Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - Kansas City, Missouri, United States - "The Authority of Jesus" Friday, 30 January 2015 - Scripture: Revelation 5: The Lamb takes the scroll1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne. It had writing on the front and the back, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 I saw a powerful angel, who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or look inside it. 4 So I began to weep and weep, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look inside it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has emerged victorious so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then, in between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb, standing as if it had been slain. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are God’s seven spirits, sent out into the whole earth. 7 He came forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne. 8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each held a harp and gold bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 They took up a new song, saying,
“You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals,
because you were slain,
and by your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
10 You made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they will rule on earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard the sound of many angels surrounding the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. They numbered in the millions—thousands upon thousands. 12 They said in a loud voice,
“Worthy is the slaughtered Lamb
to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and might,
and honor, glory, and blessing.”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea—I heard everything everywhere say,
“Blessing, honor, glory, and power belong
to the one seated on the throne
and to the Lamb
forever and always.”
14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshipped.
"The Authority of Jesus" by Judyann Grant
Before the era of gummed, self-sticking, and privacy envelopes wax seals were routinely used to safeguard important messages. Only the one to whom the letter was addressed, or a person in authority, was permitted to break open the seal.
Years ago, I enjoyed a craft that involved sealing my cards and letters with a decorative wax circle, imprinted with my personal symbol. The kit contained colored wax sticks of olive green, golden yellow, and plum along with a brass stamper.
The scroll in Revelation 5, sealed with seven seals and held in God’s hand, is said to have contained “the mystery of God’s purpose for the world.”* Jesus, the King descended from the throne of David; Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God; Jesus, the One whom innumerable angels proclaimed, “Worthy . . . to receive glory and honor and power.” Jesus is the only One in heaven and earth who possesses authority to break open the seven seals and reveal the fate of mankind.[*Merrill C. Tenney, Interpreting Revelation: A Reasonable Guide to Understanding the Last Book of the Bible, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2001 reprint, 126.]
Hymn for Today: "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb, Worthy, worthy is the Lamb" by W. P. Mackay
1. Worthy, worthy is the Lamb!
Worthy, worthy is the Lamb!
Worthy, worthy is the Lamb
That was slain!
Refrain:
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise the Lamb!
2. We the crown of life shall wear,
We the palm of victory bear,
All our Father’s blessings share
In the Lamb.
Refrain:
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise the Lamb!
3. And when landed safe above,
In the kingdom of His love,
We shall all the fullness prove
Of the Lamb.
Refrain:
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise the Lamb!
4. Now revive Thy work, O Lord,
By Thy Spirit and Thy Word;
Now revive Thy work, O Lord,
Through the Lamb.
Refrain:
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise the Lamb!
5. Strike the stoutest sinner through,
Start the cry, What must I do?
Make him weep till born anew
Through the Lamb.
Refrain:
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise Him, hallelujah!
Praise the Lamb!
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