Join us as we continue our verse-by-verse study of the Book of Revelation. In this message, we dive deep into Revelation 5:7-14, witnessing the breathtaking scene in the heavenly throne room where the Lamb of God approaches the throne to take the scroll. Discover why Jesus Christ alone is uniquely qualified and completely worthy to unlock history and receive all our praise.
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Revelation 5:7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who
sat on the throne.
Revelation 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and
the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden
bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your
blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
Revelation 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign
on the earth.”
Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the
throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
Revelation 5:12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to
receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under
the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to
the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four
elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, writing on Revelation, said this:
“There are four things out of place in the universe. The church is out of place; she
ought to be in heaven. Israel is out of place; she should be in the land that has been
sworn to her, and possess every part of it. The devil is out of place; he ought to be
in the lake of fire, but he’s still roaming free. And Christ is out of place; He should
be through with intercession and seated on His throne, reigning, instead of upon
His Father’s throne interceding.”
I. THE SPECIAL SEARCH FOR THE WORTHY ONE.
II. THE SPECIFIC SELECTION OF THE WORTHY ONE.
III. THE SLAIN SACRIFICE KNOWN AS THE WORTHY ONE.
IV. THE SPONTANEOUS SERVICE TO THE WORTHY ONE.
Revelation 5:7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who
sat on the throne.
Revelation 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and
the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden
bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Psalm 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument
of ten strings.
Psalm 144:9 I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing
praises to You,
Revelation 5:8 “… the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having
a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Luke 1:9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense
when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luke 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour
of incense.
In the Old Testament, God had a temple for His people.
In the New Testament God has a people for His temple
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
1 Thessalonains 5:17 Pray without ceasing,
V. THE SAINTS SONG FOR THE WORTHY ONE.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your
blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
Psalm 33:3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy
Psalm 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth–Praise to our God
Isaiah 42:10 Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth,
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Revelation 4:8 “…they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty Who was and is and is to come!”
Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice and
sing praises
Psalm 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
1. IT IS A WORSHIP SONG
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy …”
Plato said, “Every heart sings a song incomplete until another heart whispers back.”
Is he worthy? Is he worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory.
Is he worthy of this? HE IS!
Revelation 5:12 …”Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches
and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
This passage from Galatians 1:1-5 highlights Paul’s apostleship, his message of grace, and the mission of Christ to redeem sinners. It emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work on the cross, rejecting any addition of human effort to salvation. The text outlines the themes of ministry, message, mission, and motive, pointing to God’s glory and the transformative power of the gospel. Supporting Scriptures from Corinthians, Psalms, Matthew, John, and Titus further reinforce the doctrines of grace, redemption, and God’s sovereignty.
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Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus
Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Galatians 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present
evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Don’t add anything to the finished work of the Cross of Christ
It’s not Christ plus…
Christ plus my performance…
Christ plus my good works…
Christ plus the meetings…
Christ plus holy communion,
Christ plus keeping away from bad things…
Christ plus doing good things…
Christ plus baptism, christening …
Christ plus baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues …
Christ plus church membership, church confirmations …
Christ plus denominations …
Christ plus the sacraments …
1) ONE MAN’S MINISTRY: GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES.
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus
Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy
to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his
special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than
any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me
by his grace.
Galatians 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
2) ONE MAN’S MESSAGE: GRACE OF GOD.
Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
3) ONE MAN’S MISSION: GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present
evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Matthew 12:29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods,
unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill destroy; I have come that they
might have life, and have it to the full.”
1) It meant a transfer from darkness to light.
2) It meant a transfer from slavery to freedom.
3) It meant a transfer from condemnation to forgiveness.
4) It meant a transfer from the power of Satan to the power of God.
Psalm 22:4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them.
Psalm 22:5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were
not ashamed.
4) ONE MAN’S MOTIVE: GLORY OF GOD.
Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God.
Hymn “To God Be The Glory”
To God be the glory great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in
Max Lucado (quote)
“You may be decent. You may pay taxes and kiss your kids and sleep with a clean
conscience. But apart from Christ you aren’t holy. So how can you go to heaven?
Only believe. Accept the work already done, the work of Jesus on the cross.
Only believe . . . It’s that simple? It’s that simple. It’s that easy?
There was nothing easy at all about it. The cross was heavy, the blood was real,
and the price was extravagant. It would have bankrupted you or me, so he paid
it for us. Call it simple. Call it a gift. But don’t call it easy. Call it what it is.
Call it grace.”
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
“Our Substitute” is part of the “Paying Ransoms and Making Deals” sermon series, focusing on the central theme of Jesus Christ as the ultimate substitute for humanity’s sins. Drawing from Isaiah 53 and other key scriptures, the sermon emphasizes that no religion, human effort, or sacrifice can replace the perfect substitution of Jesus on the cross. Through His willing sacrifice, Jesus bore the punishment for sin that we deserved, offering salvation to all who believe. The message explores how Christ fulfilled the role of substitute in both prophetic and sacrificial symbolism, making Him the only one who could redeem mankind.
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Isaiah 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we
esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes
we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having
died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become
a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for
the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God,
might taste death for everyone.
I should have been crucified, I should have suffered and died
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace, but Jesus God’s Son took my place
Romans 8:31 “… If God is for us, who can be against us?
I. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SUBSTITUTE.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that
they may be saved.
Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not
according to knowledge.
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness
of God.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone
who believes.
Religion is no substitute for the Substitute.
John 16:2 ” … Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers
God service.
Mark 10:18 “… No one is good but One, that is, God.
Human effort is no subsitute for the Substitute.
Galatians 2:21 “… if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.
The worst form of badness is human goodness when that human goodness
becomes a substitute for the new birth .
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like
filthy rags;
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Acts 2:23 Him, …you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
II. THE SINNER MUST HAVE A SUBSTITUTE.
Genesis 3:21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and
clothed them.
The ram substituting for Abraham’s son Issac symbolized Jesus.
Genesis 22:11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and
said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
Genesis 22:12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything
to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son,
your only son, from Me.”
Genesis 22:13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him
was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram,
and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
The animal sacrifices symbolized the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus.
Leviticus 1:2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When any one of
you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the livestock—
of the herd and of the flock.
Leviticus 1:3 ‘If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male
without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle
of meeting before the Lord.
Leviticus 1:4 Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it
will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.
The Scapegoat was a symbol of the Substitute Jesus.
Leviticus 16:20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and
the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
Leviticus 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat,
and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their
transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall
send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
Leviticus 16:22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not
inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
W.D. Davies in his book “Paul and Rabbinic Judaism,” says that in the Temple
at Jerusalem, every year there were sacrificed 1,093 lambs, 113 bulls, 37 rams,
and 32 goats.
Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take
away sins.
III. JESUS IS THE SINNER’S ONLY SUBSTITUTE.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold!
The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for
the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God,
might taste death for everyone.
1 John 1:7 “… and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Bruce Springsteen (quote)
“As I grew older, sometimes I wondered who went in my place. Somebody did.
What was his fate? Did he live? I’ll never know. Maybe it was another dose of
my survivor’s guilt … over those who went and fought in my place.”
IV. JESUS WAS THE WILLING SUBSTITUTE.
John 10:17 “… I lay down My life that I may take it again.
John 10:18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it
down, and I have power to take it again.This command I have received from My Father.”
Pastor Ed emphasizes the contrast between the fate of the wicked and the righteous on this day, using vivid imagery of fire and healing. He discusses God’s judgment on the proud and wicked, while also highlighting the hope and restoration for those who fear God’s name. The sermon incorporates various biblical references beyond Malachi, including Psalms, Romans, and New Testament passages, to reinforce its points. Additionally, Pastor Ed touches on contemporary issues, such as changes in school disciplinary problems over time, to provide context and relevance to his audience.
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Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud,
yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn
them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.
Malachi 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
Malachi 4:3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles
of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 4:4 “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him
in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Malachi 4:6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the
hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with
a curse.”
The Supreme court offered this justification and quoted a psychologist who stated:
“If portions of the New Testament were read without explanation, they could be and
had been psychologically harmful to the child.”
Sixty years ago, the top disciplinary problems in schools were:
Talking in class, chewing gum, making noises, running in the halls, cutting in line
That was then, this is now
Disrespect – students speak and act in a disrespectful way to adults and peers
including verbal abuse of teachers and faculty
Defiance – students openly refusing to listen to adults or follow directions.
Bullying – students consistently trying to intimidate others,
Widespread disorder in classroom, cyberbulling & school shooting possibilities.”
I. WHAT A FIERY DAY OF BURNING THAT WILL BE.
Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud,
yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn
them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.
Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, …”
Romans 2:5 (NLT) But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin,
you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming,
when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 2:6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.
Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven,…
Psalm 21:9 You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
Isaiah 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble, the fire shall burn them;They shall
not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to be
warmed by, nor a fire to sit before!
Malachi 4:1 “… And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of
hosts, That will leave them neither root nor branch.
Zephaniah 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them
in the day of the Lord’s wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire
of His jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land.
Hebrews 10:30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”
says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Malachi 4:3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles
of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:14 You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we
have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the Lord
of hosts?
II. WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY OF HEALING THAT WILL BE.
Malachi 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
Malachi 1:14 “… For I am a great King,” Says the Lord of hosts, and My name is to
be feared among the nations.
Malachi 2:5 “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, and I gave them to
him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me and was reverent before My name.
Malachi 3:16 “… So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who
fear the Lord
Malachi 4:2 ” …my name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Acts 17:28 For in Him we live and move and have our being …”
John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light,
lest his deeds should be exposed.
John 3:21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly
seen, that they have been done in God.”
Malachi 4:2 ” …my name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His
wings, …
Malachi 4:2 “… And you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.
III. WHAT A FUTURE DAY OF TESTING THAT WILL BE.
Malachi 4:4 “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him
in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Malachi 4:6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the
hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with
a curse.”
IV. WHAT A FINAL DAY FOR THE PROUD THAT WILL BE.
Malachi 4:1 ” … All the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. ”
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 15:25 ” The Lord will destroy the house of the proud …”
2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God,
on those who know not God, and on those who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
1 Peter 5:5 “… God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Luke 7:11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain;
and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
Luke 7:12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was
being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large
crowd from the city was with her.
Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her,
Do not weep.
Luke 7:14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried
him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
Luke 7:15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented
him to his mother.
Luke 7:16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great
prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
Luke 7:17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding
region.
I. THE TOWN SETTING: ONE FUNERAL, TWO PROCESSIONS.
Luke 7:11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain;
and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
Pastor Lindell said “As the ladies prayed for Krissy Dines over the next 30 minutes,
all three toes grew, and by that point, were longer than her pinky toe. Within an
hour, nails began to grow on all the toes,”
Luke 7:12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was
being carried out,…”
Luke 7:12 ” … a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother;
and she was a widow .
Jeremiah 6:26 “O daughter of my people, dress in sackcloth and roll about in ashes!
Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation …”
Amos 8:10 “I will make it like mourning for an only son, and its end like a bitter day.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants
of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom
they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and
grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
Luke 7:12″… And a large crowd from the city was with her.
II. THE COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR: ONE MIRACLE, MANY WITNESSES.
Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her,
Do not weep.
Deuteronomy 4:31 For the LORD your God is a compassionate God;
Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort
Matthew 9:36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them,
Matthew 20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes;
Mark 1:41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him
Luke 7:13 “… and said to her, “Do not weep.”
Luke 7:14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried
him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
Luke 7:15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented
him to his mother.
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
III. THE FEARFUL RESPONSE: ONE CONFESSION, MULTIPLE REPORTS.
Luke 7:16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great
prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
Luke 19:44 “… you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses … He has made
alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
Romans 3:11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 7:17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the
surrounding region.
