From
Revelation 4 and 5 (NIV) … the voice I had
first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what
must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in
the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on
it. 3 And the one who sat
there had the appearance of jasper and ruby … Then 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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a
loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under
the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 5 Then 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.” 8 And when
he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down
before the Lamb. 9 And 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.11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many
angels, … They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
12 In 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!” 14 The
four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Just as learning the language of
another culture opens up a new world for us, so Revelation opens up a new way
of understanding the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In the center of this ethereal setting
is a magnificent throne. On the throne is a Being that we recognize is God. In
God’s hand are seven scrolls, each with a special seal. Who is worthy to open
the scrolls? The four creatures around the throne are silent. The twenty-four
impressive people are silent and pensive. Something is wrong. Everyone wants to
know what is written on the scrolls, but no one feels adequate or worthy to
read and understand. Out of the shadows steps One who looks like a Lion, and
suddenly all begin to chant, “Worthy, Worthy, Worthy.”
This is a picture that is meant to say something to
us, and the word that is central in the picture is the word “worthy.” Clearly,
the picture says that Jesus, the Lion of Judah, has the wisdom and power to
open the scrolls. And what do the scrolls say? Because John introduces the
heavenly scene by writing, “I will show you what must take
place after this,” we assume that the
message of the scrolls is about what the future holds.” Jesus holds the scrolls.
He holds the key to understanding what the future holds. The future is not in
the hands of the devil, nor of a human government, nor of blind fate. The point
is that if we know the Lamb that was slain, we know something about the future,
and what we know is important. The gentle Lamb is also a powerful Lion. The
victim is the victor.
John called the Church then and he calls the Church
now to see that the future is in the hands of the Lamb. This helps us see
through the temporary appearances of things to the more permanent truth of the
way God is unfolding the future. Jesus gives us the wisdom to see God even in
the events that seem to deny that plan and that purpose. Jesus gives us the
power to respond with a trust in God even when events overwhelm us.
From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope April
30, 1995
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell (Broyles)
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