Revelation 5
OGCRevelation 5:1-10
Strauss-’ Comments SECTION 13
Text Revelation 5:1-10
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon: 5 and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof. 6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came, and he taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sing a new song, saying,
Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, 10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.
Initial Questions Revelation 5:1-10
In the World of the New Testament, what was the place of a seal on official documents - Revelation 5:1?
What were the requirements which must be fulfilled before one would have been worthy to open the book and loose the seals thereof? The highest expression of manhood was unworthy I
Do these messianic titles (e.g., the Lion - that is of the tribe of Judah, Root of David) relate the Kingdom come through Christ with the Old Testament prophecies of the Messianic Kingdom?
What symbolism does the Lamb standing as though it had been slain call to mind - Revelation 5:6? (e.g., sacrifice, atonement, etc.)
What view of the person of Christ is implied in His accepting the worship and praise of creatures - Revelation 5:9-10?
What were the results of Christ’s work mentioned in Revelation 5:9-10?
The Sealed Book and The Lamb
Chp. Revelation 5:1-14
John’s vision continuesAnd I saw (eidon - aorist. - in a single act John saw) upon (epi) the right hand (hand - not in text) of the one sitting upon the Throne a scroll having been written within and on the reverse side, having been sealed (katesphragismenon - perf. pass. part. - the prefixed preposition kata means sealed down) with seven seals. The seals signified the authentication marks of the document. Charles says that a will in Roman law bore the seven seals of seven witnesses. He was an expert in the background sources of the Apocalypse. The imagery would have been meaningful to every literate person in the New Testament world.
The book that John saw is the title deed to earth. The book contained the judgments of the living God as represented in the seven seals of trumpets, and the seven vials of wrath. These judgments are essential in order to bring the earth under the control of the Lord of the universe. When the call to open the book is made public by a strong angel proclaiming in a loud voice; no one is found able, but the Root of David. The angel continued to proclaim (kerussouta - present parti. - continually proclaimed) and after extensive inquiry no one was found who is worthy to open the scroll and to loosen the seals of it?
—– no one was able (edunato - imperfect) in the heaven nor on the earth nor underneath the earth to open the scroll nor to look at it. The entire universe declines the challenge! No man nor angel was found who could respond to heaven’s challenge. Why? What were the requirements?
And I kept on weeping much - (eklaion polu - perf. act. plus polu - this weeping was so audible that one of Elders kept speaking much to me.
And one out of the Elders says to me: Stop weeping (mç klaie - neg. plus present imperative). Look here (behold) The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David overcame (enikesen - 1st aor. act. ind. - the victory was won in a single act, not in a process - overcame by one act! the root verb is nike - victory). The 1901 translates hath overcome and thus does not show the singularity of the victory act, to open the scroll and the seven seals of it. The only one worthy was also the only one able to open the seals, the Son of God, the rightful sovereign of the universe. Who was able? The Messiah, a descendant of Judah and David (Genesis 49:9; Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 1:17; Luke 3:31; Acts 2:30; Matthew 22:41-45) won the victory once and for all on the Cross. (See Isaiah 11 for the prophecy about the shoot of Jesse.)
Here we are taken to the very center of the Throne room. And I saw in the midst of the Throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the Elders a Lamb standing (hestekos - perfect participle) as having been slain (esphagmenon - perfect passive participle - this verb suggests violence and also sacrifice, both are involved in the cross and the atonement) having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God having been sent forth into all the earth. Here we notice the paradoxical imagery of a slaughtered Lamb, yet, standing. The great fifty-third chapter of Isaiah is without question in the background. The Book of Acts (Acts 8:32) identifies this Lamb as Jesus Christ. (See Edward Young, Studies in Isaiah, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1954, chp. 4 Of Whom Speaketh the Prophet This? pp. 103-125).
And he came (elthen - 2 aor. indicative - the single act - came) and has taken (eilçphen - perfect tense) out of the right (hand - not in text, but implied) of the one sitting upon the throne. Christ came and has taken the scroll from the hand of the Father. His work on the Cross and the empty tomb has qualified Him to open the seals of doom which are about to be hurled upon the earth.
When he (Christ) took (elaben - 2 aor. active - single act - took) the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four Elders fell (epeson - 1st aor. ind. act. - fall instantaneously, those closest to the one sitting on the throne fell quickest) before (in front of) the Lamb, in an act of worshipful surrender those surrounding the Throne acknowledged the deity of The Lamb, each one having a harp and golden bowls (plural) being full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. The kithapa (harp) probably signifies a lute or guitar.
They keep on singing (adousin - present tense) a new song saying: Worthy art thou to receive the scroll and to open the seals of it, because thou wast slain (esphagçs - 2 aor. passive) and didst purchase (egorasas - 1 aor. ind. act., through the act of being slain Christ did purchase by a single act) to God by thy blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people and nation. Here we see the clear and categorical assertion of the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ. Alien sinners can be restored to God, but only by acknowledging the Lordship of Christ. Forgiveness of sin is available only in Him. This fact makes missions and evangelism imperative!
Note: See the appendix and The Lamb and His Blood in the Revelation immediately following this chapter. For an excellent study on the vocabulary of redemption see Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of The Cross, Eerdman’S, 1956terms analyizedRedemption, Covenant, The Blood, Propitiation, Reconciliation, and Justification.
What was the result of Christ’s work? See Revelation 1:6 for discussion of kingdom and priests and they will reign.
Revelation 5:1-14
**Tomlinson’s Comments
CHAPTER V THE BOOK WITH SEVEN SEALS**
Text (Revelation 5:1-14)
Introduction
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon: 5 and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof. 6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came, and he taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, 10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth. 11 And I saw, and 1 heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever. 14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.
The last chapter which we have just studied centers its symbolism around the throne in the way of the Holiest of all, where the crucified and risen Christ sits on God’s right hand.
While in the earthly tabernacle there were the altar of burnt offering, the lavar and the holy place, with its furniture, consisting of the seven-armed candlestick, the table of show bread and its altar of incense, here in the vision of the most Holy Place, or heaven itself, these aforementioned pieces of furniture and the veil are gone. Paul tells us in (Hebrews 9:8) that the veil in the tabernacle and, later the temple on earth were to pass. The Holy Spirit thus signifying that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as yet the first tabernacle was yet standing.
Furthermore Paul declared this veil before the Holiest of all represented the prepared body of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:5) He added, Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say His flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, et. (Hebrews 10:19-22)
When Christ was crucified, and yielded up the spirit as a ransom for sin, the veil was rent in twain from top to bottom. So in this vision there is no veil. We are looking into heaven itself Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:20)
For Christ is not entered into the holy place made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. (Hebrews 9:24) So the first part of the vision reveals Christ seated at the right hand of God.
In the fourth chapter, which covers the first part of the vision, the only activity is the worship of the four living creatures, and the four and twenty elders, or princes of God. The theme of their worship is Creation, as revealed by their anthem: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things and because of thy will they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
If we had no other proof that these are heavenly intelligences and not redeemed men, this anthem would establish it. They sang not of redemption, for no redemption was ever needed by an obedient angel and no fallen angel was ever promised it. As created beings, higher than man, they sang of the glory of God’s creation. While the first part of this great vision of a door opened in heaven is centered around the throne and the worshipping angels, in the second part the attention is directed to a book, or scroll (such being the form of books in that day). This scroll is seen in the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. It was written within and in the backside and sealed with seven seals. The very atmosphere of this part of the vision assures us that this scroll represents something of transcendent importance. This sealed scroll being a book containing the hidden mysteries of the future, was unrevealed to both angels and men.
Revelation 5:1-2 But the contents were of such grave import that a strong angel proclaimed with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
The angel’s interest in having the book opened reminds us of what Peter said concerning the desire of angels to look into man’s salvation: Which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)
Revelation 5 :3 John records that no man in heaven, nor in earth was able to open the scroll, neither to look therein. The word man does not occur in the Greek. Literally it reads, no one was found, either among angels, or among men.
This recalls Christ’s own statement while in the flesh, But of that day and hour knoweth no man (again the word man is not in the Greek) no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)
Again in (Acts 1:7), while addressing His apostles He said, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Revelation 5:4 This caused John not only to weep, but to weep much. His distress shows that the finding of one worthy to open the book was a matter of greatest consequence.
What a revelation of John’s interest in the future of the church, to which he had given so many years of labor and of which he was the last apostle! He was now old and about ready to depart. His intense anxiety to be able to penetrate the secrets of the future, as it related to the fortunes of the church which he loved better than life itself, is understandable. His burdened spirit implores with a flood of tears that some one might be found worthy to open and read the scroll. And the longing of his loving heart is answered.
Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders (one of the twenty-four) said unto him, Weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to lose the seals thereof.
One of the twenty-four elders, or one of the heavenly princes, so speaking to John makes clear that the duty of instructing a prophet in things pertaining to spiritual matters has never been laid upon a human being under either the old or the new Testament Covenants. Such a duty marks out these elders as being heavenly beings.
Revelation 5:6 The prophet turns to see the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and to his amazement, the Christ, who is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, now is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. (John 1:29)
At Christ’s second coming He will return as the victorious Sovereignthe Lion of the Tribe of Judah, but in the mediatorial reign John saw Him as the Lamb that was slain. This Lamb had seven horns. A horn is ever a symbol of powera symbol of kings, kingdoms or power. Seven horns here, then symbolize power without limitation, since seven is the symbol of perfection. The seven eyes he says are the seven Spirits of God. We have already, in the study of chapter one, learned that the seven Spirits symbolize the fullness of the Spirit without measure which Christ possessed. The sending of this Holy Spirit to the earth (John here says sent forth into all the earth), Christ promised just before His departure.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when He is come, he will reprove the world of sin and of judgment. (John 16:7-8)
The Christ makes known His wisdom through the Holy Spirit. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)
So we see the seven horns, signified the perfection of sovereign power, and the seven eyes, or seven spirits of God signified perfection of wisdom. The combined symbols represented what Paul said of Christ: Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24)
Revelation 5:7-8 John saw the Lamb take the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. This, truly, was the investiture of the King. This proclaimed His right to rule and control the unfolding events of the age to come.
Upon Christ taking the Book, the twenty-four angelic princes fell down before the Lamb, having golden harps and vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. This angelic function was dealt with in the fourth chapter. They are here represented as presenting the prayers of the saints on the earth, before the throne. What a comforting thought that our petitions are presented before the throne of grace by none other than these princes of God! What heavenly import and dignity are given our prayers.
Revelation 5:9-14
*Tomlinson’s Comments
The Heavenly Doxologies
Text (Revelation 5:9-14)*
These elders sang a new song; new, because it is in praise of a new triumph of Christ, who has been found worthy to open the seals which are to uncover the events of the future. Whereas, in the fourth chapter, we hear the angelic princes sing-of Redemption. Music lovers will understand that an oratorio is a musical composition in which solos and choruses are sung in accompaniment to instruments. Here we see Cherubim and Seraphim and angelic princes, with their golden harps, together constituting a heavenly choir, chanting celestial music. Note the arrangement and order of these musical numbers.
The oratorio begins with a quartet, the four living creatures, singing the seraph’s song. Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Revelation 4:8)
This is followed by the massed singing and playing of the twenty-four princes.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor, and power, for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
Thus we see the first part of the oratorio is devoted to the subject of the creation. The created angelic intelligences, having never needed nor experienced redemption, could sing only in praise of their creator. Following the singing of creation there is heard a solo voice of a strong angel;
Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (Revelation 5:2)
Then follows the gladsome response by one of the elders:
Weep not: behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed (or overcome) to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5)
When the Lamb takes the book out of the hand of the Creator, the quartet and the choir of heavenly princes break forth in unison, singing the new song.
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made them to be unto our God kings and priests: and they shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9-10)
Then the entire angelic choir, consisting of ten thousand times ten thousand and thousand of thousands bursts forth in majestic chorus, which must have reverberated throughout the corridors of glory. They sang perfectly as one voice and with a loud voice:
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
Then comes the grand finale of this stirring oratorio as it comes to a swelling crescendo. In this concluding epilogue of this transcendently glorious oratorio the four living creatures, or seraphim and cherubim; the elders, or angelic princes; the myriads of angels, heavenly creatures a little higher creation than man (Hebrews 2:6-7); and every created thing which is in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them join in mighty chorus in praising both Creator and Redeemer:
Blessing and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne (the Creator) and unto the Lamb (the Redeemer), for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)
Then as the heavenly oratorio, like the sound of many waters, dies away, there is heard the sound of a great and grand Amen.-’ It is chanted by the four living creatures, or the highest range of God’s angelic intelligences, the cherubim and seraphim. Then there seems to fall a great hush and breathless silence as the twenty-four heavenly princes fall down to worship Him who liveth forever and ever. Truly we have been listening through the open door to the oratorio of the Choir Invisible! This instrumented Heavenly choir has prepared us for the opening of the seals. How fitting this should be: The prophets of old prophesied to the tune of instrumental music:
Thou shall meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp before them; and they shall prophecy. (1 Samuel 10:5)
The hand of the Lord came upon Elisha when the minstrel played.
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. (2 Kings 3:15)
The sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun prophesied with harp, psalteries and cymbals (1 Chronicles 25:3-6)
And Habakkuk closed his prophesies with instructions to the chief singer on my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:19)
As the prophets of old spoke to the accompaniment of instrumental music so the opening of the seals was preceded by the massed choirs of heaven and earth singing this wondrously soul inspiring oratorio.
No wonder Christ in the model prayer taught them to pray, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10) It is His Divine will that singing, and with instruments shall be done by choirs on both sides of the veilheaven and earth.
Revelation 5:11-14
Strauss-’ Comments SECTION 14
Text Revelation 5:11-14
11 And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 saying with a great voice,
Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying,
Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.
14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.
Initial Question Revelation 5:11-14
Does the contrast between every created thing in Revelation 5:13 andunto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever clearly state the deity of Christ?
A New Segment of the Vision
John not only saw but declares I heard a sound of many angels round the throne and the living creatures and the Elders, and the number of them was (çn - imperfect) ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands. An untold number of worshippers surrounded the Throne. They expressed the thrill of the presence of God by drawing deep into their spiritual reservoir and continually sing the praises of God. The ability to sing God’s eternal praises is one of the acid tests of real spiritual concern in our own Christian lives today. Oh, the durth of great Christian music in our age! Why?
In one united voice they shouted worthy is the Lambsee Revelation 5:6. The victory of the Lamb in overcoming sin, hell, and the grave won for Him the power. Power can be forgiving or taking. Christ’s power is for giving eternal life or that which no man can attain for himself. Though there is only one article for all the characteristics mentioned, I agree with Vincent that the one article includes all the particulars, as if they formed but one word. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. IV, p. 492.
The next thing Christ receives is the riches. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. Christ is worthy to receive all the riches of glory for His work of redemption. The others of the seven excellencies are wisdom, strength, and honour, and glory, and blessings. These last glorious attributes are added beyond the great praise to the Lamb by the Elders, etc., in Revelation 4:11. The doxology which is offered to the Lamb is more exhaustive than the doxology to the creator in the concluding verse of chapter four. No one could compare these great doxologists without concluding that there is no other single place in scripture where the deity of Jesus Christ is more emphatically declared.
Now the whole universe is marshalled together to sing His praises. Here we see a marvelous affirmation of the deity of The Lamb. In chapter Revelation 4:8-11 we noted how the living creatures worshipped the one sitting on the throne. Now we see a clear act of worship which is received by one other than the Father. Who is it? John heard them saying: To the one sitting on the Throne and to the Lamb the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the might unto the ages of the ages. No angel ever accepted worship in the biblical records (see Revelation 19:10 - where the angel refused worship) contrary to the claim of Jehovah’s Witnesses Theology. Jesus is never called an angel in the apocalypse, or any place else. (Some identify Jesus with the angel of Yahwah in the Old Testament, but we cannot enter that discussion here. This thesis cannot be exegetically established). The characteristic attributed to the Father (chp. 4) are here attributed to The Lamb!
The four living creatures said amen to the praises of members of the universe, i.e., creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and now the occupants of the Throne room of heaven says amen to these glorious words of praise. And the elders fell (epasan - 1st. aor. ind. fall in a single act,) and worshipped (prosekunesan - 1 aor. ind. - worshipped in a single act). The worship of the Lamb (chp. Revelation 5:8-14) is composed of three songs: (1) The Song of Creation (Revelation 4:9-11); (2) The Song of Redemption (Revelation 5:8-10) and (3) The Song of the Universal Chorus (Revelation 5:11-14).
Note: See the Special Studies for sermon suggestions on the biblical doctrine of worship, and a sketch of an outline for a sermon series.
Review Questions
Chp. Revelation 5:1-14
What was the significance of seals in Roman Law - Revelation 5:1?
Who was found in Revelation 5:2 that was able to open the seals?
How did John respond to the failure to find one who was worthy to open the seals - Revelation 5:4?
One was found worthy and able. What messianic terms were used to describe Him - Revelation 5:5? Read the O.T. passages given. Discuss.
From what vantage point does John receive the vision mentioned in Revelation 5:6?
What is the Lamb of Isaiah 53? Where in the N.T. is He identified - Revelation 5:6?
Why was the Lamb worthy according to Revelation 5:9?
Who is found worshipping the Lamb according to Revelation 5:13?
Read and discuss the content of the three songs sand to the Lamb - Revelation 5:14!
*Biblical Theology of Worship
Why Go To Church?*
When You Go, Do You Find?
I.
Anticipation of receiving something by preparation?
II.
Participation versus the religious observer?
III.
Spiritual Satisfaction?
Conclusion: Why Do You Go To Church?
Recovering The Thrill of Worship
At least these five elements are present in the biblical doctrine of worship.
I.
Recollection: The Church exists and we are saved, because of something God in Christ has done. (The events of the Gospel).
II.
Recollection generates Thanksgiving.
III.
This necessitates that we Participate by being spiritually mature enough to accept the forgiveness of Christ.
IV.
Real Participation means that we are also engaged in Proclamation.
V.
Proclamation genders expectation (and vice versa).
Conclusion: James S. Stewart of Scotland, the greatest preacher who uses the English tongue said of the American Churchesthey seemed to have lost the original spark or thrill of worship.
Do We Leave as We Entered?
Introduction: We go into the House of God troubled or burdened! How do we come out?
I.
Act of Reverence.
II.
Act of Fellowship.
III.
Act of Dedication.
IV.
Act of Renewal
Conclusion: If we seriously examined our worship life as Christians, what would we find out about our real relationship to Jesus Christ?
Special Study The Biblical Doctrine of Worship
is much broader than a few hours each week being set aside for corporate worship. Archaeological evidence is irrefutable that Church buildings were a later innovation. Many people have the false notion that an hour or two on the Lord’s Day exhausts the biblical requirements of worship.
I.
The Place of Worship.
II.
The Times of Worship.
III.
The Content of Worship.
Excellent insight can also be gained by studying the vocabulary, both Old and New Testaments, which are translated singularly by our English word - worship. It is highly improbable that one English term can adequately translate several words from either the Hebrew Old Testament or the Greek New Testament.
Outline
Seminar: Biblical Theology of Worship Introduction: Hebrew and Greek Vocabulary of Worship.
I.
Antecedents to Old Testament Concept of Worship. Worship among Neighbors of Israel.
II.
Worship in Historical Perspective: Worship in Various Periods of Old Testament History.
Law - Genesis, chapter 1-11
Genesis, chapter 12ff. Pentateuch
Historical Books In Promised Land - Joshua-Judges - Ruth 3.
Prophets - Worship
a.
True Worship
b.
False Worship
- Wisdom - Wisdom Literature - Worship
III.
Post Old Testament Literature and Worship
Intertestamental Literature and Worship
IV.
Antecedent Worship Concepts of New Testament Period in environment
Greek HebraicJudaism Roman
V.
Worship in The Gospel Records and New Testament Proper
Synoptics - Matthew, Mark, Luke 2.
John 3.
Acts 4.
Epistles - Pauline
Epistles - Johannine
Epistles - General Epistles
Hebrews - Revelation
Theological Vocabulary of Worship: O.T. and N.T.
Vocabulary - Multiple Hebrew Vocabulary - One English Word - Worship 1.
Persons
Places
Ceremony
Personal/Corporate Worship
Revelation - Worship
Worship and The Word
Worship and Holy Spirit
Worship and Spiritual Preparation
Worship and Spiritual Maturation
Necessary and Sufficient Aspects of Worship
Worship as an Activity: Intentionality of the Participants
(Behaviorism and Activity): A Real Human Act or Mere Activity and Worship.
Worship and Biblical Doctrine of Unity
Preaching and Worship
Teaching and Worship
Baal Worship - Hosea 16.
Vocabulary - Idol, Image - types of graven, carved
Grove High Place
The Ten Words and Idols - Deuteronomy 5: Exodus 20 :
Jewish Architecture
Roman Catholic Translation of Decalogue
Latin Trent on Idolatry Aquinas Catholic Use of Idols
Standard Denominational Churches
Free Churches
Worship in The Protestant Creeds
Ecumenical Theology Worship
A.
Ministry
B.
Sacraments
Conscience - Worship - Offense, Offended, Offender
1Corinthians 8 - Romans 14: - Commands, Imperative moods More than one conscience involved!
O.T. Prophecies of worship in the Messianic Kingdom and Dispensationalism’s Hermeneutics
Use of Matthew
Literal fulfillment - return to O.T. Sacrificial system,
Temple, etc.
Cornelius - Acts 2
Synagogue - Paul in Acts Paul’s consistency and synagogue participation
Criterion and Method for determine the Essential from the non-essential Aspects of Biblical Christianity.
What is universal, necessary, sufficient for Christian Worship!
A.
Commands
B.
Examples Same also for Restoring N.T. Church, e.g.
C.
Expediency Imperative form e.g., Acts 2:38
Worship and Biblical Doctrine of Truth
emunah means truth, faith, trust
Re: Worship in Spirit and Truth
The Biblical concept of worship and the problem of non- Christian concepts of worship and the problem of missions.
Brief Annotated Bibliography on Worship
Ilion T. Jones, A Historical Approach to Evangelical Worship, Abingdon, Nashville, 1954. Good, basic work giving historical perspective.
N. Micklem, editor, Christian Worship, Oxford, reprinted, 1964. Made up of 15 articles divided into 3 basic sections: Biblical, Historical, and Contemporary Studies.
Louis M. Duchesne, Christian Worship, SPCL Press, London, 5th edition, 1956. Covers the Latin (Western) Liturgy to the time of Charlemagne.
Interpreter’s Dictionary of The Bible, Article on Worship, Vol. 4, pp. 879-90, Abingdon, Nashville, 1962. This Dictionary was written by scholars who do not accept the Scriptures as the very Word of God, but this article is very good and has bibliography.
Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 15, pp. 710-713. Robert Appleton Co., N.Y., 1912. Official R. C. position with bibliography.
Consult any major Bible Dictionaries such as Hastings, 20th Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge; also consult the Jewish Encyclopedia for article on worship. There is a vast literature on Worship but there is no competent work on the biblical doctrine worship, especially the N.T. doctrine. We hope and pray this gap will be filled by one committed to Biblical Christianity.
**Special Study
The Lamb and His Blood in The Revelation**
Revelation 1:5; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 7:14; Revelation 12:11
The word blood occurs in the following four passages:
- en tô haimati autou - by his blood.
- hoti esphagçs kai çgorosas tô theô en tô haimati son - because thou wast slain and didst purchase to God by thy blood.
- en tô haimati tou arniou - in the blood of the Lamb.
- dia to aima tou arniou - because of the blood of the Lamb.
John the Baptizer addresses Jesus as the Lamb (amnos - the ordinary word for Lamb - John 1:29; John 1:36) or God, which taketh away the sin of the cosmos. C. H. Dodd denies that John could have had in mind the passover lamb, and the lamb of Isa 53:1 ff. How Dr. Dodd came by this amazing information is not revealed in his work. For those interested in examining Jewish interpretation of Isaiah 53 see S.R. Driver, A. Neubauer, The Fifty Third Chapter of Isaiah According to Jewish Interpretors, volume I, Texts, ed. by Driver and Neubauer; Volume II, Translation, same as above, Oxford University Press, London, 1876-77.
In The Revelation the term Lamb is used of Christ twenty-eight times. The fundamental idea is always sacrificial. It is very significant that of all the N.T. Literature it is only in John’s Gospel and The Revelation that we find references to the Lamb of God. (We need not consider the problem of the different terms for Lamb in John (he amnos), and in the Revelation (to arnion) respectively). In the Revelation the Lamb has two vital characteristics. He is first of all the sacrificial Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; secondly He is the conquering Lamb. (See Alan Richardson, An Introduction to The Theology of The New Testament, Harper & Bros. New York, 1958, pp. 225-229 - neither a liberal nor conservative study).
Through the symbol of the lamb, John was able to transmit the marvelously complex soteriological and Christological teaching in one symbol. John also combines the glorified and suffering aspects of our saviour’s life. The imagery of the death of Christ always moves in the realm of exaltation and glory. In the Revelation we see the beautiful correlation of the death and glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
The Lamb never appears except in the grand scenes of enthronement pageantry. In John’s vision of heaven he saw the redeemer as the lion of the tribe of Judah, and the shoot of Jesse. In a lightening flash John identifies the object of his vision, then immediately he changes the imagery from a Lion to a Lamb. In the very Throne room of the universe John declares that he saw a Lamb standing, as having been slain (Revelation 5:6). The divine paradox seems inconceivablehow a Lamb can stand, and look as if it is slain at the same time. This great imagery was meant to convey ideas; it was never meant to torture the imagination.
The relationship of the saint’s victory and the blood of the Lamb is specifically stated in the second vision (Revelation 7:9-17). John saw a great multitude in white robes, and these have washed their rubes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14). These have passed through the great tribulation victoriously. But their victory was not attained by their own blood, but rather the Blood of The Lamb.
Everywhere in The Revelation the Blood of Christ is asserted to be the vicarious sacrifice for the sins of the world. In the great vision of the elect (Revelation 7:9-17) the Lamb has become the great Shepherd who is leading the redeemed to the water of life.
The Christian’s victory over Satan and his darkness is directly attributed to the power of the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). All evil is overcome in Christ’s victory. His was the only sacrifice in the history of man in which the victim became victor through the act of being the victim. This is the paradox of the ages, and will not be unraveled until He comes again, and we speak with Him.
We must also note that John calls the Apostles, the Apostles, of the Lamb, (Revelation 21:14). Here we see that the ones sent (apostles) went as ambassadors of the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the cosmos.
It is very possible that the hymns to the Lamb in The Revelation were songs of the apostolic church. (See J. Bonsirven, Theologie du Nouveau Testament, Paris; Aubier, 1951, p. 193). We can still hear the ancient saints singing: Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us for God with thy blood. In this same vein a more recent saint, Isaac Watts (1647-1748) sings the same glorious song.
Alas! and did my Saviour bleed, and did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head for sinners such as I? or When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
See the following for brief outline studies of the Biblical Doctrine of the Blood.
**A Companion to The Bible, **edited by J. J. von Allmen with introduction by H. H. Rowley, Oxford University Press, New York, 1958, pp. 38-41. Only those who can discern what the biblical doctrine actually is should consult this mediating work.
**A Theological Word of the Bible, **ed. by A. Richardson, MacMillan and Co., New York, 1950, pp. 33-34.
***The Apostolic Preaching of The Cross,***Leon Morris, Eerdmans, 1956, pp. 108-124. He discusses the views of B. F. Westcott’s Sandy and Headlam, et al.
***The Meaning of the Word Blood in Scripture,***A. M. Stibbs, The Tyndale Press, London, 1958 reprint. A very good, brief study by a British Evangelical. Excellent place to start studying this central biblical teaching. This is not a technical discussion.