jesus) as Redeemer. So, in this part of the vision, John sees Jesus at the center of the throne. This shows Jesus worthiness to take the scroll from the Father's right hand. In the second half of our text this morning we see the oneness of Jesus with the Father. He shares the Father's nature and His glory. And because the slaughtered Lamb has been resurrected, He stands at the center of the throne ready to carry out His heavenly ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit.

5 Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4 And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne. 8 When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. 12 They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! 13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say: Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

We could talk about several different parts of this passage, but that would take an extended amount of time. So I want to focus on two truths I believe we can see coming through loud and clear from this text.

First, We as humans are eternally helpless without a Savior. John's response is the same as all humanity when they realize they cannot save themselves. The Gospel is "Good News!" There will be an end to sin! But how would you feel if there was no victory over death? How would you feel if there was no end the all the pain and suffering on earth? What if there was no power to defeat Satan, and no help and no end to the addictions that destroy so many lives?

There are worldviews that say that humanity derived the plan of the world and humanity will be the one to bring it to a peaceful and complete climax. There are others who insist there is no grand plan and story of life and hope at all. They say it simply doesn’t exist. But the Apostle John identifies with us when he asks the question that all humans ask; Is there a God , and will He come to our rescue? In Jesus Christ, God's ringing answer is YES!

God is not sitting somewhere completely oblivious of the evil and suffering in this world. He is active and His plan is coming together. He is redeeming His people and transforming this world. When John mentions in this passage there is the existence of a scroll (plan), this proves that God has a plan. God is on His throne. There is a scroll in His right hand, and one day it will be opened. My friends, there may be battles to be fought on this side of eternity, but the war has been won!