The Way - Day 215 (Revelation 5)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
REVELATION 5:1-14
John had been transported to heaven and personally witnessed the throne room where God made His dwelling place (Revelation 4). The gathering of God’s people (represented by the 24 elders) were present with four creatures (angels) who worshipped God day and night. God’s people joined the angels in worship of Him, who was the Creator of all things, and proclaimed His worthiness to receive glory, honor, and power (4:11).

The scene in heaven continues when God takes a "…scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals" (5:1). Some have concluded that the scroll contains God’s purposes throughout human history, His agreement with mankind, and the His ownership of the earth. No matter the identity of the scroll, it gives power and authority to the One who holds it.

An angel cries out, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" No one is found in heaven or on earth who is worthy to loosen the seals of the scroll (5:3) so John begins to weep. One of the 24 elders tells him not to weep because "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals" (5:4-5). These names, Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David, were a reference to the Messiah whom God promised would defeat sin and death and set up a kingdom ruled by righteousness (Genesis 49:8-12; Isaiah 11).

John looks up and standing before him is a Lamb that appears to be slain. “Then He [the Lamb] came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne" (5:7). This Lamb is Jesus Christ who had been put to death to pay the penalty for sin. Hundreds of years earlier the prophet Isaiah described the future Messiah as the one who takes…
"…our griefs and carried our sorrows...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities...by His stripes we are healed...the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6)

When Jesus Christ takes the scroll, the four creatures and elders fall down and sing.
"You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals; for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:8-10)
Jesus' death on behalf of sinners makes Him worthy to take the scroll.

In reaction to Jesus taking the scroll, an innumerable group begins proclaiming the worthiness of Jesus to take the scroll (5:11-14). Jesus Christ is the Messiah who came to earth to take our sin upon Himself. Paul writes to the church at Corinth about Jesus taking our sin upon Himself and giving righteousness to those who will receive Him by faith.
"For He [God the Father] made Him [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

God the Father demanded righteousness from man but because of Adam’s sin at the beginning of human history, death entered the world was passed on to all men (Romans 5:12). The penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and is necessary to satisfy the wrath of God upon sin. Sin cannot be forgiven unless the punishment for it is carried out. God loved man so much that He sent His only Son, born of a virgin, to earth to take the punishment every man deserves. Paul says that Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness, which is what God demands. Paul writes in Romans 5:8-9…

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

Dear God, thank You for Jesus who paid for my sin on the cross. He is worthy to be praised.