Notes: Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title:  “How to live and die well”

Scripture: Revelation 5

Main commentary help: 

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• The Seven Churches by Mike Breen

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

 

Last week: Jesus worshipped as Creator

This week: Jesus worshipped as Redeemer

Our need: 

We need Jesus. Why? (Personally and globally)

• He lived the life we couldn’t live (perfectly just/righteous, mercifully and humbly)

• He died the death we deserved to die (rebellious sinners from birth)

• He seized destiny

  • His

  • Ours

  • The worlds

• We need Jesus. Otherwise, there’s no hope.

Bottom line: Rev 5 teaches us that Jesus is in control of the past, present and future of world history; that Jesus has taken over.

This equips us to be able to live and die well. Knowing the future—how it all ends (we win!)—changes our whole perspective on life...if you believe it. 

Episodes:

I. Intro

• Story: “The Four Chaplains“

• How to be a living sacrifice—Romans 12:1

• LIve in a manner worthy of the gospel to which we’ve been called

  • Phil 1:27

  • Eph 4:1

  • 1 Cor 11:27 LS

  • Are you weeping?

    • If for grief, then appropriate.

    • If for circumstances, perhaps not.

    • Is it possible it’s because you do not know or believe that Jesus can open the scroll?

II. Bad news: No one can open the scroll (5:1-4) (John weeps)

• John weeps because he loses all hope. (P. 153 gives what is lost if scroll isn’t opened)

• If the promises of the Bible cannot be fulfilled, it’s like a world without Jesus

III. Good news: The Conquering Lamb can open the scroll (5:5-7)

• Jesus can and does open the scroll!

• Truth 1: He is worthy of our allegiance and worship because of the death, burial and resurrection.

  • Lion

  • Lamp

  • Like skull and crossbones are a symbol of poison, but not a picture of it, lion and lamb are symbols of Christ but not a picture of him.

• This shows a missionary God

• To all the nations

• More Truths

  • He is worthy of our total allegiance and worship because of the death, burial and resurrection

  • He won—therefore we win!

  • He has taken control of history (past, present and future)

• Therefore,

  • We can trust him with uncertain future

  • We get to worship him with lips and life

  • We can live victoriously no matter our circumstances

  • We are encouraged to encourage others to live this way

IV. The appropriate response to the conquering Lamb: True and spiritual worship (5:8-14)

• Our worship/response reveals our faith (or lack thereof) in what the Bible teaches

• Our worship is best seen in our locking arms with Jesus around the corner and around the world in mission to the least, the last and the lost of every nation and every generation. (9)

V. Conclusion

• Are you weeping?

  • If for grief, then appropriate.

  • If for circumstances, perhaps not.

  • Is it possible it’s because you do not know or believe that Jesus can open the scroll?

• LIve in a manner worthy of the gospel to which we’ve been called

  • Phil 1:27

  • Eph 4:1

  • 1 Cor 11:27 LS

• How to be a living sacrifice—Romans 12:1

• Story 2

 

Illustrations:

“Mary had a little Lamb, 

his soul was white as snow. 

And anywhere His Father sent, 

the Lamb was sure to go. 

He came to earth to die one day, 

the sin of man to atone.

And now He reigns in heaven alone. 

He’s the Lamb up on the throne!“

 

-Daniel Akin

 

2/3/1943 : Four Chaplain's Day; holiday; sacrifice