As John is watching the glorious events of heaven unfold before his eyes, he sees God holding a scroll that is tightly sealed with seven seals. He hears an angel cry out for someone to step forward and break the seals so that the scroll could be opened, and the future of earth could be revealed, but no one stepped forward. Not one person in heaven, or on the earth or under the earth was worthy enough to take the scroll. John was devastated that no could open the scroll and he wept bitterly until one of the elders spoke up.
“Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” – Revelation 5:5 NIV
John looked to see the Lion that the elder spoke of and he saw a Lamb that looked like it had been slaughtered standing beside the throne. The Lamb stepped forward and took the scroll from God’s right hand and instantly the audience that was surrounding the throne began to worship.
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God…You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign on earth.” – Revelation 5:9-10 NIV
The slaughtered Lamb that John saw is Jesus Christ. Jesus alone is worthy to take the scroll from the hand of God because of His sacrifice for sin. He alone is worthy to hold the future judgment of mankind in His hands. The fact that our loving Savior holds God’s judgment in His hands should give us tremendous comfort. Those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ will not experience this judgment. (Romans 8:1) Our sin was judged at the cross of Christ.
Jesus alone is worthy! He is worthy to hold the scroll and reveal the judgment. He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. Is Jesus alone worthy in your life?
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” – Revelation 5:12 NIV
Does Jesus alone have power and strength in your life? Are you trusting Him to give you victory over the struggles you face? Is He the one that controls your destiny or are you still trying to hold the power in your hands?
Does Jesus alone receive the first and the best of all that you have been blessed with? After all, it has all come from Him, to begin with. How much of what you have received from God (time, talents, treasures) do you lay at the feet of Jesus?
Does Jesus alone hold the highest place of honor in your life? Have you allowed the wisdom of the world and the pursuit of temporal things to take a place in your life that they do not deserve? Jesus knows you completely. He chose you before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Are your eyes fixed on Him?
Does Jesus alone receive glory and praise from you in all that you do? The blood of Jesus has accomplished your eternal salvation. The resurrection of Jesus has given you the hope of eternal life. Is every part of your life a reflection of your unending gratitude?
Christ the Lamb submitted to the will of God and gave His life so that we could be saved. The only perfect Lamb for the only sufficient sacrifice. Christ the Lion reigns in victory because of what Christ the Lamb accomplished. Jesus alone is worthy!
