Sermon 212

📖 SERMON 212 — WORTHY IS THE LAMB

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

INTRODUCTION

Link this with the vision described in Revelation 4. John’s eyes again focus on the Throne. This time he sees a book in the right hand of Him who sits upon the throne. From this proceeds the rest of the picture in which the great and all-important truth is revealed:

“WORTHY IS THE LAMB.”

SUBJECT: 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 the One sitting 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. Shut tight.
    b. Reveals that it contains unrevealed and unexecuted purposes of God.
    c. As though its execution had been delayed or hindered—sin having disrupted the world.

B. None other could be found

1. A mighty angel calls for someone worthy—the urgency is clear.
2. No one responds. No man is able.
3. John weeps greatly, for nothing could be more disastrous than the failure of God’s purpose—it would mean victory for Satan and destruction for mankind.

C. Announced by an elder

1. This is the church’s privilege: to announce the worthiness of the Lamb.
2. He tells John to stop weeping because the Lamb has prevailed.
3. He introduces Him as “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.”
    a. The promised Messiah.
    b. 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 near the throne.
2. He is the Lamb that has been slain—this is after Calvary.
3. He is fully capable for the task:
    a. Seven horns—almightiness.
    b. Seven eyes (the seven Spirits of God)—perfect wisdom and knowledge.
    c. He takes the book from the hand of Him who sits on the throne.

B. His completed work in humiliation

1. He has overcome the power of Satan and sin.
2. He satisfied the demands of divine justice.
3. His redemptive work makes the fulfillment of God’s plan certain.
4. Without His redeeming work, God’s program could not be carried out.

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. Joined with the prayers of all saints.
    c. New because redemption has now been accomplished.
3. Their song: “Worthy art Thou…”
    a. Absolutely certain.
    b. Worthy because of His shed blood.
    c. He purchased men of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
    d. He made them a kingdom of priests to reign on the earth.

B. By all the hosts of angels

1. Tens of thousands and thousands of thousands.
2. With great volume they proclaim His worthiness.
3. Because He was slain, He is worthy of all power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.
4. They sing with even greater joy than they did over Bethlehem’s fields.

C. By every creature

1. The entire groaning universe now rejoices.
2. Heaven and earth praise God and the Lamb—inseparable.
3. They acknowledge His dominion forever and ever.

D. The final “Amen”

1. The four living creatures say it.
2. The elders fall down and worship.
3. We, too, are called to join in the worship.

CONCLUSION

What glorious comfort this vision gives. Let us join the heavenly church and all creation in proclaiming:

“WORTHY IS THE LAMB!”