Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Let’s Sing!

Reflection: WORTHY IS THE LAMB

The world often seems out of control, with no captain sailing the ship or pilot flying the plane. Revelation 5 assures us that God has appointed Jesus to rule history and bring it to its appointed climax.

In Revelation 5 John’s wide-angle lens narrows in from God on the throne to a tightly sealed scroll in his hand. This scroll contains God’s plans for history. But John weeps, for there’s no-one found worthy to open the scroll. Then John sees two images which together show us Jesus. First, he sees a majestic lion, an image of a powerful ruler. But at the same time, he sees a Lamb that was slain to set his people free. This is Jesus, the mighty creator and Lord of all who is our crucified Saviour. By his death Jesus has set his people free and has been given authority to rule all things, including the whole course of human history.

Finally, John hears two songs sung by all God’s people and millions of angels, giving all honour, and glory to God and the Lamb. Millions of angels and a crowd more than anyone can number. I hope you enjoy singing. One day we’ll join this heavenly choir. What a hope!

Prayer:

Lord, today we join the chorus of the heavenly choir and proclaim, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise.’ Hallelujah. Amen.

Revelation 5:1-14

The Scroll and the Lamb

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.

Let’s Sing!

Day 13 of 14

NIV

Revelation 5:11-13

Days

Revelation 5:1-14