11/26/F – Who is Worthy?

NT: “Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:1-7‬ ‭CSB)

As John looked upon the throne of God, God was seated on the throne holding a scroll in His right hand. That scroll was the very will of God for His creation. Before someone passes away, they write a legal will that dictates their wishes that are to be carried out upon their death. In their will, they name their heirs – those who stand to inherit all that the person owned in his life. The scroll in God’s hand was similar, as in it was a testament to His will, however it was not enacted upon God’s death, for God cannot and will not die.

For God’s will for creation to finally be enacted, it had to be opened by someone who was worthy. When the call went out for a worthy one to open the scroll, no one in heaven or on earth was found. When John heard that no one could be found to open the scroll and unleash God’s will, John wept much. In that will was justice for the millennia of evils that had been done. In that will were the ultimate fulfillments of all of God’s promises. In that will was the hope that so many of John’s dear friends had died for. In that will was the fullness of God’s righteousness. In that will was John’s departure from his earthly body and the transition to his eternal body that would rule and reign with Jesus forever. When no one was found to open the scroll, John’s hopes were crushed and he sobbed tears of grief.

But one of the elders turned to John and said, ”Do not weep. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah has conquered and is worthy and able to open the scroll. As John wiped the tears from his eyes and looked up to see this victorious conquering lion, what he saw was a lamb that looked like it had just been slaughtered. The Lion of the tribe of Judah is the Lamb that was Slain – Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And Jesus, the worthy one, took the scroll. Through Him and by Him, all of God’s will and purposes for creation will be fulfilled.

Prayer: Lord, I am forever grateful that You have prevailed against the enemy of my soul. You have conquered sin and death and are worthy through the life You lived and the death You died to open and unleash God’s will and purposes on the earth. I don’t have to lose hope because You have prevailed and will accomplish all that God has intended. My hope is sure and anchored in You the Worthy One. Help me to live in the reality of that hope day by day as I follow You in faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.