"5 and one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” 6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
Our world is more divided than ever, literally every topic has become a point of great dissension and division among the very
people who are called to be a model of unity for a watching world. Many of these issues which are before us are race,
politics, abortion, women’s role in ministry, Bible translation and any and all matters
related to sexual immorality. Now, while none of these issues are new, in fact, they have been around for decades, but
50 years ago these would not have divided the church.
Because the cultural perspectives regarding sin has dramatically changed, these issues have erupted like an dormant volcano that suddenly come to life. These issues are being questioned, and consequently being challenged with increased frequency and deeper intensity that ever before. And, it shows no sign of reversing its course.
As a pastor, I would hope that every follower of Jesus Christ would
desire to discover, "What does God say about it in Scripture?" However, this does not seem to
be the objective of many who address these questions.
Tragically, many have fallen into the trap of evoking God’s name in our debates in an attempt to gain His approval for their actions rather than to seek the truth, in a commitment to know Him and be transformed by His Word. Furthermore, many are coming to God’s Word in hopes that He will approve of their sin and grant them a license to continue the present course of living in it.
Our attitudes greatly impact our relation with God. So, I must ask, are you prepared to alter your attitude, actions, and personal relationships if God, in His Word, clearly indicates that He disapproves of your choices, regardless of your lifestyle?
In Isaiah 28:23-29, the prophet Isaiah asks "Does the farmer plow continually to plant seed? Does he continually turn and harrow the ground? Does he not level its surface and sow dill and scatter cummin and plant wheat in rows, barley in its place and rye within its area? For his God instructs and teaches him properly. For dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is the cartwheel driven over cummin;
But dill is beaten out with a rod, and cummin with a club. Grain for bread is crushed, indeed, he does not continue to thresh it forever. Because the wheel of his cart and his horses eventually damage it,
He does not thresh it longer. This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great."
But dill is beaten out with a rod, and cummin with a club. Grain for bread is crushed, indeed, he does not continue to thresh it forever. Because the wheel of his cart and his horses eventually damage it,
He does not thresh it longer. This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great."
The principle here is that it is necessary for God to instruct and teach us properly to fulfill our purpose in His good design for humanity. Scripture is clear that believers are to have nothing to do with all forms sexual immorality. Sexual practices are limited for the follower of Christ. The goal of the Gospels was not to give us a comprehensive list of sinful proclivities, but to call believers to abstain from such practices.
Jesus said in Matthew 15, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders."
And, in Matthew 19, Jesus said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."
I Corinthians 6 says "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."
Many have debated that the word homosexual was not in the original transcripts, however, the Greek word "arsenokoités," refers to a sodomite, is a compound word, "arseno" is the word for a male, and "koitai" is the word for bed. We need to understand the intention of Paul's statement. The idea that some homosexual relationships are accepted is not even hinted at in this passage. The Greek word "koitai" is the source of our English word coitus, meaning sexual intercourse. We can therefore conclude, that the word "arsenokoités" is referring to men who are in bed with other men, engaging in same-sex sexual activity.
The term derives
its meaning from the Leviticus chapters 18 and 20 passages, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." And, "If there is
a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them
have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death.
Their bloodguiltiness is upon them."
I believe that we can all agree that the Christian life is based on faith. Faith in the truth and content of Scripture, is then, the essence of the
Christian life. However, even though we know and understand that as Christians, we are to walk by
faith, we often fail to see just how thoroughly the
life of faith is to reach into every facet of our lives, so that in truth,
it encompasses all that we are and do. God’s Word is not open to one's personal interpretation in the matter of sin and sexual immorality. Again, while the list is not exhaustive, Scripture is very clear, all forms of sexual immorality is sin and unacceptable to the God Who created us.
Look, I want to make something clear, I don't say these things in judgement, I am certainly no one to judge anyone else's sin. I say these things because I love you and I am deeply concerned about where you will spend eternity. And, I am called to share with you what God says about sin in His Word.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, we thank You for Your Word for us today. Lord, I pray that we would always set our affection on things above and not on things on the earth. May we live in anticipation of the great and glorious day we are called to meet You up in the clouds. Lord, we know it's coming, sooner than most imagine. Burden our hearts for the lost and the broken, grant us the courage to speak boldly, in love and with compassion about sin. Reveal to us opportunities as they present themselves to give ourselves to the hungry, to care for the afflicted. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Lord, let Your Light shine through us, in this dark and fallen world.
In Christ's name we pray
Amen
Today's Message: What Has Gone Up Will Come Down!
Man has always dreamed about a perfect world. A place where world peace and justice prevail. A place where love and joy abounds. However, no matter how he may dream or what he may invent or devise to attempt to achieve it, with all of his efforts, the world continues to get worse. One is left asking the question, "Who can restore paradise?" We'll find the answers to those questions in this monumental chapter.
As we return to our study in the book of Revelation, chapter 5, this is the second message in this chapter. In chapters two and three, John summarizes this present Church Age, often referred to as the Age of Grace, that period between the Cross of Calvary and
the removal of the saints from the world.Throughout the remainder of the book, these words serve to alert the
reader to a transition in the narrative. Seven times, John directs our
attention from event to event that he is describing. so that we can consider what
is happening elsewhere.
Previously, the Apostle John has been reviewing the Age of the Church, but that is coming to an
end and the focus switches to events in Heaven following the Rapture of
the Church. On earth, the Great Tribulation is beginning as the Lamb of
God begins to unleash judgement on the unbelieving world. In Heaven, we are first introduced to One seated on a glorious emerald throne. The throne of God is still central. The cherubim are there, and the
enthroned elders representing the raptured church are there.
As you will recall, chapter 4 ends with the glorious scene of the throne of God, and all of
both redeemed and raptured men and the spirits of the saints and the
angels as well worshiping God. However, the focus for this message, and the next two chapters, is
Heaven itself, and especially who is there and what is happening. When we left off last time, the question was this: God has the scroll in His hand, and the search began for the one who is worthy to enact it. But no one was found to be worthy. John, wanting to see the world finally rid of evil and sin, was weeping. He wanted to see the world changed. He wanted to see the kingdom of God come.
Open your Bibles with me to the book of Revelation. Revelation chapter 5. I invite you to follow along with me as I read to you from verses 5 through 8. Revelation 5:5-8.
Suddenly, the elder calls his attention to a new person, "Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."
I'd like you to notice the significance of the sequence of those seen in John's vision. First, John sees God on His throne. We worship God. The Lord God redeems us and gives us new life, this is as it should be. Immediately afterwards, he sees the redeemed of the ages. We who are saved by God’s mercy. Perhaps it is natural that one who is redeemed would take note of the redeemed of the ages before noting the angels of God.
If you know anything about the Old Testament and the book of Genesis, it’s taken out of Genesis 49:8-10, you know that that is a title for the Messiah. "Judah, your brothers shall praise you;Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. "Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples."
Judah will produce a lion who will have the scepter, who will bring
about the rule that shall cause all the nations to bow down. The Messiah
then became known as the lion that would come from the tribe of Judah. The Jews expected the lion to come, menacing and destructive, and destroy the Romans and destroy the Greeks and destroy the pagans. Jesus was not lion-like, He was not menacing, devastating or destructive. In fact, He was quite the opposite, He insisted on healing everyone. That is partly why they had Him crucified. They didn’t realize that was He was a lion.
Notice that the elder also calls Him "the Root of David," that's another Messianic title. The Lord Jesus Christ comes through the tribe of Judah. The Old Testament very clearly indicates that the Messiah would come from the line of David, He would be a Son
of David, that He would be an offspring of David, that His life would
come from David. He’ll be a shoot out of David and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth. And, that is what every Jew expected. He didn't take His authority and act like a king, and set up His kingdom. He didn’t act like a lion, so they killed Him.
Now John sees Him. And, He’s going to act like a lion, He’s going to come in fury. He’s going to act like a king and establish His rightful throne, in furious judgement against the nations of the world. He could have done it if He had wanted to, but first, there was something to be done. Overcoming sin, overcoming Satan, overcoming demons, overcoming death, overcoming hell that had to take place. Christ had to do it before He conquered the nations of the world.
Then, the elder says "He has overcome, so as to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Then, in verse 6, John sees the Lamb of God as He enters the courts of Heaven; He bears
the marks of one who died violently. Throughout all eternity Jesus will
bear the marks of His crucifixion. The wounds in His hands and in His feet, the raw gash in His side, the brow pierced by cruel thorns, are all transformed into something beautiful.
Notice that the text dictates that we look back to His accomplished work, rather than
looking forward to His promised work. We who are Christians presently
enjoy great benefits because of our relationship to Christ the Lord. We
have forgiveness of sin. We have peace with God. We have His Spirit living within us and empowering us to accomplish great deeds in the Name of Christ our Lord. We have been by His authority, given the honor and privilege to announce life for all who will receive Him as Lord.
"And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth."
This is none other than Jesus Christ, the rightful King from the line of David. This is not just any lamb, notice he says the Lamb is standing. It's alive and on it's feet, that is very important. Christ in the figure of a lamb standing, as if slain, on His feet and moving.The wounds on the Lamb are still visible. And, the Lamb is alive. By God’s determined counsel, powers of earth and hell came together to kill the Lamb, but bearing the scars from death, He is alive!
If you will recall, after His death and resurrection, Jesus showed the disciples the nail scars in His hands and feet and the piercing in His side. What He did on the cross cost Him His life, but He didn’t lose. He disarmed the principalities and the powers. And He will win again.
When the Son of God was first presented for His ministry in Judah, John the Baptist announced Him as "the Lamb of God." The emphasis appears to be upon the non-threatening nature or weakness of the Lamb. As the Lamb of God, He is judged for the sin of mankind. As the Lion of Judah, Jesus is the judge of the entire universe. As a footnote, John refers to Jesus as the
Lamb twenty-nine times in twenty-seven verses, in this book, and only once does an angel identify Him as the Lion
of Judah.
Though our Lord is Judge of the universe, throughout the book
of Revelation, the emphasis is upon His sacrifice. Jesus testified that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Jesus was very specific that He would sacrifice His life for His people.
The Apostle Peter says, "We could never have been redeemed by silver or gold, but
only with the precious blood, as of a Lamb unblemished and spotless, the
blood of Christ." He defeated death. He defeated Satan. He defeated demons. He defeated sin. He defeated hell.
Again, John describes this Lamb in very interesting terms. "Having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God." If you think about it, in the animal kingdom a horn has always represented power. They use their horns to inflict wounds on their enemies. Seven horns, seven being the number of perfection, means He is the sovereign almighty, all-powerful, perfect warrior. The energies of the Holy Spirit have now been released by the risen Christ to accomplish His work on earth.
And then John says, "He had seven eyes." again, seven being the number of perfection, speaks of His knowledge, understanding, omniscience from the Spirit of God. The seven-fold Spirit of God sent out into all the earth. He knows exactly what’s going on, He knows exactly what to do! By the way, this is the third time that the Holy Spirit has been defined as a seven-fold Spirit. Again, this refers to the fullness of the Spirit. You can read more about it on your own in Isaiah chapter 11,which describes the seven-fold ministry of the Spirit. And, just to mention that Zechariah 4 also discusses the fullness of the Holy Spirit in His power.
In verse 7, "And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne."This is the final monumental act in this heavenly scene. This is what we've been building up since chapter 4. The Lamb comes and takes the scroll out of the hand of God. The goal of redemption is about to be reached and human history is going to end. This is the moment that Daniel describes in Daniel chapter 7.
Verse 8, "When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
Notice, that the appearance of the Lamb as He moves to take the scroll to redeem the
universe and man causes praise to break out from everywhere, all over
the universe. The praise begins to unfold in an escalating, ascending
crescendo of worship, as the oratorio of redemption climaxes. When the Lamb takes the scroll from the hand of the One seated on the
throne, the elders break out in praise. It is not, an explanation of how they feel, but their substantive praise because of what the Lamb has done! True praise consists of recitation of the accomplishments of the One praised and are predicated upon what He has already done for us. All throughout Scripture are multiplied statements that describe the work that Christ the Lord has already performed.
Verse 8 through the end of the chapter give us the song of the Worthy One, the song of the Worthy. One. You remember in chapter 4, the were two majestic doxologies, now there are three more added, for a total of five great doxologies of praise to God and the Lamb because of the coming redemption. The song of praise toward the Lamb begins here and continues to unfold, building momentum until the song of adoration is in the mouth of every living creature in the universe. Notice that each of the saved hold a harp and a golden bowl filled with
incense. Throughout the Word of God, the harp serves as a sign of the
prophet.
John hears in his vision the singing of "a new song" to the praise of
Jesus for what Jesus has accomplished: "With your blood you purchased for God
members of every tribe and language and people and nation." At least here, in today's message, we see how the song begins. It’s interesting to note, that in chapter 4, John says the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lord who sits on the throne, and will worship Him. Then, they’re up, and here they’re down again.
Notice, that He is given the same worship in heaven as God is given, so don't let anyone suggest that He is not God! It is very important to mention, that it is He alone that heaven adores and worships in this way. After His resurrection, He was exalted to the right hand of the Father, He received the glory He had before the world began. Now, He begins to move, to begin His work of reigning in His universe.
According to the song of saints in heaven, we will praise the Lamb because by His blood He "ransomed people for God." Each of us will be in His presence by His grace, I'd like to point out, that the lines of divisions that separated us on earth will have been abolished. Jesus Christ does not discriminate!
In Closing...
I know for many of you, sorrow and pain now marks your path through this present life, perhaps you have wondered if God is really in control of the world. However I urge
you to look forward to something greater, something more glorious. The day is rapidly approaching, when in Heaven God will comfort us and transform all of our groans
into praise.
For now, there are four things that are still out of place. The church is out of
place; because she ought to be in heaven. Israel is still out of place; she should be
in the land that has been promised to her, and possess every part of it.
The devil is out of place, presently, he’s
still roaming free. He ought to be in the lake of fire. And Christ is out of place; He should be seated on His throne, reigning, instead of upon
His Father’s throne interceding for us.
So, I strongly encourage you to be ready for the day when He steps out to rule and to judge! You better be ready when Christ takes His rightful place. Jesus Christ is about to rule and reign. The time is nearer than you think.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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