Revelation 5
If
chapter 4 shows us the universe from its truth perspective, that it is centered
on God, this chapter does the same with God's plan. It seems at times that the
world is becoming completely unglued. We look about us and all we can see is
the apparent triumph of evil. If we are pessimistic by personality the world
offers us plenty of evidence to support our opinions. If we are trying to be
realistic the preponderance of the evidence seems to trend toward bad news. It
seems that to be an optimistic we must somehow detach from reality and have a
Pollyanna disregard for evil around us. The answer is not to be realistic,
optimistic, or pessimistic, but rather to have faith in God and His plan.
We
see God on His throne holding a book. It
is His plan, His will, and it is all He wants done and accomplished. The plan
is sealed perfectly with seven seals. It is God's perfect plan that perfectly
makes all the confusing parts of the universe fit together. This plan is locked
up until someone good enough can open it and set things in motion. This
wonderful, beautiful, and glorious plan seems thwarted and the loss is so
profound that John starts to cry. This is no little cry, rather the wail of
great loss that hurts to the core of his very being. It is as if it would have
been better if the whole universe had not existed then this moment to have come
about. The hopeless despair we feel as we look about us is multiplied by every pain
and care in every place and time and John breaks down under the sorrow.
Then
comes the word that is possibly the greatest word in Scripture, “Stop weeping;
Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” It is Jesus that will accomplish or has
accomplished all that God desires. This
description is not about chronology but the character of the Hero of the
story. The plan will work because the
Lamb that was slain is worthy. The cascading voices of the saints, the leaders,
holy creatures that are beyond description and imagination join together to
sing the praises of this Lamb that was slain.
When
we are given to discouragement and despair by the world around us we need to
recall this command, “Stop crying.” The
bad news is not the real news. Yes, things can be bad, but when we look at
Jesus and what He has and will accomplish we realize the answer is not our optimism
or pessimism or perception, but God's plan fulfilled in Christ.
Questions
to ponder
Do
you tend more toward optimism or pessimism?
What does this scene say for your perception of life?
If you were to stand before Caesar in a Coliseum
and were told that you should renounce your hope in Jesus and replace if with
hope in Caesar and Rome what might you see as you stood there? Please be as detailed as possible. How does that compare with what John sees as
the Lamb takes the scroll?
