Free Reformed Church of Kelmscott
"THE ASCENSION OF THE LAMB DRIES THE TEARS OF MEN."
Scripture Reading:
Revelation 5
Genesis 1:26-28
Genesis 49:8-12
Singing: (Psalms and Hymns are from the "Book of Praise"
Anglo Genevan Psalter)
Psalm 47:1,2,3
Psalm 107:1,2
Psalm 8:1,2,3,4,5
Hymn 5:1,2,3,4
Hymn 32:1,2,3
Beloved Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Rev 5 hinges on tears, be they first tears running freely, then tears dried up. That there’s tears is rather amazing, for the chapter we read follows hard on the heels of chap 4 – that chapter where God almighty is presented in all His glory seated on the throne of heaven, and the angels of heaven and the creatures of earth praise Him with eagerness, and John himself is in heaven to observe it all (cf vss 1f). God on the throne: that should mean that John shouldn’t have a tear in his eyes! But look, he weeps. John in heaven, so very aware of the goings-on on earth, so troubled by the political and ecclesiastical developments of his day – weeps.
And if John wept in his day, congregation, shall we not weep today? September 11, Bali, Madrid; suicide bombers in the Middle East seek to destroy Coalition efforts to destroy terrorism and oppression, but Coalition soldiers themselves fall to abusing Iraqi POWs. The media is obsessed with sex and liberal thinking, and the western world buys it all. In Canada any talk that condemns homosexuality is now officially classed as hate language and offenders will be prosecuted, in America same sex marriages are being allowed, and given the bounds between Australia and North America, surely it’s only a matter of time before our nation will embrace similar laws…. What will life be like for the children we are today bearing and raising? Will they in 20, 30 years time be able to serve God with the freedom we do? A look at the world today, some thought about the world of tomorrow – it’s enough to make one weep…. And that’s to say nothing of the troubles in the churches, the weaknesses that abound…. We join John’s weeping….
Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. Our chapter tells us what happened in heaven as a result of His ascension. What happened was enough to dry up John’s tears – and ours also! Jesus’ ascension: it’s reason to celebrate!
I summarize the sermon with this theme:
THE ASCENSION OF THE LAMB DRIES THE TEARS OF MEN.
1. The Cause of the Tears.
John was weeping. That, brothers and sisters, is because of what he’d just seen. The God whom he’d seen on His glorious throne in chap 4 had stretched out His right hand –John had seen it- and in His hand was "a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals." A scroll: that’s a parchment rolled up. This particular one has writing on both sides, and it’s sealed with seven seals. A seal: the ancients used wax to keep the rolled up scroll from unrolling, and to show that no unauthorized person had opened the scroll the wax was impressed with the ring of the sender. This particular scroll didn’t have but one seal, but seven to keep it together, sealed.
John knew what was written in the scroll. After all, back in 4:1b the voice had invited John to come into heaven to see "the things which must take place." That’s what’s written on this scroll: the things that must take place, God’s plan for what to happen in history. No, not Old Testament history, but the future, from John’s day onward.
John saw the scroll in God’s outstretched hand. That is: God was offering it. Why would the Lord do that? The point is: the Lord God wanted someone to take the scroll and open it. That’s clear from the words of the "strong angel" John saw in vs 2. This strong angel proclaimed with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" Notice what the angel asks. "Who," he says, "is worthy to open…." That is: who has the necessary qualifications? For yes, qualifications are required! After all, the scroll is in God’s hand. So the question is: who is worthy to approach God. And that takes a special somebody to approach Him! For according to 4:5f, God has impressive guards around His throne. There’s thunders and lightnings and voices – how terrifying! Recall Israel’s response at Mt Sinai when God approached them with His thunders and lightnings; they were terrified! Further, according to vs 6 there are living creatures, cherubim around the throne, and yes, they perform the function of guards. Recall the cherubim God placed at the gate of the Garden of Eden after the fall into sin, and the cherubim what had to be embroidered on the veil in the tabernacle; they had to guard the way into the presence of God. "Who is worthy to open the scroll," asks the angel, and the first implication is whether anyone is able to approach God?!
But there’s a second aspect to the question. For when God offers the scroll, the point is not only whether someone can get past the angels and into God’s presence to lift the scroll from His hand; the point is also whether anyone can open it, that is, whether anyone can make God’s plan for the world happen. That, obviously, is a tall order!
What was so disturbing, now, was the response to the call of the angel. For no one came forward! The angel, according to the form of the Greek, did not call just once but kept on calling, again and again –"who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"- but no one replied. Vs 3: "no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it."
"No one in heaven." How amazing! In heaven were the angels, living creatures, elders – holy creatures all, who were able to exist in the presence of God. Approach God they could, but open the scroll – they could not, not even Michael the archangel! From elsewhere in Scripture we learn that Michael had great power (cf Dan 10:13; Jude 9; Rev 12:7). But even he was not worthy to open the scroll…. And that’s understandable, for angels are but servants… (cf Heb 1:14).
"No one … on the earth … was able to open the scroll" either. We read that and say: of course no one on earth was able to answer angel’s call. After all, on earth are men, and men are but dust…. And yes, beloved, that’s true. But recall the passage we read from Gen 1:26ff. God had elevated this dust-become-man to such a glorious place in His creation! By God’s decree we were to have dominion over all the earth, over every creature, were to control the world. David reflects in Ps 8 on this dominion, and says in vs 5 that we have a place just under God! In a scale of 1-10, with God at 10, we, says David, are at 9! Such is the exalted position God has given to us, we’re to have dominion over God’s world, to rule with God over His creation! So, when the strong angel of Rev 5 cried out in search of someone worthy to open that scroll containing God’s plan for the history of the world, people should be lining up to take that scroll from God’s hand and open it! That’s the implication of Gen 1! But see: none is worthy! None can come into the presence of God, and none is able to open it. Here, congregation, is the terrible effect of the fall into sin. Because of that fall we are too sinful to approach God, and we have lost dominion over God’s world. So no one on earth can take the scroll and open it….
John speaks also of "under the earth". From elsewhere in the Bible we learn that there is a nether world to which God has consigned the fallen angels (cf Jude 6) and those who die without faith. From this collection of created beings too none responded to the call of the angel, none was able to take the scroll from God’s hand, not even Satan….
"No one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it." What that means? This: no one is able to make God’s plan for the world happen! God’s plan: that, of course, will be advantageous for the church. But no one can put that plan into action; what, then, O what, is going to happen to the church?! And John knew it so well; the church of his day needed help, needed help so much!! Pentecost: it had all started out so wonderfully, with thousands of conversions to the faith and the general population holding the Christians in high esteem. What love there had been among the brethren too, what unity and what enthusiasm! But ever since the initial spurt of success, it had been downhill all the way…. There were divisions in the churches and fights, there was apostasy and need for admonitions (just look at Paul’s letters, Peter’s letters, John’s own letters). And the esteem with which the community held the Christians had disappeared…. Persecution followed persecution; John himself was exiled to Patmos on account of the gospel. Rev 2 & 3 chronicle so much of the troubles facing the churches in John’s day, and John on Patmos could do not a thing about it. And now he finds out that no one can open the scroll of God’s plan, that no one can make happen what God has promised for His church? What does it help, then, that God loves the church and gave His Son for her?! The church is going to be snuffed out, destroyed through political oppression and through Christian hearts too weak to resist heresy and embrace brotherly love…. No wonder, beloved, no wonder that John wept, wept much! There was no hope left!
And it’s clear, brothers and sisters, that if John saw need to weep so much on account of what he saw in heaven, we on earth do well to follow his cue and weep also – for we have no future either….
But, congregation, it is precisely at this point that the wealth of Jesus’ ascension is driven home to us. It’s our second point:
2. The Answer to the Tears.
John’s tears in heaven brought about a reaction. Vs 5: "one of the elders" has something to say to John. One of the elders: that’s one of those around the throne of God, one of those who attend God; he’s fully aware of the latest developments. He draws a new matter to John’s attention. "Do not weep," he says. Instead, "behold", look carefully. Over there, he says, look, there’s One who conquered, One who is victorious. Who that Person is? The elder mentions two names.
The first name he mentions is "the Lion of the tribe of Judah." That phrase comes from Jacob’s words in Gen 49:8-10. On his deathbed Jacob blessed his sons, and prophesied in the Spirit that Judah would have dominion, would rule over his brothers, yes, over the nations. As a result, his brothers would praise him –why?- not only because Judah would be exalted to a position of kingship, but also because his kingship would benefit the brothers! Gen 49:8b: Judah’s hand shall be on the neck of his enemies, and so all Israel would benefit. Vs 10d says the same: "to Him shall be the obedience of the people" – but ‘people’ is plural, ie, all people would submit to this Lion of the tribe of Judah.
The second name the elder mentions is "root of David." That’s a most intriguing name, for a root is something quite different than a branch. A branch grows out of David, is a product, an offspring, but a "root" is a source, an origin. In other words, the elder tells John that the One who prevailed is the cause, the source of David’s throne. And indeed: what were the chances that David would ever become king? He was the youngest in his family, he was persecuted by Saul – his future was hopeless! And even when David became king, his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah, his counting of the people, etc, dictated that he should be deposed. But behind David was a source. And that source kept him going! This unlikely shepherd boy became king, and he ruled with God over God’s people, was even a "man after God’s heart", carried out God’s wishes for Israel (be it with so much brokenness) – and that was all because Someone else was the root out of which David grew. Because of that Root David could become a distinct blessing for Israel, he enlarged Israel’s borders and overcame Israel’ enemies as per Gen 49:8ff.
Now, congregation, when you hear this elder tell John to look, and observe One whose name is "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" and "the root of David," what image arises in your mind? What would you expect to see? Surely, beloved, we’re expecting to see someone who exudes power, a Mighty One! But look at vs 6. John looks, as the angel commanded, and what does he see? There, in midst of the throne (of God!) and the four living creatures and elders (that’s right in presence of God and His cabinet ministers, His advisors) is … a lamb…. What a let down! Given the names the elder mentions, you expect to a lion, and all there is to see is a lamb! A lamb: by nature the animal is vulnerable, weak. More: by definition a lamb never stays a lamb. Either he become ram or a lamb chop. A lamb: what good is that in light of the strong angel’s call for someone to open the scroll?!
John is made to look a bit closer. This Lamb is standing. He’s standing there, and (according to the Greek tense of the verb) he keeps standing there. That’s so remarkable, for this lamb looked "as though it had been slain". In other words, it’s throat was slit (for that’s how lambs were slain). But a lamb with a slit throat cannot stand, can it?! Yet this one was standing!
There’s more that’s remarkable about this lamb. This lamb (!) had seven horns. Horns in the Bible are symbolic of power. This lamb, then, though once slain, is powerful, very powerful because he has seven horns! He also has seven eyes, and the point is that this lamb (though once slain) sees all, now misses nothing. In fact, this lamb-that-should-be-dead controls the seven Spirits of God, controls the Holy Spirit. It is obvious: this Lamb is most unique!
And see: this lamb comes into action. Vs 7: this Lamb approached the One on the throne, and "took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne." How amazing: God’s thunder and His lightning did not destroy him, and the living creatures and the angels who guarded the throne of God did not stop Him! This Lamb-that-should-be-dead was welcome in the presence of God, was welcome to take the scroll from the hand of God almighty! In fact, the angels and living creatures and elders who did not stop Him all fell down to worship the Lamb (vs 8). Then they sang, and how they sang! "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals," they exalted, "for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." We understand: that’s a reference to what happened on Golgotha! The Lamb was slain indeed, but He arose from the dead. And see: that Lamb is no more on earth but in the presence of God in heaven! Through His sacrifice on Calvary He earned the right to enter the presence of God and not be consumed; He could ascend, and then receive a place in heaven not in some distant corner but was free to come into the very presence of God Himself. More, exactly because of His work on the cross He was "worthy" to take that scroll, to open it, and so to make happen the things that God ordained should happen in the history of the world. No wonder the song of the angels and the elders grows! Vs 11: John looked and heard the voice of "many angels" around the throne, "and the number of [the heavenly choir] was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. The multitudes of angels pick up the substance of the first singers, and they cry out for all creation to hear: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" The One who died on the cross, the One who ascended into heaven, is worthy of all honor, for He rightly can control history!
And look, beloved, how the song grows more still! Vs 13: every creature in heaven above and every creature on earth below and every creature under the earth and such as are in the sea join the heavenly choirs in jubilant exultation. All creatures great and small, feathery and fishy and furry, from angels to demons, join in praise, for all creatures understand that the approach of the Lamb to the throne and His taking the scroll is most significant! Here is reason for all to dry up tears, for all moaning and groaning to cease, reason to burst forth into song! It’s the message of Rev 5: away, away with all tears; let earth and heaven and all creation rejoice because the Lamb of Calvary has taken the scroll from God’s hand.
Yet why, brothers and sisters, why is His taking the scroll such reason to burst out into such song? Why?! That, beloved, is because of who this Lamb is. He the Lion of Judah, root of David! That is, He is mighty, and His might is for the benefit of His people. This mighty King is at the same time the Lamb who was sacrificed, fulfillment of the Passover Lamb of Ex 12 (cf Is 53:7). This lamb gave Himself for our sins, yes, He emptied Himself to obtain our redemption, and triumphed. So this Lamb is also the fulfillment of Gen 49:8: His ‘hand is on the neck of His enemies’, and those enemies are ultimately sin and Satan! So God no longer sees us as sinful! Truly, here is the gospel! This Christ also sends out His Holy Spirit to renew sinners so that we are enabled again to have dominion over God’s world, can rule with God again, carry out His plan for world!
This, brothers and sisters, is the crux of matter. The Lion of Judah, the Root of David, could triumph, and did! He the Lamb of vs 6 triumphed in His work, and so we are restored, can have dominion again. In the words of vs 10: You "have made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth" (Lord’s Day 12.32). Christ, true man, opened the way for you and me again to carry out the mandate of Gen 1:26ff! Christ was made lower than the angels (Heb 2), He was a slain Lamb, but there He stands, and takes scroll so that He –true Man- might make God’s plan for the world come about. A man has ascended into heaven, and to Him was given all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18), yes, all things in all the world were put under His feet (Eph 1:22f; cf Lord’s Day 19.50).
Then it’s true that Rev 6 tells us what happens when this Lamb opens the seals of the scroll, how the plagues of God fall upon the earth – plagues that we see happening in the news of our own day. But now we know: Christ is in control, He who laid down His life for us. So there is no place for despair in this world. Despite the apostasy and the evil there is room only for optimism: Christ makes God’s plan happen, and therefore Paradise will be restored. So we today, after we’ve read the newspapers, do not give ourselves to tears as John did, but we join the choirs of Rev 5 and praise our King with every creature:
"Glory to the King of angels,
Glory to the Church’s King,
Glory to the king of nations!
Heaven and earth, your praises bring.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
To the King of glory sing!" (Hy 5:3).
Amen.