1) In Chapter 5, Jesus is referred to as both Lion and Lamb. What picture is portrayed by each of these images?
2) What set Jesus apart as the only One worthy of opening the scroll that was in God’s hand? Why was He the only One qualified?
3) What would you have left to say after everything else was said and done? What final word would you have after everything else had been taken care of?
In Chapter 4, Jesus brought John into the throne room of God. At that point all our attention was focused on Him Who was seated on the throne. Now in Chapter 5, our attention focuses on Jesus, the only One found worthy to open the scroll that God was holding (more on the scroll beginning in Chapter 6). Here, Jesus is seen as a Lion (5:5) and as a Lamb (5:6). The Lamb refers to Jesus’ first coming and His death and the Lion refers to His second coming and His sovereign judgment of the world.
The focus of the words (whether said or sung) in Chapter 4 was to express the worthiness of God (verses 8 & 11). Now in Chapter 5, a new song is sung to honor Jesus as the One Who alone was qualified to open the scroll. And the reason this was the case is clearly stated in verse 9: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Imagine the scene in heaven. We go from the four living creatures and the 24 elders singing a new song (5:8-10), to many angels offering their praise (5:11-12), to every creature singing (5:13). And at the end of everything, the smallest group, the four living creatures, simply say, “Amen,” which can be translated, “so be it.” Sometimes there is nothing left to say. This certainly would be the case when looking upon the Father and His Son in all their glory.
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