Vision to Strengthen the Saints Book of Revelation: Jesse McLaughlin OIF Scene 2: Understanding Worship Revelation 4-5

#Scenes7 Settings Opening scene Summary Special focus Key thought 1 1:19-3:22 Church in the World Seven letters dictated John turns to see who is speaking Christ speaks to the 7 churches 7 commonalities with pointed differences. Cure for lukewarmness?Re admit the excluded Christ! p :1-8:1 Suffering for Church 3 8:2-11:18 Warnings for World 4 11:19-15:4 Drama of History 5 15:5-16:21 Punishment for World 6 17:1-19:10 Babylon the Whore 7 19:11-21:8 Drama Behind History 8 21:9-22:19 Jerusalem the Bride The 8 Scenes of Revelation

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 Comparing Daniel & Revelation Daniel The prophet looks: “As I looked, thrones were placed…” (7:9) The Throne: “thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat” (7:9) The books: “the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened” (4:10) Revelation The prophet looks: “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!” (4:1) The Throne: “behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.” (4:2) The scroll: “he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (5:5)

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 The Visons Continue After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Rev. 4.1) “heaven” and the throne room “what must take place after this” signifies the next scene in the sequence of the visions

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 Worshiping the Creator The throne is at the center of the scene that John relates to us in chapter 4. –“Throne” is repeated 17 times in chapters 4 &5 and 47 times in the book. –Descriptions draw on OT imagery The 24 elders The 4 living creatures

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 Worshiping the Creator “And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.” Rev. 4:6-7

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 Worshiping the Creator “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Rev. 4:8 _____________________________________ “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Rev. 4:11

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 The Scroll Contains God’s plan for judgement and redemption John is in despair because the scroll cannot be opened It is possible that John is seeing a Roman will: 1.Contents summarized on the back of the scroll 2.Sealed by 7 witnesses 3.Unsealed and enforced upon the death of the one that made the will 4.A trusted executor would carry out the details of the will

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 The Lamb “The Lion of the tribe of Judah” Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (Gen. 49:9-10) The Lamb is a reference to the Passover lamb and to Isaiah’s messianic prophecy: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 The Lamb The Lamb has perfect power and wisdom (number 7) The 24 elders lead a new song that begins a worship sequence consisting of three hymns. Hymn 1: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9-10)

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 The Lamb Hymn 2: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”( Rev. 5:12) Hymn 3: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13) And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev. 5:14)

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 Summary In chapters 4-5 we witness the fulfillment of OT prophecy and we see the glory of God and of the Lamb. The work of God in creation and in redemption are viewed as a unified whole. The response of all creation to seeing the divine plan unfold is God glorifying worship.

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 Discussion Questions 1.What does this view of the “heavenly” throne room teach us about worshipping God? 2.What does this passage have to tell us about the person and work of Christ?

Book of Revelation Lesson 4 Chs. 4-5 Scene 2 Reading Reminder Please read chapters 6-8:1 this week to be prepared for in-depth study of next Sunday’s lesson on the breaking of the seals.