Day 65: The one who is good enough! - Revelation 5 vs 1 - 10

1-2 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3-4 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6-7 Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne. 8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. Revelation 5:1-10 Christian Standard Bible

As this is part of a vision which the disciple John saw we have to figure out what it all means, and Christians won't always agree on every interpretation. But most seem to agree that the sealed scroll in the Father's right hand represented an explanation of what was happening, and would still happen, in the world. John's tears were because there was no one good enough in heaven or earth to open the scroll. (vs 3-4)

This tells us that there is no religion invented by mankind, and no earthly prophet or guru, that can reveal God and His plans to the world. Not Muhummed, not Buddha, not Zoroaster, nor any 'New Age' teachers . . . no one in all creation was able to open the scroll. But who was found worthy enough to open it? (vs 5)

As vs 6-9 go on the show, this was obviously Jesus Christ. What is the astounding thing Jesus did that all of heaven cried out as the reason why He alone is worthy to unfold God's plans? (vs 9)

No religion on earth has the message of God giving His only begotten Son who would die on a cross and purchase sinners for God. Being a Christian is not following a religion – it is trusting upon a person. And who is this message of Jesus for? Only Jews? Only certain race groups? Only the wealthy? What does vs 9 say?

The apostle Peter described Christians in a similar way to vs 10. He said: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. That's what Jesus has made us, and that's why He alone is worthy to make God's will known to His people.

One last thought – don't underestimate your part in the unfolding of God's purposes in the world. What's the big thing we can do in the world according to verse 8?

Do you sometimes think your prayers are feeble and weak? Do you ever think 'what can my little prayers accomplish'? Well, feeble and weak as they may be, we're told that they are like incense in heaven! And we have a mighty God who is working His purposes out in the world through His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Worthy is the Lamb!