Kingship of Christ in Revelation 5

In this part of the sermon: John sees a seven-sealed scroll in God's right hand, written on both sides, which no one in the universe is worthy to open. John weeps bitterly, understanding the scroll's…

The story of Goliath challenging Israel is used to illustrate the strong angel's challenge to the entire universe to find someone worthy to open the scroll.

All I know is John says, I saw a strong angel proclaim. Coming with a great voice, who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof. In other words, this mighty angel with a loud voice throws out a challenge to the entire universe. Now you children remember the story of David and Goliath, don't you?

10:24 - 10:50 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: An elder tells John to stop weeping, announcing that the 'Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David' has overcome. John then sees a Lamb, standing as though slain, with seven…

A parent comforting a crying child is used to illustrate the elder telling John to stop weeping, assuring him that 'everything's going to be all right' because the Lion has prevailed.

Again, you kids, ever hear mom and dad say that to you? You're crying about something and you're all upset, and mommy or daddy puts an arm on your shoulder and says, Stop weeping. Now just quiet right down, everything's going to be all right. Well, one of the elders says, John, cease from your crying.

13:55 - 14:14 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Upon the Lamb taking the scroll, the four living creatures and twenty-four elders, then countless angels, and finally every created thing in the universe, break into a symphony of…

The experience of hearing a 300-voice choir sing Handel's 'Worthy is the Lamb' is used to help the audience imagine the immense sound of the innumerable company of angels praising the Lamb.

They are ministering spirits sent forth to the heirs of salvation. And now, All this multitude and jaunt just piles up language to let us know it is an innumerable company of these angels. These ones, the number of whom was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, say with a great voice. And as I meditated upon that word, great voice, what must it have been?

19:56 - 20:27 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Why, it is nothing less than that total accumulation of all the decrees and purposes of the living God for his church and for the world within which the church will accomplish its history.

An extended quotation from Ramsey's commentary explains that the scroll represents God's gracious, fixed, unchangeable, and secret purposes for His church and kingdom, revealed through historical development rather than mere declaration.

Which, when sealed and none was found worthy to open, caused John as the representative of the church to weep? Why, it is nothing less than that total accumulation of all the decrees and purposes of the living God for his church and for the world within which the church will accomplish its history. One of the finest commentaries I've ever seen on the book of the Revelation. And it's been such a help to me, has an excellent word concerning this scroll. And I would ask

25:02 - 25:38 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be driven back by grotesque details or visual conceptualizations of the vision; instead, grasp the message that the Lamb on the throne administers all God's purposes.

The analogy of 'grotesque' Christian art attempting to visualize the Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes is used to warn against focusing on literal visual details rather than the passage's core message of Christ's administrative power.

O child of God, don't read this vision driven back by some of the, what we would say, almost grotesque details. What could it be like to see a lamb standing as though it had been slain? Seven horns, seven eyes. Turn away from so-called Christian art that has tried to give a visual conceptualization of this.

41:02 - 41:26 Read in full sermon

The point: If you desire to worship, ask God by the Holy Ghost to help you with the eye of faith to penetrate beyond the veil of sight and sense and spiritually comprehend the realities of the Lamb on the throne.

Examples of deep-throated organs, soft stained glass, and a 'super-personality' whipping up enthusiasm are used to illustrate what does NOT produce true worship, contrasting it with the sight of the Lamb's worthiness.

worship and adoration poured out in a mighty torrent that filled the universe. And oh, what a pattern for our imitation. What produces true worship amongst the people of God? Is it the deep-throated tones of a majestic organ?

46:16 - 46:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Pause and remember that the Lamb is in the midst of the throne, executing all the purposes of the Almighty, and every detail in your world is part of His perfect plan.

The analogy of coming out of a 'matrix of my own little mixed-up world' where nothing seems to fit or make sense is used to highlight the comfort and rationale found in remembering the Lamb is on the throne, administering all God's purposes.

Because that's nothing but a carnal imitation of what worship is. There will be true worship in this place only so long as there are men and women, boys and girls seated in this place who see what John saw. Not in the sense that you were caught up in the spirit of direct revelation, but in the sense that by meditation upon these great realities, your mind and spirit, you're taken up with the wonder and the glory of it. Here I come out of the matrix of my own little mixed-up world with all of the seeming confusion of things that don't fit, pieces that don't mesh and circumstances that seem to h...

48:42 - 49:25 Read in full sermon