{"id":30190,"date":"2024-02-28T22:00:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T05:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/revelation-4_1-11-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-02-20T22:39:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T05:39:58","slug":"revelation-5_1-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/revelation-5_1-14\/","title":{"rendered":"The Only Way to Know the Will of God"},"content":{"rendered":"

Revelation\u00a0 5:1-14\u00a0 \u00a0(CLICK HERE FOR\u00a0BIBLE VERSES)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today’s passage is\u00a0Revelation 5:1-14.\u00a0 As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help, then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Revelation\u00a05:1-4 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n1\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
\n4\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses\u00a01-4:\u00a0 John\u2019s vision of heaven continues as he sees in the right hand of God a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals (v1).\u00a0 At first no one is found worthy to open the scroll or even look inside it (v2-3).\u00a0 This causes John to weep and weep (v4).<\/p>\n

Why would John weep so much because no one could open the scroll?\u00a0 Part of the reason I believe is because the scroll represents God\u2019s will.\u00a0 John longed for God\u2019s will to be known and to be done, but until someone was able to open the scroll, God\u2019s will would remain unknown and undone.\u00a0 (It is not clear if at this point John knew anything about what the scroll contained.\u00a0 If John knew that the scroll contained God\u2019s judgment against the earth, then the implication is that John longed for God to do His will of judging the earth, but that until someone could open the scroll, that part of God\u2019s will would remain undone.)<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0The will of God is precious and not easily knowable.\u00a0 Sometimes God conceals His will so that only those who are humble enough and pleasing to Him will be able to find it out<\/strong>, while other less humble people grope around in the dark.\u00a0 It reminds me of Proverbs 25:2 which says, \u201cIt is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.\u201d<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0As human beings broken and marred by sin, we need the help of someone worthy and qualified to open up God\u2019s Word and reveal God\u2019s will to us.<\/strong>\u00a0 Fortunately there is someone worthy and qualified to open up God\u2019s Word and to help us understand God\u2019s will.\u00a0 He appears in the following verses.<\/p>\n

Revelation\u00a05:5\u00a0(NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n5\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse\u00a05:\u00a0 While John is weeping over how no one is able to open the scroll, one of the elders tells John not to weep because Someone has triumphed and is able to open the scroll and its seals (v5).\u00a0 It\u2019s Jesus.\u00a0 That elder calls Jesus \u201cthe Lion of the tribe of Judah\u201d and the \u201cRoot of David\u201d, the latter being a title for the Messiah that likely came from Isaiah 11:1, 10.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0 Whereas we are unable on our own to know God\u2019s will, Jesus is able to open God\u2019s Word (represented by the scroll) and reveal God\u2019s will to us.\u00a0\u00a0The only way we can know God\u2019s will is through Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>So if you want to know God\u2019s will, look to Jesus.\u00a0 Focus on Him.\u00a0 Spend time with Him.<\/p>\n

Revelation\u00a05:6-10 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n6\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
\n8\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
\n10\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 6-10:\u00a0 Jesus appears as \u201ca Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the centre of the throne and surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders\u201d (v6).\u00a0 Jesus the Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes representing \u201cthe seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth\u201d (v6), likely a reference to the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 Jesus takes the scroll from the right hand of God the Father, at which point the four living creatures and the 24 elders fall down and worship Jesus as the one who is worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, \u201cbecause you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0 There are several lessons we can learn here:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Notice that Jesus does not appear as a lion or a root, but as a lamb looking as if it had been slain, standing in the centre of the throne (v6).\u00a0\u00a0In heaven, a place where there will be no more sickness or death, the only person with scars is Jesus.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Those scars are an eternal reminder that the reason we can be in heaven is because Jesus gave His life for us.\u00a0 The reason we can be healed is because of His wounds.<\/strong>\u00a0 In heaven, Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross take centre stage.<\/p>\n

2. Notice that when Jesus takes the scroll from His Father on the throne, Jesus appears as a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes (v6).\u00a0 The seven horns are likely a symbol for perfect power while the seven eyes are a symbol of the “seven spirits”, that is, the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus reveals to us the will of the Father.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Why is Jesus the only one worthy to open the scroll representing God\u2019s will?\u00a0 It\u2019s because Jesus shed His blood and died to redeem (\u201cpurchase\u201d) people for God (v9).\u00a0\u00a0Jesus\u2019 worthiness to know and reveal God\u2019s perfect will has everything to do with His perfect sacrifice<\/strong>, something only He could do.\u00a0\u00a0Because Jesus alone gave a perfect sacrifice, He alone is worthy and qualified to open the scroll and reveal God’s perfect will.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s a reminder that\u00a0God\u2019s standards are perfect.\u00a0 We can never meet God\u2019s perfect standards and save ourselves by our own good works.\u00a0 It is only by the blood of Jesus that we can be saved and can know God\u2019s will.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. I love how when Jesus decided to redeem people from sin, Jesus didn\u2019t just pick people from one tribe, language, people or nation.\u00a0\u00a0God chose people from \u201cevery tribe and language and people and nation\u201d (v9).\u00a0 The kingdom of God is the most diverse and most multicultural family that has ever existed and ever will exist.<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. I also love how\u00a0Jesus rescued us from our sins not just so that we could be God\u2019s children, but so that we can be His royal priests who serve in His kingdom and who reign with Him.<\/strong>\u00a0 As verse 10 says,\u00a0 \u201cyou have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.\u201d (v10)<\/p>\n

6. As awesome as the four living creatures are and as highly honoured as the elders are, they all bow down to Jesus (v8).\u00a0\u00a0Jesus is the name above every name<\/strong>, \u201cthat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth\u201d (Philippians 2:10)<\/p>\n

7. According to verse 8, each of the four living creatures and the 24 elders have a harp and a golden bowl of incense which symbolizes the prayers of the church (the \u201csaints\u201d).\u00a0 The fact that the prayers of Christians are symbolized by golden bowls of incense that are held by the worship leaders of heaven near the centre of God\u2019s throne shows that\u00a0the prayers of God\u2019s people are precious to God.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0When you pray honestly and humbly from your heart, God holds that prayer near and dear to Himself.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Like incense your prayer is an offering of worship unto God.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0It reminds me of Psalm 141:2 which says, \u201cMay my prayer be set before you like incense…\u201d<\/p>\n

Revelation\u00a05:11-14 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n11\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
\n13\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 11-14:\u00a0 In these verses we see a powerful picture of millions of angels.\u00a0 10,000 x 10,000, says verse 11, which may be another way of saying that there were so many angels they could not be counted.\u00a0 This multitude of angels are encircling the throne, the living creatures and the elders, and are worshiping God the Father and Jesus the Lamb of God (v11-12).\u00a0 In beautiful four-part harmony, the angels, every creature in the universe (v13), the four living creatures and the 24 elders (v14) join to worship God, each contributing to the worship in their own unique way.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?<\/p>\n

1. The fact that every creature in the universe is worshiping Jesus along with God the Father points to the fact that\u00a0Jesus is divine and worthy of our worship and praise<\/strong>.\u00a0 Jesus is at the centre of all the worship and praise that takes place in heaven.<\/p>\n

2. Notice the important role that music plays in the worship of God in heaven.<\/p>\n

3. Just as the angels, the living creatures, the elders and every creature under heaven had a unique part to play in the worship of God the Father and God the Son, so\u00a0worship is a team sport<\/strong>.\u00a0 Worship is something you were made to do together with the rest of God’s people and God’s creation.\u00a0 Also,\u00a0you have a unique part to play in the worship of God that cannot be easily replaced or drowned out by someone else\u2019s worship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Jesus thank You that through Your sacrifice on the cross, we can know the will of the Father.\u00a0 God, thank You for showing us a glimpse of how beautiful is the worship that takes place in heaven.\u00a0 Together with the rest of Your people and the rest of creation, may I do my unique part in giving You worship.\u00a0 In Jesus\u2019 name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today’s passage is\u00a0Revelation 5:1-14.\u00a0 As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help, then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Revelation\u00a05:1-4 (NIV)\u00a0
\n1\u00a0\u00a0Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.\u00a0
\n2\u00a0\u00a0And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”\u00a0
\n3\u00a0\u00a0But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.\u00a0
\n4\u00a0\u00a0I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On verses\u00a01-4:\u00a0 John\u2019s vision of heaven continues as he sees in the right hand of God a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals (v1).\u00a0 At first no one is found worthy to open the scroll or even look inside it (v2-3).\u00a0 This causes John to weep and weep (v4).\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30192,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30190"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30193,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30190\/revisions\/30193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}