The Scroll and the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

In Revelation 5 Jesus is portrayed as our Redeemer. Our risen saviour is reigning on high. He knows all that we are going through. In the previous chapter John sees a magnificent throne. Everything in heaven is connected to the one seated on this throne. In chapter 5 we see:

1. The mysterious scroll (vs 1) – God held a scroll with seven seals. This scroll was complete and cannot be changed or altered and contains a divine directive that must be put into effect. The scroll contained:
   1. Roman legal protocol
   2. Jewish redemptive practice
   3. Old Testament prophetic passages
2. The meticulous search (vs 2-7) – No-one was found worthy to open the scroll. The world was ruined by sin. If no-one could open this scroll the world would remain seperated from God forever. The lion of the tribe of Judah was worthy. Humanity and divinity came together in the crucified Lamb. Only one fitted the bill and was qualified to open the scroll.
3. The magnificent salvation (vs 8) – We are purchased for God. Everyone has a sin nature and are born as a slave to sin (Romans 3:23). No amount of hard work can get us out of our slavery to sin. We are separated from God because of our slavery to sin (Romans 6:23). Only Jesus, the sinless man, can redeem us out of this slavery. Jesus was the only one who was fully qualified to become our kinsman redeemer. Jesus bore the punishment for all sin and we receive pardon for our sin and freedom from the slavery of sin when we believe in who Jesus is and what He has done for us. The first Adam enslaved us, the second Adam has redeemed us (Romans 15:45).
4. The momentous singing (vs 9-14) – The whole of heaven and all creation worshipped the Lamb on the throne. We can look forward to a day when we will join in this worship of King Jesus.