Revelation 5:11–14   Don’t Loose Sight of the Victorious Lamb

And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels who were around the throne and around the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands upon thousands. ¹²With a loud voice they were saying: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.

¹³I also heard every creature that is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever.

¹⁴The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders bowed down and worshipped.

In the name of Christ, our Risen Savior,

When something bad happens, it’s not about what has happened, it’s about what you do next that will change everything. It starts with you. – Octavia Goredema

Goredema is a career coach who is the founder of Twenty Ten Agency. The advice can be helpful. Our life is made up of responses to what happens to us. Since we live in a world affected by sin, bad things do happen. So that part is not unusual. Our response of what we do however depends on what we are seeing.

The theme for the Easter season is “Victorious.” Last week in our second lesson John saw Jesus in all his glory. The vision was so glorious that John fainted. But Jesus touched John and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last— ¹⁸ the Living One. I was dead and, see, I am alive forever and ever! I also hold the keys of death and hell.”

Jesus then continued to give John what we know as the Book of Revelation. After the seven letters to the congregations, Jesus also included what was going to come in the future. A recent survey asked Americans which of the five senses they would least like to lose. 77% chose sight. Navigating life blind poses a plethora of challenges that the sighted do not face. This is why Scripture often uses the concept of blindness as a metaphor for how hard it is to navigate life without a correct understanding or vision of Christ. Today our lesson is from Revelation 5 where the vision presents the Lamb. This Word gives us the encouragement: Don’t Loose Sight of the Victorious Lamb.

1. The Vision that Saves

Chapter 4 records John’s vision of God. When you get an opportunity read that chapter and take the time to imagine being an eyewitness like John was. I can’t imagine what it was like to see the Triune God in all his glory. Any earthly pageantry just fails in comparison. Then in chapter 5 we read: “And I saw a scroll in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, with writing on the front and on the back, sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll by breaking its seals?” ³ No one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.”

John realized that the possibility of knowing the future was gone. The Lord was looking for someone to open the scroll, but there was no one. John records, “⁴ And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.”

But the vision isn’t as hopeless as John fears. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed and is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Remember that Revelation is written in Old Testament prophecy style. Referring to Jacob’s blessing of Judah in Genesis, the elder is pointing to what was foretold of the Messiah. After David received the prophecy about his special descendant he is referred to as the Branch of Jesse and also the Root of David. Don’t press the pictures too much. But they refer to Jesus. The elder calls him Lion of Judah and the Root of David. But look how he appears at the throne of God: ⁶ And I saw a Lamb standing in the center, near the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. The Lamb seemed to have been slain, and he had seven horns and seven eyes (these are the seven spirits of God that have been sent into all the world). ⁷ The Lamb came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when the Lamb took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders bowed down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls full of incense (these are the prayers of the saints). ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and you bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe and language and people and nation. ¹⁰ You made them to be a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on the earth.

That is where our text begins. It is a continuation of the “new song.” It isn’t new because it was something different. It is new because now the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled. Yes, that sight of the “Lamb that was slain” is the sight that saves. That life, death and resurrection declares that the victory is won.

That is the only saving view. The Lamb that was slain is the only One who has the ability to unroll the scroll. The Lamb who was slain has earned right to be in charge. He earned that right by becoming that Lamb, we know him by the name of Jesus. He came to be under the law and lead that perfect life that the law demands. As the Lamb he also came to fulfill what God had pictured by the ceremonial law that he had given Israel. John the Baptist pointed to that vision when he told his disciples and people listening, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

The Gospel records the various responses to John’s advice. Two of his disciples immediately followed Jesus that day to learn more. Many of John’s disciples listened to John. That was his purpose. He was to prepare the way for the Lamb. Jesus’ followers were confident that Jesus was the Messiah. There were others who heard John and rejected that statement. When Jesus completed what is pictured by the words John the Baptist spoke. Jesus is the Lamb that was slain. The Gospel for today shows how hard it was for his disciples to understand the picture. Even though he had told them that he would have to suffer and die. He also told them that he would rise. John recorded how the risen Jesus appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem. He had told them to go to Galilee where he would meet them. Today’s Gospel points out that even though Jesus yelled out to them from the shore, they didn’t really see him. It took another miracle to get them to see the saving vision.

By God’s grace, we have come to share in that blessed vision. Yes, we see the Lamb that was slain. That vision saves!

2. The Vision that Imparts a Full Life

The disciples were suffering from a form of spiritual blindness. At that time after Jesus’ resurrection, they didn’t see how vital to their eternal welfare it was, that Jesus had risen. It is the proof that Jesus is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. After 40 days the disciples grew in faith and the form of spiritual blindness they were suffering from was removed. But even on the day of Jesus’ Ascension they asked, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Their vision was too small.

When John received this vision, it was about 60+ years after the disciples had been sent out. All of John’s fellow apostles had suffered martyrdom. He was also in exile on the island of Patmos. The Christians in many areas of the Roman empire where actively facing persecution. Some had their property taken away. Many were imprisoned. Many also martyred. Jesus in his love for his church gave John this vision. Don’t fear the future, Jesus was reminding John and all Christians. Always remember this vision.

Listen again to the song that thousands upon thousands of angels are singing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” Yes, Jesus has the power. When he appeared to his disciples, he told them that he had received all power. Jesus had become poor for our sakes, but now in his exultation all things in heaven and earth are given to him. Jesus is the Word. He embodies wisdom. He knows all things. He has the strength, so we can rejoice that we remain secure in our Good Shepherd’s arms. So all honor belongs to him. He also as true man receives the glory that belongs to God alone. He is the source of all blessing.

Don’t fail to see that you and I are included in this vision. John also heard every creature that is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and al that is in them, joining in that song of praise.

Yes, the world today is in a perilous state. When one hears and sees of that is going on, it is easy to get worried. Remember what our first lesson taught us. Jesus stopped Saul in his murderous threats and changed his heart. By taking away his sight, he gave Saul the gift of becoming Paul. Remember also the advice that Jesus gave Ananias when he was sent to Saul. He was his chosen instrument to carry Jesus’ name to the Gentiles. Included in that commission is the statement, “Indeed, I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” We can apply that to our day and age too. The world is desperately in need of seeing Jesus. This is true for all time. So remember, when something bad happens, it’s not about what has happened, it’s about what you do next that will change everything. It starts with you. Yes, but it starts with your vision. Don’t Loose Sight of the Victorious Lamb!