Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
In this amazing chapter, John is describing what he saw in Heaven. He saw Jesus sitting on the throne and He is surrounded by thousands of angels. They were all crying out to Jesus that He is worthy and that He is holy. Only Jesus is worthy to open the scroll in verse 5. He is the Lamb that was slain. The one who is worthy of our worship. All of the worship in Heaven is focused on Jesus. He is seated on the throne, He is worthy and He is holy. According to verse 9, they were all praising Jesus for being worthy because He is the one who died on the cross; He is the one who purchased men for God. What an amazing thought. God has purchased you with His own blood. You belong to God. He bought you.
In Heaven all of the worship is focused on Jesus. It is not focused on any other person or any other activity. Nothing else is honored in Heaven. All honor is given to Jesus. He is the only one worthy of being worshiped. This is true in Heaven, and it is true on earth. Only Jesus is worthy of being worshiped. Not any of the things that we put value on, not a job, a house, a car, a person, anything. Only Jesus is worthy of our worship in Heaven and only Jesus is worthy of our worship on earth. When we come to worship God, our focus must be on Jesus. Not on anyone else or anything else. All of Heaven bows down to worship Him. Our worship should be no different than that.
1. When you come to worship God, are you completely focused on Jesus?
2. Do you give all of your worship to Jesus, or is some of it directed at other things or other people?
Today, notice how many things other than Jesus are worshiped. Remind yourself that only Jesus is worthy to receive your worship.
A Pastor's Thoughts 