Revelation 5: Worthy

Key Verses
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it…. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God…” 
 
Meditation
Jesus is worthy of all glory and honor because He was slaughtered for the sins of the Saints. 
 
In today’s reading, John weeps because no one is found worthy to open the scroll (vv. 1-4). He is commanded to stop weeping because of "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (v. 5), but when he looks, he sees "a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain" (v. 6). The Lion who reigns is the Lamb who was slain. 
 
The worship of heaven unfolds in widening circles. First, the living creatures and the elders fall before the Lamb(vv. 8-10). Then countless angels join the song (vv. 11-12). Finally, every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea declares His praise (v. 13). The entire universe is drawn into worship because of the redeeming work of the Lamb.
 
Why is Jesus worthy? "For you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (v. 9). Jesus’s redeeming work is the center of heaven's worship because Jesus took the judgment we deserved so we could receive the kingdom we could never earn. He was rejected so we could be welcomed. He died so we could live. He became poor so we might inherit every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
 
The more deeply we grasp the gospel, the more naturally worship flows. We do not merely admire Jesus for His power; we adore Him for His grace. The Lamb who was slain now reigns forever, and He alone is worthy of glory, honor, blessing, and praise.
 
Today’s Reading
 
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within 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 and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,12 saying with a loud voice, 
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in 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!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
 
 
Richly Dwelling
- Singer/ Songwriter Andrew Peterson turns the scene from today's reading into a worship song, celebrating the worthiness of Jesus through his song Is Anyone Worthy. Take a minute to listen and meditate on this worship song.
 
-What surprises you about the scope of worship revealed in today’s reading, moving from four creatures and twenty-four elders to everything and everyone, everywhere? How does this stir your worship for the Lamb?
 
-The worthiness of Jesus is established by the work of Jesus, His death and resurrection. How does God’s grace in Christ not only qualify you to worship Him but also motivate you to celebrate His worthiness in worship?
 
Key Verses
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it…. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God…”