“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
(Revelation 5:12)
The fifth chapter of Revelation begins by describing a heavenly court room… the Righteous Judge seated on the throne and in His right hand a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals, which is the scroll of God’s covenant. John the Apostle, author of this magnificent book, walks us through the scene as it takes place before him. He hears the “strong angel” call out in a booming voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And on hearing that question John weeps “loudly,” because no one is able to open God’s covenant scroll.
John describes what happens next:
One of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And … I saw a Lamb standing before the throne, as though it had been slain. And He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne. And when He had taken the scroll, those in attendance sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
One – and only One – was found worthy to open the seals because He had fulfilled God’s covenant stipulations. That One is the Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world. He alone is worthy because He alone met the requirements to fulfill all God required in the blessed Covenant of Grace. Only the Lamb of God, God’s one true Christ, the Anointed Savior, was sufficient to take the scroll of judgement from the right hand of God, the Righteous Judge, because He had completely fulfilled what God legally required for the salvation of His people. In this, Christ is eminently high and glorious as God’s covenant Mediator.
“Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb who was slain,” for He redeemed us to God! That’s why we praise the Lamb! That’s why we adore God, Creator of the universe and Designer of the divine plan of redemption for His church! Thomas Hodges said, “Christ’s glorious excellency, which at first to the eye appears small, yet the more the mind is exercised about the word, the larger it shows the glory of Christ, until at the last it proves incomprehensible, and the understanding is swallowed up by it.”
Christ is incomprehensible in His covenant glory. Indeed, even in king David’s description in the psalms, His covenant greatness and eminence are unsearchable. In a word, He is majestic in every way. Man’s understanding cannot perfectly reach up to the loftiness of what Christ did in His work as God’s perfect Redeemer for His people. How high and glorious do you think Christ is in His saving work? He is so high and glorious that all creatures bow before Him and give homage to Him. The Apostle John shows all the creatures of heaven attributing to Christ the crown of glory, setting such a crown on Christ’s head, as worship which is due only to Him. They do this by way of subjection, stooping to Him, bowing down to Him. Angels and saints worship Him, acknowledging His highness by denying their own, by casting down their crowns before Him. They cover their face and make Him in His covenant glory the object of their admiration. In this they adore God. Do you?
- Lord Jesus, You are so mighty and so majestic. Though I want to know you better, who am I to think I could withstand even a glimpse of who You really are? My thoughts are often sinful and displeasing to You, but if I know my heart I want to honor You. Show me how I may better honor You in my thoughts and with my mind.
- Where do my thoughts go as I read Your word? Do I have high thoughts of You? Are my thoughts of You worshipful thoughts that please You? I spend so much time dwelling on things that don’t matter. Bring to my mind this scene that John shares in Revelation 5 over and over, so I am continually reminded of who You are and what You’ve done to rescue me from an otherwise inescapable and eternal death in hell because of a sin debt against the Father that I could never repay.
- I talk a lot about fearing You rightly, O Lord, but where do I acknowledge You with reverence, and stand in awe of You above all creatures? Do I have so little dread at Your majesty that I “make a sport of sin?” (Proverbs 10:23). Will You work in me a true and godly fear and respect for Your commandments so that I come to obey You more consistently?
- Scripture shows me that You are the fountain and origin of all that is perfect. You are eternal and immutable, perfect and glorious. You alone are worthy of all praise and honor and glory and blessing. Make a deep impression of this truth in my heart. Keep me focused on the reality of heaven and how the elders and saints who are already there continually praise and worship You, for You alone are worthy!
Further References for Revelation 5:12
Rev. 4:11, 5:6, 5:9; Phil. 2:9; Ps. 148:2
