How many times in a single day, do we just wish that we knew the ‘right’ thing to do? We might be faced with a decision on where to shop for food, what is most healthy for us to eat and drink, what career paths do we follow, where to go to school, who to date, or which sport to play this year. All of these decisions have consequences and you wish that someone would just tell you what to do.
When it comes to making decisions, it’s often easy to ignore what relevant Bible verses tells us about seeking a wisdom greater than our own. It says the Bible is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. This verse tells us that when we do not know what the right first choice is, we should rely on God’s word for our help. God’s word can be the answer to your questions. It can be the light to show you which path to take. The key is to spend time in God’s word and get to know what God says. God’s word will bring light and help you make the right decision.
If we spend time reading the Bible and getting to know Jesus, we find that often the decision we are to make seems much clearer. So the next time we are faced with a tough decision, do what this Bible verse says. Spend some time in God’s word, let them reveal Jesus to you. let it guide you into making good decisions. The revelation of Jesus, the image of that revelation, is what is most impactful.
But, what about the revelation, the vision of Jesus, will help us make the final decision to follow him with the entirety of our lives, If we are to be choosing what we hope and pray are the right career paths, the right relational paths, the healthiest paths, what image or vision of Jesus projected upon our hearts and our souls will “click on the light at the end of our tunnels,” illuminating paths of worthiness, towards steadfastly believing; “I’m on exactly the right track?”
Revelation 5:1-14 (NKJV)
The Lamb Takes the Scroll
5 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open [a]and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and [b]to loose its seven seals.”
6 And I looked, [c]and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
Worthy Is the Lamb
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made [d]us kings[e] and priests to our God;
And [f]we shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and [g]ever!”
14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the [h]twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped [i]Him who lives forever and ever.
The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
A preacher was showing a child a painting of Jesus. Trying to explain that we didn’t really know what Jesus looked like he said: “It’s not really Jesus. It’s just an artist’s conception of him.”
The child looked long and hard at the picture and said; “Well, it sure looks like him,”
(Dick Van Dyke Readers Digest 2/71 p. 232)
Most people already have a picture or a vision in their mind of what Jesus is supposed to have looked like. But – if they saw a picture of what John describes Jesus to be in Revelation 5 – that wouldn’t be precisely what they’d imagine.
At the beginning of this chapter, John is weeping because it seemed no one could be found who was worthy to open the mighty book. Then one of the elders said to him,
“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5
Now I can get into Jesus being the Lion of Judah.
Lions are regal, powerful, majestic. They’re cool!
But when John looks around… he doesn’t see a Lion does he?
What does John see? (a lamb)
“… between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6
Now take a look at the lamb in the image above.
Notice anything different about the image from what you would usually expect to see in any farmers field?
That Lamb doesn’t look in the least bit normal does it?
It doesn’t look in the least like how I would picture Jesus.
So… is this really how Jesus looks?
Well… yes.
And no.
You see, Revelation is a book of imagery.
Most of what it tells us is not meant to be taken literally.
Now there are scholars, teachers of Revelation who try to teach that practically everything in Revelation is literal. And if you were to suggest to them that some part of Revelation should be seen as a spiritual picture God was painting… those prophetic teachers would try to ridicule, criticize you before “correcting” you.
But this is definitely not a literal snapshot of how Jesus actually would look in heaven. For no such snapshot exists or is ever likely to exist absent photoshop.
This is a spiritual portrait of WHO Jesus is.
How many of you have ever been to the fair and seen one of those artists who will make a drawing of you for $5 or so. Have you ever had your portrait done?
Does it look exactly like you?
No, it doesn’t does it?
It’s called a “Caricature .”
What the artist does is take one of your physical characteristics, magnifing it.
If you have bushy eyebrows… they are larger than life.
If you have a strong chin… they give you a BIG chin.
If you have toothy smile… they give LOTS of teeth.
And it’s all in the spirit of family and fun and almost everybody will take it home, frame it and put it on the wall someplace and later boast like crazy .
Now, what we have here in Revelation 5 is a portrait of Christ where the artist is essentially making the TRUTHS about Jesus to be larger than life.
Notice – He is the Lamb that was slain.
This is a repeated image of Christ in the Scriptures
In John 1:29 we’re told that John the Baptist “…saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the LAMB of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
In Isaiah 53:7 which goes into great detail describing the coming Messiah, we’re told:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a LAMB before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.”
And throughout Revelation… Jesus is repeatedly referred to as THE LAMB
• Revelation 7:10 “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
• Revelation 7:17 “… the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd…
• Revelation 12:11 “… (Christians) have conquered (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb…”
• Revelation 19:7 “…the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready”
• Revelation 21:27 tells us that the only ones who will enter heaven will be “… those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
This is the IMAGE that God wants to BURN into our minds when we are trying to make a deeply personal decision – “Is Jesus worthy to be my Lord and Savior?”
When we see Jesus in heaven he’s NOT going to be a literal LAMB.
But that is the picture of WHO Jesus really is to us.
He is the Lamb of God who took away our sins.
Now I can grasp that.
But then we get to this 7 horns and 7 eyes thing… that’s a little too much like mega-super duper-ultra overload to wrap my all too finite mind around.
Look at the image of the Lamb again.
What’s this all about?
Well, let’s take this one step at a time.
First, Let us consider the horns.
Most scholars will teach you that a HORN in the pages of scripture stands for divine kingly power or authority.
Several times in prophecy a King and his power is symbolized by a horn.
So the horns on the lamb symbolize the power and authority that Jesus has.
Then there’s the EYES.
We’re told that these are “…the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
Now, I am not seminary trained and I’m going to be honest with you… I have not got a clue what that “7 spirits” thing is all about/ what it means. And most of the commentaries I’ve read didn’t seem have a good explanation of it either.
This is the best I can do right now to give some study material for Verse 6: https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/rev/5/6/t_conc_1172006
I encourage you to break it down for yourselves to see what God reveals.
But I do know what an EYE does.
Do you know what an eye does? (it lets you see)
And this Lamb doesn’t just have just 1 or 2 eyes… He has 7 over them.
That would seem to symbolize the fact that Jesus can see much more than you or I can.
Then there’s the consistent mention of the NUMBER 7,
There are SEVEN horns and SEVEN eyes.
Most scholars tell you SEVEN is one of the numbers that’s tied to who God is
ILLUS: SIX is considered the number of MAN because man was created on 6th day. But SEVEN seems to be God’s number because God rested created the world in 6 days and then rested… on the 7TH DAY.
SEVEN is also considered to be the number of completeness and perfection
So essentially – the 7 horns and the 7 eyes on the Lamb of God are meant to symbolize the divinity, the power and omniscience of our King, Savior Jesus.
This Lamb Is All About Who Jesus Is.
He is the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins.
He is God in the flesh.
He is ALL POWERFUL.
And He is ALL SEEING.
But it does not stop there.
This picture is of Jesus is that He is WORTHY of our worship and praise.
We’re told that the 24 elders and the 4 Living Creatures who stood around the throne all fell down before Jesus … and they sang a new song,
“WORTHY are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “WORTHY is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:9-13
Everybody in heaven and on earth, and under the earth and in the seas…
Men and Angels, and Creatures of every kind …
are singing and shouting praises to the Lamb of God.
Everywhere you look there is worship and rejoicing OF Jesus!
HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE!!!
HE IS WORTHY TO BE OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!!!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen?
Now, why is that important?
Revelation 5 focuses on Jesus, because Jesus is the focus of Revelation.
He is the pivot point of everything else that’s going on here.
Revelation is all about Jesus.
Later in Revelation we find there’s a beast and there’s a whore of Babylon, and there is also all kinds of enemies and villains that will attempt to destroy God’s church.
This is an echo of what Jesus told His disciples:
“In this world you will have trouble…”
But do you remember the rest of what Jesus said:
“But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
That’s essentially what Revelation is saying to every church, in every age, in every nation.
You and I will absolutely have trouble of every manner, every conceivable kind .
There will be circumstances too much for you and me to overcome alone.
There will be forces in this world you and I will NOT be able to control.
You and I will face persecution.
You and I might spend some time in prison.
You and I might even lose your possessions – or even our lives – because you and I belong to Jesus.
There’s pictures in Revelation of Christians who become martyrs for their faith.
God is not pulling any punches in painting this picture for us.
But before God introduces us to the difficulties we will face, He takes us into His throne room and introduces you to the Lamb who was slain for our sins.
Why?
Because Revelation is declaring: TAKE HEART!
God is on His throne.
Jesus has stepped up.
And all the forces of Heaven are in play on our behalf.
We are NOT on the losing side – even though there will be times it will seem that way.
The problem is… too many Christians think that Jesus came into their lives so that they’d be assured of a “good” life where they’d have all the money they need in their 401K, a beautiful family, a wonderful home, and that great car.
But it doesn’t always work out that way.
Revelation says that life may not always been easy and comfortable.
In fact, Revelation’s message is that: this isn’t about having an easy life.
This is all about being part of something that’s bigger than you are
You see – there’s a spiritual war going on for our hearts and our souls, folks.
And war is never pleasant.
We are called to be the soldiers of the King.
And we have an enemy – his name is Satan.
We have a task at hand – storming the gates of Hell – we are taking back the people Satan has enslaved to do his will.
If you think Satan is going to roll over play dead for you… you got another thing coming.
But the promise is this:
Revelation 12:10-12 NKJV
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
Satan is the big bad bully on the block.
His intention is to take you out, beat you up, and then demand your lunch money.
But Revelation’s message is that no matter how big and bad Satan may be.
Revelation’s vision of Jesus is echelons beyond bigger, and better and bolder.
And you are on the winning team.
No matter what happens to you in this earthly life you will come away the winner in this contest because YOU HAVE JESUS FOREVER on your side!
And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.— Revelation 5:9
Worthy! What a beautiful word! For those of us who are disciples of Jesus, we know of only one who is truly worthy. He is worthy to open the scroll and reveal the future. He is worthy of praise and adoration. Why? Because even though he was holy, perfect and heavenly, his death on the cross to purchase our pardon, forgiveness, and salvation made him worthy. And he did it not just for us, but also for people of all races and languages and cultures. Jesus, you are worthy!
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, let us come and Pray;
Holy Lamb of God, you are worthy! You are worthy of my adoration and love. You are worthy of my worship and my devotion. And Holy Father, I thank you for your plan to send him to save me. Because of your grace in Jesus, I want to live my life in devotion to you and your will. Please forgive me for the times I’ve gotten side tracked. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to return to you. In the name of Jesus, your holy Lamb slain for my sins, I offer my love. Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 