Understanding Revelation (5:7-8) Devotion

"And He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne. And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

(Revelation 5:7-8)

There are a number of important things here. For one thing, the Lamb possesses the same glory and authority as does the one sitting on the throne. When heaven worships the Lamb, they are worshiping God, the second person of the Holy Trinity. The Lamb’s majesty and glory are clearly equal to that of the one seated on the throne. No mere creature could ever possess such glory. It is nothing less than the glory of God. Furthermore, the elders who represent the redeemed and the living creatures who represent creation fall before the Lamb and worship him. This also points us to the fact that Christ’s glory and worthiness is equal to that of the father’s, for the hosts of heaven would never bow before any creature or any created thing.

Later on, in the Book of Revelation, we will read that the prayers of the saints rise to heaven. In Revelation 6:9-11 and 8:4 the saints pray for vindication of martyred believers. They cry out for judgment upon the ungodly. The fact that these prayers ascend to God’s throne and to the Lamb reminds us that the opening of the scroll is somehow connected their vindication. The judgments yet to come and contained in the scroll will, in part, bring about the vindication of the saints.

With the elders holding harps in their hands and singing, the scene in heaven is suddenly reminiscent of the Levitical priests who were commissioned to lead the people in the praise and worship of YHWH.

(Dr. Kim Riddlebarger)

Understanding Revelation (v. 5:6b) Devotion

"..I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth."

(Revelation 5:6b)

In biblical imagery the horn sometimes symbolizes honor. A psalmist warns those who claim honor vainly, "I said to the boastful, 'Do not boast,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn;...do not speak with insolent pride'" (Ps. 75:4-5), but another promises the poor that "his horn will be exalted in honor" (Ps. 112:9). More often, however, the horn is a picture of strength: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer...my shield and my horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Ps. 18:2). Consequently in the symbolism of the Bible's apocalyptic literature, horns represent powerful kings or nations (Dan. 7:24; Zech. 1:18-21). The Lamb's seven horns show His supreme worthiness to receive the praises that greet His appearance (Rev. 5:9,12,13), but they primarily portray His supreme power.  They are the visual equivalent of the title Almighty, ascribed to the Lord God (Rev. 1:8; 4:8).

The Lamb's seven eyes show His omniscience as well as the mode of His presence with His embattled churches, for these eyes, like the seven lamps before God's throne, symbolize "the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth" (Rev. 5:6). 

The Lamb has all power and knowledge, extending to earth's farthest corner. In omniscience He can say to each church, "I know." In omnipotence He can make a sevenfold guarantee of reward to the overcomer. Such is the majesty of the church's champion, who now approaches the enthroned One and receives the vital scroll from his right hand-Rev. 5:7. 

(Dennis Johnson)

 

Revelation 5:6a Devotion

"And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain,.."

(Revelation 5:6a)

John sees a Lamb slain standing between the throne. Slain is an allusion both to the Passover lamb and also to Isaiah's prophecy of the lamb led to slaughter (Isa. 53:7), both pictures pointing to Christ's sacrifice which accomplishes redemption and victory for God's people.  

The phrase standing as slain is two Greek perfect participles, which express an ongoing reality or state. The Lamb continues to exist as slain to indicate the ongoing victorious effect of His redemptive death. Christ's death- as well as the ongoing sufferings of the church- have been and are continually being turned into victory. The reason John sees the Lion conquering as a slain Lamb is to emphasize the centrality of the Cross. 

Through this vision, believers are reminded that their victory also will only come about as they follow the way Cross. That is why saints are described as those who "follow the Lamb wherever He goes" (Rev. 14:4) and have "washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:14). As an innocent victim, He became a representative penal substitute for the sins of His people. While He was suffering the defeat of death, He was also overcoming by creating a kingdom of redeemed subjects over whom He would reign and over whom the devil would no longer have power. 

(G.K. Beale)

Understanding Revelation Devotion (Rev. 5:5)

“and one of the elders said to me, "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."”

(Revelation 5:5)

The suspense and John's sorrow are broken by the voice of one of the elders, answering the angel's question: "the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven scrolls". When Israel bestowed a final blessing on his sons, he compared Judah with a lion and foresaw a perpetual royal dynasty from Judah's line (Gen. 49:8-12). God's selection of David as king in place of the Benjamite Saul set the fulfillment of Israel's prophesy in motion. Though the exile would make it seem that David's dynasty had been cut off, like a tree sawn down, leaving only root and stump, Isaiah foresaw a fresh shoot from the stump of David's father Jesse, a fruitful branch springing from a root that seemed lifeless and hopeless (Isa. 11:1,10). 

These promises were finally to reach fulfillment in "Jesus the Anointed (King), Son of David, Son of Abraham" (Matt. 1:1). In view of David's well-known prowess as the warrior-champion of God's people (1 Sam. 16), the elder's announcement that this Lion-King has overcome comes as no surprise. Surely Judah's fierce lion is a victor worthy to open the scroll!

(Dennis Johnson)

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)

Revelation 4:3 Devotion

“And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.”

(Revelation 4:3)

The precious gems refract light in almost all the shades of the color spectrum pointing to God’s undescribable glory, while the rainbow recalls to mind God’s covenant oath and faithfulness in providing for the salvation of his people. As the rainbow was the sign of the new creation after Noah’s deliverance from the flood, so too the presence of the rainbow in heaven directs our gaze to the new creation which began with the resurrection of Christ and which one day will be God’s will on earth.

(Dr. Kim Riddlebarger)

Revelation 4:2 Devotion

“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.”

(Revelation 4:2)

Johns emphasis in this chapter is the Lord God's sovereign reign: "behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne." The language points to the throne having always been standing in heaven, so that no worldly power can alter the Lords rule. The "throne" implies governance, and in this case since its location is in heaven, sovereign rule. Think of the believers feeling the weight of Roman rule pressing upon them; this picture changes everything for them. Yes, there are earthly powers, they exist by God's will and carry out His purposes; but they cannot usurp His throne. With every attempt by mere men or devils to cast off God's rule, "He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them!" (Psa. 2:4) He sits and continues sitting on the throne (present tense) to exercise His wise and powerful rule over creation.

(Phil A. Newton)

Revelation 4:1 Devotion

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."”

(Revelation 4:1)

A door stands open in heaven to give John access to heaven and to the vision that he will see. A voice invites him up, the same voice as in 1:10, the voice of Christ. It is always through Christ alone that we have access to God, and the same is true of John. Come up here indicates that John ascends into heaven, whether in the body or out of it (2 Cor. 12:2-3). Moses went up to Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:3, 20), and Paul was caught up to heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) to receive special revelations. Ezekiel saw heaven opened (Ezek. 1:1). Likewise with John. Though the experience of John in unique, God gives the description of this vision to us as well. He thus enables the whole church of God to have access to the heavenly sphere. In this sense, then, we can through appropriating the vision share in the benefits of John’s experience.

The content of John’s vision is what must take place after this. The language is similar to 1:19 and refers to the whole of 4:1-22:5. Because God is in control and has foreordained the entire course of history (Eph. 1:11; Isa. 46:10), he can tell beforehand the character of the entire age leading up to the Second Coming. The guarantee from God is reassuring for believers who must face hardship, persecution, or even death. 

(Dr. Vern Poythress)

Revelation 2:18-20 Devotion

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write...'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.”

(Revelation 2:18-20)

Christ commended them for their love, faith, service, and perseverance, as well as their steady progress in the Christian life. Yet in what may have been an aberrant understanding of love, they had tolerated Jezebel. That tells us that others knew what was taking place. The present tense verb describes the toleration as still going on at the time this letter arrived. It’s not that they commended her teaching and practice, but they allowed it to go on without intervening through admonition and discipline as Christ has instructed His church (Matt. 18:15-17). Can we imagine that some among them probably even got together and talked about how disconcerting this was? Yet they let it go, perhaps hoping that it might fizzle out so that they would not have to confront this Jezebel or her followers and face potential fall-out. That might affect their church attendance! People might not understand and think them to be judgmental.

Enough of such foolishness! What they thought was wisdom and honor by turning a blind eye to Jezebel’s actions, was actually foolishness that threatened all that they were as a church. Their tolerance was misplaced. It’s certainly appropriate for Christians to display tolerance toward others with different personalities and backgrounds. But Jesus Christ is intolerant when it comes to allowing false doctrine and ungodly lifestyles in the church. Toleration of false doctrine or ungodly lifestyles undermines the nature of the church as “the pillar and the support of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:15).
The reality that the church had tolerated this false prophetess among them demonstrates the measure of carelessness and presumption among them. Because they did have so many wonderful things happening among them, they left themselves unguarded. Not only were the leaders at fault, but also the members of the church failed to truly care for each other by guarding one another against false teaching and ungodly living. We have the reminder in this church that our church must never grow weary of spiritual diligence. We must never think that we are impervious to that kind of smooth influence. As Paul told the Corinthians after warning them of the devastating influence of temptation to sin, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). 

(Phil A. Newton)

Revelation 2:17b Devotion

"..and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it."

(Revelation 2:17b)

The white stone points to the climax of the church's pilgrimage. In the ancient world white stones were used for various purposes, but in Revelation the name that the stone bears is more important than the connotations of its color.  The name is known only to the recipient, just as the name of the Word of God, who rides a white horse, is known only to himself (Rev. 19:12-13). The name is a shared secret between the Lord and the recipient, blending mystery and disclosure. The victor's "new name" could be his transformed identity in Christ, as the renaming of Abram to Abraham and of Simon to Peter signaled their transformation by God's power and grace. To the one who holds fast His name (Rev. 2:13) Jesus gives a new name, to mark us as His property and to reshape our identity to fit His perfection: "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). 

(Dennis E. Johnson)

Revelation 2:17a Devotion

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna,.."

(Revelation 2:17a)

In Pergamum the victor is the believer who not only stands fast in the face of external pressure "where Satan's throne is" but also resists temptations to conform for the sake of personal convenience. Jesus promises hidden manna. Manna was the bread of heaven that nourished Israel in the desert; and Revelation portrays the church's life between Christ's ascension and His return as a sojourn in the wilderness, in which God sustains it. Moses had shown that the manna pointed beyond itself, teaching that "man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD" (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4). Jesus announced that the manna pointed to His sacrificed body as the true "bread out of heaven" (John 6:32-35). Though the church's circumstances seem as desolate as a desert, Jesus sustains it by His word, revealing Himself. 

(Dennis E. Johnson)

Revelation 2:14-15 Devotion

"But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”

(Revelation 2:14-15)

Though we don’t have a group known as Nicolaitans today, their great grandchildren remain among us. We see strains of the Nicolaitans in multiplied churches that allow unchristian behavior to go on among their membership without seeking to discipline wayward members. Immorality, unethical practices, lying, unfaithfulness, and all manner of compromise with the world take place without even a hint of addressing it. “Oh, we don’t to hurt anyone’s feelings,” churches demur. “We’re all sinners; we’re not to be judgmental,” they say. “We don’t want to lose them or their friends; the church is about adding not subtracting,” they explain. Yet to all of this the Lord of the Church stands in holy opposition. The corporate witness of the church, the singular testimony that a particular congregation portrays of the power of the gospel must be consistent with Christ’s purpose for His church. That’s why Jesus Christ instituted the practice of discipline in the church (Matthew 18). Together, we are to have such high regard for the church as the body of Christ that we refuse to tolerate the kind of behavior among our members that shame the gospel of Christ and reproach our Lord’s good name.

(Phil A. Newton)