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The
Lamb That Redeemed Us
– Revelation Five
John showed us the power of the Almighty as the Creator who is
worthy of praise. (Revelation 4) He now moved to show us God's love as
Redeemer. (Revelation 5) Christians believe in the God who is all-powerful and
present everywhere. He is the all-wise creator and sustainer of heaven and
earth. The design of Revelation five is to honor the Lamb of God, our Redeemer,
by showing that power was entrusted to Him that was given to no one else in
heaven or earth. Nothing better illustrated this than the fact that He alone
was able to open the mysterious sealed book.
John wept when he felt that no one was able to open the book. He
was, however, given the assurance that the Lion of the tribe of
Many joined in acknowledging that the Lamb of God was worthy to
open this little book. He is worthy to open the book because of His redemptive
work. The work of Jesus "redeemed us to God." His work bought us
"by blood." His redemptive work reached "every kindred, and tongue,
and people, and nation." This great work of redemption "made us unto
our God kings and priests." Our faith must be in the loving Redeemer.
The book sealed with seven seals – Revelation
5:1-3: In Revelation five John's attention is on scroll held by the
enthroned Lord. The scroll was unusual in that it was written on both sides. It
was full of information. It would ordinarily be the case that a scroll would be
sealed with one seal. This scroll is sealed with seven seals. This indicated
just how securely the little book was sealed.
This little book contained a brief look at God's providential
dealings with this world. There is a special look at God's care of Christians
in the struggle with the
The strong angel asked, "Who is worthy to open the book, and
to loose the seals thereof?" No created being was able to open the little
book. In all the great realms, in heaven, on earth or under the earth, no one
was qualified to open or look upon the contents of this mysterious scroll,
except the Lamb of God.
The book opened by the Lion of Judah – Revelation 5:4-8:
John wept when on one was found to open the little book. God had promised John
that He would show him things that would shortly come to pass. After waiting
for one to open the book and seeing none John's emotions turned to tears. John
is thinking of the terrible situation the church is facing. He desired to know
the outcome but felt frustrated that none could open the book. John was told,
"Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath
prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
As John looked the Lion became a Lamb. Jesus is pictured as the
Lion of the tribe of
There were harps in heaven. Some have tried to use these as
justification of instrumental music in the worship of the church. We must
remember that in the worship of the church we are always limited to that which
is authorized by God. The kind of music God authorized for the church is
singing and making melody in the heart. (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16) This
same verse (Revelation 5:8) pictured incense in heaven. Does this verse give
authority for burning incense in the church? Surely no one would believe that
it does!
The Redeemer receives praise from many – Revelation 5:9-11:
When the Redeemer takes the scroll, the response is immediate. The angels and
redeemed ones join together in worship of the Lamb. They sang a new song
concerning the victory of the redeemed. Under the Old Testament the people of
God could only hope for redemption. Now, because of the Lamb of God we can both
speak and sing of the redeemed.
The new song honors the slain Lamb as the price of redemption. The
new song showed that the Lamb has redeemed us to God, by His blood. This
redemption is available for every tribe and tongue and people and nation. The
result of the redemption is that we are kings and priests unto God.
The statement, "And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth" is perplexing to many.
(Revelation 5:10) Observe the translation from the American Standard Version,
"and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom
and priests; and they reign upon earth." Christians of all nations are now
reigning upon the earth with Jesus Christ. Christ's kingdom is not of this
world. It is a spiritual reign of a people who are "called out" of
the world. The New Testament denies that Jesus ever intended or that He ever
plans to rule in any temporal sense on this earth. The
The entire creation praised the Redeemer –
Revelation 5:12-14: Countless angels and others declare the worthiness
of the Lamb because of the redemption He accomplished. Their message was
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and
wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and
blessing." There is much rejoicing over the redemption and salvation of
sinners.
Christ is worthy of all honor, glory, and blessing, because He is
sufficient for the office. He is the Lion and the Lamb of God. Both Heaven and
earth ring loud with the highest of praises for the Redeemer. We worship and
glorify God both for our creation and for our redemption.
Jesus' greatness, power, might and sacrifice should move us to
obey Him. He is God's Lamb who redeems mankind. The precious blood of Jesus
cleanses those who obey the gospel. To obey the gospel one must hear the
salvation message (Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List: In Need Of Prayers: Hannah Arrowood (granddaughter of Tim
Croley), Bill Autrey, Malachi Beauchamp, Al Brannon, Dewey Brannon, Charlie
Brown, Gene Buck, Gene Davis, Carolyn Duncan, Ethel Gafford, Terry Gafford, Roy
Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, R.E. Hall, Evan Hartsell, Debbie Johnson,
Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Raymond Lowery, Margaret Munro, Clay Newton, Mary
Powell, and Anna Salter. Crowne Health Care: Ila Ruth Callins, Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue,
Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright.
2. Requesting
Our Prayers: L.D. Sessions responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please
remember him in your personal, private prayers.
3. Remember
To Pray: Eric Bagents needs our prayers as he
serves in
4. Sympathy
Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Steve Gafford and his
family in the death of his wife, Norma. Norma loved the Lord and wanted her
family to go to heaven. She will be missed.
5. New
Baby: Congratulations to Tony & Libby Bozeman on the birth of their
daughter, Katherine Madden. She was born November 3rd. Madden
weighted 7 pounds 15 ounces. She was 19 ¼ inches long. Proud grandparents &
great-grandparents are Kathy & Raymond McGough, Bobby & Earline Johnson, Dale & Becky Bozeman, Hilton &
Bernice Gorum, and L.D. & Liz Sessions.
6. We
Wish You Well: Tim Croley & Trina Thompson were married on November
5th. We wish them well in their life together. Please welcome Trina
to the Walnut Street Church of Christ.
7. Good
Fellowship: Thanks to Randy & Lisa Bagents and their family for
hosting our Fall Party. All who attended enjoyed it very much thanks.
8. Childhaven
Food &
9. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week are: November 7th Tiffany
Giddens, November 10th Pam Till, and November 11th Elease
Brown.
10. Stacy
Harrell To Preach: Stacy and his family will
visit the Walnut Street Church of Christ on November 21st. He will
preach on Sunday morning. Stacy is one of several young men
11. Area
Events: (a) November 6th
– 8th – Gospel Meeting – Wald Church of Christ – Speakers: Kenneth
Randolph (Sunday), Randy Medlin (Monday), and Frank Chesser (Tuesday) – Time:
Sunday morning Bible study
12. Thank
You: Dear Christian Family, Thank you so much for all the cards, phone
calls, visits and the beautiful flowers that were sent to mom during her
illness. Many thanks to each of you who fixed food for our
family. There is never any way to prepare for an event of this nature, however having a Christian family like you makes it
easer. Each of you will never know how much you all mean to our family. Many, many thanks to each of you for your continued support.
In Christian Love, April Schofield, Elizabeth Perdue, Mike Windham, Courtney Giddens, and
Tiffany Giddens
Be Careful, Little Mouth, What You Say
Tongues are funny looking little things. Children sometimes playfully stick theirs out at one another. As we brush our tongues, looking in the mirror, the words “fire,” “restless evil,” and “poison” probably don’t come to mind. Yet this seemingly harmless part of our bodies is one to be guarded cautiously. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell…It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (Jas 3:6,8b).
Misusing our tongues can destroy things that we hold dear. “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (Jas 3:5) How many relationships have been annihilated by “little white lies” that escalated beyond their original intention? How many life-long grudges have been sparked by harsh words? How many Christians have ruined their influences by uttering foul language? So many “forgettable” uses of our tongues can ignite infernos of despair in our lives.
Our tongues can destroy our relationship with
God. Sinful things that we say and do will separate us from God (Isa 59:1-2). But one thing that James points out in his
epistle is that we cannot use our tongues to bless and curse if we want to
please God. He explains it this way: “Does a spring pour forth from the same
opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or
a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water” (Jas
“Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs” (Jas 3:4). We are the pilots! Though taming our tongues is a daunting task, we must direct our efforts towards doing so. Our lives depend on it!
- - - - Darrell Powell
We may feel
we are at the end of our rope, but we are never at the end of our hope!
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)