WHEN ALL HEAVEN BREAKS LOOSE! (12 OF 29)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:6-14
This content is part of a series.
When All Heaven Breaks Loose! (12 of 29)
Series: Live Like You're Leaving
Keith Krell
Revelation 5:1-14
Did you know that many Americans believe that the end times are upon us? A surprising five out of ten Americans believe we're living in the end times. Most associate the extreme weather changes as the chief indication. Twenty-two percent of Americans believe that the world will end in their lifetime. A recent Time/CNN poll revealed that while only 36 percent of all Americans believe that the Bible is God's Word and should be taken literally, 59 percent say they believe that events predicted in the Book of Revelation will come to pass. Of course, most evangelicals share this same sentiment. The question is: What gives us the right to assume these scenarios? Are we too quick to suppose that the events of Revelation will unfold? Have we taken the time to truly grapple with what we've always taken for granted?
In Rev 5:1-14 we'll face off with these tensions. Chapters 4 and 5 both begin in heaven. In chapter 4 we experienced the worship of God the Father. In chapter 5 we'll experience the worship of Jesus Christ. In chapter 4 we worshipped the Lord as the Creator; in chapter 5 we'll worship the Lord as our Redeemer. These two chapters provide us a keyhole glimpse of what will be going on in heaven before God pours out His judgments on the earth (Revelation 6-18). But lest we get ahead of ourselves, we need to recognize that there's a significant problem.
1. The problem: No one is worthy to fulfill God's program (5:1-4). John records: ''I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals'' (5:1). Chapter 4 began by focusing our attention upon a throne; chapter 5 begins by drawing our attention to a scroll. In God the Father's right hand John saw a ''scroll'' since books weren't in general use until the second century. What more profound way to illustrate God's ultimate sovereignty over ...
Series: Live Like You're Leaving
Keith Krell
Revelation 5:1-14
Did you know that many Americans believe that the end times are upon us? A surprising five out of ten Americans believe we're living in the end times. Most associate the extreme weather changes as the chief indication. Twenty-two percent of Americans believe that the world will end in their lifetime. A recent Time/CNN poll revealed that while only 36 percent of all Americans believe that the Bible is God's Word and should be taken literally, 59 percent say they believe that events predicted in the Book of Revelation will come to pass. Of course, most evangelicals share this same sentiment. The question is: What gives us the right to assume these scenarios? Are we too quick to suppose that the events of Revelation will unfold? Have we taken the time to truly grapple with what we've always taken for granted?
In Rev 5:1-14 we'll face off with these tensions. Chapters 4 and 5 both begin in heaven. In chapter 4 we experienced the worship of God the Father. In chapter 5 we'll experience the worship of Jesus Christ. In chapter 4 we worshipped the Lord as the Creator; in chapter 5 we'll worship the Lord as our Redeemer. These two chapters provide us a keyhole glimpse of what will be going on in heaven before God pours out His judgments on the earth (Revelation 6-18). But lest we get ahead of ourselves, we need to recognize that there's a significant problem.
1. The problem: No one is worthy to fulfill God's program (5:1-4). John records: ''I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals'' (5:1). Chapter 4 began by focusing our attention upon a throne; chapter 5 begins by drawing our attention to a scroll. In God the Father's right hand John saw a ''scroll'' since books weren't in general use until the second century. What more profound way to illustrate God's ultimate sovereignty over ...
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