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“Who is Worthy?”
“And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” (Revelation 5:2)
Worthiness pervades the scene in Revelation 4–5. The One sitting on the throne is described with the brilliance of precious stones around which lightning flashed and thunder sounded, with a sea of clear glass before Him (4:5–6). The picture is meant to stagger the imagination rather than to paint a portrait. How does one describe the invisible God but with brilliant, awe-filled glory pictures? The four living creatures and twenty-four elders before the throne proclaim His worthiness of all glory, honor, and power as Creator (4:11).
The scene takes on a different dimension in chapter 5, when the One on the throne holds a book—written on the inside and on the back, so therefore complete, thorough, full, absolute—containing the details for the entire cosmos that the One on the throne created. The strong angel asks, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” So, who has the worth, stature, power, glory, and infinite value to exercise the rule over every detail of the seen and unseen world? Who is worthy to rule with wisdom, power, and might?
John wept as the universe was surveyed, with no one worthy to open the book, not even the strong angel posing the question or the mightiest figures on earth. But one of the twenty-four elders told him to stop his weeping and despairing. “The Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals” (5:5). What an announcement! There is One who is worthy to reign as King of kings!
John turned to see this mighty Lion. But what does he see? “A Lamb standing, as if slain” (5:6). A lamb? Yes, the Lamb of God who at the cost of His life, slain on the cross as He bore the wrath of God to save a people from sin, whom He would reconcile to God through His death. This Lion of Judah and Root of David—so the One prophesied of by Jacob in Genesis and promised through Nathan the prophet in 2 Samuel and echoed through the Psalms and Prophets—He has overcome to rule. He conquered all that had been brought down in the fall. He atoned for every sin that would keep the least believer out of the kingdom. He satisfied every solitary demand of the Law and appeased the full measure of divine wrath on behalf of the redeemed. He took the book! He reigns over the details of the universe! He is worthy “to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (5:12).
So, with the full representation of the created and redeemed order, we join our voices to sing a new song of His worthiness. “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (5:9). We’re invited to sing with the redeemed of the ages as we recount the worthiness of Jesus Christ our Lord. Heaven will be a place of singing and joy because Jesus is worthy of eternal praise!
Jesus is worthy! Let us believe Him, follow Him, worship Him, and enjoy Him forever!
These devotionals are used by permission with the hope and belief they will get the Gospel to places all around the world!
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