WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.799 Welcome to DeSoto Hills Baptist Church. 00:00:02.959 --> 00:00:07.200 Our Sunday morning services are weekly at 9 and 10 30 a.m. 00:00:07.519 --> 00:00:11.439 You're listening to an audio recast of this past week's service. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:12.960 We hope you enjoy. 00:00:13.279 --> 00:00:14.240 God bless. 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:28.640 When I started the Advent series that we did throughout December months ago, when I was deciding what to preach and if I wanted to do a series and things like that, and as I was praying through that, I was not planning on missing last week. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:37.759 Um that with family situations and some things that happened with Amber's family, we wound up needing to do Christmas and going down there and missing that Sunday. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:41.759 So then so I had to make a decision. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:50.880 I was trying to think through do I want to finish and use this passage that God has given me to finish this Advent series, or do I just want to go back into Acts? 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:51.679 I couldn't decide. 00:00:51.759 --> 00:01:04.159 And finally, as I was praying through it, I decided, you know what, this passage brings a great closure to our Advent theme of, oh, come let us adore Him. 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:08.480 But it also is a great challenge to begin a new year. 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:14.079 So today we're going to be in Revelation, chapter, Revelation, chapter 4 and 5. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:23.040 And as when I say we're going to be in Revelation, probably in a lot of your minds, a lot of things come to mind. 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:26.879 Because the Revelation is full of a lot of things. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.120 Now, let me bring some clarity. 00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:33.680 Let me take a couple moments to clarify a couple things in what we're doing today. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:39.359 One is we are taking a 10,000-foot view of Revelation. 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:46.239 Okay, we're not, today our goal is not to look at all the symbolism and look at to get caught up in some of those weeds. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:48.159 That's a study for another day. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:54.799 Again, we're taking a 10,000-foot view of chapter 4 and 5 of Revelation. 00:01:55.200 --> 00:02:04.000 Second thing that I want us to see is we still need to put this book in its context, though, and what it's saying. 00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:20.560 In Revelation chapter 1, verse 1, God speaks, John writes the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:23.039 So here's what's happening in the book. 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:26.080 Is he talking about things that are going to take place? 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:27.520 Yes, he is. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:31.439 But I don't want you to miss the focus of this book. 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:35.039 This book is a revelation. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:52.960 And so as we look today, as we as we look into John chapter, Revelation chapter 4 and 5, I want us to see, I want us to see that this is a revelation. 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:56.879 It is God revealing Jesus to us. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:08.240 So if you're able this morning, I invite you to stand with me as we give honor to the reading of God's word of Revelation chapter 4 and 5. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:15.199 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:22.800 And the first voice which I heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:30.159 At once I was in the spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, one with one seated on the throne. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:41.120 And who he who sat there had the appearance of Jasper and a carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:49.680 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders clothed in white garments with golden crowns on their head. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:04:06.000 From the throne came flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass, like crystal. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:12.240 And around the throne on each side of the throne are four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:14.800 The first creature was like a lion. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:23.040 The second creature was like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:41.199 The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night, they never cease to say, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:55.360 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:05:05.120 They cast down their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are you, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:10.720 For you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:18.879 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on back, sealed with seven seals. 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:25.680 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seal? 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:32.639 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:38.959 And I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:41.600 And one of the elders said to me, Weep no more. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:49.680 Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:06:06.560 And between the throne, the four living creatures, and among the elders, I saw a lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the spirits of God, sent out into the earth. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:11.279 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who is seated on the throne. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:22.800 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures, and the twenty-four elders, fell down before the lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:42.720 And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransom people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priest to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:07:06.879 Then I looked and heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, naming myriad, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:27.120 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them, saying, To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:30.720 And the four living creatures said, Amen. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:34.720 And the elders fell down and worshiped. 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:35.839 Let's pray. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:42.879 God, we thank you that you are seated on the throne. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:47.680 And that you have revealed yourself to us through your word. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:53.120 And through this passage today, you are revealing Jesus to us. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:56.800 May we catch a glimpse of you. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:00.079 Jesus, it's in your name we pray. 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:01.519 Amen. 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:11.759 As I read this passage, I'm reminded of the first time I went to First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:21.920 Now, if you've never been to First Baptist Jackson, imagine any First Baptist church and multiply it times Jackson. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:24.079 You get First Baptist Jackson. 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:24.560 Okay? 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:43.679 When I was at Mississippi College, my brother and I took a class called Baptist Works, and in that class we had to get some outside credit going to Baptist events, and one of the events that we could go to was the Mississippi Baptist Convention, which was just down the road from MC, and we could go and we could sit there all day and get a whole bunch of hours. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:47.200 So we decided to go, and it was at First Baptist Jackson. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:52.559 So we went, pulling up into the parking lot, we were pretty amazed. 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:57.600 Walking through the building, I'm sure we were wide-eyed with mouths dropped. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:01.440 Imagine country come to town. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.320 That was us. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:10.240 Then we walked to the sanctuary at First Baptist Jackson. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:14.320 My brother said, How many bells of hay do you think we could get in here? 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:20.320 Huge, beautiful, beautiful sanctuary. 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:22.000 An amazing place. 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:26.559 We walked in and were mesmerized by the building. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:35.919 What we see today is John seeing a vision, being given a vision of the throne room in heaven. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:40.879 And all who are there are worshiping our great God. 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:44.720 And he was mesmerized. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:59.840 And as we look at this passage and understand what it's saying to us, one thing that we can know and we can see is that Jesus is victorious and we can worship him. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:04.320 We don't have to wait to get to heaven. 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:10.000 We don't have to wait till he returns to go and adore him. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:15.519 Because Jesus is victorious, we can adore him today. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.000 We can worship him now. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:34.159 So our challenge, just as it has been all throughout this Advent study, as we looked at the life and death and burial and resurrection of Jesus, as we pondered his coming the first time, and said, Oh, come, let us adore him. 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:46.159 As we looked at all of those things now, what we are able to do because we know that he came, we can look forward to his coming and be assured that he is coming again. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:48.720 So even today, we can come. 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:55.279 And our challenge is, oh, come, let us adore him. 00:10:56.080 --> 00:11:03.840 So the question that we want to answer today then is this What did John see? 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:14.159 As we read this passage and we looked at it, what exactly was it that John saw as he entered that throne room of heaven? 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:17.440 Two major things that I think we can see here. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:23.919 Chapter four really kind of reveals to us the pageantry of heaven. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:34.399 Now, listen, I know that in a lot of contemporary settings and things in our churches, sometimes we can lose the pageantry of what was happening in the throne room. 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:47.600 And listen, I also understand at the same time that when we have pageantry in our worship services for the sake of having pageantry in our worship services, not for the sake of pointing us to God. 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:49.279 That's out of place too. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:56.240 But but we need to understand what's happening in heaven is there is some pageantry that is going on that is happening. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:12:00.559 But when John enters into that throne room, notice the first thing he sees. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:04.080 Now there are some amazing sights in the throne room. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:07.919 There are four living creatures that look pretty wild. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:15.840 There are 24 elders who are clothed in white with diadems, and we're gonna get there and see and see all of that. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:18.720 But those are not the things that he saw first. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:23.200 It was not a sea like crystal, it was not a rainbow that looked like emerald. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:25.360 That is not what John saw first. 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:34.159 The first thing when John entered into that throne room of heaven is he saw the throne and God seated upon the throne. 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:44.159 Listen, our focus, our focus when we are coming to adore him, can't be all of the things that are happening around us. 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:50.639 Our focus has to be on God because he is seated upon the throne. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.639 We need to see him. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:58.639 And what John does is then he begins to try to describe God. 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:01.759 Now others have tried to describe God. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:11.279 If you go even back to Daniel, in Daniel chapter 7, verses 9 and 10, Daniel does his best to describe the ancient of days. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:11.840 Who is God? 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:18.080 Here's what he says: as I looked, thrones were placed, and the ancient of days took his seat. 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:31.759 His clothing was white as snow, and his hair, the hair of his head was pure like wool, his throne was fiery flames, its wheels were burning fire, a stream of fire issued and came out from before him. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:38.000 A thousand, thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:41.919 The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:48.480 We see Daniel tried to describe God in Daniel, and his words fall short. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:55.519 I mean, really, all that Daniel gives us a description of is his clothing and his hair. 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.519 There's nothing else. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.799 You know why? 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:03.120 Because just as we sing, God is indescribable. 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.840 Our words fall short. 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:15.440 And as we come to this throne room and and John trying to give a description of this vision, he kind of goes a different direction. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:19.440 He really doesn't try to describe any kind of characteristics of God. 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:22.000 What he says is he is like. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:24.320 He describes to us what he is like. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:28.399 He is like a carnelian, he is like Jasper. 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:33.360 Jasper is a very clear stone. 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:39.679 Some commentators would even say it's like a diamond in its brilliance. 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:47.840 I remember I remember going and shopping for a diamond when I was going to ask Amber to marry me. 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:57.840 And I remember taking it, and because we were in Pontiac and the guy knew me, he said, take it outside in the sunlight. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.519 I said, Are you crazy? 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.639 No way. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.639 Take it outside. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:09.519 Man, in the sunlight, how it gleamed and the brilliance of that diamond. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:17.360 Not only was there, he did he describe him as Jasper, he described him as carnelian, which is a blood-red stone. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:23.519 And there is a lot of symbolism, and we could get into that, but again, 10,000-foot view. 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:25.759 We're not looking at necessarily the symbolism here. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:33.200 We're looking for the brilliance of walking into that throne room and seeing seeing God seated upon the throne. 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:41.279 And the only way he could describe it is describe him as these two brilliant stones shining in the light of the sun. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:46.240 One commentator, he even goes on to describe it like this. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:16:03.919 And the sparkling beauty of such a vision would be sufficient to the sparkling beauty of such a vision would be sufficient to impress any viewer with the impressive royalty of the one who sat upon the throne. 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:10.159 But again, John's not trying to tell us what God looks like. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:21.120 What John is trying to do is overwhelm us with the magnitude of who God is, because he is indescribable. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:26.080 He is beyond anything that we could see or know. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:33.039 Not only that, but he says around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:40.559 And what we can imagine is the shape of a rainbow in the front of the throne with a glowing green of an emerald. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:50.639 Now compare that and add that to the majesty of the Jasper and the Cornelian and this green and the beauty that must have been in the throne room. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:57.759 John is there and he's already overwhelmed by what's happening. 00:16:58.320 --> 00:17:02.320 But then he says, around the throne were 24 thrones. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:07.039 And seated on the thrones were 24 elders. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:12.799 Now, again, there is a lot of debate on who these 24 elders are. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:15.680 Conversation for another day. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:18.079 10,000-foot view. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:30.960 24 people gathered on thrones in gleaming white with crowns like diadems on their head who are in the throne room. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:36.720 And then from the throne comes flashes of lightning and peels of thunder. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:40.799 Now, listen, I probably should have warned you. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:43.839 I need you to use your imagination here. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:48.960 Imagine this sight with me. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.799 Do you know? 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:54.880 Can you think about when you have been asleep? 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.799 I know it's had to have happened to you. 00:17:57.119 --> 00:18:02.720 When you have been asleep in the dead of the night and a thunderstorm comes through. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:11.920 Or maybe you weren't asleep, maybe you were just sitting there, and all of a sudden you hear boo. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:15.519 Made you jump out of your seat. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:20.079 Made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:27.119 That's what's going on time after time as John is standing before the throne. 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:33.599 Lightning is flashing and thunder is booming, and he is standing there overwhelmed. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:37.759 And then it says, There are seven torches, which are the seven spirits of God. 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:45.359 This is a description of the Holy Spirit who is there, obviously in the throne room, because he is God Himself as well. 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:50.319 So he walks into the throne room. 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:53.359 And he sees all of this. 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:56.400 Then he looks above the throne. 00:18:57.039 --> 00:19:01.359 There are four living creatures flying around the throne. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:06.880 Now, again, pretty amazing-looking creatures. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:20.720 If you go back to Ezekiel in Ezekiel chapter 1 through 10, and see Ezekiel's description of creatures that he sees in his vision, we we can understand that these are probably cherubim who are flying around the throne. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:27.200 And again, we're not going to get into all the symbolism of what these creatures are, but understand what they are doing. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:40.000 They are flying around the throne and they are crying, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:47.119 This week is I was reading through Started the Bible recap. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.319 I hope you have started it. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:50.400 If you haven't, pick it up today. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.680 Start on day one. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.799 Don't try to catch up. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.400 You'll just finish five days late. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.759 It'll be okay. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:59.839 We're doing this because what scripture is it's a revelation. 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.680 Of God to us. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:05.920 So if he has revealed himself to us through scripture, guess what we better be doing? 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.680 It's reading Scripture. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:19.920 Today or this week, as I was reading, talking about how God and in Genesis, even, we see the name of God, Yahweh. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:30.480 And Terry Cobble, she describes that the reason we see the name of God is because he has made himself personal. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:34.240 So we can have a personal relationship with him. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:37.279 But here's what she said, and this was an amazing statement. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:47.279 Just because God made himself personal, so we can have a relationship with him does not mean that he has lowered himself to meet us. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:53.039 Because he is holy, holy, holy. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:21:02.240 What he did is sent his son to come to us so then we could go to him. 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:12.160 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:21.200 What scripture tells us here is that they were crying, they were singing the song they were crying out constantly, day after day and night after night. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:37.599 And it says every time that they cried out, the 24 elders would bow down and cast their throne, cast their crowns before the throne, and they would cry out for themselves, worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:43.039 For you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:59.920 So understand if they did this, every time the four creatures cried out, holy, holy, holy, understand where the 24 elders are constantly on their knees, bowed before the throne of God. 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:03.759 There is pageantry in this throne room. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:09.359 But as we come to chapter 5, we see a spectacle. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:12.559 Something amazing happens. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:22.000 John tells us that in the beginning of chapter 5, he looks into the right hand of the one who is seated upon the throne and sees a scroll. 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:30.480 And on this scroll, words are written on the inside and on the outside, and it is rolled up and sealed with seven seals. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:36.799 Again, there is conversations that are had about what is actually written on this scroll. 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:38.559 Scripture doesn't actually tell us. 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:40.559 There's things that we can think and infer. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:44.319 Conversation for another day, 10,000-foot view. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:48.160 Here's what we can know about this scroll. 00:22:48.799 --> 00:23:05.440 It is obvious that whatever is written on this scroll carries heavenly authority, and it is impressively important because it is filled on the inside and on the outside, and it has the seals of the king. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.799 And then an angel. 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:22.640 Not just any kind of angel here, though, but in verse 2 it tells us a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, saying, Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seal? 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:30.559 And it here's what it tells us that he searched in heaven and on earth and under the earth and found no one who is worthy. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:32.000 Here's what he's telling us. 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:38.559 He looked everywhere among the living and among the dead, and no one was found worthy to open the scroll. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.920 No one was there. 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:45.440 And what scripture tells us here is that John began to weep. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:50.960 The idea is this that he began to mourn. 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:58.559 He didn't begin to weep as we do tearing up at an emotional movie. 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.759 He is sobbing. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:13.200 Because there is a chance that this important scroll never gets opened because no one is worthy. 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:22.960 Even if it is open, it is indefinitely, they have to wait indefinitely to find someone who is worthy. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:26.640 And he begins to sob. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:32.640 Now again, catch the picture. 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:36.000 Use your imagination here a little bit. 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:38.960 Here's what he's doing. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:43.039 He's not sobbing looking around the throne room. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.359 He is sobbing. 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.599 He is weeping. 00:24:48.559 --> 00:25:05.759 The way I picture John doing it is maybe even seated, but if not seated, at least with his hands buried, uncontrollably sobbing, because this important document is not going to be opened. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:11.200 And then one of the elders comes to him as he sobs. 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:14.160 And he says, Weep no more. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:27.440 Behold, the Lion, the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:32.799 Now again, stay in that imaginative state and picture this. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:35.599 Close your eyes if you need to. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:51.759 And someone says, Stop crying. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:26:03.039 The lion from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, so he is worthy to open the scroll. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:09.680 Can you imagine for with me for a moment what John is expecting to see when he looks up? 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:28.079 He's expecting to see a lion in its majesty, flowing mane, conquering, beautiful animal, reigning king of the jungle. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:41.759 And as he raises his eyes, the lion from the tribe of Judah is a lamb. 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:45.359 Not just any lamb. 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:52.319 A lamb that looks as if he had been slain. 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:56.880 There's some things we need to see about this lamb. 00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:02.720 First, we see that he is standing in the throne room. 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:08.480 And besides the four living creatures who are flying, but they have their faces covered. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:14.559 Where is everybody else in the throne room? 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.200 They're bowing. 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:23.680 They are on their hands and knees in the presence of an indescribable God. 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:30.240 But this lamb stands before the throne. 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:38.319 Tells us he has seven horns, showing us that he is all-powerful. 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:46.160 Connecting him with the Father who is seated upon the throne because he is God himself. 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:54.000 He has seven eyes connecting him, his omniscience with the Holy Spirit, who is there as well. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:59.839 We see an awesome picture of the Trinity of God. 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:05.759 This Lamb standing before the throne. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:09.039 And see what he does. 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:22.000 And takes from the right hand of God the scroll. 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:55.440 And immediately, immediately in heaven, what it tells us in verse 8, when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures, the 24 elders, fell down before the lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints, and they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain. 00:28:56.079 --> 00:29:05.440 And by your blood you ransomed people for God, from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:10.559 This lamb goes before the throne and he takes the scroll. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:28.000 And all of heaven turns its attention from the throne to the Lamb who is worthy to be praised because he has fulfilled what the Father had laid out from before the foundation of time. 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:30.559 He came and ransomed. 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:37.279 He paid the price for those who had sinned and who had lived in sin. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:41.359 He paid the price for you and for me. 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:44.720 He conquered that sin upon the cross. 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:48.079 He conquered death in his resurrection. 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.920 He freed us. 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:54.480 And because of that, he is worthy to take the scroll. 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:59.039 And all of heaven turned and began to worship him. 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.279 Understand? 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:04.319 You know your Ten Commandments. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:09.920 If we worship anybody but God Himself, guess what? 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.440 We are living in sin. 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:15.440 So it tells us this that the Lamb is God. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.640 He was God. 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.599 He is God. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:24.000 He always will be God because all of heaven turned their attention and began to praise Him. 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:29.599 Because He died to save us. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:36.799 To save people from every tribe and every language and every nation. 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:42.799 And He made them a kingdom of priests. 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:56.640 He made us a kingdom and priests to our God to reign forever. 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:01.039 What a spectacle. 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.799 But it didn't end. 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:09.759 Then the angels joined in. 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:13.759 Myriads of myriads. 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:17.680 Thousands of thousands. 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.519 Innumerable. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:26.240 A sea of angels began to praise the Lamb. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:39.519 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:31:41.759 --> 00:32:08.880 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them saying, To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:27.119 We can be assured that one day Jesus is coming back. 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:32.799 We will be able to see a picture of this throne. 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:36.160 How can we know? 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:39.039 Because he came. 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.000 He came the first time. 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:52.559 And we can know he's coming back because the first time that he came, he died on the cross and he arose so that we could enter into that throne room. 00:32:52.720 --> 00:33:00.079 The only way that we can ever be there is because he was victorious over sin and death and the grave. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:08.799 And when we trust in him, how crazy would it be for Jesus to have done that and not come back? 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:13.279 You can be assured that he's coming back. 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:17.359 And we will get to experience this throne room. 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:19.759 But please hear me. 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:24.640 Because he is victorious, there is no reason to wait. 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:28.960 Today, oh come. 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:33.279 Let us adore Him. 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:36.960 About to enter into a time of invitation. 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:44.240 If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, hear me. 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:56.880 You're separated from God, and because He is holy and separated, you can never get to Him. 00:33:57.119 --> 00:34:02.960 But Jesus came and died so He can take us to Him. 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:06.799 And the only way that happens is when you believe in Him. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:14.239 During our invitation time, as we stand and sing, if you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, we invite you to come. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:18.639 We would love to share with you how you can trust Christ. 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:25.360 Also want to challenge you this if you have trusted Him. 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:39.119 May 2026 be a year full of us adoring the Lamb who was slain. 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:45.679 Daily, weekly, monthly. 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:51.119 May we come and adore Him. 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:56.079 God, I thank you for today. 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:03.519 God, I thank you. 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:11.760 I thank you for this revelation of Jesus that you gave to us. 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:21.280 God, every time I read it, every time I describe it, every time I think about it, Father, I tear up. 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:33.519 Imagining what John saw as he was sobbing to look up and see the lion from the tribe of Judah, who is the lamb who was slain. 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:36.079 Oh God. 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:44.880 May today we come and adore you. 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:49.280 Jesus, it's in your name that we pray. 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:50.880 Amen. 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:54.480 Thanks for listening to this week's sermon. 00:35:54.639 --> 00:36:00.559 If you have any questions for our pastor, feel free to reach out at DeSotoHills.com.