Paul Gibson Hardinsburg Baptist Church Revelation Bible Study #6

Revelation 4&5—The Pre-Show I encourage us to see Revelation 4 & 5 as the pre-show to the rest of John’s revelation Just like the excitement present within a symphony hall before a symphony, the excitement and setting of Revelation 4&5 prepare us for the rest of the book

Layout of Revelation 4-22 A Heavenly Scene (4:1-5:14) The 7 Seal Judgments (6:1-8:1) The 7 Trumpet Judgments (8:2-11:19) An Interpretive Interlude (12:1-14:20) The 7 Bowls of Wrath (15:1-16:21) The Judgment of Apostate Religion (17:1-18)

Layout of Revelation 4-22 The Judgment of Great Babylon (18:1-24) The Return of Christ (19:1-21) The Millennial Age (20:1-10) The Judgment of the Great White Throne (20:11-15) The Heavenly Kingdom (21:1-22:6) (Patterson, Loc. 3820)

“It may help us to keep our balance in the rich mixture of imagery in the following chapters if we see the book like this, structured around its sequences of ‘sevens.’” (Wright, pg. 43) Seven letters Seven seals Seven trumpets Seven bowls

Have you ever been to a symphony, opera, or Broadway production? What was the atmosphere like prior to the start of the show? Who all participates in the show?

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  “On both sides”—The writer had a lot to communicate “The similarity of length in the New Testament books of Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Hebrews, and Revelation is testimony to some limitations in availability and size of writing materials.” (Patterson, Loc. 4180)

“Seven seals” “In Roman law, according to some evidence, a testament was sealed with seven seals by seven witnesses before its legality could be established.” (Patterson, Loc. 4185) Remember the meaning of the number 7? (Perfect message)

 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.

4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Why was John sad? Have you ever experienced intense sadness or frustration about a story you felt finished unresolved?

“We rightly guess, however, that it contains God’s secret plan to undo and overthrow the world-destroying projects that have already gained so much ground, and to plant and nurture instead the world-rescuing project which will get creation itself back on track in the right direction.” (Wright, pg. 52) John weeps with disappointment because the hope of God’s action appears to be indefinitely postponed for lack of an agent through whom God may act. (Patterson, Loc. 4225)

Remember, Revelation is detailing the great cosmic battle between God and Satan. We all want to know how it ends! But, if the scroll cannot be opened, the ending is unknown and evil continues to win. SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE!

5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep  5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” “The Lion was the symbol for the tribe of Judah and is usually reckoned in diverse cultures to be the “king of the beasts,” an emblem of strength, majesty, courage, and intellectual excellence.” (Patterson, Loc. 4258)

“The root of David” “Hence, Messiah is at once the root from which David himself arises, and he is the offspring of David through his incarnation. That he is both the Root and the offspring of David is possible because of the Lord’s preexistence.” (Patterson, Loc. 4269)

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe What did you see that reminded you of the book of Revelation? What did you feel while watching Aslan’s resurrection? Imagine the emotions of John when he saw the Lion/Lamb open the scroll.

“Standing at the center of the throne” “Seven horns and seven eyes” The slain lamb was seen as equal with God “Seven horns and seven eyes” “Ford says that the horn is proverbially a symbol of courage, strength, and might.” (Patterson, Loc. 4287) Perfectly powerful and perfectly seeing

The Scandal of the Lion/Lamb “The great trouble with Judaism was that it looked for a mighty lion; and was scandalized to behold, instead, a little lamb.” (Pate, pg. 50) “The victory won by the lion is accomplished through the sacrifice of the lamb.” (Wright, pg. 54)

“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb…And they sang a new song…” v. 8a & 9a Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand…In a loud voice they were saying…” v. 11a & 12a

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb     be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Who are the supporting actors in this galactic and eternal drama? 24 elders 4 Living Creatures 100,000+ angels Every creature

“Every creature”—What if you are a supporting actor in the unfolding drama of Revelation?

“because you were slain,     and with your blood you purchased for God     persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,     and they will reign[b] on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9b-10)

You are part of a Kingdom You are a Royal Priest