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Worthy Is the Lamb
Introduction
(Revelation 5:1–14):
Revelation 5 unveils heaven’s worship centered on the Son:
the slain yet reigning Lamb alone opens God’s sealed scroll
and secures the church’s future (Revelation 5:1–14).
The Sealed Scroll in
the Father’s Hand
John beholds a scroll in the right hand of Him who sits upon
the throne, written inside and on the back, sealed with
seven seals (Revelation 5:1). Its fullness signifies that
God’s purposes for His people are complete and sufficient.
The sevenfold sealing shows that its contents are perfectly
secured until the worthy One reveals and enacts them (cf.
Isaiah 46:9–10).
The Universal Search
and John’s Tears
A strong angel cries, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and
to loose its seals?” (Revelation 5:2). No one in heaven or
on earth or under the earth can open or look into it
(Revelation 5:3). John weeps continually because the church
longs to know how God will deal with persecution, suffering,
and the future (Revelation 5:4). Heaven’s silence teaches
that human strength and angelic might cannot achieve God’s
redemptive unveiling (Psalm 20:7; Jeremiah 10:23).
Behold: The Lion
of Judah, the Root of David
An elder comforts John: “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of
the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed”
(Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9–10; Isaiah 11:1,10). The
promised royal Son has overcome; His victory equips Him to
open the scroll and execute God’s plan for the saints. The
church’s hope rests in the victorious Son of David (2 Samuel
7:12–16; Luke 1:32–33).
The Lamb Who Was
Slain—With Seven Horns and Seven Eyes
John looks and sees a Lamb standing as though slain, in the
midst of the throne, the living creatures, and the elders
(Revelation 5:6). The sacrificial image proclaims atonement
(Exodus 12:3–13; John 1:29). The Lamb bears seven
horns—perfect power—and seven eyes—perfect
knowledge—identified as “the seven Spirits of God sent out
into all the earth,” the Spirit’s perfect fullness
(Revelation 5:6; Zechariah 4:10; Revelation 1:4; 5:6). The
crucified Lamb possesses all power to accomplish God’s will
and all sight to shepherd His church.
The Lamb Takes the
Scroll
The Lamb approaches and takes the scroll from the Father’s
right hand (Revelation 5:7). As Daniel foresaw, dominion is
given to the Son of Man from the Ancient of Days (Daniel
7:13–14; Acts 2:33–36). Heaven’s response is immediate
adoration: the living creatures and elders fall before the
Lamb with harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are
the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8; Psalm 141:2).
The New Song of
the Redeemed
Heaven sings a new song that celebrates the Lamb’s worth:
“You are worthy… for You were slain, and have redeemed us to
God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people
and nation” (Revelation 5:9). His blood purchases a people
worldwide and makes them a kingdom and priests to our God;
they reign upon the earth by holy life and priestly service
(Revelation 5:9–10; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 5:17).
The Chorus of
Myriads and the Doxology of All Creation
Ten thousand times ten thousand angels join the elders and
living creatures, praising the Lamb with a sevenfold
doxology—power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory,
blessing (Revelation 5:11–12). Every creature in heaven, on
earth, under the earth, and in the sea answers with blessing
and honor and glory and power to the One on the throne and
to the Lamb forever (Revelation 5:13). Heaven’s “Amen” seals
the scene of ceaseless worship (Revelation 5:14).
Comfort for a
Persecuted Church
The church in tribulation hears that history rests in the
pierced hands of the Lamb who knows all, rules all, and
intercedes with the prayers of the saints before the throne
(Revelation 5:6,8; Hebrews 7:25). The future is not held by
emperors but by the Redeemer (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10). This
vision strengthens faithful endurance (Revelation 2:10;
Hebrews 12:2–3).
The Gospel for All
Peoples
The Lamb’s ransom extends to every tribe, tongue, people,
and nation (Revelation 5:9). The invitation reaches to the
ends of the earth and to every heart: come to God through
the blood of Jesus, receive cleansing, and enter priestly
service (Revelation 7:14; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10).
Worthy Is the Lamb
Sermon Outline:
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Text & Aim
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Primary
Text: Revelation 5:1–14
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Aim:
Magnify the worth of the Lamb who alone reveals and
accomplishes God’s purposes, and call the church to
worship, trust, and obedient witness.
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I. The Scroll
and the Sovereign (Revelation 5:1)
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II. The Search
and the Sorrow (Revelation 5:2–4)
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III. The
Consolation: Lion of Judah, Root of David (Revelation
5:5)
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Messianic
victory promised and present (Genesis 49:9–10;
Isaiah 11:1,10).
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The overcoming
King stands ready to act.
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IV. The Lamb
Who Was Slain (Revelation 5:6)
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V. The
Transfer and the Throne (Revelation 5:7–8)
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VI. The New
Song and Royal Priesthood (Revelation 5:9–10)
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VII. The
Doxology of Myriads (Revelation 5:11–12)
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VIII. The
Universality of Worship (Revelation 5:13–14)
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IX. Pastoral
Applications
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Endurance:
The Lamb governs history—persevere (Revelation 2:10;
Hebrews 12:2–3).
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Worship:
Shape assemblies by the Lamb’s worth (John 4:24;
Psalm 96:7–9).
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Witness:
Proclaim redemption to all peoples (Revelation 5:9;
Matthew 28:18–20).
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Prayer:
Offer bowls of intercession with confidence
(Revelation 5:8; Hebrews 4:16).
Call to Action
Fix your faith on the Lamb who was slain and lives. Bring
your prayers before His throne, trusting His power and
wisdom to sustain the church and order your steps. Sing the
new song with obedient life—repent, confess His name, and be
baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Serve as His priest in
daily holiness, and endure with confidence that He who holds
the scroll will bring His purposes to completion.
Key Takeaways
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The sealed scroll
rests in the Father’s hand; the Lamb alone is worthy to
open it (Revelation 5:1–7).
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The Lamb stands as
slain—His blood redeems a people from every nation
(Revelation 5:6,9–10; John 1:29).
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The church reigns
as a royal priesthood, serving God in holy life
(Revelation 5:10; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 5:17).
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Heaven’s worship
centers on the Lamb’s perfections and the Father’s
throne (Revelation 5:11–14).
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The prayers of the
saints rise before God and matter in His rule
(Revelation 5:8; Psalm 141:2).
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Endurance flows
from the Lamb’s power and knowledge over history
(Revelation 5:6; Hebrews 12:2–3).
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Salvation is
offered to all; respond in obedient faith (Revelation
5:9; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10).
Scripture
Reference List
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Revelation
5:1–14 — The scroll, the Lamb’s worth, and the
worship of heaven.
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Isaiah 46:9–10
— God’s counsel stands; He declares the end from the
beginning.
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Psalm 20:7
— Trust in the Lord rather than human power.
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Jeremiah 10:23
— Man’s way is not in himself.
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Genesis
49:9–10 — Lion of Judah promise.
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Isaiah 11:1,10
— Root of Jesse/David; Messianic rule.
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Exodus 12:3–13
— Passover lamb; atoning sacrifice pattern.
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John 1:29
— “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
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Zechariah 4:10
— The Lord’s all-seeing care; eyes of the Lord.
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Revelation
1:4; 5:6 — “Seven Spirits of God” as the
Spirit’s fullness.
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Daniel 7:13–14
— Son of Man receives dominion from the Ancient of Days.
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Acts 2:33–36
— Exalted Christ receives authority.
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Psalm 141:2
— Prayers as incense.
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1 Peter 2:9
— Royal priesthood.
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Romans 5:17
— Reigning in life through Christ.
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Revelation
2:10 — Faithful unto death; crown of life.
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Hebrews 12:2–3
— Endure by fixing eyes on Jesus.
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Matthew
28:18–20 — Christ’s authority and the global
commission.
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Acts 2:38
— Repentance and baptism for forgiveness.
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Romans 10:9–10
— Confession and faith unto salvation.
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Revelation
7:14 — Robes washed white in the blood of the
Lamb.
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Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
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The
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