The Lion & the Lamb
Revelation 5:1-14
Part 2
November 19, 2006

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever [John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad! 11].

John Piper stated it well. The church’s mission in reaching nonchristians with the gospel flows out of its worship. When mission takes precedence over worship then mission must be manipulated; and man-centered techniques and methodologies must be relied upon. Worship loses its focus as well, and so often, worship becomes a production or a necessary add-on to church life rather than its focal point.

This doesn’t denigrate missions; it sets missions in its proper perspective. It reorients the church to see the primacy of worship, both now and in the future. It is no stretch to trace the anemic church life in the West to its neglect of God-saturated worship.

As believers suffered under the tyranny of Roman oppression, John doesn’t give them techniques for coping with difficulty. There are no “twelve steps for overcoming oppression.” He teaches them to worship. He helps them to see that the focal point of the church, in good times and evil times, is worship. He shows them that God’s answer to their perplexing questions under the strain of trials is found in passionate, Christ-centered worship. Rather than preoccupation with their suffering they were to depend upon the wise, sovereign rule of their God. And they could not do that if they failed to be engaged in worship. Worship sets the mind upon the Lord, the sufficiency and glory of His redemptive work, and upon the intense satisfaction of relationship to Him through the cross of Christ.

I’ve pointed this out several times in the past weeks, and shall do so many more times. Revelation is primarily a book of worship. It’s not just sprinkled with a few interesting thoughts on worship; it’s saturated with pictures and instructions and examples of Christian worship. Believing and applying the gospel of Christ leads to worship. Either John delved into cruelty by speaking so much of worship to suffering people incapable of worship; or he spoke the wisest words that suffering saints can hear. Do you believe that worship is primary for you as a Christian even in the worst of times?

I. A call to worship
John has just painted one of the most stunning pictures for us found anywhere in Scripture. He sees “in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.” All of human destiny is found in the book. All of God’s purposes and plans for His creation—including redemption and judgment—are contained in this book. “No one…was able to open the book or to look into it” because no one was worthy. For one to mediate both redemption and judgment found in the book, He must be worthy to exercise both. He must be of such righteousness that He can judge humanity; He must also be of such righteousness that He can redeem sinners through propitiating God’s eternal justice and wrath. The angel asked who was worthy. One of the elders, upon hearing John’s profuse weeping over no one being found in all the universe worthy to open the book, said, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” We understand as the text progresses that “overcome” has to do with the atoning and substitutionary death of Christ on the cross. He overcame sin, Satan, and death at the cross. He satisfied God’s Law by His obedience and God’s justice by His death. He purchased God’s elect by the price of His bloody death.

From that vision of a Lion in John’s mind, he turned to see “a Lamb standing, as if slain.” John uses that title of Christ over two dozen times in this book, showing that the focus of his instruction aims at the redemptive death of Jesus Christ by which He overcame the enemies of our souls. Understanding this leads to worship. Even angels that can never be heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ worship at the wonder of Christ’s death for sinners (vv. 11-12). Look at the crucified and risen Lamb of God, and hear the call to worship!

1. Fueled by heavenly representatives
In the previous chapter, two songs of worship declaring the holiness and worthiness of “Him who sat on the throne” are led by the four living creatures and echoed by the twenty-four elders. Chapter 5 adds three more songs of worship with the first led again by the four living creatures who represent the created order in heaven and the twenty-four elders who represent the redeemed in heaven. Creation untainted by sin, conscious of the holiness of God, rapt with devotion to God and the Lamb, and awed by the worthiness of the Lamb by reason of His redemptive death, initiates worship in heaven. The church’s representatives, the twenty-four elders, “fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints,” join in this litany of praise to the Lamb of God. The harp, a small instrument of 8 or 9 strings, used often in Old Testament worship, is a visual picture emphasizing worship [cf. Simon Kistemaker, NTC: Revelation, 208]. Additionally, they carry “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” He does not tell us how they can play a harp and carry a bowl of incense simultaneously, and he doesn’t need to. They are not to be taken literally, but rather they help us see that the focus of these heavenly beings is on worship. The “prayers of the saints” mingled with the worship offered by the twenty-four elders show “the communion of the saints” in heaven and earth, as stated in the Apostles Creed. “This communion of saints,” writes Bruce Metzger, “is not just the fellowship we enjoy with other people during a service of worship, but it includes also the idea that John expresses here—the unity of worship of the church militant on earth with that of the church triumphant in heaven” [Breaking the Code, 53]. We join the chorus of heaven in worship as we express our adoration of the Lord, confess our sins, offer thanksgiving for His many kindnesses, and supplicate Him for particular needs.

2. Secured by Christ’s redemptive work
John’s aim is intentionally cross-focused. He constantly brings us back to the cross of Christ, back to considering the power of the death of the Lamb of God for us. The Lamb is “standing, as if slain.” He bears in His glorified body the marks of our redemption (v. 6). The heavenly creatures and elders worship Him as “the Lamb,” which specifically takes us back to the Old Testament Passover Lamb sacrificed to deliver God’s people from judgment in Egypt. The Lamb’s worthiness to open the book and break its seals, they declare is because “You were slain and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” The innumerable host of angels proclaim with a loud and unified voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” All of creation praises the Lamb and God on the throne with equal voice, showing that the Lamb is indeed both God and “Man of sorrows” crucified for us (5:13).

It is the Lamb, by reason of His crucifixion that “purchased for God” with His blood, “men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” This theme continues throughout Revelation. When John sees a great multitude “from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and palm branches…in their hands,” offering praise to the Godhead, he discovers their identity. “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” And what does that lead to? “For this reason [that is, redemption through Christ’s blood], they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple” (7:9-10, 14-15). The heavenly temple is a place of constant worship! Worship is natural to existence. Unless the Lamb is worshiped then it is blasphemous and idolatrous worship. “Everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain,” will worship the beast instead of the Lamb (13:8). The 144,000 are described as having been “purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb,” using the same redemptive language in 5:9 (14:4, 7). They “sang a new song before the throne” as an act of worship that can only be understood by the redeemed purchased by Christ’s atoning death (14:3).

Here’s the point. Redeemed people worship the Redeemer! Our looking at the many facets of salvation is not to simply feed us intellectually; it is to lead us to worship. And until we worship we have not rightly understood these truths of the gospel.

3. Prepared for all creation
The circles of praise and worship widen. It begins with the four living creatures and twenty-four elders in vv. 8-10; then it moves to the innumerable host of angels in vv. 11-12; and finally, “And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” In chapter 4, the four living creatures, representing the created order, lead the way in worshiping God as the sovereign Creator. Now, John shows us that ultimately, when final redemption takes place all of the universal created order will be given expression to worship God as Creator and the Lamb as Redeemer. Paul only hints at what John pictures in Revelation 5, that “the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now,” awaiting the day of final redemption (Rom. 8:22-23). The Psalmist declared, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psa. 19:1). That’s happening at present but John tells us that more is to come. Universal worship of our Sovereign Creator and Redeemer will echo throughout eternity!

Since these things are so evident in corporate worship in heaven, then shouldn’t we take more seriously corporate worship while we have life and breath?

II. The engagement in worship
Much presently passed off for worship lacks biblical authenticity. I spoke with a friend this week who told me with much grief about the demise of worship in his own church. He said that the music minister, in corroboration with the pastor, turned to music that emphasized musical score and not theological content. He then organized “worship dancers” that were to enhance the worship experience. Then he added strobe lights, covering the church’s stained glass windows, in order to “heighten the worship atmosphere” with choreographed lights and dancers.

That would certainly be fitting for a night club but it has nothing to do with worship. Much is made of “styles” of worship in our day, but as Jim has pointed out on several occasions, the musical style is not the primary issue. Our style of worship differs from that of brethren worshiping in the African context or Latin context. That doesn’t make our “style” more spiritual than theirs. What matters most is the content and focus in worship. When a particular style overrides sound theological content—thus becoming man-centered—then the style has become more important than worshiping the Lord God.

Just because a church happens to have a very orthodox style of worship with appropriate music and elements of worship does not in itself constitute worship. True worship engages the worshiper. Jesus declared, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). True worshipers are affected in heart and mind. Mindless routines called worship, whether liturgical or contemporary or emergent that fail to engage worshipers is not true worship. Our text gives us some concrete ideas of how this engagement takes place.

1. Worship engages us theologically
For those that see no need for Christians learning theology, then think again. The worship displayed for us in this passage is heavily theological. Even the language is theological. “To Him who sits on the throne,” cannot be understood apart from consciously grappling with God’s sovereignty over the universe. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” demands our contemplation of the reason Christ is called “the Lamb,” as well as the reason He was slain. What does it mean that Christ “purchased for God” with His blood men from every strata of humanity? The word takes us throughout Scripture to see the what, the how, and the why of redemption.

How do we go from theology to worship? Take what you are learning from your study of God’s Word and what you are hearing from the exposition of God’s Word; take it into your mind for contemplation and meditation. Let it fill your heart with adoration, thanksgiving, and praise so that your voice is lifted in worship even as your heart is bowed with reverence for such an incomparable God. Meditation upon God’s Word is like the pressure of heat and lava that builds in the depths of the earth that eventually burst forth through a volcano. Giving attention to our minds and hearts throughout the week as we prepare for corporate worship, help us to be attentive and meditative upon the Word in worship. That gives rise to theologically rich worship. The psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that we sing serve only to stir our thoughts theologically so that our hearts and voices might overflow in worship.

2. Worship engages us soteriologically
If you’re not familiar with that term, it means the study of salvation. Worship engages our thoughts to consider the whole portrait of salvation through Christ in the gospel. The content of the heavenly worship extols the worthiness of Christ because of His atoning death and redemptive work. “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for [because, Gk. hoti] You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” The focus on “the book” turns to the Lamb that was slain. Only One by virtue of His righteousness in obedience to God’s Law, and His obedience in offering Himself on behalf of sinners before the justice bar of God at the cross in His bloody death as a Substitute, would be worthy to mediate God’s eternal plans. Christ is worshiped for dying to purchase a particular people for God. Redemption is viewed as something requiring a particular price necessary to deliver God’s elect from the bonds of sin and slavery to Satan. That price was His “blood.” Not only did Christ’s bloody death deliver the elect from slavery but delivered us to God. We could not belong to God, nor could we gain access to God’s throne apart from the death of our Substitute bearing away the judgment against us as sinners and enemies of God. Only those “purchased for God” will be among the number gathered eternally in heaven. This purchase was certain and particular—“men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” Contemplating these soteriological themes, leads to worship.

3. Worship engages us missiologically
That term refers to the study or contemplation of missions. Worship stretches us missiologically. Those representatives of creation and the church in heaven contemplated in their worship the extent of Christ’s saving work. They saw the universality of His redemptive work in that He died not just to save Jewish people but “men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” But they also understood the particularity of His redemptive work. It is not all men from every tribe, tongue, people and nation that are saved. Nor is it that Jesus’ death merely offered the potential for men from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation to be saved. Literally, it is people out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Here is the foundation for global missions. Christ died to save people from every ethno-linguistic group in the world. Those elected by God before the foundation of the world, Jesus Christ has secured for eternity through His redemptive death. Election is inferred and particular redemption (limited atonement) is clearly stated, and that leads to worship and motivates to mission.

4. Worship engages us doxologically
All of us have heard of “The Doxology,” a brief Trinitarian hymn of praise to God. Doxology means contemplation of the content expressing worship to God. Verse 12 is a magnificent doxology. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” The seven virtues express fullness and perfection belonging to the Lamb. Though helpless as a baby born to the virgin, all power in heaven and earth belong to Him (Matt. 28:18). Though becoming poor for our sakes, the riches of the Godhead belong to Him (Col. 2:9). Though accounted by men as unlearned, “in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). Though subjected to the weakness of humanity, He will return in the glory of His strength (2 Thes. 1:9, see the Greek, ischus). Though dishonored and reviled by men, God has honored Him with a name above every name (Phil. 2:9-11). Though treated as a criminal and crucified, God has crowned Him “with glory and honor” (Heb. 2:9). Though cursed by men, He will forever be praised by all creation (Rev. 5:13). [See Leon Morris, TNTC: Revelation, 102]

Worship engages our minds and hearts. The Lamb cannot be worshiped apart from truth. And He will not be worshiped without the truth affecting our hearts. Worship stretches us, taxing our minds in contemplating the glories of God and straining our emotions in giving vent to divine contemplations. Don’t expect to worship without preparation and engaging your whole being upon the greatness of our God.

III. A rationale for the primacy of worship
Why should you worship? I don’t mean why should you attend a worship service now and then, but rather why should you be regularly engaged in passionate worship? Our text has at least three reasons that speak to this question.

1. Regular occupation of heaven’s citizens
If there’s one picture painted over and over for us in Revelation, it is that heaven is a place of worship! In spite of all of the “Frank & Ernest” cartoon strips showing these two characters riding their clouds and wearing halos, heaven is not about us; it’s about the redeemed and all of creation seeing without blinders the glory of God and the Lamb, and breaking forth in praise and worship. That’s why John moves from the representatives of creation and the church in v. 8 to the angels in v. 11 and on to the whole created order in v. 13 worshiping God and the Lamb. Heaven’s also about understanding clearly the humility of Christ in redemption; the power effected by His death on the cross. The response to that kind of unhindered revelation is, “and they sang a new song.” With each deliverance in the Old Testament, God’s people broke forth in new song because they saw something of God and His work among them they had not before understood. There will be lots of new songs in heaven! We will understand and grasp the majesty of grace; that will call for new songs. I think we need to get an early start on it now by writing our own new songs of worship to the Lord as we come to understand more of His love and grace.

2. Nature of work for a kingdom of priests
Christ redeemed people “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” The effect of that redemptive work is that He has “made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” What they spoke of is taking place right now. We are a kingdom of priests (cf. 1:5-6; 1 Pet. 2:4-10). Priests led in worship and led people to worship. That encompasses faithful worship with God’s people and faithful gospel witness as the means toward leading people to worship. Mission is needed where worship is not taking place! As priests we motivate and exhibit worship.

3. Ultimate focus of all creation
John shows us that the ultimate destiny for the created order is worshiping God and the Lamb. “And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them” will forever ascribe “blessing and honor and glory and dominion” to our God.
Worship the Lamb who is worthy to open the book and break its seals!

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