Revelation 5

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 5 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 29 September 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
(Revelation 5:1-14)

Yesterday, we ponder on the beauty and majesty of heaven as revealed to John by the Spirit of God. Our appropriate response is worship. Today’s passage draws us deeper into the heart of worship. The word ‘worship’ is about giving someone all he is worth. In worship, we proclaim that God is worthy, God is holy, God is mighty. The best way to worship God is to let God be God, and to let God be the I AM. We worship God not on the basis of our own feelings, but on the basis of the truth of God’s Eternal Personhood. John is able to see the glory of God revealed and revered by the four living creatures and twenty four elders. It gives us the picture of a time that comes when every knee (both good and evil), every tongue (both gracious and slanderous), every tribe (of all colors and ethnicities), everyone living and dead will bow down and cry out: “You are worthy!”

In crying out worthy with our lips, there is another thing we can do. Fall down and prostrate ourselves in utter humility. This dual dispositions show us again that whenever we come to Church to worship, have a vision of the glory of God and the constant awareness that we ourselves are lowly. We ourselves are humble servants. We are not worthy. Looking at the great gap between God’s worthiness and man’s unworthiness, we will get a sense of impossibility how we can ever be saved. Slowly and gradually, we will be lifted up. God comes to us and says: “In Christ, you are forgiven.”

That is grace unlimited.

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Time for Reflection: “There is a difference between going to a service “for the worship” and going to a service “to worship the Lord.” The distinction appears to be a minor one, but it may imply the difference between the worship of God and the worship of music!” (Sinclair B. Ferguson)

conrade

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This “Read Through the New Testament” project and commentary is sent to you from Theology@Work, a ministry that helps apply theology in our daily lives, and seeks to inculcate, faith, hope and love in our heads, hearts and hands. If you find this meditation helpful, forward it to friends or encourage them to subscribe here. You can contact me (conrade) at yapdates@aim.com.