Who Is Worthy?
For most of my life, the book of Revelation has been an afterthought, always hanging out at the back of my Bible but rarely, if ever, experiencing the light of day. I knew it was there, but I had plenty of reasons not to open it: “It’s too scary/confusing/boring - it’s better off left alone.” I told myself that if I wanted to know Jesus, there was more than enough information in the first 26 books of the New Testament to satisfy my appetite. At least, that’s what I had decided somewhere in the back of my mind. However, in recent years I have become determined to learn more about Bible prophecy, and through my studies, I have discovered two things about the book of Revelation:
1. Revelation is alarming and confusing, but it is not impossible to understand.
2. Hidden within the complex, apocalyptic imagery of Revelation is a picture of Jesus so profoundly beautiful and awe-inspiring, I cannot help but worship Him.
In Revelation 4, we see a powerful picture of God the Father in heaven, seated on His throne with all of the angels and the elders worshiping Him. At the beginning of chapter 5, John writes:
“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’” - Revelation 5:1-5 (ESV)
So, what’s going on here? And why is John weeping over a scroll? The first thing to understand is that this is no ordinary time, and this is no ordinary scroll. As can be seen in the following chapter, the opening of the first seal marks the beginning of God’s judgments on the earth during the tribulation period. But judgment is not the only purpose of this scroll. In biblical times, legal documents written on a scroll would be closed and sealed with wax (see Jeremiah 32:6-15). Only the legal recipients of the document would be allowed to break the wax seal and open the scroll. In particular, wills were commonly sealed with seven seals.[1] In light of this, some biblical scholars suggest that the scroll in Revelation 5 embodies a much higher purpose - the right to inherit all of creation. This is why John weeps when no one is found worthy to open the scroll (v. 4), because it represents the culmination of God’s plan for the world and eternity! If no one is worthy to open the scroll, then there is no one worthy to inherit and establish the kingdom of God on Earth. God’s plan for humanity would remain unfulfilled, and we would continue in an endless cycle of sin and brokenness.
Thankfully, a worthy individual steps forward to receive the scroll (v. 6-8). John describes this individual as the “Lion of Judah,” the “Root of David,” and the “Lamb [who] had been slain” - all clear references to Jesus! But what makes Him worthy?
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘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.’” - Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV, emphasis)
Jesus, the “Lamb of God” who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29) is the only one worthy to inherit and rule all of creation because He purchased the people of God with the blood He shed on the cross (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). But Jesus didn’t just become worthy after He died on the cross - He has always been worthy! Jesus is so much more than just a good teacher who lived a good life. He has existed from the beginning of creation (John 1:1; 8:57-58), and by His very nature, He is God in the flesh! Paul writes,
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” - Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)
The term “firstborn” used here carries the connotation of being “first in position,” “heir,” or “supreme."[2] Paul is not calling Jesus a created being but is instead referring to Him as the “supreme heir” of all creation! The writer of Hebrews makes a similar point, calling Jesus “the heir of all things:”
“In these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” - Hebrews 1:2-3a (ESV)
When the angel asks, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”, I don’t believe the answer was ever in doubt! Rather, the angel’s question is rhetorical, calling for the rightful heir to come forward and claim His inheritance. After all, who else in heaven or on Earth could be more worthy than Jesus?
If you read through the next several chapters of Revelation (chapters 6; 8-9; 11:15-19; 15-18), you will find that all of God’s judgments during the Tribulation are contained within the seven seals. As Jesus progressively opens each seal, two things are happening: God’s judgments are being poured out on an unbelieving world, and Jesus is getting closer to claiming His inheritance and returning to Earth. After the scroll is completely unsealed and the judgments are complete, the heavens will burst open as Jesus comes in glory to establish his earthly kingdom (chapter 19).
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” – Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)
I believe Revelation 5 is an incredible display of the glory and honor embodied within Jesus. He alone is worthy “to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12).
I’ve included one of my favorite recordings of the song Is He Worthy? below. I would encourage you to read Revelation 5, then listen to the song and reflect on the matchless worth of Jesus Christ. He has promised to return one day soon to make everything right, and we will live with our Creator face-to-face once again! As you’ll hear in the song below, it is good that we remind ourselves of this!
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this? He is
Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe, every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God to reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Is He worthy of this?
He is, He is
He is, He is
He is worthy! He is worthy!
Of all blessing and honor and glory
He is worthy of this
He is
Notes
[1] John Ankerberg, “What is the Significance of the Scroll in Revelation 5?,” featuring Mark Hitchcock, Youtube, July 18, 2018, video, 3:10, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYPwRXpHQbY.
[2] Donald C. Stamps, “The Firstborn of All Creation,” in Fire Bible: English Standard Version (Springfield, MO: Life Publishers International, 2011), 2058.