Revelation: Worthy is The Lamb

Revelation 5:8-14

The message of Jesus Christ's revelation can be summed up in five words: In the end, we win! The victory that belongs to us came at a momentous cost. Jesus, the Lamb, was slain, and by his blood he “ransomed people for God” (Rev. 5:9). 

Last time, we saw John distressed because the One sitting on the throne held a scroll with seven seals, and initially no one was found worthy to take it. The scroll reveals God’s plan, which would be thwarted if no one could open it. However, there was one who could open the scroll. He is the Lamb that had been slain—once dead, but now alive. Jesus, the Lamb, was the only one worthy to be given the scroll. 

Today, we see heaven's response as Jesus is honored with the scroll from the powerful right hand of the Father. 

When Jesus took the scroll, “the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8). Similar imagery is used when David cried out to God, asking that his prayer “be counted as incense before you” (Ps. 141:2). Here, the prayers of the saints are presented to God. The very act of Jesus receiving the scroll causes the angelic beings and those representing the Church to fall at the feet of the Lamb in worship. 

Sometimes familiar songs are sung, but on this day, they sing a new song in heaven that goes like this:

Revelation 5:9-10
Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.

The song sung by the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures describes what Jesus accomplished on the cross to bring reconciliation for humanity. First, it proclaims Jesus’ worthiness because he was slain. The term “slain” means “slaughtered.” Jesus was put to death and still bore the marks of his violent death, which “ransomed people for God.” 

The word translated as “ransomed” (Greek: agorazo) means to “buy,” “purchase,” or "redeem.” Through Jesus’ death on the cross, he bought us back from our slavery to sin. This gift of redemption is available to people from every tribe, language, and nation. Through Jesus, God made those redeemed a “kingdom and priests to our God” (see also Rev. 1:6). And, one day, we will “reign on the earth.” 

Why is Jesus the only one worthy to take the scroll and open its seals?

Let’s review the work Jesus has done. He died a sacrificial death for us. Although he was sinless, he gave his life to pay the penalty for our sins, freeing us from sin's grip. He established the Church, making us “a kingdom and priests to our God.” We now experience the spiritual kingdom — it is within us — and someday we will reign with Jesus on the earth. 

How should we respond? The following verses provide the answer.

After the song of the twenty-four elders and four living creatures, “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” of angels joined in the worship of the Lamb with a loud voice, saying:

Revelation 5:12
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! 

Then every creature “in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea” joined in with jubilant praise.

Revelation 5:13-14
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. 

Next time, we will see the scroll opened, ushering in the tribulation period. What will characterize the antichrist, and what kind of peace will he bring? How difficult will the last three-and-a-half years of the tribulation be? Who are the 144,000? Will believers live through the tribulation or be raptured beforehand? I will spend some time on the rapture in the Weekend Recharge.

We have many things to think about. But let’s pause here and put our attention on Jesus. He alone deserves our worship and praise. Revelation 4 and 5 give us a glimpse of what is to come. Yet from this passage, these truths are clear: God is on his throne, and Jesus is the only One worthy of receiving the scroll. 

There are fourteen doxologies in Revelation, and three of them appear in our passage today. As we conclude, let’s review them once more, focusing solely on Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain.

Revelation 5:9-10
Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. 

Revelation 5:12
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!

Revelation 5:13-14
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 5:8-14. Focus on the three doxologies in this passage.

Talking to God: Heaven and earth unite in worshiping the Lamb. How can you make your everyday life a reflection of that eternal song—giving him “honor, glory, and blessing” in everything you do? Use these verses to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus.

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The Living Grounded Ministry is planning a Holy Land tour from November 4 to 15, 2026, as part of our Bible Immersion Experiences. We'd love for you to join us. More details will be shared soon.