Sermon 198

📖 SERMON 198 — WORTHY IS THE LAMB

Preacher:
Date: April 11, 1951
Text: Revelation 5
Subject: WORTHY IS THE LAMB

INTRODUCTION:

Connect this with the vision in Revelation 4. The eyes of John again focus on the throne, and this time he sees a book in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. From this proceeds the rest of the picture, in which is revealed the great truth: Worthy is the Lamb.

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

A. The nature of the book.

1. Seen in the right hand of Him who sits upon the throne.
2. 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 purposes of God.
   c. Sealed as though the fall of man seems to have delayed or obstructed God’s plan.

B. None else could be found.

1. A mighty angel calls for someone worthy to open it — showing the urgency.
2. No one responds — no man is able.
3. John weeps — for nothing would be more disastrous than failure of God’s purpose. It would mean victory for Satan and the hopeless destruction of mankind under sin.

C. The announcement by an elder.

1. This is the church’s great privilege — to announce the worthiness of the Lamb.
2. He tells John to stop weeping — because of the Lamb.
3. He introduces Him as:
   a. The Lion of the tribe of Judah.
   b. The Root of David.
The promised Messiah, prophecy fulfilled, the One for whom the people long waited.

II. HE IS WORTHY BECAUSE HE HAS OVERCOME

A. John’s vision confirms this.

1. He sees Him standing in the midst near the throne.
2. He sees Him as the Lamb that had been slain — this is after Calvary.
3. He sees Him fully capable for the great task:
   a. Seven horns — almightiness, all power.
   b. Seven eyes — the seven Spirits of God, the fullness of the Spirit’s wisdom.
   c. He takes the book from the hand of Him who sits upon the throne.

B. He has completed the work required in 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 completion of God’s purpose not only possible but certain.
4. God’s program is centered entirely upon Christ’s redemption.

III. HIS WORTHINESS JOYFULLY AND UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED

A. First by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders.

1. They fall down before the Lamb in worship.
2. They sing a new song:
   a. With harps.
   b. With the prayers of the saints.
   c. New — because redemption is now accomplished.
3. They sing: Worthy art Thou.
No doubt, no hesitation, full assurance.
Worthy because He shed His blood.
He has purchased people: not all men, but men of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
He has made them a kingdom of priests to reign upon the earth.

B. Then by all the angels.

1. Thousands upon thousands.
2. With great volume they praise Him: power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, blessing.
3. They sing with even greater joy now than they did over Bethlehem’s field.

C. Finally every created thing joins in.

1. The whole universe groaned for this great day.
2. Now the entire universe rejoices — God’s glory will be realized.
3. They praise God and the Lamb — for the two are inseparable.
4. They acknowledge His dominion forever and ever.

D. The four living creatures say Amen, and the elders fall down in worship.

CONCLUSION:

What glorious comfort this vision contains for us. Let us join the heavenly church and the redeemed universe in confessing: Worthy is the Lamb.