Only One is Worthy

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Revelation 4, we saw that God’s throne is the center attraction. Now in Revelation 5, we see the Lion and the Lamb, representing Jesus Christ, are on the throne. He is both Sovereign of the universe and Savior of the world. He is completely in charge of all the events which follow in this Revelation. As a lion He is a Judge; as a lamb, He is judged. The lion represents the government of God; the lamb represents the grace of God.

Let’s not ever lose sight of Jesus as central to the story of the universe.

John now tells us more of what he sees. In Jesus’ right hand, John said he saw a book closed tightly with seven seals. The book rolled and sealed, is the title deed to the world in which we now live. He created it, He redeemed it, and it belongs to Him. (See also Daniel 7:13-14 and Zechariah 5:1-3.)

John tells us next he saw a strong angel—a powerful one—call out in a voice like thunder, “Is there anyone who can open the scroll, who can break its seals?”

Who has the right to do this? Who has the power to make this covenant effective? For our entire history, mankind has thought we can solve our own problems. The Word of God makes it clear we can’t.

John is overwhelmed by the possibility that maybe no one is qualified to open the book and to take charge of this earth. And he weeps because he didn’t have the answer.

Then one of the 24 elders said to John, “Don’t weep. Look—the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the root of David’s family line, He has conquered. He can open the scroll.”

Jesus Christ is the only One who has the right and title to this earth. He not only redeemed us, but He also redeemed the earth. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the future of the world.

Next, John tells us more of what he saw. There, between the throne (with the four living creatures) and with the elders, John said he saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, bearing scars and wounds as though it had been slain. This lamb is standing before the throne and is ready to act as the righteous Judge. Jesus is no longer seated at the right hand of God but is moving now, moving to power. The judgment of the Tribulation is about to strike the earth.

Now the 24 elders and the four living creatures bow down to Jesus on the throne. They sing a new song about redemption. The old song we hear about in the book of Job is the song of creation. They sang about God as the Creator because they didn’t know about His love. Now we can sing about our Savior who loves us and who gave Himself for us.

Worship means “to return to worth,” that which belongs to Him; Jesus Christ is the only One worthy of praise. They sing of Jesus’ shed blood in heaven that redeems us. And not only us, the church, but they also praise the Lamb for those yet to be saved on the earth.

And looking around, John said he heard the voice of so many angels that he couldn’t count them—tens of thousands upon tens of thousands. God’s created intelligences were praising Him—all saying with one voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (v. 12).

Every created thing, every creature of God joins in this universal act of worship, both in heaven and earth. Evidently, the animals of the earth and the fish in the sea join in this volume of praise! They sing, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever” (v. 13). And the four living creatures add their “Amen!” And the 24 elders fall down in silent adoration and praise of Jesus Christ who lives forever and ever.

Next: What are those four riders of the Apocalypse?

1. What does it tell us about ourselves that none of us are worthy to open the scroll?

2. How could Jesus be described both as a lion and a lamb? What do those descriptions show us about our Savior?

3. It wasn’t just humans praising Jesus, it was all of creation. Should this picture change our attitude about creation itself and the world around us?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teaching on Revelation 5.