Lesson
11
The
Revelation of Jesus Christ
Chapter Four - The Vision of Heaven and the Throne
Review - Intro:
<4:9-11> Response of the 24 Elders and their
worship!
> They express their worship
3 ways;
#1 by cooperating and joining with the living beings in giving glory and
honor and thanks to God.
#2 By casting their crowns, the rewards given at the JSC,
before the throne.
-
Crowns indicate capacity to worship in eternity; capacity to bring praise and
honor to God.
#3
Worship by what they say! vs:11
1. They understand the basis of
worship.
-
Question? Why is He worthy to receive glory? worthy to
receive honor?, worthy to receive power?
Implication:
There is no way that one can understand God, who He is, the basis of His worth and be an
evolutionist at any level.
2. They
also understand that the motivation for creation is the will of God. and because
of thy will they existed.
Revelation Chapter
5 The
Book/Scroll
<1> 5:1-4 the
appearance of the Book.
> 3 Things about the book/scroll.
#1 its location; not in the
right hand; the place of honor, prominence; but its upon the right
hand (evpi.)
- The imagery presented by
being on the hand is that it is the part of the body with which we do work;
* I would take it then that
to be able to take the scroll from the hand of God is to be able do what God
can do!
#2. Its content; says that it is written inside and on the
back;
- the
emphasis being made by this unusual method of writing on both sides is that
this is a full and complete disclosure or account of the reasons for judgment
and the judgments to come.
#3. Its divisions: ".. sealed up with seven seals."
- the
seals then controlled access to the contents of the book.
<
5:2> A challenge is made!
And I saw
a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
- Question
Gabriel asked! Who is worthy? Who is qualified?
- The requirements for the
one who is "worthy."
One who is able to execute judgment on earth in a
righteous way; and secondly be able to establish righteousness on earth.
<5:3>
The search for the one worthy, see failure at this
point.
- The implications from
this are awesome! If this was the end
and indeed no one was "worthy" to take the book and execute the
righteous judgments spelled out in the book, there would be:
#1 evil will never be punished.
#2 good will never triumph.
#3 it means that the course
of this world will remain where 1 Jn
#4 all the promises made to
and by the prophets related to the coming rule of a king in righteousness, as
per Davidic covenant will never be realized.
The search for one who is
worthy, qualified to open the book, having been met with silence; describes for
us the possibility for righteousness and justice without Christ!
The future without Christ is seen as hopeless.
<2> The One Who is
Worthy 5:5-7
> The various titles of
Christ are crucial in understanding His person and His accomplishments, His
function in the plan of God.
> No where in Scripture
is there a more concentrated picture of Christ given thru His titles.
> We have a shift here in 5:5 from titles
pertinent to the Church; to titles pertinent to
With the opening of this book, the lion, the
king of the tribe of
> What is it
that qualifies the Lion of Judah to be king?
It was to be the cross before the
crown.