Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Anyone who enjoys nature and who has hiked/mountain biked in the mountains has probably experienced this: the moment physical exhaustion sets in.

Stuck in the trees, with little to see, it is easy to forget that we have a destination.

When the mountain’s peak is obscured in the valley, it is sometimes difficult to find any energy to press on.

That is what makes those glimpses of the top so invigorating.

Those moments when the trees break and we catch sight of our destination, the top of the peak, these glimpses are better than a shot of espresso!

In the moments we are tempted to throw in the towel on our journey of faith, we can find new strength in worship.

Just a moment in God’s presence—glimpsing his glory through song, word, and sacrament—can transform our perspective, allowing us to persevere.

Worship unlocks transformative power, enabling supernatural perseverance, and this is exactly how I feel as I read Revelation chapters 4 &5

Transition:

This morning we finish up chapter 5 just after that moment the Lion/slaughtered Lamb takes the scroll from the hand of God in 5:7, the focus now erupts into heavenly worship

Scripture Reading:

The falling down of the elders both in verse 8 and verse 14 make this a separate unit from the rest—it is a unit of pure, heavenly (heavenly in the truest sense of the word) worship.

The Lamb’s worthiness, demonstrated at the cross, results in his receiving worship alongside the Father.

In fact, the unity of YHWH and the Lamb continues throughout the rest of this book.

This section is a fitting conclusion to the entire throne-room vision of and prepares us for the horrific judgment to come.

This worship scene connects the situation of the churches in and the execution of God’s plan beginning in .

The Lamb who was slain will soon lead the way in defeating God’s enemies once and for all.

Transition:

So similar to the scene in chapter 4, here in chapter 5 we are joining in on a more explosive worship service.

Let’s join in on:

I.

The living creatures and the elders worship the Lamb (vv.8–10)

The response to Jesus taking the scroll from the Father is the living creatures and the elders falling down in worship to the Lamb

“Each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

5:8

Each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

When the Lamb takes the scroll (5:7), the living creatures and the elders fall down before Him —I’ve mentioned before that in this kind of display of Glory, I wonder if the falling down part is involuntary—too much of God’s glory forces us down.

The Greek grammar suggests that only the elders hold the harps and the bowls, which is then a fitting responsibility in light of their priestly function as representatives of God’s people and their prayers.

It is interesting how John uses the word ‘bowl’ here The term “bowl” (φιάλη phialē) occurs 12 times in Revelation and, except for here, always in connection with God’s wrath —the bowl judgements (15:7; 16:1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12, 17; 17:1; 21:9).

Here in chapter 5, these shallow bowls are filled with incense, symbolizing the prayers of God’s people.

From this we might infer that God’s judgments to follow are, at least in part, a response to the prayers of his people.

It is also interesting how Stringed instruments such as harps were often used to accompany songs of praise — and with a new song.

“And they sang a new song”

“And they sang a new song”

Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people sing a new song when God does mighty and marvelous things.

The term “new” (kainos) is used nine times in Revelation, all suggesting eschatological newness: a new name (2:17; 3:12), a new song (5:9; 14:3), a new heaven and a new earth (21:1 [2x]), the new Jerusalem (3:12; 21:2), and the new creation (21:5).

Here the song celebrates the new things God is doing in Christ, the new things he promised in connection with his servant in .

The songs of 14:3 and 15:3–4 are sung by God’s people before the throne in celebration of God’s mighty acts.

“And they sang a new song” Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people sing a new song when God does mighty and marvelous things (e.g., ; ; ).

The term “new” (kainos) is used nine times in Revelation, all suggesting eschatological newness: a new name (2:17; 3:12), a new song (5:9; 14:3), a new heaven and a new earth (21:1 [2x]), the new Jerusalem (3:12; 21:2), and the new creation (21:5).

Here the song celebrates the new things God is doing in Christ, the new things he promised in connection with his servant in .

The songs of 14:3 and 15:3–4 are sung by God’s people before the throne in celebration of God’s mighty acts.

It is extremely interesting how this is a NEW song!

Sometimes we conservatives get the idea that the older hymns are always better.

And I think it is very true that a bit of the older hymns have very rich lyrics that are deep and profound.

But to reject new/modern hymns simply because they are new is clearly wrong.

YHWH enjoys new songs!

Our Creator wants us to create new songs.

It is declared to be a new song-- a song which could not have been sung prior to His redemptive act,

“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”

a song over and beyond an ascription of praise to His person and a recognition of His attributes.

Here He is declared to have the right to rule, not simply in virtue of His deity but in His victory over sin and death in His act of supreme redemption.

This new song contains three parts:

the Lamb’s worthiness (v.

9b)

the Lamb’s work (v.

9c)

and the Lamb’s followers (v.

10)

Just as the Father was worshiped as the worthy Creator in chapter 4, so now the Lamb is worshiped as the worthy Redeemer.

He can take the scroll and open its seals (5:2, 7, 9), pointing to his central role not only as Redeemer but also as Judge (cf. ; ).

The Lamb’s worthiness results from his sacrificial death, an image likely drawn from the slaughtered lamb of : “he was led like a lamb to the slaughter.”

Using the language of the marketplace (agora), we are told that Jesus “purchased” (agorazō), or redeemed, a multicultural people for God through his willing sacrifice (cf.

; ; ).

It may be easy right now to get the impression that worship is when we sing to God.

But that is simply not true!

there are many other elements to worship!

Worship is defined as the expression of reverence and adoration for God.

This can take many forms!

Worship is the act of magnifying God.

Enlarging our vision of him.

As we draw nearer, he seems larger - Max Lucado

Worship can be in fellowship!

magnifying God along with other believers!

Worship can be silent closet prayers!

Worship is even magnifying God through your giving offerings regularly.

Giving regularly is religiously putting money where your mouth is! it is monetarily investing in your family of Faith.

Giving regularly is humble obedience which glorifies our Lord.

5:10

“You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth”

“You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth”

Last, the song celebrates the implications of the Lamb’s work for his followers.

The promise of that Israel would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation is now fulfilled in the church.

God’s people, drawn from all nations, now constitute a kingdom and priests

[[]], spoken to Jewish and Gentile Christians]].

As a kingdom, we are citizens now and will one day reign with Christ.

As priests, we enjoy special access to God and the privileges and responsibilities of serving him through worship and witness [[]].

As priests, we enjoy special access to God and the privileges and responsibilities of serving him through worship and witness [[]].

Illustration:

Transition:

So the living creatures and the elders worship the Lamb, now let’s join:

II.

All the angelic creatures worship the Lamb (vv.11–12)

The worship that had begun with the four living beings and twenty-four elders here spreads to all of heaven with all of the angels.

“the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands” This might be a reference to where Daniel saw a similar vision of the “Ancient of Days” on His throne.

But it makes sense since both Daniel & John are seeing into the same throne room of the Most High God.

“the Lamb that was slain to receive power”

“Was slain” is a PERFECT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE , which implies “slain in the past” with the marks of the slaying remaining visible.

When we see Jesus, I believe He will still have the marks of the crucifixion.

They have become His permanent badge of honor!

The concept of the cross is implicit and central throughout the Revelation of Jesus (cf.

1:5; 5:12; 7:14; 12:11; 13:8; 14:4; 15:3; 19:7; 21:9, 23 and 22:3).

The concept of a purchased redemption is seen throughout the whole Bible and explained further in the NT as the truth.