things which must shortly come to pass

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FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, July 7, 2013

Week 9

THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS A STUDY OF REVELATION—PART 9 Our study continues with the “things which much shortly come to pass.” (Revelation 1:1) Today, we approach another throne room chapter. We get a glimpse of the throne in Heaven and the One Who sits upon that throne.

I.

EARTH’S MORTGAGE TO BE REDEEMED A. In order to understand this chapter we must understand the law of redemption in the Old Testament. 1. Three things could be redeemed: a. A wife whose husband had died b. A slave c. A possession 2. A kinsman redeemer could redeem the above, provided he met three qualifications: a. He had to be next of kin b. He had to be willing to redeem c. He had to be able to pay the price of redemption B. At this point in Revelation, two lost inheritances have been redeemed: 1. The wife or the church has been taken up in rapture glory. (4:1) 2. As servants, the church has been rewarded or has lost reward at the Judgment Seat. C. The one remaining possession to be redeemed is the land (earth). 1. The land is still under the curse. 2. The animal kingdom is still under the curse. 3. The vegetable kingdom is still under the curse. 4. The remaining creation is still under the curse. (Rom. 8:22)

II.

THE BOOK WHICH CONTAINS THE MORTGAGE IS SEEN (REVELATION 5:1-2) A. It was a sealed inheritance. (5:1) B. Inside the scroll was the description of the forfeiture. 1. The heartbreak of the loss was described. 2. The book contains the forfeiture of Adam’s inheritance. 3. The world now belongs to someone else. 4. He is an interloper, alien, and enemy. 5. The world is bathed in tears and blood. 6. The book represents the mortgage, the bonds of our lost inheritance. 7. That book contains the story of how the inheritance was lost.

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, July 7, 2013

Week 9

C. It was sealed with seven seals. (5:1) 1. Inside the book was the description of the loss 2. The book was then rolled up and sealed a. This was to keep unlikely spectators from viewing the reason for loss. b. The seven seals were to prevent just anyone from tampering with the book. 3. Written on the outside of the book were the qualifications needed to open the book.

III.

THE QUESTION WAS ASKED: REVELATION 5:2—“WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK?” A. The search was made (5:3) 1. Heaven was searched 2. Earth was searched 3. “Under the earth”—This is the Biblical way of saying no creature in the universe was qualified to open the scroll. B. The sad consequences are seen. (5:3, 4) 1. No man was found to redeem earth’s mortgage. 2. Unless someone was found, the curse would not be lifted. 3. Unless someone was found, the Devil would triumph. 4. The solemn weeping of John is seen. (5:4) a. John wept in sorrow. b. The word “weep” means to “keep on weeping many tears.”

IV.

THE QUESTION WAS ANSWERED! (Revelation 5:5) A. An elder who had experienced the Divine Redemption of the Lamb answers. (5:5) B. Jesus prevails (Nike)—Same word as Nike missile—word for “victory”. 1. Jesus was and is Next of Kin. He entered the human race. (John 1:14) 2. Jesus was willing—He willingly laid His life down for the human race. (John 10:18) 3. He was able to pay the price. His Precious Blood bought us back. (I Pet 1:18, 19) C. This brings the message of hope to the church—“Weep not”. (5:5)

V.

FURTHER DESCRIPTIONS OF JESUS ARE SEEN (REVELATION 5:5, 6) A. “The lion of the tribe of Judah” (5:5) 1. The tribe of Judah is the kingly tribe. (Genesis 49:9) 2. The lion served as the symbol of Israel’s messianic tribe. a. The lion symbolized dignity. b. The lion symbolized nobility. c. The lion symbolized strength. d. The lion symbolized victory.

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, July 7, 2013

Week 9

B. The Root of David (5:5) 1. Jesus is the Promised One who descended from David’s line. 2. Jesus fulfills the Davidic covenant. 3. Please note the writer did not say: a. The root of Moses—representing the law. b. The root of Elijah—representing the prophets. 4. Jesus is the Root of David, which represents the kings. 5. As the “Root of David,” He came before David. C. “A Lamb as it had been slain” (5:6; “lamb” is used 27 times in Revelation.) 1. The word for “lamb” is “amnos.” 2. The word for a “little pet lamb” is “arnios”—The word used here. a. Jesus was God’s only Beloved Pet Lamb. b. They had existed together forever. c. The cost of giving up His Son to the hounds of Calvary is beyond our ability to comprehend. D. “As it had been slain” (5:6) 1. The word for “slain” means “violently slain”. 2. Jesus died in the worst possible way. 3. Jesus still has the marks of the slaughter upon His Precious Body. E. “Seven horns” (5:6) 1. Horns represent power and might. 2. They signify dominion. 3. In the Bible, the number “7” represents completeness or perfection. 4. The horns therefore symbolize His complete dominion and omnipotence. F. “Seven eyes”—Christ, the Omnipotent One, sees everything. (5:6) G. “Seven Spirits”—Points to the perfection of the Holy Spirit, as we have seen before. VI.

THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER TAKES THE BOOK. (REVELATION 5:7) A. Jesus Christ can take the book because He can honestly say: 1. The world is mine by right of creation, I made it! 2. The world is mine by right of Calvary, I redeemed it! 3. The world is mine by right of conquest; I am coming back again to it! B. Worship is again seen. (5:8-14) 1. By the four beasts (living creatures) (5:8,11,14) 2. By the 24 elders. (5:8,11,14) 3. They make up a company that cannot be numbered (5:11) C. The instruments of worship are seen. (Revelation 5) 1. “Harps” (5:8) a. Remember, we are in a worship scene. b. In the Old Testament, harps are associated with worship. c. David was known for playing his harp—Psalm 43:4: “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.” 2. “Golden Vials” (Revelation 8) a. The altar of incense was seen in the Tabernacle.

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, July 7, 2013

Week 9

b. It was a place where prayers were offered up to God. c. The prayers of the ages are now about to be answered. (5:8)

VII.

THE NEW SONG IS HEARD (REVELATION 8:9) It is a worship song because it tells us, “Thou art worthy” It is an evangelistic song; Heaven sings about the cross—“By thy blood” It is a missionary song; “Out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” It is a priestly song—Revelation 5:10: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priest.” E. It is a prophetic song—Revelation 5:10: “And we shall reign on the earth.” 1. This statement reminds us that we will yet reign with Him here on this earth. 2. The glory of the Lord will cover this earth as the waters cover the sea! A. B. C. D.

VIII.

THE UNIVERSAL ADORATION OF JESUS IS SEEN A. Angels are praising Him (5:11) B. Every creature in the universe is praising Him. (5:13) C. The universe praises Jesus because He is Worthy of praise. (5:12) 1. He is worthy because of His Power (dunamis; same word as our word “dynamite”) 2. He is worthy to receive riches (unconditional wealth). 3. He is worthy to receive wisdom. 4. He is worthy to receive might. 5. He is worthy to receive honor. 6. He is worthy to receive glory. 7. He is worthy to receive blessing. D. Jesus is the Eternal Lamb (Revelation 5:13: “Unto the Lamb for ever and ever”) E. The Lamb of God has taken possession of the title deed of the universe 1. He holds the divine contract in His nail-scarred hands. 2. He now stands ready to: a. Open the seals. b. Pronounce judgment. c. Take possession of His Kingdom. F. His creation, knowing His triumph, can only fall at His feet and give Him eternal praise. (5:14)