WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.940 Revelation chapter 5. 00:00:05.339 --> 00:00:09.660 The last time I was with you, which was three weeks ago now, 00:00:10.620 --> 00:00:14.359 we are in Revelation chapter 4, and we were paying attention to 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:19.219 the fact that in chapter 4, the angels, the created beings, 00:00:19.879 --> 00:00:26.600 the saints are joining in a hymn of praise to the Lord God Almighty. 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:31.300 And then we come to chapter 5, and we see similar themes, 00:00:31.420 --> 00:00:38.700 but this time it's a hymn of praise to Jesus, the Lamb of God, 00:00:38.800 --> 00:00:40.240 the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:42.960 So let's read Revelation 5 together. 00:00:44.020 --> 00:00:45.520 This is God's Word. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:50.020 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll 00:00:50.020 --> 00:00:54.500 with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:58.619 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:03.480 who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll? 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:09.560 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:11.159 or even look inside it. 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:15.599 I wept and wept because no one was found who is worthy to open the scroll 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:16.480 or look inside. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:20.079 Then one of the elders said to me, do not weep. 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:25.280 See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. 00:01:25.759 --> 00:01:29.679 He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:01:30.700 --> 00:01:33.299 Then I saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain, 00:01:33.799 --> 00:01:35.759 standing in the center of the throne, 00:01:36.259 --> 00:01:39.099 encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:42.039 He had seven horns and seven eyes, 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:45.219 which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:49.379 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 00:01:49.620 --> 00:01:50.879 And when he had taken it, 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:56.039 the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb. 00:01:56.519 --> 00:02:00.579 Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, 00:02:01.099 --> 00:02:02.659 which are the prayers of the saints. 00:02:02.960 --> 00:02:04.420 And they sang a new song. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:08.099 You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:09.860 because you are slain. 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:15.680 And with your blood, you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:02:15.880 --> 00:02:19.580 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:21.260 and they will reign on the earth. 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:25.520 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, 00:02:25.660 --> 00:02:29.380 numbering thousands upon thousands and 10,000 times 10,000. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:33.080 They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:35.380 In a loud voice, they sang, 00:02:35.379 --> 00:02:44.960 worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:52.240 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them singing, 00:02:52.859 --> 00:03:01.180 to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever. 00:03:01.180 --> 00:03:03.800 The four living creatures said, 00:03:04.040 --> 00:03:04.420 Amen. 00:03:05.420 --> 00:03:09.180 And the elders fell down and worshiped. 00:03:10.420 --> 00:03:11.680 This is God's word. 00:03:12.420 --> 00:03:19.219 To look at this chapter and to think about this hymn or these hymns to our worthy Savior. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:25.780 That's the question that runs all through this chapter. 00:03:25.900 --> 00:03:26.620 It's an important question. 00:03:26.760 --> 00:03:28.960 Who is worthy? 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:33.020 We have other times where that question is asked. 00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:36.400 In our stories, sometimes in our legends. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:39.159 Think about the legend of King Arthur. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:43.500 Remember Excalibur, the sword in the stone. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:47.680 And the question in the kingdom of Britain was, 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:51.040 Who is worthy to pass the test? 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:54.280 Who is worthy to remove the sword from the stone? 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:59.180 Who will be shown to be the true and rightful king of Britain? 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:01.800 Who is worthy in our legends? 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:10.599 At this time in our nation's life, politicians are trying to answer the question for us. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:11.360 Who is worthy? 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:14.940 By saying, I am worthy of your vote. 00:04:14.940 --> 00:04:21.199 Or rather, if the pamphlets that you get are anything like the ones that come through our door. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:25.160 Rather, it's all those other groups are not worthy of your vote. 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:27.100 They don't have the right opinion. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.259 So you need to vote for us. 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:34.099 We can offer you this wonderful future. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:38.560 Or whatever that might look like along party political lines. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:42.579 Well, here's the question in Revelation 5. 00:04:42.659 --> 00:04:48.539 And it's far bigger than anything tied up to our politics. 00:04:49.099 --> 00:04:52.039 It's far bigger than a legend. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:55.200 The question is, who is worthy? 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:58.340 Who is God's rightful king? 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:01.260 And who can represent him? 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:09.100 Who can bring God's glorious future that he has promised to his people to come to pass? 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:14.860 Is anyone worthy to destroy evil once and for all 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:19.340 and establish a kingdom of perfect goodness to establish the kingdom of God? 00:05:19.340 --> 00:05:21.259 Is anyone worthy? 00:05:22.040 --> 00:05:23.060 That's the question. 00:05:23.460 --> 00:05:24.840 That's why the question matters. 00:05:24.960 --> 00:05:29.760 It's why the identity of the worthy one matters. 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:32.540 It mattered to the first century church. 00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:35.700 Remember, this was written to John. 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:42.320 Visions given to John the Baptist for a suffering church beginning to face persecution. 00:05:42.320 --> 00:05:50.320 They were being told to hold on, to persevere because Jesus has triumphed. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:52.579 He is the one who is worthy. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:58.819 And this is true for us as well in the 21st century because we too suffer. 00:05:58.980 --> 00:06:00.199 We too struggle. 00:06:00.339 --> 00:06:02.300 We do still have problems. 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:05.180 We wonder who will bring this to an end. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:07.680 Who will bring that hope that I am longing for? 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:17.079 And again, the identity of the Lion Lamb matters for us and for our worship. 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:19.740 So let's look at this question that's asked by the angels. 00:06:19.900 --> 00:06:21.139 Who is worthy? 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:28.319 If you look at verses 1 and 2, the issue is who is worthy to open this scroll? 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:36.560 So there is in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:38.500 sides and sealed with seven seals. 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:41.699 And the question is who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll? 00:06:41.779 --> 00:06:43.599 So what's going on here with this scroll? 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:44.259 What is it? 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:47.980 The scroll is a royal document. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:50.920 It's in the hands of God, the Father in heaven. 00:06:51.219 --> 00:06:52.500 It's a royal document. 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:54.920 It's been sealed with the royal seal. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:59.920 So it's only able to be opened by authorized personnel. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:04.759 And so that's where the question comes from. 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:06.099 That's where the tension comes from. 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:09.339 Who is authorized to take it and open it? 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:12.639 What's the contents of the scroll? 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:17.479 That's really what the rest of the book of Revelation tells us about. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:22.019 It's about God's plans for the ends of the world, for the end of the world. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:30.039 In chapters 6 to 20, you see a large focus on God's plan to bring final judgment and to 00:07:30.039 --> 00:07:32.159 bring an end to evil. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:39.699 And tied up with that, there is also God's plan to bring final salvation for God's people. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:46.719 We see God's final intention to establish the new heavens and the new earth, this perfectly 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:51.539 restored earth where God will live with and among his people forever. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.459 So that's the content of the scroll. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:58.199 But the question is, who is able to unlock? 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:00.180 Who is able to bring it to pass? 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:02.879 Look at verse 3. 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:03.720 Here's the tension. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:08.900 No one in heaven or earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:11.420 This is a big deal. 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:14.900 It's such a big deal that it causes John to weep. 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:16.519 Why is it such a big deal? 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:22.480 Because no angel, no human has the authority or the ability to bring about God's purposes. 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:28.520 And if there is no one to complete God's purposes, then there is no end to evil and suffering. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:32.060 There is no glory in the final kingdom of God. 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:38.539 And so John in his suffering state, he wants that and therefore he weeps at the thought 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:41.980 that there is no one who is worthy. 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:52.879 For you and for me, I'm sure we recognize that the world is both a place of beauty and a place 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:57.379 of ugliness, a place of joy and a place of sorrow. 00:08:57.539 --> 00:09:00.139 We see it so often in our national news. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:03.920 We feel it in our own personal experience. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:07.100 And we have these longings deep within us. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:14.220 We want a place where justice is done and we feel the pain of injustice. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:20.940 We want to live in a world that's marked by perfect peace, both politically and in terms 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:22.440 of personal relationships. 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:27.879 We all long in our hearts that love would not come to an end. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:36.500 We want the world that God is about to bring to pass according to Revelation, 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:41.899 a world without sickness and suffering and disease and pain and death. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:46.879 And the question, is there a possibility of us getting that world we all want? 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:49.139 Is there anyone who is worthy? 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:52.299 Is there anyone who can answer our longings? 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:56.879 Is there anyone who can bring ultimate hope beyond the despair that we often feel? 00:09:57.299 --> 00:10:04.419 Where can such a person be found who is worthy? 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:08.500 It brings us immediately to the answer. 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:10.819 John is not left to weep for long. 00:10:11.479 --> 00:10:16.059 Verse 5, one of the elders said to me, do not weep. 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:22.459 See, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has triumphed. 00:10:22.819 --> 00:10:27.599 He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:28.559 Who is worthy? 00:10:29.199 --> 00:10:32.279 The lion who is also the lamb, King Jesus. 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:33.579 He is worthy. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:37.899 Jesus comes with the authority of God. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:43.019 This great lion, he comes to fulfill the promises of God. 00:10:43.839 --> 00:10:49.839 Jesus, the lion lamb, has come to establish the happily ever after for the people of God. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:54.679 To give us the certain hope of that world that we all long for. 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:57.699 And this from the angels comes as good news for John. 00:10:57.739 --> 00:11:01.579 And it comes as good news for us today. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:06.579 Because one has been found who is worthy. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:09.959 Revelation is full of images and pictures. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:12.019 And we have a couple of them here. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:16.939 And the one who is worthy is the lion of the tribe of Judah. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:20.180 And of course, when we think of lions, we think of majesty. 00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:22.860 We think of might. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:25.880 We think of kingship. 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:30.700 This lion is going to rule with majesty and power. 00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:38.980 In the Old Testament, Judah was described as the lion, the great king to come. 00:11:39.180 --> 00:11:44.520 David, attention focused then on David as the great king. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:55.199 But after David, there was the hope towards the end of the Old Testament that the Messiah, the Savior, he would be this great king, this great lion. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:58.679 Gives us the hope of the coming of Jesus. 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:02.460 And look at the way it's put in verse 5. 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:07.579 The lion of the tribe of Judah has triumphed. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:10.559 So again, we're going to read lots of battles. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:16.179 If you read Revelation, you read lots of battles, lots of conflict between darkness and light and good and evil. 00:12:16.459 --> 00:12:19.559 But the lion has triumphed. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:28.139 Our hope is rooted in a past act that has secured certain victory. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:34.720 So important for us as Christians to be able to hold on to that. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:44.199 To recognize that our circumstances, difficult as they might be, they do not change the victory of Jesus. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:49.139 They do not change the fact that the lion has triumphed. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:54.500 That his final and ultimate victory is never in hope, in doubt. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:58.379 So we might find ourselves sometimes in very dark places. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:04.179 We might find ourselves living with very real despair and fear for our future. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:08.399 And that's when we need to go back to the reality of the gospel. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:14.600 We need to go deeper into this wonderful truth that the lion has triumphed for his people. 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.100 Where has he done it? 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.940 He did it at the cross. 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:23.880 The cross is where sin and death and the devil have been defeated. 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:27.900 The cross is the place where forgiveness has been secured. 00:13:28.020 --> 00:13:31.900 The cross is the place where eternal life is granted. 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:37.080 The cross is where we find hope beyond suffering and death. 00:13:37.140 --> 00:13:38.980 Because Jesus didn't stay dead. 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:42.040 He then rose three days later. 00:13:42.040 --> 00:13:46.040 This lion has triumphed. 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:49.620 But he's not just a lion. 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:54.279 The image changes in verse 6. 00:13:55.879 --> 00:14:07.360 Then I saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:12.019 This lion is this lamb. 00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:16.379 The lamb slaughtered and sacrificed. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:21.320 And again, John uses more Old Testament imagery than any other. 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:24.580 Revelation uses more Old Testament imagery than any other book of the Bible. 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:29.100 In the Old Testament, we can think of the Passover lamb. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:36.180 That lamb that was slain so that the judgment of God might pass over the houses of Israel. 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:40.980 Or we might think of the sacrificial system and the sin offerings. 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:52.300 Where when a person had sinned against God's law, they could bring an animal and take that animal to the priest and slaughter the animal. 00:14:52.299 --> 00:15:01.719 Having placed their hand on the head of the animal as if to signal, here is sin being transferred from the guilty person to the animal. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:08.000 The animal dying in the place of the sinful person so that forgiveness could happen. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:15.659 Or we think of Isaiah's suffering servant, the lamb who was led to the slaughter. 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:22.700 The lamb who would die so that we might live. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:33.440 This lamb looking as if it had been slain points us to the saving work of Jesus on the cross. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:35.899 There's where victory is found. 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:38.179 There's where hope is won. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:45.079 But you also get in Revelation 5 a wonderful picture of Jesus now. 00:15:45.699 --> 00:15:51.220 So we think about Jesus on the cross then, but Jesus now in heaven. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:53.559 What's the picture there? 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:59.159 We see him standing in the center of the throne receiving all the worship and the glory of heaven. 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:06.399 It's so important that we remember our risen and ascended and glorious King Jesus now. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.299 We see him all powerful. 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:12.600 He's got these seven horns, symbols of power. 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:15.519 He's all knowing and all seeing. 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:18.399 He has those seven eyes. 00:16:18.579 --> 00:16:21.659 And he's directing the spread of the gospel. 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:28.159 He's directing the growth of the church as he sends his spirit through the earth. 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:36.379 So a wonderful picture of Jesus now enthroned in glory, ruling and reigning for his people 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:41.659 to build his church through that victory won at the cross. 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:49.839 The lion is the lamb. 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:58.100 Jesus becomes the king of all majesty by becoming the suffering lamb. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:17:05.920 And so again and again you see in the book of Revelation, the cross is the center of human history. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:09.000 It is the place of decisive victory. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:14.299 It is the hope for an end to evil and the beginning of the kingdom of God. 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:16.700 Here's why John does not need to weep. 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:20.920 Here's how our tears can be met with hope. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:27.180 The lion lamb and his victory at the cross. 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:33.000 Jesus, the worthy hero at the heart of the Bible story. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.860 What's the big story of the Bible? 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.420 We can go back to the beginning. 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:42.000 In the beginning, God established a perfect world. 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:49.480 And the pinnacle of his creation was people, men and women, made in the image of God with value and dignity 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.980 and made to know and enjoy God. 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:55.700 And so into this perfect world were established people. 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:59.539 And those first people, Adam and Eve, they enjoyed perfect relationships. 00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:05.580 Perfect relationship with the created world, always at peace with the environment. 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:08.840 Perfect relationship with one another. 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:12.940 No fighting, no gossip, no jealousy, no hatred. 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:17.080 And perfect relationship with the God who made them. 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:24.059 God walking and talking with them, knowing them, giving them friendship, having given them life. 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:29.839 But then, as we read the story of the Bible, we discover sin comes. 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:35.199 The serpent comes and deceives the man and the woman. 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:43.160 And they are tempted to believe that freedom is found apart from life with God. 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:47.299 That there is more joy to be found ignoring the word of God. 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:50.620 And believing that the devil is a friend. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:55.220 And God is their enemy who's holding back his best from them. 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:59.319 And so sin comes in their pride and their desire to be God-like. 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:04.420 Sin comes in their rebellion and the rejection of the word of God. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:07.740 And all of that good becomes broken. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:12.920 But into that brokenness comes God's promise. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:17.000 Way back in Genesis 3, God announces the gospel. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:20.279 God said his rescuer would come. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:26.559 One who would suffer, but who would crush the head of the serpent. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:30.119 One who would defeat the work of the devil. 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:40.039 So from the beginning, it has always been God's plan to send Jesus, this lion lamb, to be our rescuer. 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:42.059 To be our savior king. 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:44.680 The one who would come to suffer in our place for our sin. 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:47.839 The one who would then rise in victory to rule. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:51.220 And the one who will return to make everything new. 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:56.240 To restore all that we lost because of our sin. 00:19:57.339 --> 00:20:04.439 And to give us back life with God that lasts forever in perfect love. 00:20:06.959 --> 00:20:08.980 So the gospel gives us hope. 00:20:09.939 --> 00:20:12.439 The gospel says, yes, we suffer. 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:14.699 But yes, we can at the same time sing. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:22.759 If we are trusting in this Jesus, the lion lamb. 00:20:23.080 --> 00:20:28.080 If we have asked him to forgive our sins and to be our savior. 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.700 And then we get a response. 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:33.259 This is where we get to the hymns. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:37.240 The hymns to our worthy king in verses 9 to 14. 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:48.519 This year, on the 21st of February, we were part of, a very small part of, an event organized by Keith and Kristen Getty. 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:50.019 They are hymn writers. 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.259 Globally recognized hymn writers. 00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:55.380 They organize, I think, every year called a Global Hymn Sing. 00:20:55.380 --> 00:21:08.440 So this year, they estimate over 1 million people from 77 countries in 32 different languages on that one Sunday, 21st of February, all sang, different times, 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:13.780 Jesus shall reign wherever the sun does its successive journeys run. 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:30.899 Now imagine, just for a moment, what it would have been like if those 1 million plus people could have gathered in one place to sing with one voice that great hymn to Jesus the King. 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.700 It's hard to imagine that million people. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.460 Do you know what? 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:41.339 That's just a whisper compared to the roar of praise that we're being presented with in Revelation 5. 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:45.379 Look at who is singing here in Revelation 5, verse 8. 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:51.019 We discover that the four living creatures begin to sing a new song. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:55.859 We saw back in Revelation 4, that's a picture of created beings. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:58.839 So they're joining to sing praise. 00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:06.019 Verse 8 also has the 24 elders falling down before the Lamb to worship and to sing. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:09.459 That was a picture of the Old Testament and the New Testament church. 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:13.079 So they're joining in this theme of praise. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.100 And then in verse 11, 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:16.900 I looked and heard the voice of many angels, 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:20.819 numbering thousands upon thousands and 10,000 times 10,000. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.680 I saw the worship of heaven. 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.940 Jesus receives the worship of heaven. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.860 And then verse 13, 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:30.720 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that's in them. 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:31.860 Everything. 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:35.259 Saying Jesus is worthy. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:39.640 Jesus is this great and worthy king. 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:41.839 The one who is promised. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:44.740 The one who can bring about God's purposes. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:48.339 The one who can end evil and restore the kingdom of God. 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.779 Why do they sing? 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.379 Not just a global hymn sing. 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.980 Why this universal hymn sing? 00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:00.720 Three reasons we can detect from their songs. 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.480 Verse 9. 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:04.200 First reason, redemption. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:09.000 You are worthy because you were slain. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:15.000 And with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:22.920 Jesus is worthy of this new song because his death, the death of Jesus on the cross, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:25.160 means the ransom price has been paid. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:28.059 Means freedom for the people of God. 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:34.539 Means sin has been atoned for, has been paid for so that reconciliation can take place. 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.980 And they sing. 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:40.940 They sing and they tell us this is good news for anyone who will hear and believe. 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.799 This is not just for some small corner. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:46.039 This is for the whole globe. 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:52.639 Men, women, boys and girls from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.419 And it's wonderful. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.579 So on Wednesday we had our national day of prayer. 00:23:57.579 --> 00:24:02.179 It was fascinating to do some study on the growth of the global church. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.859 Jesus is building his church. 00:24:03.939 --> 00:24:08.659 Sometimes really, really rapid growth in the most surprising places. 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:10.659 Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal. 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:15.720 Some of the most persecuted places are also the places where the church is growing the fastest. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:20.919 But there are still over 2 billion people who are unreached. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:24.659 And so there is still work to be done. 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:33.019 And so we still need to hear the call to mission and to recognize our part in that. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:39.920 For some of us, our response will be to give. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:42.059 To give of our financial resources. 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.559 And we should do that. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:47.940 Our response as Christians should also be to pray. 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:52.680 To pray for the extension of the church of Jesus around the globe. 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:56.799 But perhaps, too, for some of us, our response will be to go. 00:24:57.480 --> 00:25:00.240 You know, we pray that God would raise up new workers. 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:04.360 Perhaps some of us will be those new workers. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:12.919 Jesus is praised because of the redemption that he secured because of his death on the cross. 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:17.459 And that's good news for everyone who will hear and believe. 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:20.240 So they sing because of redemption. 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:29.639 But they also sing because of the wonderful transformation that Jesus brings to the lives of his people. 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:37.220 From slavery, you have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God. 00:25:37.280 --> 00:25:38.600 And they will reign on the earth. 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:41.620 Slaves to citizens of a new kingdom. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:48.500 The shame of slavery replaced by the glory of being kings and queens and priests of our God. 00:25:49.280 --> 00:25:52.840 And again, notice, you have made them. 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:57.060 This isn't something we can do for ourselves. 00:25:57.059 --> 00:26:05.720 We are made new people by the grace and the kindness of God in sending Jesus to be the Savior. 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:10.779 So they sing this new song of the wonderful transformation. 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:13.500 But that song also reminds us of our responsibilities. 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:18.200 If we're Christians here today, we've been made to be a kingdom. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.579 God's our king. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:25.259 We've been made to represent his values in his world. 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:28.900 We've been made to represent God. 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:30.440 To be his witnesses. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:32.440 To be his priests. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:36.200 To live lives of worship on Sunday, yes. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:38.019 But all of our lives. 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:43.799 To live acknowledging the worthiness of God. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:52.420 Live lives recognizing, responding to the glory of the Lord Jesus. 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:56.060 So we worship and we witness. 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:57.900 And we pray. 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.820 We bring before God others. 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:04.920 Others who don't know the glory of Jesus as yet. 00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:08.340 Those who don't see the hope that he brings. 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:14.220 Oh, perfect life beyond death as well as perfect love in this life. 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:16.680 So we have responsibilities. 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:21.299 And Jesus calls his church to be his people. 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:27.259 But he also sends us out into frontline mission and service. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:32.779 So Jesus is praised because of the redemption that he brings. 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:38.259 He's praised because of the wonderful transformation that he brings in the lives of his people. 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:44.579 But finally, Jesus is praised simply because of who he is. 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:47.480 Look at verse 12. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:50.779 Worthy is the lamb who was slain. 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:57.700 To receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. 00:27:58.660 --> 00:28:01.380 Jesus deserves worship because of who he is. 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.799 Because he is supreme. 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.259 We see in verse 13. 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:07.799 He is fully God. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.480 He shares worship. 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:13.099 He sits on the throne with the father. 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:15.440 So he deserves our praise. 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:18.240 He deserves our praise because he loves us. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:21.559 And he gave himself for us. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:27.620 And so what Revelation does and what these hymns do for us is they bring together the identity of Jesus 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:30.940 and the response that that should bring, which is worship. 00:28:32.080 --> 00:28:41.279 So that we would recognize clearly that this lion lamb who's being presented is worthy of all of the praise of all of our hearts. 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.700 Revelation is showing us. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:51.779 Revelation is showing us at the center of history stands the suffering and the death of Jesus. 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:53.879 Stands his victory. 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:59.079 Stands his victory for his people, for his church. 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:01.539 Jesus is the worthy one. 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:06.379 He is the great and worthy hero of the great story of the Bible. 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:14.880 I wonder how does our story connect with that of Jesus, this worthy hero. 00:29:16.560 --> 00:29:25.340 What we have here is all of creation joining together to acknowledge Jesus is Lord. 00:29:25.520 --> 00:29:26.760 Jesus is King. 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:33.160 But the Bible makes clear to us that people will do that for very different reasons. 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:38.440 The Bible says on that day when Jesus returns as King and as judge, 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:43.700 some people will bow the knee and acknowledge Jesus as King with great joy. 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:47.420 They get to see their Savior and to be with him forever. 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.960 It's the Christian response. 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:58.519 But we're also told that some will bow the knee to King Jesus, acknowledging he's King, but doing it very reluctantly. 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.880 They never wanted him as King. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:03.340 They never responded to him as King. 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:06.620 And so they bow the knee, acknowledging him as King. 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:08.900 But he is also the one who will judge. 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:14.079 So Revelation presents hope for us. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:16.079 There is hope beyond suffering. 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.259 There is hope beyond death. 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:22.599 But it depends on us bowing the knee to King Jesus now, today. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:28.339 Because as we see the story of Revelation unfold, 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:33.259 God's purposes for the world are both judgment and salvation. 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:40.460 And which storyline defines our life depends on how we respond to King Jesus. 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:43.259 Will we receive his offer of salvation? 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:48.819 Will we join his family, receive these wonderful privileges that he promises to us? 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:52.619 Will we join this global hymn sing to this worthy hero?