Read Revelation 11.
The first half of this chapter completes the judgments of the 6th trumpet, the 2nd of the 3 Woes, that began in chapter 9. Many exact details are revealed here that cannot be spiritualized and dismissed. They are very specific. Note the several numbers that are prophesied. You can count on God's Word to be true!
The Temple-(vv.1-3)
The Apostle John is told to measure a Temple in Jerusalem. This writing took place in the A.D. 90's after the Temple of the New Testament was destroyed and John was exiled on Patmos. So, this Temple refers to one to be rebuilt in the city "where their Lord was crucified" (v.8). That site is currently occupied by the Dome of the Rock. John is also tasked with counting those who worship there. For this to be a reality, the Jews must reinstitute the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial system.
The Time-(v.2)
But the time of this seeming peace in Israel, when such re-establishments will take place, won't last. The nations of the world will "trample" Jerusalem for 42 months, 1260 days, or 3 1/2 years. The book of Daniel explains that there will be a 7-year agreement of peace made with Israel. But halfway through it the satanically energized earthly ruler at the time will change his mind. Israel will again become the target of world derision.
The Two Witnesses-(4-14)
In response, God will send two powerful evangelists to Jerusalem. These two will not only preach but they will stand against those who oppose the Lord. When their mission is complete, Satan will be allowed to kill them. The unbelieving world will celebrate for 3 1/2 days until God resurrects them and calls them to "Come up here!". This is akin to what believers in Jesus will experience in the catching away described in 1 Thessalonians 4 and what John heard in Revelation 4:1.
With the world watching this resurrection and ascension to heaven, people will no longer be able to deny God's place and power. After 7,000 die in the earthquake, "the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven."
7th Trumpet-(vv.15-19)
These verses only introduce this judgment. We are not given the details until chapter 16. Verse 15 indicates that this 7th judgment will lead right to the time of Christ's return and His earthly reign. Praise and worship breaks out! "Joy to the world. The Lord has come. Let earth receive her king." Though sung at Christmas time, that is truly the message of the 2nd coming of Christ.
In 1741, George Frideric Handel wrote the music to the lyrics by Charles Jennens entitled, The Messiah. The famed Hallelujah Chorus is based upon Revelation 11:5. "And he shall reign forever and ever."
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, December 30, 2016
Consuming and communicating God's Word
Read Revelation 10.
The Bible refers to this period of earthly judgments as the Great Tribulation. It started in chapter 6, when Jesus will begin unsealing God's judicial document. At no time has the world seen such devastation as described here. The events remain in the future.
Seven trumpets will each take turns announcing the next judgment. The first part of chapter 10 continues the 6th trumpet's call for earthly punishment upon those who have rejected Jesus.
Another Mighty Angel-(vv.1-7)
The Apostle John sees a powerful angel standing on earth with one foot on land and the other in the sea. He has "a little scroll" (not to be confused with the large scroll in the hand of Jesus). This is more of a booklet and it is already opened. The angel made a sound like the roar of a lion and 7 thunderous voices responded. Each of these voices had a message to deliver but John is prohibited from writing down what they said. This is the opposite of John's assigned task to record what he saw (1:19).
The angel raised his right hand, as if to take a solemn oath. The oath is based upon the fact that God is eternal and the Creator (not merely the initiator) of all things. He swears that the waiting time is over and there will be no more delay. Like solving any good mystery, one must put together the clues to the puzzle provided over time. The Old Testament Prophets wrote of things they did not fully understand concerning the Messiah and future events. But when Jesus appeared, the mystery began to make sense more than ever.
"....to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3) In other words, the more we know Jesus and the Scriptures the more we will understand what God has done, is doing, and will do. Ignoring God and His word leaves people to make up their own "plausible arguments" (Colossians 2:4).
Eating the Little Scroll-(vv.8-11)
John is told to consume the written message of this judgment to come. Then, he is told to communicate it to people throughout the world. Such a figure of speech is used several times in the Bible. See Psalm 19:9-10, Jeremiah 15:16, Ezekiel 3:1-3. The truth of the Scriptures is sweet to believers, but to unbelievers it may be bitter and rejected. The task of writing this prophecy for the entire world to read fulfills verse 11 for John.
It the responsibility of Bible preachers, teachers, and all believers to communicate the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and not just our favorite hot topics. Sadly, most churches never address prophetic subjects, coming judgments, or present this last book of God's word. Little wonder there is such a lack of the fear of God in our culture. Yet, it is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7).
The Bible refers to this period of earthly judgments as the Great Tribulation. It started in chapter 6, when Jesus will begin unsealing God's judicial document. At no time has the world seen such devastation as described here. The events remain in the future.
Seven trumpets will each take turns announcing the next judgment. The first part of chapter 10 continues the 6th trumpet's call for earthly punishment upon those who have rejected Jesus.
Another Mighty Angel-(vv.1-7)
The Apostle John sees a powerful angel standing on earth with one foot on land and the other in the sea. He has "a little scroll" (not to be confused with the large scroll in the hand of Jesus). This is more of a booklet and it is already opened. The angel made a sound like the roar of a lion and 7 thunderous voices responded. Each of these voices had a message to deliver but John is prohibited from writing down what they said. This is the opposite of John's assigned task to record what he saw (1:19).
The angel raised his right hand, as if to take a solemn oath. The oath is based upon the fact that God is eternal and the Creator (not merely the initiator) of all things. He swears that the waiting time is over and there will be no more delay. Like solving any good mystery, one must put together the clues to the puzzle provided over time. The Old Testament Prophets wrote of things they did not fully understand concerning the Messiah and future events. But when Jesus appeared, the mystery began to make sense more than ever.
"....to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3) In other words, the more we know Jesus and the Scriptures the more we will understand what God has done, is doing, and will do. Ignoring God and His word leaves people to make up their own "plausible arguments" (Colossians 2:4).
Eating the Little Scroll-(vv.8-11)
John is told to consume the written message of this judgment to come. Then, he is told to communicate it to people throughout the world. Such a figure of speech is used several times in the Bible. See Psalm 19:9-10, Jeremiah 15:16, Ezekiel 3:1-3. The truth of the Scriptures is sweet to believers, but to unbelievers it may be bitter and rejected. The task of writing this prophecy for the entire world to read fulfills verse 11 for John.
It the responsibility of Bible preachers, teachers, and all believers to communicate the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and not just our favorite hot topics. Sadly, most churches never address prophetic subjects, coming judgments, or present this last book of God's word. Little wonder there is such a lack of the fear of God in our culture. Yet, it is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7).
Thursday, December 29, 2016
What will it take to bring people to Repentance?
Read Revelation 9.
In chapter 8, a series of seven trumpets began to sound sequential alarms of judgment. The first four were aimed at the natural world and affected humans indirectly. The last three will target people and are referred to as three "woes" (8:13).
Trumpet #5, the first Woe-(vv.1-12)
This bottomless pit is either Hades or certainly related to it. Once this shaft is opened, smoke will pollute the air and darken what light is left emanating from the sun. These demonic, flying, stinging pests will create great misery upon all those who have not turned to Jesus to be saved. Would not any sane person realize God's power and repent by now? But Satan is a deceiver. He makes even his most hideous and repulsive works seem somehow attractive to an unbeliever.
Trumpet #6, the second Woe-(vv.13-19)
The voice is probably Jesus Himself. These special angels are being kept at this very moment in that location, waiting for "the hour, the day, the month, and the year" when they will be release to kill 1/3 of mankind (v.15). An army, 200 million strong, will be mobilized to conduct this slaughter.
Now, will the remaining 2/3 of mankind repent?
The last two verses foretell the sad response of the hardness of the human heart. After all God has provided in the way of escape, after all God has unleashed to demonstrate His absolute power, they "did not repent". In their rebellion, they will refuse to turn to the only hope they have no matter what.
They refused to repent of their false worship, choosing instead to have faith in demonic spirits and things they made up with their own minds and hands. They refused to repent of their personal sins, including murders, so-called magical practices, sexual immorality, and taking things that do not belong to them.
But we see this same insanity present now in this day of grace. Jesus offers forgiveness of sin and a sure escape from the coming wrath of God. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36). Choose life!
In chapter 8, a series of seven trumpets began to sound sequential alarms of judgment. The first four were aimed at the natural world and affected humans indirectly. The last three will target people and are referred to as three "woes" (8:13).
Trumpet #5, the first Woe-(vv.1-12)
This bottomless pit is either Hades or certainly related to it. Once this shaft is opened, smoke will pollute the air and darken what light is left emanating from the sun. These demonic, flying, stinging pests will create great misery upon all those who have not turned to Jesus to be saved. Would not any sane person realize God's power and repent by now? But Satan is a deceiver. He makes even his most hideous and repulsive works seem somehow attractive to an unbeliever.
Trumpet #6, the second Woe-(vv.13-19)
The voice is probably Jesus Himself. These special angels are being kept at this very moment in that location, waiting for "the hour, the day, the month, and the year" when they will be release to kill 1/3 of mankind (v.15). An army, 200 million strong, will be mobilized to conduct this slaughter.
Now, will the remaining 2/3 of mankind repent?
The last two verses foretell the sad response of the hardness of the human heart. After all God has provided in the way of escape, after all God has unleashed to demonstrate His absolute power, they "did not repent". In their rebellion, they will refuse to turn to the only hope they have no matter what.
They refused to repent of their false worship, choosing instead to have faith in demonic spirits and things they made up with their own minds and hands. They refused to repent of their personal sins, including murders, so-called magical practices, sexual immorality, and taking things that do not belong to them.
But we see this same insanity present now in this day of grace. Jesus offers forgiveness of sin and a sure escape from the coming wrath of God. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36). Choose life!
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
The God of justice and Mercy
Read Revelation 8.
These middle chapters describe the long prophesied Great Tribulation. Not since the worldwide flood in Noah's day has God administered such judgment upon the earth. This time it will be by fire (2 Peter 3:7). Jesus will take the seven-part document and unseal its judgments one by one. Chapter 7 provides a parenthesis in the narrative with a glimpse of other things God will be doing at the same time. Here in chapter 8, the last of the seven seals is opened.
First, there is dead silence. The myriad of people in heaven who have been praising God will stop. It is the lull before the storm. Then, we are told that "the prayers of all the saints" will be offered before the throne of God. These prayers calling for justice are made hot with fire from the altar before being inflicted upon the earth.
The last seal also has seven parts, each with its own blast of declaration, called "trumpets". In John's day when a trumpet blew it was an announcement (fanfare) or a signal (military charge or alarm). When this seventh seal is opened, seven alarms will be going off, one by one. The devastation presented here is unimaginable.
Trumpet #1 (v.7)
Hail, fire, and blood will be thrown on the earth. The result: 1/3 of the earth, 1/3 of the trees, and 1/3 of the grass (vegetation) will be burned up. God has done such things before. He rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah. This is reminiscent somewhat of Egypt's experience in the book of Exodus. The difference here is that it will be worldwide.
Trumpet #2 (vv.8-9)
Could this be a meteorite or asteroid? The result: 1/3 of the sea creatures will die and 1/3 of the ships destroyed.
Trumpet #3 (vv.10-11)
A great star will fall and hit the earth. The result: 1/3 of the fresh water will be turned bitter causing death.
Trumpet #4 (v.12)
The sun will lose 1/3 of its illumination. The moon and stars merely reflect the sun's light. The result: The earth will experience cold and darkness.
But there are three more trumpet alarms to sound. Why will God stall in order to send this messenger to announce more judgment is coming? He is a merciful God. These disasters upon humans are designed to give every opportunity for people to acknowledge His power and repent of their sin. If they do not, they will be without excuse.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
These middle chapters describe the long prophesied Great Tribulation. Not since the worldwide flood in Noah's day has God administered such judgment upon the earth. This time it will be by fire (2 Peter 3:7). Jesus will take the seven-part document and unseal its judgments one by one. Chapter 7 provides a parenthesis in the narrative with a glimpse of other things God will be doing at the same time. Here in chapter 8, the last of the seven seals is opened.
First, there is dead silence. The myriad of people in heaven who have been praising God will stop. It is the lull before the storm. Then, we are told that "the prayers of all the saints" will be offered before the throne of God. These prayers calling for justice are made hot with fire from the altar before being inflicted upon the earth.
The last seal also has seven parts, each with its own blast of declaration, called "trumpets". In John's day when a trumpet blew it was an announcement (fanfare) or a signal (military charge or alarm). When this seventh seal is opened, seven alarms will be going off, one by one. The devastation presented here is unimaginable.
Trumpet #1 (v.7)
Hail, fire, and blood will be thrown on the earth. The result: 1/3 of the earth, 1/3 of the trees, and 1/3 of the grass (vegetation) will be burned up. God has done such things before. He rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah. This is reminiscent somewhat of Egypt's experience in the book of Exodus. The difference here is that it will be worldwide.
Trumpet #2 (vv.8-9)
Could this be a meteorite or asteroid? The result: 1/3 of the sea creatures will die and 1/3 of the ships destroyed.
Trumpet #3 (vv.10-11)
A great star will fall and hit the earth. The result: 1/3 of the fresh water will be turned bitter causing death.
Trumpet #4 (v.12)
The sun will lose 1/3 of its illumination. The moon and stars merely reflect the sun's light. The result: The earth will experience cold and darkness.
But there are three more trumpet alarms to sound. Why will God stall in order to send this messenger to announce more judgment is coming? He is a merciful God. These disasters upon humans are designed to give every opportunity for people to acknowledge His power and repent of their sin. If they do not, they will be without excuse.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Will anyone be saved during the Great Tribulation?
Read Revelation 7.
This chapter answers the question, "Will anyone be saved during the Great Tribulation?" Two groups are mentioned. Some bizarre teachings have come from those who try to spiritualize chapter seven or to take it out of its sequential context. There is absolutely no justification for treating this passage in any way other than a literal one. The language is very specific.
1. Group One
God will sovereignly set apart 144,000 Jews; 12,000 from each tribe. We are not told how or why these 144,000 were selected. One thing is for sure, the 12 tribes of Israel are not lost. God knows who and where they are. Not one Gentile is included among these earthly servants of God during the Great Tribulation.
2. Group Two
Meanwhile, back in heaven, another song breaks out. This will be an innumerable multitude from every people group on earth, Gentiles and Jews not in the 144,000. The timing is significant in that "these are the ones coming out of the great tribulation" (v.14). Even as God's judgment is being unleashed on the world, He will make known the message of escape through faith in Jesus. With loud voices they will declare, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And, because they were martyred for their faith, this also would indicate that the hatred of Christians will be like the world has never seen.
In this revelation of things to come, the Apostle John had a brief conversation with one of the 24 elders. In the closing verses, this unnamed elder delivered a gracious and tender message about this vast number of people and about Jesus. Jesus will be their--
Provider
Protector
Shepherd
Leader
Comforter
Whether during the days of the Old Testament, during this present time, and in the midst of the Great Tribulation, the good news remains the same. Forgiveness of sin and eternal life in heaven comes by one means. "They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Only by personal faith in that singular price that was paid on the cross may we join this family of God.
This chapter answers the question, "Will anyone be saved during the Great Tribulation?" Two groups are mentioned. Some bizarre teachings have come from those who try to spiritualize chapter seven or to take it out of its sequential context. There is absolutely no justification for treating this passage in any way other than a literal one. The language is very specific.
1. Group One
God will sovereignly set apart 144,000 Jews; 12,000 from each tribe. We are not told how or why these 144,000 were selected. One thing is for sure, the 12 tribes of Israel are not lost. God knows who and where they are. Not one Gentile is included among these earthly servants of God during the Great Tribulation.
2. Group Two
Meanwhile, back in heaven, another song breaks out. This will be an innumerable multitude from every people group on earth, Gentiles and Jews not in the 144,000. The timing is significant in that "these are the ones coming out of the great tribulation" (v.14). Even as God's judgment is being unleashed on the world, He will make known the message of escape through faith in Jesus. With loud voices they will declare, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And, because they were martyred for their faith, this also would indicate that the hatred of Christians will be like the world has never seen.
In this revelation of things to come, the Apostle John had a brief conversation with one of the 24 elders. In the closing verses, this unnamed elder delivered a gracious and tender message about this vast number of people and about Jesus. Jesus will be their--
Provider
Protector
Shepherd
Leader
Comforter
Whether during the days of the Old Testament, during this present time, and in the midst of the Great Tribulation, the good news remains the same. Forgiveness of sin and eternal life in heaven comes by one means. "They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Only by personal faith in that singular price that was paid on the cross may we join this family of God.
Monday, December 26, 2016
When there is no place to Hide
Read Revelation 6.
"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him." (John 1:11) There is coming a day when all will know Him and every knee will bow in submission to Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11). In preparation of the appearance of the Creator and Owner of this world, there will be some painful days for those who rebel against Him.
The Lamb of God alone is worthy to take the scroll and unleash judgments upon the world. The scroll has seven sections and each one is separately sealed. With the breaking of the first seal, the time referred to as The Great Tribulation will begin. While all nations shall experience His wrath, a primary target of this seven-year period is to bring Israel to accept Jesus as their Messiah. "Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it." (Jeremiah 30:7)
The first four seals release what is often called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The rider on a white horse appears to be a good and powerful ruler. But instead of bringing peace, this one will only be out to conquer. The second rider will throw the world into unimaginable war and death. The rider of the black horse follows the war with world-wide famine. The fourth will bring death by "pestilence and wild beasts" to kill 25% of the world's population.
Meanwhile, what good thing will God be doing? Though the word "church" does not appear after chapter three, in some manner people will be receiving the good news of Jesus. Many will die as martyrs for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Once killed, their spirits will ascend to the throne of God to cry out for justice. But verse 11 indicates that there will be even more martyrs to come.
The sixth seal needs little explanation. The prophets (Joel 2:30-31, Isaiah 13:9-11) predicted these events centuries before Christ was born. Those unbelievers remaining on earth would rather die than face anymore of the wrath of God. The question at the end of the chapter says it all. "Who can stand" against almighty God and His judgments? The answer is "No one."
That is why faith in Jesus is called good news. Those who personally receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord need never fear the wrath of God. He saves us from our sin and the judgment to come. He is our hiding place of safety against that day. "Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty. The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day." (Isaiah 2:10-11)
"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him." (John 1:11) There is coming a day when all will know Him and every knee will bow in submission to Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11). In preparation of the appearance of the Creator and Owner of this world, there will be some painful days for those who rebel against Him.
The Lamb of God alone is worthy to take the scroll and unleash judgments upon the world. The scroll has seven sections and each one is separately sealed. With the breaking of the first seal, the time referred to as The Great Tribulation will begin. While all nations shall experience His wrath, a primary target of this seven-year period is to bring Israel to accept Jesus as their Messiah. "Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it." (Jeremiah 30:7)
The first four seals release what is often called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The rider on a white horse appears to be a good and powerful ruler. But instead of bringing peace, this one will only be out to conquer. The second rider will throw the world into unimaginable war and death. The rider of the black horse follows the war with world-wide famine. The fourth will bring death by "pestilence and wild beasts" to kill 25% of the world's population.
Meanwhile, what good thing will God be doing? Though the word "church" does not appear after chapter three, in some manner people will be receiving the good news of Jesus. Many will die as martyrs for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Once killed, their spirits will ascend to the throne of God to cry out for justice. But verse 11 indicates that there will be even more martyrs to come.
The sixth seal needs little explanation. The prophets (Joel 2:30-31, Isaiah 13:9-11) predicted these events centuries before Christ was born. Those unbelievers remaining on earth would rather die than face anymore of the wrath of God. The question at the end of the chapter says it all. "Who can stand" against almighty God and His judgments? The answer is "No one."
That is why faith in Jesus is called good news. Those who personally receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord need never fear the wrath of God. He saves us from our sin and the judgment to come. He is our hiding place of safety against that day. "Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty. The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day." (Isaiah 2:10-11)
Friday, December 23, 2016
O Come Let Us Adore Him
Read Revelation 5.
The stage is set. God, the Father is on the throne in heaven. Jesus, the one and only Son of God is at His right hand. In addition, John saw a scroll. The document had been written on both sides and rolled up in seven sections. Each was sealed for the recipient or the one with proper authority to open the sealed document.
An angel cried out, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" The search throughout heaven and earth proved to be in vain. Since the Apostle John was being given information to write down "the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this" (1:19), the news broke his heart. But then, one of the 24 elders spoke up and pointed to Jesus.
The book of Revelation reveals who Jesus is and what He has planned for the future. The unnamed elder, provided several descriptions of the identity of the One seated at the right hand.
1. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:9-10) Jacob promised that such a powerful ruler would come from Judah's family tribe.
2. He is the Root of David. (Matthew 1:1) Jesus was born into the family of Joseph who "was of the house and lineage of David" (Luke 2:4).
These are the human credentials for Jesus' right to the throne of Israel and to one day rule as the King of Kings over all the earth (Revelation 19).
3. He is the Conqueror. What did He conquer at this point in history? First came the eternal spiritual victory "by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to his cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:14-15)
At the mention of those declarations of identity, something else was revealed about Jesus.
4. He is the Lamb of God. That was how Isaiah prophesied the Messiah in Isaiah 53:7. John, the Baptist, identified Jesus as God's Lamb in John 1:29. This Lamb was slain on the cross and "the precious blood of Christ" paid our sin debt (1 Peter 18-19). But there is more. This is not the meek and mild Jesus, as some would have Him to be. In preparation for His second coming, Jesus is pictured here as the most unusually powerful ram that anyone has ever seen. With seven horns, the Lamb of God has perfect strength to put down any and every foe.
5. He is the Judge of the Universe. Only Jesus is worthy to open the multi-part document containing the predetermined judgments to come. ''The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father." (John 5:22-23).
The response to these declarations overwhelmed everyone. With an attitude of prayer and the representation of the prayers of believers in Jesus (v.8), spontaneous and humble worship broke out. It is good for us to read verses 9-14 aloud, while picturing this scene. In doing so, we may join them in this worship experience. To Jesus be the glory! "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."
The stage is set. God, the Father is on the throne in heaven. Jesus, the one and only Son of God is at His right hand. In addition, John saw a scroll. The document had been written on both sides and rolled up in seven sections. Each was sealed for the recipient or the one with proper authority to open the sealed document.
An angel cried out, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" The search throughout heaven and earth proved to be in vain. Since the Apostle John was being given information to write down "the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this" (1:19), the news broke his heart. But then, one of the 24 elders spoke up and pointed to Jesus.
The book of Revelation reveals who Jesus is and what He has planned for the future. The unnamed elder, provided several descriptions of the identity of the One seated at the right hand.
1. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:9-10) Jacob promised that such a powerful ruler would come from Judah's family tribe.
2. He is the Root of David. (Matthew 1:1) Jesus was born into the family of Joseph who "was of the house and lineage of David" (Luke 2:4).
These are the human credentials for Jesus' right to the throne of Israel and to one day rule as the King of Kings over all the earth (Revelation 19).
3. He is the Conqueror. What did He conquer at this point in history? First came the eternal spiritual victory "by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to his cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:14-15)
At the mention of those declarations of identity, something else was revealed about Jesus.
4. He is the Lamb of God. That was how Isaiah prophesied the Messiah in Isaiah 53:7. John, the Baptist, identified Jesus as God's Lamb in John 1:29. This Lamb was slain on the cross and "the precious blood of Christ" paid our sin debt (1 Peter 18-19). But there is more. This is not the meek and mild Jesus, as some would have Him to be. In preparation for His second coming, Jesus is pictured here as the most unusually powerful ram that anyone has ever seen. With seven horns, the Lamb of God has perfect strength to put down any and every foe.
5. He is the Judge of the Universe. Only Jesus is worthy to open the multi-part document containing the predetermined judgments to come. ''The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father." (John 5:22-23).
The response to these declarations overwhelmed everyone. With an attitude of prayer and the representation of the prayers of believers in Jesus (v.8), spontaneous and humble worship broke out. It is good for us to read verses 9-14 aloud, while picturing this scene. In doing so, we may join them in this worship experience. To Jesus be the glory! "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."
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