Sermon 184

📖 Sermon 184 — Revelation 5

Date: April 11, 1951
Text: Revelation 5
Preacher: G. S. Kok
Subject: Worthy Is the Lamb

INTRODUCTION

We link this message with the vision described in Revelation chapter 4. Once again the eyes of John focus on the throne. This time he sees a book in the right hand of Him who sits upon the throne.
From this scene proceeds the entire revelation that follows, revealing the great and all-important truth:
Worthy is the Lamb.

I. HE ALONE IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SEVEN-SEALED BOOK

A. The nature of the book

1. It is seen in the right hand of Him that sits upon the throne.
2. It contains the plan of God as centered in Christ:
   a. God’s eternal plan for all things.
   b. God’s purpose in all of history.
3. It is sealed with seven seals:
   a. Closed — shut tight.
   b. It contains unrevealed and unexecuted elements of God’s decree.
   c. It suggests a divine plan whose execution has been delayed by the entrance of sin — yet will be completed by Christ.

B. None other could be found

1. A mighty angel calls aloud for someone who is worthy.
   The urgency shows the necessity of finding One capable of completing God’s plan.
2. No one responds. No man is able.
3. John weeps — rightly so — for if no one can open the book, then:
   God’s purpose would fail,
   Satan would triumph,
   Humanity would be doomed.

C. The announcement of the Elder

1. This is the church’s great privilege — to declare the worthiness of the Lamb.
2. The Elder tells John to stop weeping, for the Lamb has prevailed.
3. He is introduced as The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David:
   a. The promised Messiah,
   b. The One for whom the people waited.

II. HE IS WORTHY BECAUSE HE HAS OVERCOME

A. John’s vision of Him confirms this truth

1. He sees Him standing in the midst of the throne — alive, victorious.
2. He is the Lamb that had been slain — this is after Calvary.
3. He is fully capable of the task:
   a. Seven horns — symbol of almightiness.
   b. Seven eyes — the seven Spirits of God, symbolizing perfect wisdom.
   c. He takes the book from the right hand of Him on the throne.

B. He has completed the work of His humiliation

1. He has overcome the power of Satan and sin.
2. He has satisfied the demands of God’s justice.
3. His redeeming work makes the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan not only possible — but certain.
4. Without redemption, God’s plan could not be completed.
   With redemption accomplished, all must and will be fulfilled.

III. HIS WORTHINESS JOYFULLY AND UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED

A. By the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders

1. They fall down before the Lamb.
2. They sing a new song:
   a. Accompanied by harps.
   b. Accompanied by the prayers of the saints.
   c. New — because redemption has now been accomplished.
3. They sing with assurance:
   Worthy art Thou!
   Worthy because of His shed blood.
   Worthy because He purchased a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
   Worthy because He made them a kingdom of priests to reign on earth.

B. By all the hosts of angels

1. Thousands upon thousands.
2. With great volume they proclaim His worth.
3. They declare that because He was slain, He is worthy of:
   power,
   riches,
   wisdom,
   might,
   honor,
   glory,
   and blessing.
4. Their joy surpasses even the joy of Bethlehem.

C. Finally, every created thing joins in

1. The entire universe once groaned under the curse; now it rejoices.
2. Praise rises to God and to the Lamb — the two are inseparable.
3. They acknowledge His dominion forever and ever.
4. The four living creatures say, Amen, and the elders fall down to worship.

CONCLUSION

What glorious comfort this vision contains for us.
Let us unite with the church in heaven and with the redeemed creation in proclaiming:
Worthy is the Lamb.