Who Is Worthy?

Revelation 5:1-14

As John observes, the God of heaven and earth is seated on His throne, holding in His right hand a scroll full of words, sealed seven times. But no one in heaven or on earth is worthy to break the seals, open the scroll and read it. It is such an overwhelming scene that John breaks down, weeping. How terrible that no angel, none of the elders, no person on earth, not even the four living creatures in all their magnificence is worthy to take this scroll and open it, revealing the end of all things.

But then, one of the twenty-four elders tells John to stop weeping, for the Lion of Judah is worthy to open the scroll. Yet, as John looks up, the Lion he sees is a Lamb, who looks like it has been slaughtered. For this One is not deemed worthy because of His might or knowledge or lineage, although He has all of those, too. He is deemed worthy because of His sacrifice, His innocent death and victorious life.

This Lamb, who receives the same praise as the One on the throne, is the only one worthy to reveal God's will and the events that are to come. This One is Jesus, our perfect Sacrifice and Redeemer, our powerful God and King. He is our Savior and our Intercessor, going to the Throne on our behalf, revealing the mysteries of God. There is no one like Him. No one else is worthy without Him. But because of His sacrifice for us, along with His perfect wisdom and power, because He is worthy to read and reveal the mysteries of God, He is worthy of and receives praise from the elders and living creatures, the multitudes of heaven, and every creature in heaven and earth.

Dear Jesus, My God and King, the Lion and the Lamb, the Beginning and the End, I give you my praise and join my voice with the voices of heaven, offering praise and worship to you. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have even ransomed me. As the Lamb who was slaughtered, you are worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing forever and ever!