Revelation 5:2-4 Devotion

“And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;”

(Revelation 5:2-4)

No-one in the entire universe- heaven, earth, under the earth- was able to open the scroll or even look to look inside. As a result John weeps audibly. You will understand the meaning of these tears if you constantly bear in mind that in this beautiful vision the opening of the scroll by breaking the seals indicates the execution of God's plan. When the scroll is opened and the seals are broken, then the universe is governed in the interest of the Church. Then, God's glorious, redemptive purpose is being realized; His plan is being carried out and the contents of the scroll come to pass in the history of the universe. But if the scroll is not opened it means that there will be no protection for God's children in the hours of bitter trial; no judgments upon a persecuting world; no ultimate triumph for believers; no new heaven and earth; no future inheritance. 

(William Hendriksen)

Revelation 5:1~pt.2 Devotion

“I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.”

(Revelation 5:1)~pt.2

If the book contains the details of history—past, present, and future—so that all that God has planned in terms of redemption and complete salvation for His people, and judgment and eternal damnation for His enemies, then the wise, powerful, and faithful unfolding of it means everything to believers. History makes sense only in light of an overarching divine plan for the ages. Our own day, with terrorism, war, political upheavals, disease, suffering, and nuclear threats can only make sense if there is One of infinite wisdom and power directing all to the grand crescendo that redounds to His glory. Otherwise, anyone of sanity would have to say that we are living in chaos! And that life has no meaning or purpose. It abounds in every nation, among all peoples, and mankind has no sufficient answer to stem the chaos wrought by our own depravity. The reason no one on earth could be found to open the book points to our sinfulness. All humanity is united in this common lot—we are fallen people, who, if left to ourselves, will continue to plunge more and more into the abyss of rebellion against God. 

(Phil A. Newton)

Revelation 5:1(pt.1) Devotion

“I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.”

(Revelation 5:1)~pt.1

On the right hand of the Father lies a scroll. It represents God's eternal plan, His decree which is all-comprehensive. It symbolizes God's purpose with respect to the entire universe throughout history, and concerning all creatures in all ages and to all eternity. It is full of writing on both sides.

This scroll is pictured as being entirely sealed with seven seals. These seals were probably arranged in a row on the outside of the scroll. Thus viewed, they sealed the scroll's enclosure. The meaning is this: the closed scroll indicates the plan of God unrevealed and unexecuted. If that scroll remains sealed God's purposes are not realized; His plan is not carried out. To open that scroll by breaking the seals means not merely to reveal but to carry out God's plan. 

(William Hendriksen)

Revelation 4:9-11 Devotion

“And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."

(Revelation 4:9-11)

This heavenly scene should inform our understanding of worship. Any worship that is truly Christian must be directed toward God, since He alone is worthy of our worship. Any other conception of worship is intrinsically idolatrous. What this means for us is simply this: God is the audience of our worship, since He blesses us through a divine visitation through word and sacrament. Indeed, our worship is directed to the One seated on the throne and to the Lamb who walks in our midst. Therefore, the congregation as a whole assembles for the purpose of worshiping God in heaven. We do not come to church to watch what goes on in the front of the church or to listen to the choir. We come here to add our voices to those of the elders, the angels, the four living creatures and multitude of departed saints who worship God in heaven at this very moment.

Even a glimpse of the heavenly throne reminds us of what John Calvin described as the greatest of Christian privileges, to enter the presence of God and be numbered among the assembly of those who are allowed to worship the creator of the world and the redeemer of the saints. Let us never forget that God could have left each one of us in darkness and bondage to sin. If he had done so the only time we would enter his presence would be to hear the words, “depart from me, I never knew you.” But this not the case for all those in Christ. God has chosen us despite our unworthiness. He has sent Christ to die for our sins and raised him from the dead for our justification. He has called us to faith through the preaching of the gospel and He has confirmed those promises through the sacraments. And He has done all of this so that we might be numbered among the assembly of those who enter His presence on the Lord’s Day. 

(Kim Riddlebarger)

Revelation 4:6-7 Devotion

“Four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.”

(Revelation 4:6-7)

Why the four faces, lion, ox, man, and eagle? It is impossible to say for certain. But most likely they continue the theme of imaging: created things display something of the glory of God. Among earthly creatures, the lion is the greatest and fiercest of the wild animals, the ox the strongest of the domestic animals, the eagle the most majestic of birds, and man the ruler over all animals. God is the Original, the great and strong and majestic ruler over all. His heavenly assistants reflect his attributes. And these heavenly models in turn are reflected in what God has created on earth, not only in the creation of human beings but of animals as well. We may often admire and be fascinated by the capacities and skills and strengths that God has given to earthly animals. How much more it is so with respect to awesome heavenly beings, and how much more of God himself! The heavenly beings even now praise God with reverence and eloquence. Likewise, the destiny of earthly beings, both man and beast, is to join in praise. 

(Vern Poythress)

Revelation 4:5 Devotion

“Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;”

(Revelation 4:5)

John continues the description of what the scene looks like in heaven. "Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder." This reminds us of God's revelation to the children of Israel in the giving of the Law, where the Lord descended upon the mountain "in fire" and "smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently" (Ex. 19:18). These symbols intend to heighten our understanding of God as the eternal judge, who will bring justice to His people who are suffering under the weight of persecution and oppression.

The piercing, searching work of the Spirit is identified for us as lamps burning before the throne. "For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God" (1 Cor. 1:10), wrote the Apostle Paul. The Spirit reveals both our hearts in the desperate condition of sin, and the only hope for sinners in the gospel of Christ (John 16:7-11).

(Phil A. Newton)

Revelation 4:4 Devotion

“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”

(Revelation 4:4)

The identification of these beings is the subject of much debate. The number of them, twenty-four, certainly points us to the church in both testaments, the twelve tribes in the Old Testament and the twelve apostles in the New. Given their function before the throne, these elders are probably angelic beings who are the heavenly representatives of God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments. While the earlier vision in Revelation 1-3 viewed the church in light of its earthly struggles, this vision views the church in light of its heavenly identity. If the elders depicted here are indeed connected to the angels of the seven churches, this should remind us that the church on earth must find its true identity in heaven, where God and the Lamb are worshiped in Spirit and in truth. Therefore, what is done on earth in the churches must be conducted in the light of what is even now being done in heaven.

(Dr. Kim Riddlebarger)