Revelation 5
Vision of book that no one was worthy to openverses 1-4
And I saw in the right hand of HIM that sat on the throne
a book written within and on the backside
sealed with seven seals
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice
Who is worthy to open the book – and to loose the seals thereof?
And no man in heaven – nor in earth – neither under the earth
was able to open the book – neither to look thereon
And I wept much – because no man was found worthy to open
and to read the book – neither to look thereon
Elders states that Lamb that was slain is worthyverses 5-6
And one of the elders said unto me
Weep not – BEHOLD – the Lion of the tribe of Judah
the Root of David – hath prevailed to open the book
and to loose the seven seals thereof
And I beheld – and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts
and in the midst of the elders
STOOD a Lamb as it had been slain
having seven horns and seven eyes
which are the seven Spirits of God
sent forth into all the earth
Reaction when Lamb took book to openverses 7-10
And HE came and took the book out of the right hand of HIM that
sat upon the throne
And when HE had taken the book
the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down
before the Lamb – having every one of them harps
and golden vials full of odors
which are the prayers of saints
And they sung a new song saying
YOU art worthy to take the book – and to open the seals thereof
for YOU wast slain – and hast redeemed us to God by
YOUR blood out of every kindred – tongue
people – nation
and hast made us unto our God kings and priests
and we shall reign on the earth
Multitude sings praise to the Lamb that was slainverses 11-14
And I beheld – and I heard the voice of many angels round about
the throne – and the beasts and the elders
and the number of them was ten thousand times
ten thousand – and thousands of thousands
SAYING with a loud voice
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power
riches – wisdom – strength – honor
glory – blessing
And every creature which is in heaven – and on the earth
and under the earth – and such as are in the sea
and all that are in them HEARD I saying
Blessing – honor – glory – power
be unto HIM that sits upon the throne
and unto the Lamb forever and ever
And the four beasts said
AMEN
And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped HIM
that lives forever and ever
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (3528 “prevailed” [nikao] means overcome, conquer, to carry off to victory, triumph, win the verdict, overpower, vanquish, or carry the day)
DEVOTION: There are days today when I want to weep. It seems like evil is winning in our country. They are not honoring marriage the way the LORD wants us to honor it. They are not honoring the life that God can bring into the world and take from the world. So the babies are not important and the old people are not important.
Just recently we had someone in another country fall and hit his head, so that, he was unconscious. He went to the hospital and they saw that he had a heart condition and treated him for that without looking for other things that were wrong with him. He was treated with blood thinner. He had bleeding in his head that was never checks so he died from loss of blood. He never woke up.
The health care system is getting to the point that someone is going to determine who lives and dies. Instead of good health care we will only receive it if we are considered worthy.
There is so much going on in this country and the rest of the world that it seems that all we can do is weep. Our friends and family members reject the message of salvation.
The Bible states that the victory is found in Christ alone. HE is the one who will triumph over all the evil we see in our present world. HE is the one who will judge those who don’t honor HIM.
Judgment day is coming for those who dishonor the LORD. Praise the LORD that our life can be counted as worthy because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
We only are on the winning side because of HIM. HE knows the rest of the story. HE makes up the rest of the story. We have to trust HIM to watch over us and our world.
Nothing happens that God doesn’t allow. We are told that things are going to get worse and worse toward the end of our stay in this world. Sometimes we think it can’t get any worse but HE will provide for us.
CHALLENGE: We can weep with the saints in heaven but also realize that we are on the winning side with Jesus Christ. Victory is assured.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. (4335 “prayers” [proseuche] means any reverent petition to a deity, to speak to God, to ask God for, or pray earnestly)
DEVOTION: This is a picture of something happening in heaven. There was a search made of all those in heaven, earth and under the earth to find someone who could open the book that was covered with seven seals. These were the last judgments of the earth. It was time and there needed to be someone found to open the book.
Now the only one who could open the book was the Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world and that was Jesus Christ.
Once HE was recognized the twenty-four elders which represent twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles fell down to worship the Lamb. They recognized HIS ability to open the final judgment because HE was the one slain to appease the Father regarding the sins of those who have been redeemed. The Father had given judgment to HIM because of this sacrifice.
Notice what all the twenty-four elders had in their possession. They had harps. We will all be able to play instruments in heaven. We will see that the prayers of the saints are never forgotten. They were collected in vials.
It is important to realize how important prayer is to God. HE stores them up for the end of the world. HE evaluates them as sweet odors before HIM. It is also noted that it is ONLY the prayers of the saints that are stored.
Remember that the first prayer that the LORD hears from those who have rejected Jesus is their prayer of repentance. Each individual has to repent of their sins before they become a child of God. HE knew before the foundation of the world who would say that prayer.
Once the prayer of repentance was made God expects continued communication between HIS child and HIMSELF. HE wants to hear from every child. HE hears the prayers of every child of HIS. HIS children pray and it is answered.
HE doesn’t always answer our in the positive because HE knows what is best for us. HE sometimes answers with a “wait a while.” Sometimes there are angels fighting in heaven to come with an answer and they need time to win the battle against the evil angels who want to hinder prayer and thereby cause believers to doubt whether God really cares about them.
It took an angel twenty-one days for him to answer Daniel’s prayer because the battle was strong to hinder it.
CHALLENGE: Remember that God stores all the prayers of the saints. Remember God answers all the prayers of the saints. HE wants and expects us to communicate with HIM each day.
: 9 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (514 “worthy” [axios] means deserving, comparable, suitable, due reward, or meet)
DEVOTION: The vision of heaven continued. John saw the throne room with God the Father sitting on the throne with a book that was sealed with seven seals.
A strong angel asked who is worthy to open the book. No man was found anywhere. John wept because no one was found. One of the elders said to stop weeping because the Lion of Judah was coming.
Next, John saw the Lamb of God, who is Jesus Christ. John saw Christ as someone who was going to reign over the earth. Jesus Christ took the book and those around the throne began to sing. It was a new song.
Then the voice of many angels began to sing a song of praise. Finally, every creature began to sing praises to HIM.
Jesus Christ was the only one deserving to open the book. Jesus Christ was the only one suitable to receive the praise of everyone in heaven and earth. Jesus Christ is going to get HIS due reward in the future.
Remember right now HE is sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for the saints. Right now, HE is waiting for all the enemies to be defeated and placed under HIS feet. This is only going to happen according to the plan the Father set down before the foundation of the world.
We can’t predict the date. We have to wait for the last one who is chosen to become a believer. We have to witness until we are called up to heaven. We are to praise HIM now. In the future we will be praising HIM.
We are to be singing in our worship services to the Lord. Many come to church each Sunday and don’t participate in the singing. While others are singing, they are just standing there looking around. If these individuals are followers of Christ, they will have to learn something new when they get to heaven.
In heaven saints sing. They not only sing, they sing LOUD. There are many new songs in our hymnbooks and chorus books. Some people like only the old hymns. Some people only like the chorus. The music war is something that Satan likes to see in our churches.
In heaven we are going to be singing NEW songs. All the songs in heaven will be directed to the LORD Jesus Christ. HE is only one found in Heaven that deserved to open the seals of the judgment of God. HE died for our sins and if we accept HIS sacrifice we can spend eternity in Heaven with HIM. HE alone is deserving of our worship.
There are many who reject Jesus as the only way to heaven. These individuals are going to face the wrath of God. The Tribulation is just the beginning of their facing the judgment of God. They will never worship Jesus. They will all bow their knees before the LORD before they spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels. Are we worshipping HIM today?
CHALLENGE: Praise needs to be come from our mouth on a daily basis. We need the practice.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 10 And have made us to our God kings and priest: and we shall reign on the earth. (936 “reign” [basileuo] means to exercise kingly power, of the rule of the Messiah, be king, hold prevalence over, or to have dominion)
DEVOTION: The future for believers is bright. We are promised to reign with Christ in HIS future kingdom. HE is going to reign on the earth during the Millennium. That is, a thousand year period, that HE will have Satan bound in a pit. The world will be under HIS rule. We will be at HIS side reigning over our assigned cities.
This is a time period when we will be reigning on the earth with HIM. We are all assigned tasks for the LORD after our repentance of our sins. HE gives us a gift through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and expects us to be productive. Many people who think they are believers are not using the gift that the LORD has given them. They think they are going to heaven but in reality, HE will tell them that HE never knew them.
Our goal should be to serve the LORD with gladness with the gift or gifts HE has given us. Then we can expect a reward of reigning with HIM on earth for a time period.
The time period talked about is after the seven years of Tribulation here on the earth to fulfill the seventy weeks of Daniel.
CHALLENGE: Are you ready to reign with HIM – serve HIM faithfully now after making your commitment to HIM.
:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (4352 “worshipped” [proskuneo] means to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence. 2 among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence. 3 in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication. 3a used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank. 3a1 to the Jewish high priests. 3a2 to God. 3a3 to Christ. 3a4 to heavenly beings. 3a5 to demons. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: The central theme of the book of Revelation is that of worship. All through the book we see Jesus worshipped for what He has done already on man’s behalf, and for what He will do in the future. Angels worship Him, the elders worship Him, and all mankind worships Him.
Jesus had already said that those who worshipped God would worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). That means that we need to be prepared in our spirits to worship Him every time we come before Him. Unfortunately, there are many who go to church on Sundays without having a true spirit of worship. That may be because of problems at home, or it may be a result of a fight in the family Sunday morning immediately prior to coming to church.
Worship includes two aspects—praise and obedience. We show our adoration of God by thanking Him for His attributes and for His sovereign plan in the affairs of mankind. We then follow this with our obedience, doing what the Spirit directs us to do in service to Him and to our fellow believers. This should be a part of every single extended prayer time that we have with Him, especially in our daily (morning) watches. I have been working on making sure that I include worship and adoration in my daily quiet times.
Satan’s armies hate to hear the praise of our God, because it reminds them that our God is deserving of all the praise, and that they are defeated foes. That should motivate us to loudly praise God, especially in the presence of others.
CHALLENGE: Do you come to church on Sundays with an attitude of worship? Ask God to make you a true worshipper in church this week. (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Bookverses 1-5, 7-9
Sealed with seven sealsverse 1
Open the bookverses 2-4
Read the bookverse 4
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Prayers of the saintsverse 8
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Fell down to worship the Lambverses 8, 14
Sung a new songverse 9
Song: Worthy is the Lambverses 9, 12
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 6, 9, 10
Sits upon the throneverses 7, 13
Book taken out of right handverse 7
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Lion of the tribe of Judahverse 5
Root of Davidverse 5
Open the bookverse 5
Lambverses 6, 8, 12, 13
Slainverses 6, 9, 12
Seven horns and seven eyesverse 6
Blood redeemedverse 9
Lambverses 12, 13
Receive power, riches, wisdom,
Strength, honor, glory,
blessing
Sits upon the throneverse 13
Lives forever and eververse 14
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spiritverse 6
Seven Spirits of Godverse 6
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Strong angelverse 2
Voice of many angelsverse 11
Four beasts [Seraphim]verses 6, 8, 11, 14
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Kindredverse 9
Tongueverse 9
Peopleverse 9
Nationverse 9
Earthverse 13
Seaverse 13
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Saintsverse 8
Redeemedverse 9
Make kings and priestsverse 10
Reign with Christverse 10
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
John weptverse 4
Eldersverses 5, 6, 11
Last Things (Future Events)
Book writtenverses 1-5, 9
Sealed with seven seals
Worthy to open the book
Eldersverses 5, 11
Twenty- four eldersverses 8, 9, 14
Harps
Golden vials full of odors
prayers of the saints
Sung a new song
Fell down and worshiped
Redeemed made kings and priests
shall reign on the earthverse 10
Number of redeemed: 10,000 x 10,000verse 11
Redeemed saying Worthy is the Lambverse 12
Heavenverse 13
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
6 As John looked to see the mighty Lion (the conquering warrior-Messiah from the Root of David), he saw instead the striking figure of a “Lamb” (arnion, “a young sheep”) as if it had been slaughtered, standing in the center of the throne court. This new figure portrays sacrificial death and links the Messiah to the OT passover lamb (Exod 12:5f.; Isa 53:7; John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19). Here John joins the OT royal Davidic Messiah with the Suffering Servant of Isaiah (Isa 42–53). Both prophetic themes come together in Jesus of Nazareth, the true Messiah. “As if it had been slain” (esphagmenon, “with its throat cut”) could refer to the “marks of death” the living Lamb still bore or to his appearance “as if being led to the slaughter,” i.e., “marked out for death” (Minear, I Saw a New Earth, in loc.). The “lamb” metaphor dominates John’s thought in the rest of the book (e.g., 6:1ff.; 7:9ff.; 12:11; 13:8; 21:9).
John notices that the Lamb who bears the marks of death is also the ruler who bears the signs of the fullness of divine omnipotence, dominion, and omniscience (“seven horns and seven eyes”). Following Charles, Mounce (Revelation, p. 145) suggests that the figure of a lamb with seven horns is undoubtedly drawn from the apocalyptic tradition, citing 1 Enoch 90:9 (the Maccabees are symbolized by “horned lambs”) and the Testament of Joseph (T Jos 19:8–9—a lamb destroys the enemies of Israel). However, the Enoch passage bears little relationship to the messianic Lamb as portrayed in Revelation, and the Testament of Joseph is notorious for Christian interpolations. Since the lamb image is used by the fourth Gospel to depict the Suffering Messiah in passages where apocalyptic connections would be quite remote, it may still be better to connect the lamb vocabulary to the OT Passover motif and Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Isa 53:7), especially in light of the author’s interest in the Passover theme elsewhere in the book (e.g., 19:1ff.).
The “eyes” are more explicitly identified as the “seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth,” probably a symbolic reference to the divine Holy Spirit who is sent forth by Christ into the world (1:4; 4:5). The teaching of the fourth Gospel is similar, where the Spirit is sent forth to exalt Christ and convict the world of sin (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7–15). (Johnson, A. F. (1981). Revelation. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 468). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
And I saw (και εἰδον [kai eidon]). Stirred by the words of the elder in verse 5 (ἰδου [idou], behold). “I beheld.” In the midst (ἐν μεσῳ [en mesōi]). See 4:6 for this idiom. It is not quite clear where the Lamb was standing in the vision, whether close to the throne or in the space between the throne and the elders (perhaps implied by “came” in verse 7, but nearness to the throne is implied by 14:1 and Acts 7:56; Heb. 10:11). A Lamb (ἀρνιον [arnion]). Elsewhere in the N. T. ὁ ἀμνος [ho amnos] is used of Christ (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:19 like Is. 53:7), but in the Apocalypse το ἀρνιον [to arnion] occurs for the Crucified Christ 29 times in twelve chapters. Standing (ἑστηκος [hestēkos]). Second perfect active (intransitive of ἱστημι [histēmi]) neuter accusative singular (grammatical gender like ἀρνιον [arnion]), though some MSS. read ἑστηκως [hestēkōs] (natural gender masculine and nominative in spite of εἰδον [eidon] construction according to sense). As though it had been slain (ὡς ἐσφαγμενον [hōs esphagmenon]). Perfect passive predicate participle of σφαζω [sphazō], old word, in N. T. only in Rev. 5:6, 9, 12; 6:4, 9; 13:3; 18:24 and 1 John 3:12. ὡς [Hōs] (as if) is used because the Lamb is now alive, but (in appearance) with the marks of the sacrifice. The Christ as the Lamb is both sacrifice and Priest (Heb. 9:12f.; 10:11). Having (ἐχων [echōn]). Construction according to sense again with masculine nominative participle instead of ἐχοντα [echonta] (masculine accusative singular) or ἐχον [echon] (neuter accusative singular). Seven horns (κερας [keras]) is a common symbol in the O. T. for strength and kingly power (1 Sam. 2:10; 1 Kings 22:11; Psa. 112:9; Dan. 7:7, 20ff.) and often in Rev. (12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 12). Fulness of power (the All-powerful one) is symbolized by seven. Seven eyes (ὀφθαλμους ἑπτα [ophthalmous hepta]). Like Zech. 3:9; 4:10 and denotes here, as there, omniscience. Here they are identified with the seven Spirits of Christ, while in 1:4 the seven Spirits are clearly the Holy Spirit of God (3:1), and blaze like torches (4:5), like the eyes of Christ (1:14). The Holy Spirit is both Spirit of God and of Christ (Rom. 8:9). Sent forth (ἀπεσταλμενοι [apestalmenoi]). Perfect passive predicate participle of ἀποστελλω [apostellō], masculine plural (agreeing with οἱ [hoi] and ὀφθαλμους [ophthalmous] in gender), but some MSS. have ἀπεσταλμενα [apestalmena] agreeing with the nearer πνευματα [pneumata]. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Re 5:6). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
5:6–7. Though introduced as a “Lion” (v. 5), what John saw was a Lamb that appeared to have been slain or sacrificed. Yet the Lamb was standing in the center of the throne. About Him were the 24 elders and the four living creatures. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes.
The Lion and the Lamb surely refer to Christ, with the Lamb referring to His first coming and His death and the Lion referring to His second coming and His sovereign judgment of the world. This is the only place in Revelation where Christ is called a Lion, whereas the word “Lamb” (arnion, “a small or young lamb”) is found 27 times in Revelation and nowhere else in the New Testament. But two similar words for a sacrificial lamb are used in the New Testament: arēn, found only in Luke 10:3, and amnos, which occurs four times (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19).
Since horns symbolize strength (1 Kings 22:11), the “seven horns” represent the authority and strength of a ruler (Dan. 7:24; Rev. 13:1). The “seven eyes” defined as the seven spirits of God (cf. Zech. 3:9; 4:10) symbolically represent the Holy Spirit (cf. Rev. 1:4, 4:5). Because He alone is worthy, the Lamb took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne (cf. Dan. 7:9, 13–14). (Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 945). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Because of where He is (v. 6). To begin with, Jesus is in heaven. He is not in the manger, in Jerusalem, on the cross, or in the tomb. He is ascended and exalted in heaven. What an encouragement this is to suffering Christians, to know that their Saviour has defeated every enemy and is now controlling events from glory! He too suffered, but God turned His suffering into glory.
But where is Christ in heaven? He is in the midst. The Lamb is the center of all that transpires in heaven. All creation centers in Him (the four living creatures), as do all of God’s people (the elders). The angels around the throne encircle the Saviour and praise Him.
He is also at the throne. Some sentimental Christian poetry and hymnody dethrones our Saviour and emphasizes only His earthly life. These poems and songs glamorize “the gentle Carpenter” or “the humble Teacher,” but they fail to exalt the risen Lord! We do not worship a Babe in a manger or a corpse on a cross. We worship the living, reigning Lamb of God who is in the midst of all in heaven. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 585). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
5:6 Lamb. Hearing of a lion, John turns to see a lamb (lit. “a little, pet lamb”). God required the Jews to bring the Passover lamb into their houses for 4 days, essentially making it a pet, before it was to be violently slain (Ex 12:3, 6). This is the true Passover Lamb, God’s Son (cf. Is 53:7; Jer 11:19; Jn 1:29). as if slain. The scars from its slaughter are still clearly visible, but it is standing—it is alive. seven horns. In Scripture, horns always symbolize power, because in the animal kingdom they are used to exert power and inflict wounds in combat. Seven horns signify complete or perfect power. Unlike other defenseless lambs, this One has complete, sovereign power. seven eyes … seven Spirits. Cf. 4:5; see note on 1:4 (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Re 5:6). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, &c.] These words, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, are left out in the Syriac version: and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb; John, upon the intimation given him by the elder, lift up his eyes, and with great earnestness looked about, and saw the person he pointed at, though not in the form of a lion, but in the appearance of a lamb, to which Christ, both in the Old and New Testament, is often compared; and that very aptly, for his innocence and purity of nature; for his harmless and inoffensive conversation; and for his meek and humble deportment throughout the whole of his life; and for his patience at the time of his sufferings and death; and for his usefulness both for food and clothing to his people; and chiefly for his sacrifice for them, typified both by the passover-lamb, and by the lambs of the daily sacrifice: hence it follows, as it had been slain; or as having been slain; Christ had been really slain by the wicked hands of the Jews, and not in appearance only; the as, here, is not a note of mere similitude and likeness, but of reality and truth; see John 1:14; Phil. 2:7 but he was now risen from the dead, and therefore is said to have been slain some time before, though now alive; and he appeared to have the marks of his sufferings and death upon him, as he had after his resurrection the print of the nails and spear, in his hands, feet, and side; and he was as a lamb that had been newly or lately slain: and it may denote the continued efficacy of his blood, to cleanse from all sin, and of his sacrifice to take it away; he was as a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, with respect to the continual virtue of his blood and sacrifice; and he will be, on the same account, the Lamb as it had been slain, unto the end of the world. The position and situation of this Lamb were, he stood in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders; he stood, being risen from the dead, and ascended up into heaven, but was not as yet set down upon the throne with his father, but was very near it; he stood before it, ready to be placed upon it, and receive his power and his kingdom; he stood between the throne, and between the living creatures, and the elders, being the Mediator between God, and his church, and people; he appeared before the throne for them, as their advocate, and stood ready to give them all the assistance, and to do them all the good he could: and this his situation may also denote, that he is continually in view, is always in the sight of God, as the Lamb that had been slain; his blood is carried within the vail, is sprinkled upon the mercy-seat, and is always in sight, and calls for peace and pardon; and God the father always looks upon it, and to his righteousness, sacrifice, and satisfaction, on account of his people: moreover, his being in the midst of the four living creatures, and elders, may signify his presence in his churches, and with his ministers, which he has promised them to the end of the world. This Lamb is further represented, as having seven horns; it is very unusual for a lamb to have horns, and especially seven: these horns are expressive of the power of Christ, of his dominion and government, even of his kingly power and authority; so kings are signified by horns in Dan. 8:20, 21 and 7:24 and Christ himself is called the horn of David, and the horn of salvation, Psal. 132:17; Luke 1:69 and signify, that upon his resurrection from the dead, and ascension to heaven, he was made and declared Lord and Christ; and the number seven expresses the fulness and perfection of his power and authority, having, as Mediator, all power in heaven and in earth given him; and what is above all power, might, dominion, and every name in this world, and that to come; and may have some relation to the seven states of his churches in so many periods of time; and shew not only that he has power sufficient to protect and defend his people in all times, and to push at and destroy his and their enemies, but to open the then sealed book, and unloose the seals: and as another qualification for this work, it follows, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth; which some understand of angels, and of a sufficient number of them, which belong to Christ, and are at his command, and who are ready to do his will, and to be sent forth by him, into the several parts of the earth, to execute his pleasure: but these rather design the spirit of God and his gifts, which Christ received without measure, both in his human nature, at his incarnation, and after his resurrection from the dead, and ascension; which he bestowed on his apostles and ministering servants, whom he sent forth into all the world, to preach his Gospel with them; and which he has, more or less, ever since continued to do. The Ethiopic version reads in the singular number, and this is the spirit of God which is sent into all the earth; see the note on ch. 1:4. these seven eyes may design the perfect knowledge of Christ, his foresight of future events, and his all-wise providence, which is always and everywhere concerned to fulfil and accomplish them; so that he is every way qualified to take the book of future events, as to the church and world, and reveal it, open and explain it, and fulfil the things contained in it; see Zech. 3:9 and 4:10. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 725–726). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
3528 νικάω [nikao /nik·ah·o/] v. From 3529; TDNT 4:942; TDNTA 634; GK 3771; 28 occurrences; AV translates as “overcome” 24 times, “conquer” twice, “prevail” once, and “get the victory” once. 1 to conquer. 1a to carry off the victory, come off victorious. 1a1 of Christ, victorious over all His foes. 1a2 of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions. 1a3 when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one’s cause. (Strong’s concordance)
JUST DO SOMETHING by Kevin DeYoung
Worrying and fretting and obsessing about the future, even if it is a pseudo-holy worry that attempts to discern the will of God, will not add one single hour to your life, and it will certainly not add any happiness or holiness either.
Worry and anxiety are not merely bad habits or idiosyncrasies. They are sinful fruits that blossom from the root of unbelief. Jesus doesn’t treat obsession with the future as a personal quirk, but as evidence of little faith (v. 30). Worry and anxiety reflect our hearts’ distrust in the goodness and sovereignty of God. Worry is a spiritual issue and must be fought with faith. (p. 56-57)
First, God’s will is that we live holy, set-apart lives: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (I Thessalonians 4:3).
He wants you to buy a house that will make you holy. If you marry, He wants you to get married so you can be holy. He wants you to have a job that will help you grow in holiness. (p.58)
Second, we are to always rejoice, pray, and give thanks. (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18) (p.58)
Third, we are to know God’s will so we can bear fruit and know Him better. (Colossians 1: 9)
Fourth, the will of God is to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5: 17)
Simply put, God’s will is your growth in Christlikeness. (p. 61)
The only chains God wants us to wear are the chains of righteousness – not the chains of hopeless subjectivism, not the shackles of risk-free living, not the fetters of horoscope decision making – just the chains befitting a bond servant of Christ Jesus. (p. 61)
Boaz marries Ruth and restores the fortunes of both Ruth and Naomi.
INSIGHT
What a happy ending. Because of Ruth’s faithfulness and circumspection, all the broad acres in which she once gleaned as a destitute alien are now hers, for she has become one with the owner.
When we are one with Christ, we are no longer aliens in another’s fields; and being one with Christ, all that is His is now also ours. As Ruth is translated from isolation and poverty to union and wealth in Boaz, so we become fellow heirs of the riches of Christ and the grace of God. It is likely that the story of Ruth is intended by God to picture our redemption in Christ. And our story is even greater than Ruth’s story. (Quiet Walk)
JESUS’ UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP TO GOD
…no man knoweth the Son, but the Father. Matthew 11:27
Our Lord claims that He is in a unique relationship to God in the matter of His knowledge of God. “No man,” He says, “knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son.” In other words, He looked at these people and said, “You see Me, but you do not really know Me. The only one who really knows Me is God, and I am the one, the only one, who really knows God. You pray, you speak to God, but you do not know God as I do.” Nobody “hath seen God at any time,” nor seen His shape. But Christ said that He had seen Him, and He claimed, as the Jews realized, an equality with God the Father. He put Himself side by side with God. Occasionally He withdrew the veil and gave a glimpse of that eternal, mystical relationship between the Father and Himself, and He claimed that He was in such an intimate relationship with God that all men were outside it. Here He is, the carpenter of Nazareth, and yet that is what He claims.
He stands there and tells these people, “Do you know that the whole of this world, the whole of time, the whole of history—heaven and earth and hell and all things—have been handed over to Me by God the Father?” That is His claim: a unique sonship, a unique relationship to God, and a unique relationship to this world. He stands there and says quietly that the whole world is in His hands. Never has the world seen or heard anyone who has claimed so much. Who is He, this babe of Bethlehem, this boy of Nazareth, this carpenter, this artisan, who claims that He is indeed the Son of God?
A Thought to Ponder: Christ claims a unique sonship, a unique relationship to God, and a unique relationship to this world.
(From The Heart of the Gospel, pp. 135-136, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
A Righteous Heart
“And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel.” (1 Kings 11:9
The Scriptures have an interesting commentary on Solomon’s life: “When Solomon was old…his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God” (1 Kings 11:4). How is it possible to start well and end sadly?
We Must Guard Our Heart: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life,” Solomon admonished in Proverbs 4:23. The Hebrew word for “keep” is natsar and the main verb for “guard” or “set a watch.” Psalm 119 uses natsar 10 times to demand our careful “watch” on our obedience and use of the Word of God. The promise is “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2).
Store the Good Treasure: In one of his many confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus gave several illustrations about the impact of the “heart” part of our nature. Jesus spoke of binding the “strong man,” noting that a tree produces the fruit it was grown for and that snakes are always snakes. Then Jesus makes this observation: “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35).
Others Will Try to Turn Your Heart: Jeroboam (1 Kings 11–12) led Israel in rebellion against Judah and against God. He “devised of his own heart” (1 Kings 12:33) liturgical practices that “made Israel to sin” (1 Kings 15:34). Peter warns: “Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” (2 Peter 3:17).
We must guard our hearts, “for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
The most critical element in scriptural discernment is the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into truth (John 14:26; 16:13) and in understanding God’s will and purpose. (p. 122)
It is important for us to realize that the manner in which the church conducts business, the way it interacts with others, and the testimony it has in a community is a reflection of the person and character of God. All the actions of the church should be an expression of the governed by the nature of God. In the decisions we make and the actions we perform, we should always seek to reflect the character of God in such a way that HIS reputation is enhanced by what we do as a church. (p. 123)
(Developing Leaders for the Small Church by Glenn C. Daman)
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries –please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.