Revelation 4, 5: The Second Facet

Week 4, Friday: The Centerpiece of worship
These verses – chapters 4 and 5 – are so rich with instruction that we have to go slowly through them. Every detail matters and is intended to instruct us in the ways of the divine economy. What we see going on in heaven should guide how we think about our lives here on earth, how we worship God, even to how we get at the meaning of God’s written Word.

Then, suddenly, the Centerpiece of worship steps forward.

Read Revelation 5

Meditate on Revelation 5.5-7
1.      Let’s proceed slowly. In these verses, something is about to happen. What is about to happen, and, given what we’ve seen thus far, what significance or how much importance should we place on this?

2.      Meditate on Ephesians 2.19-22. Match the “characters” in these verses with those mentioned thus far in Revelation 4 and 5. Who are the “apostles and prophets”? Who are the “you”? Who constitutes what Paul describes as the “building” that is holy unto the Lord?

3.      John is longing to hear and understand the words of the scroll – longing so much that he weeps. Should believers weep and long to hear the Word of God, rightly proclaimed? How does the “elder” minister to John? What does he promise the apostle?

4.      John is told to look for one thing. But then he sees another. This is not the last time we’ll see this happen. Who is this “Lion”, “Root”, and “Lamb”? Why is each of these terms appropriate, and how does each lead us to think about or regard the One Who is able to open the scroll?

5.      The Lamb steps forward, full of the Holy Spirit, from the midst of the heavenly throne and the earthly elders and living creatures. He takes the scroll out of the hand of God. Does this suggest anything unique or important about this Lamb? Do you begin to get the idea that the Lamb is somehow central – in every respect – to the service of worship we’ve been observing in chapters 4 and 5? In what ways?

My Reflection
Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. How does that affect you? He is the Root of David. You abide in Him. How does His rootedness in David affect you? He is the Lamb, filled with the Spirit. How does that affect you?

The Glory of God
In these verses, everything becomes focused on the Lamb, Who has been in the center of things – the throne, the elders, the living creatures – but just not recognized until He makes His presence known. What does this suggest about meeting the Lord in worship? Waiting on Him? Seeking Him?

Glory to Glory
How do you expect the Lamb of God to “step out of the shadows” as it were in your life today?

Memorize
Review Revelation 4.11. Pray this verse aloud, inserting the Name of Jesus wherever you can.

Closing Prayer
Write out your memory verse as a prayer. Put the Names of Jesus – Lion, Root, Lamb – wherever you think they fit best in this prayer. Pray this prayer throughout the day.

T. M. Moore

The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.