Sermon Manuscript

1. Heaven Help Our Worship
The Uniqueness of Jesus
Revelation 5:1-5
INTRODUCTION
Remember what the book of Revelation is
- 1:1 - Revelation - an unveiling - an appearing - revealing
from Jesus
It is a description primarily about His own return (1:7) to
the earth to rule and to reign and to set up an eternal
kingdom
It was Jesus who showed Himself in His brilliant glory to
John on the island of Patmos
- It was Jesus who revealed to John the letters to the
churches in chapters 2-3
- There we saw the Sovereign and Glorified Jesus
Christ
- And He was speaking to the church - warning,
commending and even condemning
- He was speaking to the church about the things
that are - the realities that exist as long as the
church exists
But Revelation 4 began a new section - with a new vision.
- and this is not a revelation about the church
- this is a revelation abut the world - the earth - and the
people who are dwelling on it - at a time when the
church does not appear - does not exist
- Yes, saints, followers of God, followers of Christ are
mentioned.

2. - But where the church was mentioned on
numerous occasions in chapters 2-3 - it is not
mentioned in chapters 4-21
- this material is still intended for the church to
understand, as we stated last week
- but the subject matter has to do with what is
going to happen on the earth - with those
who remain on the earth when the church is
no longer present
So, as we turn from the churches to those who dwell on
the earth - at a time yet to come
- who reveals this part? Is it Jesus? Is this still a
Revelation from Jesus Christ?
Chapter 4 - begins a new vision (A voice - Christ, we
presumed)
- a vision that began some time after the first vision about
the churches
- a vision that will encompass events that will occur after
the time period of the churchʼs existence
But who is doing the revealing here?
- we are caught up into the throne room of heaven itself -
and we are shown an absolutely incredible description -
an amazing and stunning portrayal of the majestic
authority and intense exaltation of the Almighty God
- It is a revelation of the throne room of God the
Father - and the picture is brilliant and breath
taking and humbling
But did you notice who was missing?
This being a book largely about Jesus - but more so - a
book originating “from” Jesus
- where was he in Johnʼs depiction of what he saw when
he was taken in the Spirit to heaven and shown the very

3. spot from which the rule of God over all the universe
originates
- we saw the throne
- we saw the description of the one sitting on the throne -
a reference to some aspect of God the Father
- we saw the emerald rainbow
- We saw the angelic creatures - the 24 elders and the 4
living creatures
- We saw the great expansive crystal sea separating
creation from Godʼs throne
- We even saw a reference to the Holy Spirit - the 7
torches in front of the throne
It should have been obvious
- the Silence should have been deafening and disturbing
- there is a magnificent scene - but no Jesus
From what we read in the remainder of the book of
Revelation
- Chapters 4-5 bring us to the brink of horrible and
unimaginable judgment that is about to be unleashed
upon the world
- It is appropriate to begin a description of judgment from
the court room - the throne room of the one who has the
right and authority and responsibility to judge the world
But the questions still stands
- and the tension was no doubt building in the mind of the
Apostle John and in the heart of anyone who would read
this book

4. So - where is Jesus - He is the one revealing this
description isnʼt he?
- he showed Himself to John in the first vision of chapters
1-3
- will he show Himself to John in the next vision?
Where in Heaven or on earth or under the earth - where
in the universe is Jesus before we begin the description of
the earthʼs final demise?
- we heard his voice, but have yet to see his presence
Chapter 5 is the Introduction of Jesus into the scene of
judgment
- the rest of the book of Revelation cannot and will not
make sense if we do not have chapter 5 - if we do not
have Jesus
Revelation chapter 5 is the revealing of the rightful place
of Jesus
- exercising total authority over all creation
- in judgment
- and eventually in redemption
It is a powerful presentation - revealing of Jesus as He
prepares to reveal the remainder of the book of
Revelation
Read Rev 5:1-5 again
Have you noticed
- every heavenly scene has been a bit different
- Jesus is not pictured the same here as he was in
chapter 1
- nor will the description be similar in chapters 4-20
as it was in chapters 1-3
- Chapters 1-3 show the Jesus who is ruling His church
right now

5. - Chapters 4-20 show the Jesus who is coming to judge
the world in the future
This is true of most heavenly visions
- they are all a bit different in their description of heaven
- did you notice that last week
- the 4 living creatures of Revelation 4 - had
some differences from the 4 living creatures
of Ezekiel 1 & 10
- The cherubim of Revelation 4 and Ezekiel 1
& 10 had differences from the Seraphim of
Isaiah 6 - though they are probably referring
to the same thing
- why is there a difference in these descriptions?
- these are heavenly visions - that have attached to
them - specific symbols and figures of speech that
should communicate certain truths and realities
- So the people who are receiving that vision
could be warned or comforted in a particular
manner
They are similar because they are picturing the same
place
- they are different - because the way God reveals it -
helps to emphasize different realities about heaven for
various and different reasons
- depending on His purpose at the point in time He
revealed it
Taken altogether we can discern a fairly good
understanding about heaven and God and his throne and
rule and the majestic authority and intense exaltation that
surrounds his throne
Revelation 5 is no different
- we donʼt see Jesus the way we saw Him in Chapter 1

6. - As a matter of fact - the way He is revealed here in
Chapter 5 will dominate the way He is depicted
throughout the remainder of this book
Revelation 5 is all about Jesus - as Jesus is preparing to
reveal what is in store for the earth prior to His return
So, what does Revelation 5 tell us about Him?
it is arranged in a marvelous manner
- there are four parts to this introduction of Jesus in this
new vision
- Each part begins with the phrase “And I saw” - kai
eidon
- This is a phrase John uses throughout the
book of Revelation to describe the sequence
of events as they will unfurl in the future
- Recall 1:11 - write what you see in a book
- This phrase “and I saw” is not used until Chapter 5
- because here is the beginning of Johnʼs vision
the things that will “soon take place” 1:1
- Notice the 4 parts marked by this phrase
- v 1 and I saw - a book
- vv 2-5 - and I saw a strong angel proclaiming
- vv 6-10 - and I saw a Lamb
- vv 11-14 - and I saw and heard the voice of many
angels
Within these 4 parts we are taught three important
lessons about Jesus
- vv 1-5 - the uniqueness of Jesus
- vv 6-1- - the Worthiness of Jesus
- vv 11-14 - the Exaltedness of Jesus
what do we learn about Jesus? He is undeniably unique,
He is uniquely worthy and He is universally exalted?

7. But How is this so?
- how is Jesus undeniably unique?
- how is Jesus Uniquely worthy?
- how is Jesus universally exalted?
These 3 questions are answered in Revelation 5 - and will
teach us the lessons about Jesus that will be important for
us to understand
- as we see Him reveal the rest of the book
- as we worship Him - even as he judges the world
Letʼs answer the first question
I. WHAT MAKES JESUS UNDENIABLY UNIQUE? vv
1-5
This is a significant question for us today in our culture
- Our culture does not really believe that Jesus is
undeniably unique.
- One of the hard-core shifts that took place after
September 11 was a public push of pluralism
" think back ten years ago - when our government
(even with a self-avowed evangelical Christian in the
White House) proclaimed that Islam and Christianity may
be different, but not necessarily exclusive
- they are merely different ways to speak about God
- the few times I have been to Washing D.C., and even
this week in Jeff City,
- I was amazed at the references to God engraved
across innumerable buildings in our nationʼs
capitol and even in our state capitol
- but none of them that I recall mentioned Jesus
uniquely

8. - it is typical for city councils to be opened in prayer
- but many are asking that prayers not be given “in
Jesusʼ name”
- why? because our culture does not want him
to be unique, the only way, or the exclusive
means to come to God or through whom the
eternal God works
But that is not the description of Jesus you will find in
Revelation 5, especially the first 5 verses - He is
absolutely and undeniably unique
vv 1-5 - show us 3 reasons why Jesus is Undeniably
Unique
- and the amazing thing about this portrayal of Jesus is
that He is not even specifically mentioned - only alluded
to in verse 5
- but what is said shows that no one is like Him
What makes Jesus undeniably unique? - 3 marks
1. Godʼs plan makes Jesus undeniably unique v 1
v 1 is all about Godʼs plan - especially His plan for the
future
in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne
- lit “upon” the right hand
- on his open palm - as if open for someone to come and
take it - as if to guard it until He is ready to give it
“right hand” = hand of absolute power and authority
- the hand that chooses who will and wi ll not take what is
in it
- the hand that determines who will rule and execute His
plan

9. a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with
seven seals
“book” = biblion - used 22 times in the book of Revelation
- in the NT - used only 10 other times
- so it is best not to go “outside” Revelation - to find
out what this “book” is
- more than likely this refers to a scroll - not a bound book
as we know it (6:14 - scroll)
As William Barclay notes:
In the ancient world, down to the second century A.D., the
form of literary work was the roll, not the book. The roll
was made of papyrus, manufactured in single sheets
about ten inches by eight. The sheets are joined together
horizontally when a great deal of writing had to be done.
The writing was in narrow columns about 3 inches long,
with margins of about 2 and a half inches at the top and at
the bottom, and with about three-quarters of an inch
between the columns. The roll commonly had a wooden
roller at each end. It was held in the left hand, unrolled
with the right, and as the reading went on, the part in the
left hand was rolled up again.
The Revelation itself would occupy a roll 15 feet long.
There are a number of ideas out in the Commentator
Community as to what this book is referring to:
- the Lambʼs book of life
- the OT
- A last will and testament containing the inheritance of
the saints
- a divorce certificate from God for unfaithful Jerusalem
- a contract or title deed that gives Jesus possession of
the world

10. There are good reason for many of these
- Ancient contracts, title and testaments - written on both
sides and usually sealed with 7 seals
But, if you want to know what is in this scroll, and what
this scroll is used for - you simply need to keep reading
the book of Revelation
NOTICE
- it is written on the inside and on the back - similar to the
scroll Ezekiel saw in Ezek 2:9-10:
Ezekiel 2:9–10 (ESV)
9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and
behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 And he spread it before me.
And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were
written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.
- it is sealed with 7 seals
- these would be thin blobs of wax or clay - that
would have a stamp of a ring or imprint of some
kind - indicating who it came from
- If you found such a seal on an official document - it
was to be opened - only by the one the author
intended to open it
This is an amazing scroll - it has some similarities to
ancient documents - but many dissimilarities - it is
uniquely a heavenly scroll
How do we know what is in this book?
- we read chapters 6-20 and we see the events described
in the book unfolded
- as a matter of fact - this scroll is never actually read
- but every time one of the 7 seals is broken - a
specific event related to the judgment of Christ on
the earth happens

11. - notice what is in this book:
- chapter 6 - the seals broken - 6:1-8:1
- 7th seal is broken - contains the 7 trumpets
- 8:2, 6-11:15 - the blowing of the 7 trumpets
- 7th trumpet is blown - the events of 12-15
begin
- 15:1, 5-16:1 - the 7th trumpet contains the 7
angels with the 7 bowls of Godʼs wrath
- 7th bowl of wrath - 16:17 - brings the
destruction of Babylon (chapters 17-18) and
the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ - (19) -
the remainder of the events of Rev follow in
sequence
So, what is in this scroll?
- the rest of the book of Revelation
- and all the future plans of God for how He will judge the
world and set up HIs kingdom on the earth and
eventually bring in the new Heaven and the New Earth
What is in this scroll? Godʼs unique plan for the rest of
human history
This is a powerful and profound scroll in the hand of the
one sitting on the throne.
And that is what makes this book - and the one who will
possess it and open it, unique.
- as we will see - to open it - is not just to open the mail
- is to oversee and enact and unfold the actual
events contained
Godʼs plan - being revealed and enacted - requires
someone very unique
2. Creationʼs limitations make Jesus undeniably
unique vv 2-4

12. a strong angel
- 10:1 (Then I saw another mighty angel coming down
from heaven); 18:21 (then a mighty angel took up a
stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea)
- different angels - no indication as to who this angel
is
proclaiming with a loud voice - preaching, announcing
- over and over
- a voice that could reach across the creation
“who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals”
- not merely - who is able - but - who is worthy
- not merely an issue of identity, letʼs see who can
come and understand the language used - or who
has the strength to break the seals
- NO, this is a matter of qualification - who is worthy
- who, in and of themselves, is actually worthy
- To open and break - to oversee the events
and enact them
Who is qualified - who fits the very unique requirements of
God?
- to unleash judgment upon the world
- and to bring about ultimate redemption of forgiven
sinners and vindicate an offended God?
Here is the ancient angelic executive head hunter of the
heavenly realm
- the job search is on
- and only a certain resume will fit the bill
What are the results of the search?

13. v3
- in heaven - no heavenly being (Gabriel, Michael,
Cherubim, Angels)
- on earth (Moses, Paul, Peter . . .)
- Under the earth - the underworld - in the fallen spiritual
world (Satan, the demonic powers).
Philippians 2:10 (ESV)
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven
and on earth and under the earth,
could open - or look into it
What is Johnʼs response?
- Weep - loud waiting - i.e., professional wailers, weepers,
- Greatly - sobbing
Why? - because he was to be shown what would soon
happen - to bring about the return of Christ on the clouds
- to bring about the vindication of God
- to bring about the ultimate victory over death and hell
and Satan
Why weep? - because creation groans - and there
appears to be no hope
- because believers are persecuted, and there is no
vindication
- because Godʼs purposes seem to to be unfulfilled
As W.A. Criswell poignantly put it:
[Johnʼs tears] represent the tears of all Godʼs people
through all the centuries. Those tears of the apostle John
are the tears of Adam and Even, driven out of the Garden
of Eden, as they bowed over the first grave, as they

14. watered the dust of the ground with their tears over the
silent, still form of their son, Abel. Those are the tears of
the children of Israel in bondage as they cried unto God in
their affliction and slavery. They are the tears of Godʼs
elect through the centuries as they cried unto heaven.
They are the sobs and tears that have been wrung from
the heart and soul of Godʼs people as they looked on their
silent dead, as they stand beside their open graves, as
they experience in the trials and sufferings of life,
heartaches and disappointments indescribable. Such is
the curse that sin has laid upon Godʼs beautiful creation;
and this is the damnation of the hand of him who holds it,
that usurper, that interloper, that intruder, that alien, that
stranger, that dragon, that serpent, that Satan-devil. “and I
wept audibly,” for the failure to find a Redeemer meant
that this earth in its curse is consigned forever to death. It
meant that death, sin, damnation, and hell should reign
forever and ever and the sovereignty of Godʼs earth
should remain forever in the hands of Satan.
Why is Jesus undeniably unique
- because there is no one in heaven, earth or in the
wicked spiritual world who can fulfill the ultimate
purposes of God
3. Jesusʼ position makes him undeniably unique v 5
v 5 - but the end is not here
weep no more - a command - no need to cry over this -
not all is lost
behold - something astounding is to be shown
the Lion of the tribe of Judah
- Gen 49:9-10 - a reference to messiah - to come and rule
and conquer

15. Genesis 49:9–10 (ESV)
! 9! Judah is a lionʼs cub;
from the prey, my son, you have gone up.
! ! He stooped down; he crouched as a lion
and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?
! 10! The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor the rulerʼs staff from between his feet,
! ! until tribute comes to him;
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
Hosea 5:14 (ESV)
! 14! For I will be like a lion to Ephraim,
and like a young lion to the house of Judah.
! ! I, even I, will tear and go away;
I will carry off, and no one shall rescue.
The Root of David
- another clear description of the Messiah - the anointed
one to fulfill all the promises that God had for Israel
- the one who would pour out wrath and bring deliverance
Isaiah 11 - clear references to Jesus Christ
Jeremiah 23:5 (ESV)
5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise
up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and
deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Jeremiah 33:14–15 (ESV)
The Lord’s Eternal Covenant with David
14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill
the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to
spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness
in the land.
Mark 12:35–37 (ESV)
Whose Son Is the Christ?
35And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes
say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, in the Holy
Spirit, declared,
! ! “ ʻThe Lord said to my Lord,
! ! Sit at my right hand,

16. until I put your enemies under your feet.ʼ
37 David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the
great throng heard him gladly.
John 7:42 (ESV)
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the
offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where
David was?”
Hebrews 7:14 (ESV)
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in
connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
and this one
has conquered
- overcome death, hell, sin
John 16:33 (ESV)
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have
overcome the world.”
1 Corinthians 15:54 (ESV)
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal
puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is
written:
! ! “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
And the reason why he overcame
- to take the scroll - and open it
- so that he would be the one worthy
The Lion - the Offspring of the warrior David
- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Only the one prophesied for hundreds of years - only the
one who meets the requirements of God expressed
through the prophets

17. Jesus is the only one uniquely qualified to fulfill the plan of
God
CONCLUSION
This description makes it no mistake that Jesus is unique
among everything and everyone that exists on the planet.
Though He is fully human in His incarnation, He is still
very unique from us.
He is not merely one among many ways to God - he is
the only way to reconciliation with God.
He is not merely one good teacher among a host of moral
voices in human history.
What have we said uniquely about Jesus today?
- how possible is it that we came here today looking for a
therapeutic Jesus to cure our ailments and give us a
good word from which we can build a better life?
- Have we lifted up Jesus in such a way that He is the
sole source of our ultimate satisfaction - regardless of
what happens to us in this life - in this world?
Have we prayed to him with such a desperation and such
a confidence that he is the only one who can answer our
prayers?
Have we sung to Him as if He was the very one who
created the world - and the very one who will enact all of
the judgments that will fall upon the earth?
Have we listened to His word - as if His word alone - is all
sufficient for our spiritual life?

18. Do we have such a unique view of Jesus that the things
of which we often find ourselves concerned about begin
to become things by which we find confidence in him?
How unique is your vision of Jesus? How central to your
life is your understanding of who He is? How specific has
your worship of Jesus been this morning?
Our gatherings should not be merely “God” gatherings - in
which you can assume that whatever is your personal
view of God, you could comfortably worship here.
We do not hold higher-power pep-rallyʼs here. We so
paint the portrait of Jesus that any other pursuit of any
other God in any other way than Jesus is fruitless and
empty.
- but the pursuit of Jesus in our prayers, fellowship,
singing, listening, and responding - will find the deepest
satisfaction and fullness.
One of the chief ways that Heaven helps our worship is to
call us to see how central Jesus is - and to uniquely put
His greatness and centrality on display.