[2] The title of the sermon today is “REVELATION CHAPTER 5.”
- We’re going to be going verse by verse through Revelation Chapter 5.
- We’ve went through Chapters 1 through 4 so far in great detail verse by verse.
- And it’s been very easy to understand.
- This is because the book of Revelation is written to saved people who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
[3] Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
- This chapter picks up right where we left off in Chapter 4.
- John was caught up into heaven in the spirit so God could show him all the things that are going to be hereafter.
- We see in Chapter 4 that John see God on the throne.
- There are 24 elders clothed in white with crowns on their heads.
- There’s thundering’s and lightning’s coming out of the throne.
- There’s a sea of glass.
- We see 4 beasts full of eyes with 6 wings. These beasts are seraphim’s who are in the midst of the throne.
- Those seraphim’s praise and worship God day and night non-stop.
- The 24 elders also worship God constantly saying, “THOU ART WORTHY O LORD!!!”
So now, what do we see starting out here in Chapter 5 verse 1?
- God the Father is sitting on the throne.
- You’ll see why this is God the Father as we continue in Chapter 5.
- In God’s right hand, He has a book.
- This shows the AUTHORITY of this book He has in His hands.
- It has writing within the book and on the backside of the book.
- The book is sealed with seven seals, there’s seven sections of this book that are sealed up separately.
What are the 7 seals?
- Let’s look to Chapter 6 just so we know what these seals are.
- As each seal is broken, more of the future and what’s going to happen is revealed to us.
[4] Revelation 6:1-2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
- So the first seal is opened right there at the beginning of Chapter 6.
- This is THE START of the Tribulation.
- There’s a man on a white horse, he has a bow, and a crown, and he goes forth to conquer and does so.
- 2nd seal fills the world with war, people are killing each other.
- 3rd seal is great famine and starving.
- 4th seal we see death.
- 5th seal we see martyrs for the cause of Christ or people being executed because of their belief on Jesus Christ.
- 6th seal we see the sun and moon darkened and the GREAT DAY OF THE LORD has come.
- 7th seal we will then start to see the trumpets and God’s wrath.
These 7 seals are THE TRIBULATION.
- These 7 seals are not God’s wrath.
- That’s not Jesus on the white horse with the first seal pouring out God’s wrath.
- That’s an imitation of Jesus Christ.
- That’s a great deceiver of Jesus Christ.
- You’ll see this clearly that the 7 seals are not GOD’S WRATH.
- You will see God’s wrath with the 7 trumpets and the 7 vials.
- It’s VERY easy to prove that the 7 seals are not GOD’S WRATH.
God’s wrath in the Book of Revelation is not poured out on HIS PEOPLE.
- In Chapter 6, there’s 100% proof that the 7 seals are NOT God’s wrath.
- Let’s take a look at verses 9 - 11 in Chapter 6.
[5] Revelation 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
- So you can see that God’s people who were killed for the word of God have not been avenged at this point.
- We’re at the 5th seal right here.
- So remember, we have the 7 seals in this book that are being revealed to us.
- We’re at the 5th seal and the souls that were slain for the word of God are asking:
- “HOW MUCH LONGER, LORD, UNTIL YOU AVENGE OUR BLOOD ON THEM THAT DWELL ON EARTH?”
- What’s the answer to that? Remember, we’re on the 5th seal and the Sun and Moon are darkened at the 6th seal.
- So, we’re not far from the Day of the Lord. A great and terrible day is coming soon.
The answer right there is: “Rest yet for a little season until the others are martyred just like you.”
- THIS IS 100% proof that God’s wrath is NOT BEING POURED OUT with the 7 seals!!!
- These people have been killed for the cause of Christ.
- They aren’t killed by God’s wrath.
- And they’re asking, “When will you pour out YOUR WRATH O GOD and get vengeance for us?”
- God doesn’t say, “Hey, I’ve already been doing this?” He says to wait a little longer.
- GOD’S WRATH HAS NOT BEGUN AT THE FIFTH SEAL!!!
- This is VERY, VERY important to understand.
- After the 6th seal is opened, the Bible says this in Revelation Chapter 6.
[6] Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
- Isn’t that pretty obvious right there that God’s wrath hadn’t yet come?
- Is says right there at the end of Revelation 6 that the GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH is come!!!
- Was it there before the 6th seal? No. Sure wasn’t. Why? Because the Bible says so. Not me.
- Revelation Chapter 6 proves God’s wrath hasn’t started yet.
- It’s amazing to me that these false teachers can continue to say that the 4th seal proves this is God’s wrath.
[7] Revelation 6:7-8 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
- Those false teachers and preachers will say, “SEE, THIS IS GOD POURING OUT HIS WRATH!”
- What??? Did you read the rest of the Chapter? Are you working for Satan???
- Do you see Revelation 6:17 after the 6th seal? It says the great day of HIS WRATH is now come.
- That’s after the 6th seal is opened!!!
So, listen, the Book of Revelation is very easy to understand if we simply follow it in order.
- It’s easy to understand if we stop listening to false teachers and preachers.
- They cast doubt and confusion of God’s word by making up fairy tales.
- It makes Revelation very difficult to understand; that’s what lies do.
- And who HATES lies and liars? God does.
[8] Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
- The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is a lie.
- It’s very, very easy to see that when you read, study, and know your Bible.
- Revelation 4:1-2 is not the Rapture.
- John is being caught up by himself in the spirit so he can be shown these things and write about them right here in this book.
The Rapture doesn’t happen until Chapter 7.
- Remember that today.
- Don’t fall for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture lies as they make no sense and deceive you into thinking the Antichrist is Jesus Christ.
- As always, the world teaches the EXACT OPPOSITE of the Bible.
- That’s normal for the world. Don’t fall for it.
All of these seals lead up to the SECOND COMING of OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!
- Now you know what these seven seals really are.
- They are not God’s wrath being poured out.
- You’ll see God’s wrath with the 7 trumpets and 7 vials which happen together.
- Now that we know this, let’s go back to the start of Chapter 5.
[9] Revelation 5:1-3 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
- So look, A STRONG ANGEL proclaims with a loud voice, “WHO CAN OPEN THIS BOOK???”
- What’s the answer to this question? NO MAN can open this book.
- But look closely there because there’s some very important information in verse 3.
3 locations for man:
- 1) HEAVEN, 2) EARTH, 3) UNDER THE EARTH.
- So there are men in heaven, men on earth, and men under the earth.
- Right here at this time in Revelation 5, there are men in heaven the Bible says.
- So this automatically disproves soul sleep.
- When you die, your soul doesn’t just go to sleep like so many false religions teach.
Right here at this point in the Bible before the Rapture takes place, there are men in heaven, on earth, and in hell.
- The men that are under the earth are the ones who are in hell that are unsaved.
- So again, if the saved didn’t go to heaven when you die then this verse would be a lie.
- But we know that people who are saved immediately go to heaven.
- There is no other place. There is no purgatory or whatever other man-made fairy tale places.
- You go to heaven or hell when you die.
- If you’re saved, you go immediately to heaven.
[10] Philippians 1:21-23 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
- When we die and are saved, we go to be with Christ.
- The Bible says so right there. Yet, false religions and so-called Christians ignore the Bible.
[11] 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
- When our spirit leaves our body, we die.
- If we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord.
- That’s saved people.
So, at this point in Revelation Chapter 5 we know that all men and women believers are in heaven.
- All people who have ever believed on the Lord Jesus Christ are in heaven right now.
- They are there in Revelation Chapter 5 BEFORE THE RAPTURE takes place.
- If I died right now, my soul would go to heaven. My soul is who I am.
- My body would be put in a grave maybe, or they might just throw me in the dumpster.
- It wouldn’t matter. My soul would be in heaven. And at the Rapture, I get a new body anyway.
- So I don’t care. Throw me in the dumpster.
- No man ANYWHERE was found worthy to open the Book! Yes, that includes the great and so worthy “Christians” in this world today.
- REAL CHRISTIAN understand that they aren’t worthy of ANYTHING. We aren’t good.
[12] Revelation 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
- John wanted to see what was in the Book so badly that he wept.
- No man could even look upon that book.
- It’s very sad to see that no man is worthy to open this book or even look upon the book.
- Remember it had writing on the backside of it too.
- Aren’t you glad today that we can see what that book said? I sure am. I love this Book!
- And why are we able to see today what’s in that book. Let’s keep reading for that answer.
[13] Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
- To me, this is an AMAZING part of the book.
- Who shows up to open this book for us?
- One of those 24 elders, he says, “Hey, don’t cry.”
- BEHOLD THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH IS HERE!!!
- He will open it. He will break those 7 seals. Awesome!!! Thank you Jesus.
- So look, you have God the Father on the throne with this book in His right hand.
- No man can look upon it, read it, or take it from God the Father.
- Jesus can, though. Let’s see what happens next.
[14] Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
- So this Lamb stands there in the midst of the throne, the 4 beasts, and the elders.
- The Lamb stands there as it had been slain.
- This Lamb has the SEVEN SPIRITS of God.
- Who has the 7 seven spirits of God? Who is the LAMB OF GOD? Who is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? Who is the Root of David? Who was slain for us?
- Who is the LAMB OF GOD?
[15] John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
- The lamb was slain on the cross for our sins.
- But Jesus arose 3 days later.
- So this Lamb of God is alive and standing right there in the midst of the throne.
- Is that Lamb alive? Oh yeah, HE’S ALIVE!!! He is risen from the dead and He is LORD!!!
Jesus is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
- How do we know Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah?
- This term is only found in 2 places in the Bible.
- Once right here in Revelation Chapter 5 and once in Genesis Chapter 49.
- So I want to look to Genesis 49 to learn a little more.
[16] Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
- If you remember this part of Genesis, Jacob or Israel is blessing his 12 sons right before he gives up the ghost or his spirit and dies.
- Judah is one of his 12 sons. Judah is one of the 12 tribes of Israel.
- So Jacob is gathering his 12 sons together to tell them about their future.
- So let’s look down to the part where Jacob is talking with Judah.
[17] Genesis 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
- The Book of Revelation brings this up at the perfect time because Jesus Christ is about to take on HIS ENEMIES.
- Jesus is the King.
- This book with seven seals leads up to the Day of the Lord.
- So this is perfect timing as always within the Bible.
[18] Genesis 49:9-10 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
- So we see that the sceptre does not depart from Judah.
- A sceptre is what a KING has in HIS hand.
- Now, this is pretty awesome but look at the end of verse 10 in the BOOK OF GENESIS.
- It’s already talking about the Rapture right here in Genesis.
- It says, “AND UNTO HIM SHALL THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE BE.”
- Jesus returns as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to gather His people.
[19] 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
- So it’s obvious that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is Jesus Christ.
- We’ll be gathered together with Him on the Day of the Lord.
- Let’s look at verse 11 in Genesis Chapter 49.
- Please see this today as we’re going to look at Revelation 19 and you’ll see how close this is.
- From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus is everywhere in these books.
[20] Genesis 49:11-12 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
- See that his clothing is washed in the blood of grapes.
- It says His eyes shall be red with wine.
- These verses in Genesis refer to Revelation 19 where Jesus returns on a white horse to make war and to judge the “DEAD.” Not the living.
[21] Revelation 19:12-13 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
- The eyes of Jesus Christ when John saw Him were like flames of fire.
- This matches Genesis 49 that says His eyes shall be red.
- He was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood just like His clothes in Genesis 49 in the blood of grapes.
- He is the Word of God Revelation 19 says right there.
- He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
- So now you can see where the Book of Genesis talks about Jesus and how that relates to Revelation.
- Jacob gave this prophecy in Genesis.
- Do we not think Jacob knew Jesus? Oh yes, he did. You can know that today.
- Now, let’s look back to Revelation 5 verse 5.
[22] Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
- Do you see the Root of David right there?
- What does that mean exactly?
- Look at Revelation 22 right here.
[23] Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
- Pay close attention to what it says right there: “I AM THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID.”
- What’s a root? A root is where the plant originates from in the ground.
- It’s the BASE of the plant. It’s the source of the plant. The root makes the plant grow. The root comes first before the large plant.
- If you’re looking for the root cause of an issue, something I do all the time for my job, you’re really saying what’s the source of the problem?
- Sometimes you have to dig deeper to find the true root of the problem.
- Jesus HIMSELF says, “I am the root AND the offspring of David.”
- Jesus is the Creator, but He’s also the son of David.
[24] Matthew 22:41-45 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
- So this all ties together with the entire Bible.
- Jesus is God, but He’s also the Son of Man from the offspring of David.
- Jesus is eternal. David was created by Jesus and through Jesus.
- So Jesus is the root of David AND physically the offspring of David.
- Does that make sense?
[25] Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
- So we now know that this Lamb is Jesus Christ 100% without a doubt.
- Let’s see what happens next.
[26] Revelation 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
- The Lamb of God comes and takes the book out of the right hand of God the Father who is sitting upon the throne.
- So we know Jesus isn’t sitting there on the throne at this time because He comes and takes the book out of the Father’s hand.
- Do you think anyone else could do that? “Hey God, give me that book!” No, of course not. Jesus ONLY.
- It would be a very sad day if Jesus Christ wasn’t standing up for us in front of God the Father.
[27] Revelation 5:8-9 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
- Do you see here that the 4 beasts and the 24 elders fall down before the Lamb and worship Him right here?
- “THOU ART WORTHY TO TAKE THE BOOK and OPEN THE SEALS!!!”
- They sing to Him, “For you were slain and hast redeemed us to God!”
- This proves that Jesus is God.
- Many so-called Christians don’t believe that Jesus is God.
- Well, this proves Jesus is God.
- The Bible is VERY CLEAR that we should worship ONLY GOD and HIM ALONE.
[28] Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
- If these beasts and elders are falling down before Jesus worshipping Him, wouldn’t you say: “JESUS IS GOD???” It’s very clear and easy to see this.
- How can Jehovah’s Witness believe that Jesus isn’t God? Do they ignore the entire Bible? I guess so.
- How could Martin Luther King Jr deny that Jesus is God? He was a Baptist minister! Did he read the Bible?
- Of course not. You have all these religious leaders that don’t read or understand the Bible.
- You can’t explain all of the Bible away. You can but every lie gets worse and worse.
- And then, you MUST begin to ignore the Bible.
- Then you MUST just pick and choose a verse here and there out of the Bible.
- You start to make the Bible say whatever you want it to say to MEET YOUR AGENDA and your goal.
Churches all around here do the same things.
- If you need more money to build more buildings, pick and choose the verses.
- Tell people they need to be giving above and beyond 10%. Get everything you can.
- Trust God, give me all your money, and don’t worry about anything. “Oh yeah, GIVE ME THAT MONEY!!!”
- That’s what they do around here and everywhere else throughout this world.
[29] Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Jesus Christ is God.
- Jesus Christ is WORTHY to be praised.
- Am I worthy to be praised? Oh no. God forbid. Don’t ever praise me. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ.
- I am not worthy. Who is worthy to open the book? None of us. Jesus Christ alone.
- Whenever people fall down to worship Jesus in the Bible, they are NEVER rebuked!
- This is because Jesus is God!
You can also see that Jesus is not God the Father!
- Jesus comes and takes the book out of the hand of HE who sits on the throne.
- He didn’t come and take it from Himself.
- He didn’t shape shift so quickly that John didn’t see it.
- Jesus is clearly a different person from God the Father.
- Is that difficult to see here in Revelation Chapter 5?
- That’s just one of hundreds of examples that Jesus is not GOD THE FATHER.
- Saying that He is after reading the Bible is pure insanity. Seriously.
- We know that Jesus is the Son of God and is God. It’s really that simple.
- The elders and beasts are worshipping Jesus Christ.
- Let’s look back at Revelation 5 now.
[30] Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
- Do you see the golden vials full of odours? What are those you say?
- It says that they are the prayers of saints.
- Are you a saint? Are you sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ? Are you saved?
- If so, it’s talking about your prayers right here. God stores your prayers in these golden vials!
[31] Psalm 56:8-9 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
- God is counting and keeping track of your wanderings.
- He’s putting your prayers and tears into His bottle and in His book.
- God stores up the tears of His people.
- The cries are your prayers. You’re calling out to God in your prayers.
- You better understand today that God hears you. God sees you. God understands.
- He’s keeping track. Your prayers are being heard by God. He hears.
Prayer is important and Revelation 5 is telling us that.
- Do you skip prayers? Well, you shouldn’t. God is listening.
- Our prayers are heard by God.
[32] James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and