A Heavenly Praise: Worthy Is The Lamb Of God!

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

The Lamb of God is worthy to be praised and the day will come when both heaven and earth will sing praises

A Heavenly Praise: Worthy Is The Lamb Of God!

Shared on March 30, 2025

Introduction

In the world, He was despised, but the day will come when the Lamb of God will be celebrated and praised for everlasting life.  In our lesson this week, the scene in heaven continues as John reveals what he saw taking place in the throne room.

The Scroll of God

Our lesson this week picks up with God still sitting on the throne.  John tells us that he saw the “right hand of Him” who sat on the throne (Rev. 5:1).  From our lesson last week, we know that the one seated on the throne is God.  

Who is worthy to open the scroll?

Now, let’s spend a few moments focusing on what John saw in the right hand of God.  John tells us that he saw God holding a scroll, or book, in the right hand of God.  John was able to see that the scroll was written on the front and back.  However, the scroll had not been loosened, it was still wound up.  Not only was it wound up, but John said that seven seals were keeping it wound up.

John then saw a “strong angel” proclaim, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals (Rev. 5:2)?” Nobody stepped forward to open the scroll and read it, not even the “strong angel”.  The phrase “strong angel” speaks to the angel’s power, rank, and office, if you wish to think of it in that manner.

So, it takes certain authority to open the scroll.  However, none of the twenty-four elders stepped forward to open the scroll.  None of the living creatures stepped forward to open the scroll.  Not even the strong angel stepped forward to open the scroll as it asked who was going to do it.  

John said he began to weep because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll (Rev. 5:4).  This is a fascinating statement from John because scripture tells us that there will be no sorrow nor weeping in heaven (Rev. 21:4).  This human response is a reminder to us that John was merely a visitor, rather than a resident of heaven at that time.  

This is a reminder that John was seeing what would take place at a future date in heaven.  Notice the calm of the elder who told John not to weep because there was One who was able to open the scroll (Rev. 5:5).  “The Root of David, the Lion of the tribe of Judah” speaks of one man – Christ.

The elder’s calm came from knowing Christ and knowing what would unfold during this scene.  The elder knew that Christ was worthy of opening the scroll.  Oftentimes, when we think of worthiness, we think about whether one has the power and honor.  Well, being worthy to open the scroll speaks to that – having the authority to open the scroll.

Why only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll

So, why will Christ be the only one worthy to loose the seals?  Why didn’t the Father open the scroll?

Starting in Revelation 6, the loosening of the seven seals leads to events that will transpire in the world.  So, while we are looking at future events that will take place in heaven, the opening of the seals also sets a timeframe for these events.  What do I mean by that?

Let’s first keep in mind that the events of Revelation 4 essentially follow the church after the rapture.  Now, after the rapture of the church, life in the world does not come to an end – life will still be ongoing.  As Jesus taught, there will be tribulation which the world has never seen (Matt. 24:15-22).

The reason why Christ alone can open the scroll is because all authority has been given to Him by the Father in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18).  You can think of the scroll as ownership papers of the world and only Jesus has authority over this world.  I personally don’t believe that this scroll is the same as the Book of Life, as seen in Revelation 20.  I believe that if the scroll was the Book of Life, that would have been plainly revealed to John.

Praise of the Lamb

After Jesus took the scroll, John said that he looked, and he heard the voice of angels, the four living creatures, the elders, and multitudes upon multitudes begin to sing praises (Rev. 5:11).

Now, this description differs from what John tells us he saw in Revelation 4.  The difference is John’s mentioning the multitudes upon multitudes he saw praising the Lord.  The multitudes upon multitudes are in reference to angels.  

Again, the church is represented by the twenty-four elders in this scene.  What is fascinating about the twenty-four elders is that we don’t necessarily know if this means there will literally only be twenty-four elders to represent the church or not.  For all we know, it could be twenty-four different groups representing the church.  

That being said, what is clear is that heaven is going to be packed and filled with worship!  The heavenly choir will sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing (Rev. 5:12)!”

If you did not know who the Lamb was, the praise makes it clear that the Lamb is in reference to God’s only begotten Son.  As Isaiah 53 made clear, Jesus was slain to be mankind’s propitiation – atonement offering – for sin.  Without Christ, there would be no everlasting life in the kingdom of God.

Remember John 3:16-18!  Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  However, those who don’t believe, as Jesus made clear, are condemned already.  Without Jesus going before the slaughter for us, the twenty-four elders wouldn’t be in heaven, and neither would John have received this vision.

After that praise of the Lamb had ended, John heard every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, such as sea life, praise the Lamb.  Envision what this means in your mind – the animals will even join in on this praise.  Praise of the Lamb will be everywhere – universal!  I suppose the only ones who won’t be worshiping Him at that time will be the sinner living during the Great Tribulation.

Someone may ask you, why do you still go to church?  They may ask you, why do you praise the Lord?  I think about all that God has done for me.  Truly, all that God has done for me is innumerable.  However, I thank God that He brought me through those years of dialysis to where I am now a kidney transplant patient.

Some folks won’t think much of that but I believe that those who have dealt with disability and have gone through some things will understand.  The motivation to get out of bed in the morning just to take part in a treatment to be able to see another day is not an easy thing to do.  For that alone, I will continue to praise the Lord but then when you add in how He keeps me in His mercy and grace when I fall into temptation – I love the Lord!

Many won’t find the Lamb worthy to be praised but like that elder, I know that the Lamb is worthy to be praised.  God has been good to me!  I cannot wait to be in the heavenly choir and sing such wonderful praises and rejoice.