Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on the scroll and open it?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. – Revelation 5:1-4
John wept because he realized how great the loss was if no one was able to open the seal to reveal the contents of the scroll. Even those who surrounded the throne of God were unworthy to open the seals. There were seven seals on the revelation from God but John would was unable to access the promises held inside the scroll because of his sin and unworthiness. The weight of this reality fell heavy on John and he wept bitterly.
There are times when the weight of our sins falls heavy on us. We consider our sinful attitudes, bad decisions and selfish ways and we know we are unworthy of anything God could offer us. We struggle to forgive ourselves and the shame of how we have messed up lays heavy on our shoulders. We have hurt others with our words, we have chosen our own desires over His desires, and we have made a mess of what God intended to be beautiful.
“Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” – Revelation 5:5b
Don’t miss what takes place next because it represents the salvation we have access to because Jesus was willing to die for our sins. What happens next as revealed by John is a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us. There is no need to carry the weight of our sins because He has already purchased them with His blood. There is no need to struggle with our past because He holds our future. Take your eyes off the mess and focus on the beauty of the Lamb, slaughtered in our place and now standing between us and the throne, interceding on our behalf.
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incenses, which are the prayer of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
Then I looked again and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a might chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered – to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. – Revelation 5:6-14
Stop weeping and look – He has won the victory and that victory is ours!
Stop weeping and listen – hear the song of salvation the angels are singing!
Stop weeping and worship – join in the song of praise – for we now have access to the throne through the perfect Lamb of God!