worship – walklikejesus

In this 11th post on the apocalypse, we come to Revelation 5, where Christ is worshipped as the One who is worthy to unfold God’s redemptive plan for all creation. A recording of this session is available here.

John and the oppressed church in his day struggled to make sense of their suffering in the light of their belief that Christ is Lord of all. Then, while in prayer, John receives the comforting vision that the resurrected Jesus is still among his church (Chapters 1-3), and that God is indeed sovereign over all of creation (Chapter 4). His vision of the throne room in heaven continues in chapter 5 as he sees a scroll and a shared throne.

A paramount scroll (5:1-5)

In keeping with the apocalyptic genre of Revelation, the importance of the scroll is indicated in several ways. (The opening of this scroll sets the script for the next eleven chapters). The manuscript is “on the right hand of Him who sits on the throne”, a position of prominence and power. It is inscribed on the front and back – an unfamiliar practice in John’s day – meaning the scroll was full and complete, with nothing to be added or taken away (compare 22:18-19). The manuscript is sealed perfectly “with seven seals” so that no one can lift a corner to peek into it. When “no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll”, John “began to weep loudly.” John’s response should be our response because this scroll’s unfolding is paramount to ending the tyranny, seduction and deception under which the church and the world are bent.

What is this scroll? The following chapters will reveal that this scroll contains God’s redemptive plan for his creation – the King’s decrees for restoring his Kingdom. Chapters six through sixteen will show how this progressive unfolding of God’s redemption of creation aligns with the opening of the scroll. The scroll is his victory over sin, Satan, and the gentile kingdoms that resist his reign and oppress his church. As such, this scroll contains the answer to the cry of John and the church in his day, as well as all suffering saints since then: “Lord, don’t you care, don’t you see? If you are the Christ, when will your kingdom come?”

Who, then, is this champion for God’s redemptive quest with creation? “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” This question reveals the central figure of Revelation – the only one who is worthy to unfold this scroll. John hears the elder’s reassurance: “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.” The elder’s words paint the picture of a mighty Messianic figure, a lion-like leader from the loins of David.

But like so many times in Revelation, what John hears and sees are two different things. Things are not as they seem…

[Read the full commentary of Revelation in Faithful to the End]

*Faithful to the End* is a simple commentary that helps make sense of the encouraging message of Revelation.

Quick links to full THE END Revelation Series posts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

In this 10th session in our series of Revelation, John is invited to “come up here” and see God’s throne room, and view life from his perspective (Revelation 4). A recording of this will be made available at Shofar Durbanville’s Youtube channel.

Revelation 4 starts with the phrase “after this” – after the first part of the vision of Christ among the seven churches, addressing each of them with a specific word of comfort and correction (chapters 1 – 3). Then John looks up – shifts his perspective from down here on earth to what is going on in heaven. He sees “a door open in heaven” and is invited to “come up here” – to gain a Godly perspective on the chaos and conflict the church endures on earth and to identify with the Sovereign reign of God.

Imagine this! The only instruction the reader receives in this chapter is to “behold” (4:1,2) – to imagine this or picture this. John invites the reader twice to see what he sees – because this hopeful message to the church is contained in the vision of what takes place in heaven. John sees a throne, the Ruler, and the response of those around the throne.

A Universal Throne (4:2). As he enters the door, John sees a magnificent throne. The early church was familiar with a throne over many peoples and nations – and that was not good news to them. Emperor Domitian’s reign (like those before him) was egocentric and brutal. But this throne John sees was universal over all of creation – he was the true King of kings and Lord of lords who Domitian claimed to be. The throne was not the problem – the one who sits on the throne determines whether his subjects will weep or rejoice. And this is what John sees next…

[Read the full commentary of Revelation in Faithful to the End]