THE LAMB IS UPON THE THRONE?

Invocation
In the Name of the Father, and (+) of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.   

Scripture
Revelation 5
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

                  “Worthy are you to take the scroll
      and to open its seals,
                  for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
      from every tribe and language and people and nation,
            10       and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
      and they shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,

                  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
                  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
                  and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

                  “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
                  be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.


Devotion
You may not have given this much thought but the book of Revelation is the perfect book to be reading during this pandemic.  People often are confused and think that the book of Revelation is only about things in the distant future. However, the focus of Revelation is on how God is in control of all things and that the Lamb who was slain is risen and is with us no matter how bad things are. It's about God being with His people here and now and in the future - not just a book a distant future that few will experience. 

The most important thing Revelation wants to get across is Christ’s present and future reign in glory and the current faith and mission of the church in the midst of all the agony and death throes of the human race and its history. What's revealed is revealed to strengthen and encourage the faith of the church in the midst of all the suffering so that she remains faithful to Christ in carrying out her mission.

We get a beautiful picture of that here in Revelation chapter 5. 

The risen Lord Jesus Christ is introduced in the vision of God’s heavenly glory and the image of the victorious Lamb. He is presented to the heavenly host as the one who can receive the scroll from God and look into it. His receiving of the scroll from God is also a demonstration and a vindication that his death and resurrection were a victory for God and His people.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is in control of all things and is with you no matter what you are going through and no matter what is going on in this world. So, we join in with all of heaven in praising the Lamb who was slain for us and our salvation.  Because even now He is present in His Word and Sacraments to redeem you and save you.  

Revelation is quite clear that this doesn't mean that God's people will have lives free from pain, suffering, illness, and persecution - quite the contrary.  Instead, Revelation gives us a glimpse into heaven to see that our crucified and risen Lord has everything under control and is always acting and working on your behalf - for your salvation!   

This is because the Lamb who was slain is also the Lion of Judah.  He is the mighty and victorious King. He rules and reigns over all things, and He is working all things together for the good of His church.  Which means He's working all things together for your good - especially your eternal good. This is true right now during the coronavirus pandemic and whatever the fallout from that might be. It's true if you are losing money for your business or if you have had your hours cut or lost your job.  It's true even if you get sick with the coronavirus. It's true even if you die from the coronavirus. 

Revelation gives us a glimpse into the heavenly perspective concerning the things that are taking place on earth.  It is that perspective that gives us comfort and hope.

So we sing:
                “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
                  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
                  and honor and glory and blessing!”  



Collect
O Lord, we are often blind to what is truly going on, help us to see in Your Word the truth that You are in control of all things and that you are working all things together for our good and for our salvation, through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.