We are about to open the scrolls and dig deep into what lives inside. We’ll learn about the trumpets, the bowls, the animals, and more. Before we dive headfirst into the prophetic symbols about the end of the world. We are wrapping up this quick 2-part series about what the scroll represents, why the scroll exists, and what important info we can prepare ourselves with. This series is called “Prophetic Preview

Again, we are taking an in-depth look at Revelation 5 to preview the importance of the scroll opening. Let’s finish this with Revelation 5:8-14:

Revelation 5:8-14

8            And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

9            And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God form every tribe and language and people and nation.

10          And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

11          Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.

12          And they sang a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered – to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

13          And then I heard every creative in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang; “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

14          And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

People from every nation are praising God before his throne. God’s message of salvation and eternal life welcomes people from all backgrounds and demographics. God accepts anyone who comes to him in repentance and faith. This is a concept that can be hard to grasp in our culture. Religious communities can be labeled as “too exclusive” or “too accepting” or “too exclusive.” The truth of the matter is, again, God accepts everyone. We take “accepting” often as a forced commitment to caring for someone who has lived or done something we disagree with. We are to accept – the person. We get focused on what the person brings in that we forget about the human and focus on their situation. God called to accept the person, as they are, into the community of believers, so they can grow, learn, and be in relationship with people that care about them as Jesus does.

The songs of God’s people celebrate the work that Christ has done. Let’s run through the resume:

• Died in their place.
• Ransomed them with his blood.
• Gathered them into a Kingdom.
• Made them priests.
• Appointed them to reign on the earth.

Jesus died for his people, rescued them from sin and evil through his death on the cross, gathered them in a new community, made them ambassadors of God, and commanded them to reign in love and mercy throughout the world. Worship God and praise him for what he has done, what he is doing, and what will do forever. Focusing on the path allows us to see where he’s intervened and guided us. Focusing on the future allows us to trust and rely on where we’re going. Focusing on the present allows us to be grateful on everything he’s given us and everything we will give. When we realize what he has set for us, we will find the strength to face our worst days and most difficult challenges.

The believers’ son praises Christ for brining them into his kingdom and making them priests. God decided that this will be the plan when back in Moses’s Day. While the people of Israel were not perfect at all, through the Israelite people Jesus became the perfect priests and sacrifice. Christ’s death made all believer priests of God – the channels of blessing from God to all people. This may make some of us uncomfortable in all honesty. Some of us have had bad priests. Some of us believe priests are only in it for themselves. Some people believe priests are only the ones who went to seminary. We are the priests of the world, commanded to share his story with our story to all that will hear.

Angels are spiritual beings created by God who helped conduct God’s work on earth. Their role was to bring messages, protect God’s people, offer encouragement, give guidance, bring punishment, patrol the earth, and fight the forces of evil. There are both good and evil angels, but because the evil ones (aka demons) are allied with Satan. They are still angels, but with considerably less power and authority than good angels. There will be the spiritual battle between the angels and demons until the second coming happens.

This scene in Revelation 5 shows us that only the Lamb, Jesus, is worthy to open the scroll (which holds the events of history.) Jesus holds the future in his hands. Jesus keeps control, and only he has the authority to set into motion the events of the last days. Rest, knowing that you’re in his hands.

We will rest, as we continue our journey through Revelation. Our next series  breaks those seals. Until then, stay blessed.

Associated Scripture

Revelation 5:8               Revelation 4:4, 8; 8:3-4; 14:2; 15:2

Revelation 5:9               Psalm 144:9, Revelation 14:3

Revelation 5:10            Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5-9; Revelation 1:6, 20:4

Revelation 5:11             Daniel 7:10, Hebrew 12:22, Revelation 4:4-6

Revelation 5:12            1 Chronicles 29:11; Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29, 36; Revelation 4:11

Revelation 5:13            Philippians 2:10; Revelation 4:11, 5:7

Revelation 5:14            Revelation 4:6, 9-10