He is Worthy

By Yolandie Mostert (July 2023)

 

His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars (Songs 5:15c) 

 

Lebanon is a forested mountain range on the northern border of Israel. The word Lebanon means ‘whiteness’ which of course refers to the white snow-covered peaks.

 

Whenever Scripture refers to something as being white, it points to purity and the lack of sin. Think for example of Isaiah 1:18.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 

And Revelation 3:4

You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 

 

In the message about Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, I’ve talked about the events in the throne room. Today I want to go back there. We will never be able to exhaust this wonderful chapter in Revelation.

John wept because no-one could be found to break the seven seals in order to open the scroll. One of the elders told him to stop weeping since the Lion from the tribe of Judah was found worthy. John then looked and saw a lamb as though it had been slain standing on the sea of glass where he expected to see a lion.

 

I want to read the whole chapter 5.

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.  (Rev 5:1-4)

This scroll was of high importance. John had to understand the implication of the scroll, otherwise he wouldn’t have wept. He didn’t weep just because he was curious. What stands out is that only a worthy person was allowed to open the scroll and to read its contents. There was a search for such a person, but none was found in the whole universe, above, on and below the earth. The Bible doesn’t state the requirements to be found worthy but the next verse gives us an idea – the worthy one had to gain victory over something.

 

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  (Open 5:5-6)

 

The reference to the genealogy of Jesus as the root of David is quite noticeable. In this confirmation is given the one being declared worthy is the same one that the prophets spoke about.

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, (Isa 11:1-2a)

 

The mention of the Lion of Judah takes us back all the way to this prophecy in Genesis:

Judah, a lion’s cub … he scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah (Gen 49:9a en 10a)

 

By now there is no doubt as to who is being referred to. After confirming His identity, follows the reference to the Lamb. In our mind a lion is a vicious animal that fits the execution of end-time judgements much better than a lamb. We view a lamb as a peaceful and almost fragile animal. Yet, the image of a lamb is used in Revelation and not that of a lion. Here we can see another description of the different facets of our King. While He is the Lion, He is the Lamb simultaneously.

 

Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  (Rev 5:7-8)

The rest of the chapter describes incredible praise and worship that followed the Lamb taking the scroll from the Father’s hand. Because He was found worthy, He was allowed and He acted in that worthiness.

 

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”  (Rev 5:9-10)

This event was so important that a new song was fitting. The song explains the reason for the Lamb’s worthiness. The Lamb of God paid with His precious Blood and purchased people that were in bondage by the kingdom of darkness. The result of the high price was that they could be transferred to the kingdom of light. Out of this group of people there are those that are totally sold out to follow the Lamb. They will be made kings and priests to reign with Him on earth during the thousand-year reign of peace and even thereafter.

 

The song of praise didn’t stop here. An uncountable number of angels joined in. It must’ve been a deafening sound. They all praised with a loud voice. Whenever we find ourselves whispering oh so timidly and decent, we must be honest and ask ourselves: do I really understand and appreciate the enormity of the victory and the price that was paid. The greater our revelation, the louder and more thankful will our songs of praise be.

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.  (Rev 5:11-14) 

If we lack words of praise, we can always use these verses as an example. It’s the highest praise and greatest tribute. These praises offer recognition for the sacrifice of the Lamb and for what it accomplished. Therefore He may receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing.

 

So what is written in the scroll? For those that haven’t come to love all the different facets of our King, what will now follow might be difficult to swallow. Don’t just have an image of Jesus sitting with the little lambs and children on His lap. Yes, He is love, but He is so much more. And in Revelation He is the Lamb of God that activates the end-time events and judgements.

 

The breaking of the first scroll, activates the first horse: the spirit of the antichrist. The second scroll activates the second horse: war. Thereafter famine and death follow. Important to note: these horses are not judgements yet. It’s still warnings to call people to repentance.

The moment when Jesus as the worthy Lamb of God starts to break the seals, end-time events are triggered. These events are building up. First the scrolls and then by the time that all seven scrolls are broken, the trumpets of final warnings are following. These are all still warnings. Then only follows the bowls of wrath that the Father will pour on a wicked and unrepentant world. If Jesus didn’t break the first seal, none of the prophesised end-time events could happen.

 

It’s really hard for people to view Jesus in this context. If you maybe find it difficult to understand how He as love, can also be the one that activates the end-time events, start to pray for greater revelation, adoration, but also for Godly fear. This is who He is. We cannot only choose the facets which we feel comfortable with.

 

The greater our worship for who He is, the more Jesus as the Worthy One will fill you will awe. When He first came to earth, He came as the Lamb that had to be slaughtered. When He returns, He comes as the Lamb that warns and thereafter will judge the trampling of His precious Blood.

The Lamb of God is powerful and mighty. He is worthy!

 

Links

To listen to the introduction, as well as the Word I’ve received by the Holy Spirit concerning this series, please click here.

The audio version of this message is availalbe on our telegram channel: https://t.me/+1hYU7h46Jj1hZDc8

Part 1 – Who is the Bridegroom (background)

Part 2 – Who is your beloved?

Part 3 – He is my beloved

Part 4 – Hy is Light

Part 5 – Hy is Holy

Part 6 – Hy is the Warrior and Avenger

Part 7 – He is the Conqueror

Part 8 – He is the Head

Part 9 – The Set-Apart One

Part 10 – He is Unchanging

Part 11 – He is the Zealous One

Part 12 – He is the Judge

Part 13 – He is Love

Part 14 – He is Unfathomable

Part 15 – Hy is the High Priest

Part 16 – He is the Creator

Part 17 – He is the Lamb of God

Part 18 – He is the Son of YHVH

Part 19 – The is the Eternal One

Part 20 – He is the Truth