Revelation 5 “Who Is Worthy”

"And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” (vv.1-2)

Here John refers to a book in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne written on both sides (front and back), and sealed with seven seals. This description does not fit how the book of Revelation (or any of the Epistles) would have been constructed. However, it does fit how other kinds of documents might be constructed, especially a title deed to a piece of property where the original owner had to relinquish it due to his inability to meet financial obligations. His debts would then be written on the backside of the deed. And, if at any time during the next seven years could repay the debt, the seals would be broken and the deed returned.

This is significant because because Adam, the original holder to the title deed to the earth (Genesis 1:28), transferred it to Satan with his overt and calculated act of rebellion against God’s word (Romans 5:14). This is why Paul called Satan “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and why Jesus called him, “the prince of this world” (John 12:31). This means the planet God gave to man is no longer under his control, but is under the control of Satan.

So the question arises in John’s vision, Who is worthy?  Who can redeem mans' sinful debt with a sinless life? The answer, "the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14), the root of David (Isaiah 11:1, 10), has prevailed (lived a sinless, sacrificial life) to open the scroll (Rev. 3:21) and to loose (Rev. 6:1) the seven seals” (v. 5), the God man, Jesus. Hallelujah!

The Truth: "This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1) "From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.” (Acts 13:23) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) "But you, Bethlehem (Ephrathah), who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2)

Revelation 4 “God Is On The Throne”

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. And Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne." (vv.1-2)                            

Here in chapter 4, we begin the third and final section of the Book of Revelation as outlined for us in Revelation 1:19, “the things which shall take place hear after.” After what one might ask? After the bride of Christ is complete, after the last person is added to the kingdom, after God’s long-suffering with man has come to its end. At that moment, we will be immediately transformed “in the Spirit” (just as John is here), before His throne, and face to face with God.

Let that sink in for a moment. He has defeated death, He is alive, He is seated on His throne, and will bring us unto Himself transformed. Meaning, for us in our transformed bodies, no more sorrow, no more pain, no more struggles with our flesh. Why? Because “we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). In our text, and through out the rest of this book, John will go on to describe many things he saw in his vision while in the spirit. But, the first thing he describes for us is, “the throne" and "the One" seated upon it:

"And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald, and Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal” (vv.3-6).

Of all the symbolism in this chapter, what speaks the loudest to me is that God is on the throne, that He is in control, and worthy to receive all glory, honor, and praise, forever and ever. As the prophet Isaiah said after having a vision of the very throne of God, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5) and over the throne of God the glorious seraphim said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).

It’s as if John is seeing the same thing that Isaiah saw but only describes it with different words. Two witnesses, testifying to the same thing, at very different times in history. The throne is definitely not empty!

The Truth: “But the Lord sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice.” (Psalm 9:7)

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness” (Psalm 45:6)

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne” (Psalm 47:8).

Revelation 3 “Hear My Voice”

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (vv.19-22 KLV)

John’s warning (rebuke) to churches of his time continues in this chapter. He concludes by discussing the three remaining churches. The seventh church John warned was the church of the Laodiceans. This was a “luke warm” ministry (v. 16). They had riches and many things the world had to offer, but they were doing very little for the Lord. God saw them as “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (v. 17). Their failure to do anything for the Lord disgusted the Father (v.16).

Unfortunately, this church reflects many in the age we are currently in. There is more concern for the bottom line, and the social interests of man, than the spiritual needs of the body. Preaching “Thus saith the Lord” is rarely heard anymore, and if it were, many who are use to having their ears tickled would be offended and leave the church, and that would create a decrease in attendance and church income. Physical wealth does not cover up the fact that the majority of churches are not heeding the tugging of the Holy Spirit and in God’s eyes are “… poor, and blind, and naked.”

But, the good news is, no matter the climate of churches today, the door of opportunity for both individual and church revival is still open at this time, if each would just "hear the voice of the Lord", and not mammon.

The Truth: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

Revelation 2 “Remember, Repent, Return, Reward”

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp-stand from its place—unless you repent. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God”  (vv.5,7)

Here in chapter 2 of the Book of Revelation, we come to the “things which are,"given to us in our outline in Revelation 1:19. As John begins to address the seven churches of which he was an overseer, we see that his messages have a pattern; remember, repent, return, and reward.

Here in our text Jesus is telling the church of Ephesus to remember when they were first established, the fire they had for the things of God, the passion for His doctrine. He then lovingly corrects them saying, “repent" and do your first works." In other words, recognize the fact that you have fallen away, that other things have become more important, and “return” to what you know in your heart is right and do it!

We've all made mistakes, we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God, but the only way back is through repentance and His forgiveness. And, as promised to the church of Ephesus, in doing so there is great reward. In this case, "access to the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God," the gift of eternal life.

Therefore, if you find yourself drifting away from God, or even way down the road from where you once were with Him, grab ahold of the message here; remember from where you have fallen, repent, and return to God. He will forgive and forget the past, receive you unto Himself, and reward those who overcome through Him.

The Truth: "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-3)

Revelation 1 “The Revelation Given To John”

 Do not be afraid; I Am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” (vv.17b-19)

The Book of Revelation was written by John (the one whom Jesus loved) on the island of Patmos where he was banished by Domitian (who succeeded Caesar Nero to the throne of Rome) after a failed attempt to boil him in oil for his beliefs. And it was on Patmos that John was given this Revelation of Jesus Christ. Why? because at the time believers were dying as a result of horrendous persecution by Rome for their belief in Jesus, and they needed a revelation (from Jesus Christ) to see that He was in control, and on the throne.

Where did this revelation come from you might ask? We find the answer in verse 1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him to show His servants - things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John." 

The pronoun “him” refers back to Jesus Christ. In other words, the Father gave the revelation to the Son. The Son sent His Spirit (angel) to give the revelation to John. And John gave the revelation to us, that we might understand the things that must come to pass. The over simplified message behind the book of Revelation is that, King Jesus is on His throne and in control. That things are going according to the Father’s divine plan, and that Jesus Christ will return to establish His kingdom.

As we make our way through this book, keep in mind verse 19 in which the spirit of God gives to John the outline for the flow of his writings, “write the things which you have seen” (chapter 1 the Lord’s person), “the things that are” (chapters 2-3 the Lord’s people), “and the things yet to come” (chapters 4-22 the plan). By following this divine outline, the Book will unfold easier and you will be blessed by doing so, as promised in v.3.

The Truth: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keeps those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (v.3)

Jude “Defending The Truth”

"For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (v.4)

Jude’s purpose in his letter was twofold: 1) he wanted to expose the fase teachers that had infiltrated the Christian community, and 2) he wanted to encourage Christians to stand firm in the faith and fight for the truth. Jude recognized that false teachers often peddled their wares unnoticed by the faithful, so he worked to heighten the awareness of the believers by describing in vivid detail how terrible dissenters actually were.

But, more than simply raising awareness, Jude thought it important that believers stand against those working against Jesus Christ. Believers were to do this by; remembering the teaching of the apostles (v.17-19), building each other up in the faith (v.20a), praying in the Holy Spirit (v.20b), and keeping themselves in the love of God (v.21).

What a great example for us to follow today on how to “defend the truth.” Yes there will always be those who will look to distort the truth, but we need follow Jude’s exhortation of; keeping ourselves in the love of God, in prayer, in fellowship, and in His Word - Ready to defend the truth. 

The Truth: “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)

3 John “Caring For The Lord’s Workers”

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the Brethern and for strangers.” (v.5)

John's third epistle was probably written around AD 90 from the island of Patmos, where John was exiled at the time. John wrote his letter to Gaius, a leader of one or more churches in Asia Minor. The apostle had received a report of some difficulties caused by a man named Diotrephes, and John wrote to reinforce for Gaius the proper way to deal with, “caring for the LORD’s workers.”

John wanted to ensure a warm welcome from the churches to those who traveled around preaching the gospel, offering them hospitality and a send-off “in a manner worthy of God” (v.6). John is instructing his friend Gaius not to be like Diotrephes, who had taken control of one of the churches there and used his power to ban certain traveling missionaries from coming to the church at all. He refused to welcome those traveling ministers of the gospel to preach and take rest with his church. And even worse, upon receiving an earlier correction from John, Diotrephes refused to listen (v.9). 

This is a good reminder to us all to show our gratitude to those who minister to us, by ministering to them in some small way. I thank God for the love and devotion I've seen in many church bodies here in Southern California, and the hospitality displayed by so many in the body of Christ to strangers during the pandemic. But, let us also not forget those traveling teachers, those who may be passing through, and send them off in a manner worthy of God as well. 

The Truth: "Don't you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the LORD has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)