Max's Weekly Musings
Vol. 9, No. 35, for the week of October 1-7, 2006
Revelation 5

 

What a week of tragedy!  What a week of triumph!  And both occurred in the same place - a little one-room school outside of Paradise, PA, right in the heart of Amish Country.  The tragedy - a crazed man enters the one-room Amish school house, releases all the boys from the room, ties the girls up and then executes them one by one before killing himself.  Five little innocent girls were murdered, and several others lie in critical condition in area hospitals.  Innocence was snuffed out in one moment of senseless rage.  But the scene of triumph also occurred in the Amish community.  The media reporting the events have been shocked by the attitude of forgiveness on the part of the Amish community.  One reporter admitted that she did not understand how the Amish could go to the widow of the man responsible for these heinous crimes and give aid and forgiveness to her and her family.  In one interview I heard an Amish woman who, as a midwife, had assisted in the birth of several of the young girls who were murdered, relate that forgiveness was possible because she had been forgiven by Jesus Christ.  That is a triumphant testimony!  Out of the ashes beauty can blossom forth. 

 

One of the great lessons to be learned from the tragedies the past two weeks in America's school houses (a principal shot in Wisconsin by a student who felt he was unfairly being punished for having tobacco in school which was a violation of school policy, and another crazed man in Colorado who took young teenaged girls hostage, molested them and then killed one girl as she tried to escape, before taking his own life), is that life is short and comes with no guarantees.  Each day is a gift to us from God and we need to use it for His honor and glory. 

 

Speaking of giving honor and glory to the Lord, let us return to Revelation 4 and 5, the scene there at the throne room of God.  We examined Revelation 4 last week.  This week we turn out attention to the events that occur in Revelation 5.

 

I.  The Lamb receives the book that had been sealed with the seven seals (Revelation 5:7).  This is the most climactic act in all of history.  This act of taking the book from the Father's hand is evidence that judgment and power over all the earth are now committed to Christ (Daniel 7:13-14)

 

II.  There will be much worship (Revelation 4:10 and Revelation 5:9-14)

 

    A.  Who is the center of our worship?  It is the Lamb (Revelation 5:12)

    B.  For what do we praise the Lamb? (Revelation 5:12-14)

 

          1.  He is worthy to receive power (Matthew 28:18, Colossians 1:16)

          2.  He is worthy to receive wealth.  The unlimited wealth of God is His by right of creation and redemption.

          3.  He is worthy to receive wisdom.  He is able to handle every situation with perfect justice (Colossians 2:3)

          4.  He is worthy to receive strength.  This emphasizes the might or power of Christ.  Nothing is able to resist His mighty power.

          5.  He is worthy to receive honor - only He is worthy of absolute honor (John 5:22-23)

          6.  He is worthy to receive glory (John 17:5, Philippians 2:6-8)

          7.  He is worthy to receive praise.  He is worthy of all praise and eulogies.

 

Thoughts to Ponder:  There is only one who is worthy to be praised.  That is the Lamb who was slain for our sins.  We see here, in Revelation 5, a portrait in miniature of what Paul describes in Philippians 2 of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Oh what a great day that will be!  But why wait?  Let's join together in praise before the Lord right now.  Every time we worship it should be a prelude to heaven.  Praise the Lord!

 

    As this next scene is unveiled to John there is a note of tension within the heavenly realms.  In God's hand was a scroll that had been sealed with seven seals.  God was extending that scroll for anyone to take.  No one felt worthy to take it.  Its importance was never questioned.  Only the worthiness of the one who should open and read it.  Then the Lamb, the Son of God, stepped forward and claimed the scroll.  And all the choirs of heaven proclaimed His worthiness.  We indeed serve a Savior who is worthy of our praise.  Who is worthy of our worship.  Who is worthy of our service.  He who died for us is worthy of all that we are and have.  I believe it is time that we restore the worth-ship back into our worship.  That we focus upon Jesus rather than ourselves.  That we seek to touch His heart rather than seeking to touch our own.  Our songs are to be sung to Jesus.  Our prayers directed to Jesus.  Our offerings given to Jesus.  Our message proclaimed before Jesus.  And when this happens we shall once again become the powerful people of God that He desires.

 

    In the hand of the one sitting upon the throne there was a scroll sealed not with one seal but with seven.  The creatures of heaven cried out to know what was in the scroll, but no one with authority was found who could open it.  Then the Lamb stepped forward and to Him was handed the scroll.  Yes, Jesus Christ was worthy because of the sacrifice He had made.  To Him was given the right to judge the kingdoms of this earth.  To Him was given the authority and the responsibility to direct the events of the closing days of this age.  When He receives the book, it is little wonder that the citizens of heaven begin to sing.  Yes, He and He alone is worthy!

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Those who are wise consider how God responds to their worship (David Mains)