And grab your Bibles tonight, Revelation chapter 5. Revelation 5 this evening as we prepare together to come to the Lord's table. Revelation chapter 5. David, as we get into the message tonight, I'm going to start simply by reading verses 1 through 4 tonight. All right, my friend? Revelation chapter 5, and we're going to start with verses 1 through 4. Though Lord willing, we will proceed through the chapter. should the Lord tarry His coming. Revelation 5. Stand together, if you would, out of respect for the reading of God's Word. Here in Revelation 5, John the Revelator writes this. He said, And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book? and 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 thereupon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy. to open the book, to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. Tonight, in Revelation chapter 5, I invite you to come with me and let's see some things around the throne of God. Father, I pray that as in these next few moments we look into your word, Lord, Desiring for you to speak to us, desiring for, Lord, you to work in our heart through your word and through your spirit to conform us to the image of your son. And Lord, even tonight in a special way, preparing our heart both to come to the Lord's table and for the missions conference that's yet to come this week. Lord, we just ask a special grace. Give us attentiveness. Give us a submissiveness to what your word has for us tonight. We'll give you all the thanks and praise for all you do in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you. You may be seated. So tonight, church, I'd like you to join me as we approach the throne of God. And we have tonight a scene in heaven, a scene that takes place not long after the rapture of the church and really as the tribulation period on earth is beginning. This scene that is playing out in heaven will be a scene that all born again believers will witness first hand one day. This scene unfolds around the throne of God. Now, let me give you this note tonight. The throne of God is a theme of this portion of Revelation. Revelation chapters 4 and 5, if you read it, the throne of God is mentioned in Revelation 4.2, Revelation 4.3, Revelation 4.4, Revelation 4.5, Revelation 4.6, Revelation 4.9, Revelation 4.10, Revelation 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.11, and 5.13. So this section of Scripture is really centered around the throne of God. Isn't that helpful for us? When we turn our eyes to heaven, do you know what heaven is focused on? Heaven is focused on the throne of God and He that sits upon it. Amen? And by the way, the throne of God ought not just be a theme of heaven and eternity. It ought to be a theme of my life and of your life as well. But tonight we're going to preview some things around the throne that will prepare us to come to the Lord's table. Preview some things around the throne that really ought to compel us to go into all the world. and preach the gospel to every creature. And so tonight I invite you to join me around the throne of God. I want you to notice first of all the challenge that we see from the throne. The challenge that we see from the throne. John writes, and we just read it, 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 what is it, church? And no man in heaven nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book neither to what? 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. Tonight, as we approach the throne, we're faced first with a challenge from the throne. We see the significance tonight of this scroll, of this book. God the Father, from the throne of heaven, holds up a book, or a seven-sealed scroll in His right hand. Now to give you an idea, of course they didn't have bound books like we have today, they were scrolls. And these scrolls were periodically sealed as they were wrapped. So you could open a scroll, break a seal, read a little bit, break another seal, read a little bit more, break another seal, read a little bit more. This particular scroll had seven seals. Now, this scroll is important because it is an official document of great importance. The Bible says there is writing on both sides of this scroll indicating that this document was full and complete. Nothing more could be added. Now, I believe, and we won't get into the weeds of this tonight, but this scroll, this book, it represents what we would call the title deed to all creation. We see kind of references for some of this practice from the book of Jeremiah and other places. But from the throne of God, the title deed to all creation is held. And from the throne, a challenge issued. Who is worthy to claim creation as their own? We see the significance of the scroll, but church, we can't afford to also miss the significance of the silence. A strong angel issues the challenge. Who is worthy? Who is worthy to open the scroll? Who is worthy to claim all creation as their own? And the answer is clear. The answer is there is no man. Literally, there is no creature worthy. For the question that was asked is not who is willing or even who wants to be, but simply who is worthy. The significance of the scroll, the significance of the silence, we also find here the significance of the sobbing. The Bible says John wept at the fact that no one Don't you think about this with me tonight. Probably this was the first time that the tears of man had ever stained the streets of heaven. In all of Adam's race, the billions of people who have lived on this earth, and not one of them was worthy to take up the challenge from the throne. not even as so much to look upon it. Because you see, all who have ever been born into Adam's race share a common condition. Paul describes it this way in Romans chapter 3, beginning in verse number 10. As it is written, what does it say, church? There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understand. If there is none that seeketh after God, They are all gone out of the way. They are together become unprofitable. There is, what is it? There is none that doeth good. Say it with me. No, not one. Verse 23 summarizes it. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 64, 6 that our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in the sight of God. Jeremiah reminds us in chapter 17 in verse number 9 that man is abominable and wicked, that the heart is deceitful. We are unclean from the inside out. Job has such a picturesque way of describing this. Job 15, 16, look at this. How much bore, abominable, and filthy is man, look at this, which drinketh iniquity like water. You see, that is the common condition of Adam's ruined race. For the billions that have lived, not one of us is worthy to take up the challenge from the throne. Not one of us, not a single man in the billions who have lived would dare even try. Not one of us would even dare to look upon it. Not one was worthy. I imagine that such silence would have been deafening. but for the sobs of sorrow coming from the Apostle John. We see the challenge from the throne. But I'm glad that man wasn't left in that state. Amen. Look at verse number five. And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not. You can almost see him hitting him. Hey, hey, hey. Weep not. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the 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 unto all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. We do see the challenge from the throne, but secondly tonight, praise God, we see the champion in the midst of the throne. The champion in the midst of the throne. Did you notice the crowned position of King Jesus? The silence is broken here with an exclamation. Behold! It's almost reminiscent of John the Baptist. Remember when Jesus came on the scene in the early part of the Gospels and John the Baptist said, Behold! The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. Almost reminiscent of that, one of the elders gets John's attention and says, Behold! Behold! We have here a description of Jesus. We're introduced to the champion of heaven, Jesus Christ. Praise God, Jesus has been there the whole time in the midst of the throne. How could John have missed Him? But now John can't take his eyes off of Him. I'm going to tell you, church, don't miss Jesus for the wows and woes that are going on around us. His crown position, but we see in this description, His conquering person. Jesus is described as the lion of the tribe of Judah. The lion speaks of his dignity, his sovereignty, his courage and his great victory. Jesus is described as the root of David. The root here speaks of his eternality. He is not just the son of David, he is the source of David. He is the source of all life. He is the Ancient of Days. He's the Lion. He's the Root. He's the Lamb. The Lamb who was slain. The Lamb here speaks of meekness and sacrifice. Church, as you study the book of Revelation, what you're going to find is the Lamb becomes a major emphasis in the rest of this book. We find the wrath of the Lamb in Revelation 6 in verse number 16, where the men in their wickedness wanted the rocks and mountains to fall on them to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. We see the cleansing blood of the Lamb in Revelation 7 in verse number 14. You can go ahead and scroll through that, David, so they can see that. These are they which have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made themselves white in the blood of the Lamb. We see the bride of the Lamb, Revelation 19 in verse number 17. In fact, as you go through the book of Revelation, the Lamb is mentioned some 28 times in this book. One of the things that's most striking to me in this description is this Jesus, the Lion, the Root, the Lamb. He bears the marks of sacrifice. Even in heaven, we'll be reminded of a body that was broken and blood that was shed. That you and I might be forgiven and saved. I think of it this way. He bears those marks in his eternal form. Probably the scars of the lamb are the only man-made thing that will ever grace heaven's streets. His conquering person. But I love this, his certain possession. This lamb is no weak beast. This lamb, very odd, seven horns, seven eyes, seven spirits. Seven horns, which represents power. Seven eyes represents wisdom and knowledge. Speaking of the seven spirits, unto all the earth, representing presence. And so this conquering champion of heaven has perfect power. We might say he is omnipotent. He has perfect wisdom. We might say he is omniscient. He has perfect presence. We might say he is omnipresent. This Lamb has prevailed. He has conquered. He has been found victorious. Aren't you glad that the Lamb prevailed over sin, and over Satan, and over death, and over hell, and that the Lamb has prevailed over darkness? The Lamb has won. Amen? He, Jesus the Lion, He, Jesus the Root, He, Jesus the Lamb, He, Jesus the King, is worthy to take the book and to claim all creation as His own. In Daniel 7, we see Daniel, the prophet, foretold this in verse 13. He said, And I saw in night visions, and behold, one likened to the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before. Verse number 14, And there was given unto him dominion and glory and a kingdom, and all people, nations, and languages should serve him. And his dominion, boy, isn't this good? is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away. And his kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed. The challenge came from the throne. And boy, when the challenge came, no man was worthy. But praise God, there was a champion there in the midst of the throne. He is worthy, amen. He is worthy, amen. I'm reminded that Jesus tonight is worthy to claim creation. He is worthy by right of creation. What do you mean by that, preacher? I simply mean He made it all. And without Him was not anything made that was made. He is worthy by right of creation because He made it all. He is worthy by right of Calvary because He bought it all. He is worthy by right of conquest because when it all comes down to the end, praise the Lord, He's going to take it all. Amen? He is worthy. Worthy is the Lamb. from out of the throne, the champion in the midst of the throne. And as King Jesus went, the Bible says, came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. Look what happens next. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, every one of them having harps. and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy. to take the book, and to open the seals thereof. For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on earth. 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, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and 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 I heard saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto him that sitteth 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 liveth forever and ever. Man. We've seen the challenge from the throne. Who is worthy? None of us are. Praise God for the champion in the midst of the throne. He is worthy. Amen. And as Jesus comes and takes this book, we find finally tonight the chorus around the throne. I mean, you can just feel the shift, can't you? As soon as the Lamb takes the scroll, all the sobbing stops and the singing begins. Our prayers, the Bible says, are sweet in the sight of God. And they sing a new song. They sing, worthy is the Lamb. Get your hymnal back out, amen? 313, I had you learn it a few minutes ago for this reason. We're gonna sing together tonight, amen? And we're gonna do it a cappella this time. You don't have to stand, you can sit, but you're gonna need your hymnal. Let's sing it out, amen? Everybody there, everybody there? Give me nods, or at least lie to me and nod at me. All right, here we go. All right, hymn number 313, it'll be on the screen for you too, ready? ♪ Worthy the Lamb that was slain ♪ ♪ Worthy the Lamb that was slain ♪ ♪ To receive glory and honor and praise ♪ Wisdom and power. Worthy the Lamb that was slain. Let's sing it again. Hey, he's worthy, amen. Worthy the Lamb that was slain. Picture it around the throne. Worthy the Lamb that was slain. Receive glory and honor, wisdom and power worthy. Sing it out, church. Can you imagine 10,000 times 10,000s and thousands of thousands? We're gonna raise our voices together. I wanna do it again, amen? Edgar, you wanna do it again? Here we go, ready? ♪ Worthy the Lamb that was slain ♪ ♪ Worthy the Lamb that was slain ♪ to receive glory and honor. Wisdom and power, worthy the Lamb that was slain. Can you imagine what it's gonna be like on that day? 10,000 times 10,000 and thousands of thousands. We're gonna sing, it's a, the song that we're gonna sing, it's a redemptive song, praising the Lamb. and worshiping Him. It's a missionary song. We're going to speak about how He's redeemed us out of every people and tongue and kindred and tribe and nation. It's a devotional song reminding us of our privileged position in Christ. Hey, He didn't just save us, He adopted us. He didn't just adopt us, He made us kings and priests. It's a prophetic hymn. that we will reign with Him on the earth. And man, you can just feel the swell as the saints from every tribe and every tongue sing the praises of King Jesus. The angels join the song, a hundred million or more. Imagine what that's going to be like. Boy, I want you to think about this. Imagine singing that song next to someone who came to Christ because you were willing to be the light. Oh, hold up. Don't you think that'll make that song just a little bit sweeter? If you get to sing that song next to someone who's there at the throne because you were willing to be the light, you were willing to go back to your neighborhood, to your office, to the restaurant, and share the good news that Christ died for our sins, that He was buried and rose again. Just think about how much sweeter it's gonna be. What if, what if there's somebody next to you you don't even recognize, but they tell you, you know what? I lived in the country of Uganda, and I'm here today before the throne because you supported a missionary. Maybe you couldn't go, but you gave so that the light could go farther. Soon all creation joins the hymn of praise. And all that's in heaven and all that's in the earth and under the earth and in the seas shall praise Him. Every corner of heaven. Every. corner of the universe, rings with the praise of the Lamb, for He is worthy. Oh, David, put it back up. We're going to do it one more time. We're going to do it one more time. I even closed my hymnals. Now I've got to try to remember what it sounds like, all right? Worthy the lamb that was slain. Worthy the Lamb that was slain, to receive glory and honor, wisdom and power. Worthy the Lamb that was slain. What a day. What a day that's going to be. What a day. Yeah, think about it. We're going to be there with those that have gone before. I mean, there are some people I haven't been able to sing with in a long time, because the Lord's called them home. But on that day, on that day, we're going to get around the throne of God together. And we're going to sing praise to the Lamb, for He is Worthy. I want to make this note tonight. Singing praise to the Lord Jesus, recognizing His lordship and His worthiness. This is a foregone climax and conclusion of creation. In fact, Paul clarifies for us in Philippians chapter two, beginning in verse number nine, that God's highly exalted him, giving him a name which is above every name, that of the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue should confess, or at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Friend, I want you to know tonight, That every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. But God has placed into your hands the decision as to whether or not you will receive Him as your Savior. And as we talk about taking the gospel to others, I pause tonight because I wonder if there's one among us who needs the gospel here tonight. Who needs to come and put their faith in Jesus Christ. Receive Him as Savior. Boy, I want you to be there at the throne with us, praising the Lamb. Church, you know why we have a missions conference every year? Because I want everyone possible to join us on that day. The Lamb is worthy of our praise. But heaven help us if we remember His praise, but forget His purpose. Jesus, the Lamb, was slain. Not just for my sins and for your sins. Jesus didn't come and die for us foreign no more. Jesus was slain for the sins of the world. John 1 verse number 29 reminds us the next day, John see if Jesus coming, John see Jesus coming unto him and saying, Behold the Lamb of God, help me church, which taketh away the sins of the world. I'm reminded tonight of Matthew 20 in verse number 28, when Jesus said, even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many. Or as John put it in 1 John chapter 2 in verse number 2, he is the propitiation, the satisfaction for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the, what is it, church? The whole world. Or 2 Peter 3 and verse number 9 where the Bible says the Lord is not slack concerning His promises. Some men count slackness. Hey, He's promised He's coming again and He is coming again. Amen. But He is simply long-suffering to us. Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Church, I'm convinced with all my being that one of the greatest ways we can praise Him now and one of the greatest ways that we can prepare for His praise in that day when we are gathered around the throne is to share Him today, to go into our communities and be the light, to give so that others can go around the world and share the light. Why? Because He is worthy. Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb. You know, I can't wait to experience firsthand what we got to read about tonight. But church, we're also reminded tonight that that day is only made possible by what we have come to remember here today. that Jesus came and that He died, that He was despised and rejected of men, that He was beaten beyond recognition, that His royal red blood ran down His head and ran down His body and dripped off that cross, and truly, He hath cleansed us by His own blood. What a marvelous, unspeakable, indescribable, incomprehendible love. And so, church, we are going to prepare ourselves now to come to the Lord's table. I'm going to go ahead and invite our college and career to step in and our youth group to step in as well. And we are beginning now to turn our hearts towards the Lord's table. In church, it's important that we prepare ourselves, amen? You know, when I sat down to lunch, I wanted to make sure what? That I came to the table at lunch today with clean hands. When I eat tonight, I'm going to want to make sure I come to the table tonight with clean hands. And if we do that with our physical food, Then boy, don't you think as we come to the Lord's table, we need to make sure that we come to the Lord's table, not with clean physical hands, though that is important, but with a clean heart and a clean conscience before our God. And so our young people are joining us now, and this is a very important thing that we're all going to do together, amen? Communion is something that we do as a church family. So come on in teenagers and find a seat or find your parents. Praise God for a good youth group, amen. They just keep coming. You know, we come to the Lord's table And this time is a time of great gratitude and joy. Amen, church. And so in preparation to take communion tonight, we want to make sure that our hearts are ready. The Bible clearly and seriously admonishes us in Scripture to make sure that we come in seriousness of mind and with clean hands spiritually. We often read in this time 1 Corinthians chapter 11. David will put that up on the screen for us. 1 Corinthians 11, beginning in verse 26, Paul said this, For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily... Now, when it says unworthily there, it doesn't mean that you and I are worthy of ourselves. We are not worthy, amen? What it simply means is that we come in a light way, in a frivolous way. This is not a big deal. We're just coming to grab a bite to eat. When we come unworthily, we shall be guilty of the Lord, guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. The Bible says, But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation or destruction to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. And this is how serious this is. This is, For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. In other words, God takes this judgment very seriously. And so tonight, church, as we are reminded from Revelation chapter 5 of the glories that lie ahead, we're reminded that the glories ahead of us were purchased at a great cost. And so it is only fitting that before we come to the Lord's table, we come and we spend some time with our Savior tonight. Make sure you're right with Jesus. Let there be nothing between you and your Savior. Spend some time in worship of Jesus. He is worthy, amen? Come tonight in sincerity and in truth. I'm going to invite our musician to come, and as the Bible admonishes us to do, let's take some time tonight to examine ourselves, reflecting on him and his sacrifice. Would you stand together tonight with heads bowed and eyes closed? And as our musician begins to play, I trust that you'll find a place at the altar or perhaps even at your seat where you can meet with God and prepare your heart for the Lord's table this evening.