REVELATION

Chapter 5

Introduction:

            1. Still part of the vision of Chapter 4.

2. It corresponds with Daniel's night vision of Christ assuming His rightful place as ruler over the earth. (Dan. 7:13,14)

            3. It deals with the subject of redemption.

                        a. Seen in the description of Christ as the Lamb (v.6)

                        b. Seen in the songs sung (vs.8,9)

I. THE SCROLL (v.1)

A. The Work of the Scroll in Israel's History (Lev. 25) It made provision for the redemption of three things:

1. The spouse (Deut. 25:5-10) - If a woman's husband died before leaving offspring, in order that his name might not disappear from the earth, the dead man's brother was to take (redeem) the widow.

2. The servant (Lev. 25:47-55) - A Hebrew was made a slave because of his failure to repay a debt. Under the Law, the slave could be made to serve no more than six years and was then to be set free and the debt considered paid. Upon the payment of the debt by a near relative, the slave could be released without serving the full six years.

3. The soil (Lev. 25:25-31) - cf. Jer. 32:6-15 A man's land could be taken from him because of a debt owed, and for the original owner to get it back the debt had to be paid and the land redeemed. Again, the redemption had to be made by a near relative, unless the Year of Jubilee came, which occured every fiftieth year in which case the land automatically reverted to the original owner whether or not redemption was made.

                        4. The sequence

                                    a. Formerly, there were two separate scrolls:

                                                1) One was left open in the court of the Temple for all to read.

2) The second was rolled up and placed inside the Temple and was brought out only on the occasion of the property's redemption.

3) When the redemption was accomplished, the redeemer tore open the seals and invalidated the mortgage and the possession was returned to its rightful owner.

                                                4) The terms of the redemption were recorded on the scrolls.

                                                5) One scroll for two:

                                                            a) The two scrolls were later combined into one.

                                                            b) The terms were written on both sides. (Rev. 5:1)

                                    b. The meaning of the scroll

                                                1) It is a book of redemption.

2) The scroll of Rev. 5 records Christ's redemption of the earth, and hence, is His title deed.

            B. The Who of Redemption

                        1. The spouse - the Bride of Christ is redeemed at the Rapture (4:1).

2. The servant - Christ's servants will be fully redeemed at the resurrection when our bodies are glorified at the Rapture (Rom. 8:23).

3. The soil - Still in need of final redemption because of Adam's fall. Christ has paid the price but has not claimed the deed.

                        4. When Adam fell, he did not fall alone.

                                    a. All creation fell with him. (Rom. 8:22)

                                    b. All men fell.(Rom. 5:12)

                                    c. The ground, inanimate soil, was brought under the curse. (Gen. 3:17,18)

                                    d. The vegetable kingdom (Gen. 3:18)

                                    e. The animal world (Gen. 3:14)

                        5. The fall came by the "first Adam;" redemption will come by the "last Adam."

                                    a. He will redeem the earth. (Isa. 35:1-7)

                                    b. He will redeem the animal kingdom. (Isa. 11:6-9; Isa. 65:25)

                                    c. He will one day put all things in order again. (Rom. 8:19-23)

II. THE SEARCH (vs. 2-5a)

            A. The Fruitless Search (vs.2-4)

                        1. No one has the power to redeem. (cf. Job 9:33; 16:21; Psa. 49:7)

                        2. No one has the right to rule.

            B. The Forlorn Spirit (v. 4)

                        1. Because no one could be found.

                        2. Was the earth to continue on in sin and sorrow?

C. The Fortifying Solace (v. 5a - "weep not") There IS One who is worthy to open the Book and take His place as the rightful ruler and redeemer of the earth.

III. THE SAVIOR (vs. 5-7)

            A. His Description (vs. 5,6)

                        1. "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah" (v.5)

a. Out of Judah proceeded the lawful right of kingship over the nation of Israel. (Gen. 49:8-10) b. As the Lion He will take up His reign and overcome all that opposes Him. (Heb. 7:14)

2. "The Root of David" (v.5) - Describes His kingly right to the throne. (cf. Lk. 1:31-33)

3. "The Lamb" (v.6) - He has the right to claim what He has redeemed through His payment on the cross. (cf. Jn. 1:29; I Pet. 1:18,19)

            B. His Destiny (v.7)

                        1. Christ steps forward to lay claim to the title deed of the earth.

                        2. He is the only one qualified because: a. He created it. b. He redeemed it.

                        3. It is His today though He has not taken possession. (cf. Psa. 24:1,2)

IV. THE SONGS (vs.8-14)

            A. Of The Cherubim (v.8)

            B. Of the Chosen (vs.8-10)

            C. Of the Company (vs.11,12)

            D. Of the Creatures (vs.13,14)