Weep No More

An Advent Devotional on Revelation 5:1-14

Many believers are intimidated by the book of Revelation. I get it. It reads quite different then let’s say 1 Kings or Matthew. But Revelation is part of inspired Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). Ignoring it means missing out on what God wants us to know.

One key to Revelation is to remember that it is “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1). If we just think “end times” but miss Jesus, something has gone wrong.

In our passage, John sees God the Father sitting on His throne. He is holding a scroll in his right hand, sealed with seven seals (v.1). This scroll contains God’s covenant with mankind. Opening the scroll will execute the inevitable destruction of His enemies and the glorious salvation of His children.

But there is a problem. No one is found worthy to open the scroll (v.4). Heaven is quiet. The archangel Michael does not speak up. Abraham, Moses, Peter, and Paul do not volunteer. It brings John to tears. Is God’s plan of redemption in jeopardy?

But there is hope. John hears a voice saying, “Weep no more”. His eyes are drawn to a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain (v.6). John then watches how this Lamb takes the scroll from Him seated on the throne (v.7).

It is impossible to miss. The slain Lamb is Jesus. He is the Lamb of God who took away sin (Joh. 1:29). But notice, the Lamb is standing! Through his glorious resurrection Jesus conquered sin, death, and the devil (v.5). He, and He alone, is worthy to open the scroll.

Heaven explodes in praise. The four living creatures and twenty-four elders lift up their voices in a new song (vs. 8-10). Angels cannot help but join them in worship too (vs.11,12). The crescendo of praise reaches its peak when every human, demon, fish, and bird must confess: “to the Lamb be blessing, honor and glory forever” (v.13).

Weep no more. The Lion who willingly became a Lamb for you has conquered. Don’t you want to praise Him too?