Text: Isaiah 53:4-12, Revelation 5:1-14
To give ear to the prophecies of Isaiah and John today—it stirs my heart with worship! To read about the “already” of the spotless Lamb being crushed, and believe with faith in the “not yet” of that same Worthy Lamb doing what “no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able” to do (Revelation 5:3), causes the Holy Spirit in us to breathe prayers of praise for the truth that we’re reading.
It makes us want to close our eyes and attempt to imagine the unimaginable beauty of that moment when Jesus Himself will stand before the throne with the appearance of a slaughtered lamb and open the scroll, while heaven and earth acknowledge—the worthy Lamb has come at last.
Revelation really knows how to drop the mic, doesn’t it?
The scene in Isaiah, on the other hand, we can picture it happening as we read it. At least a little. That’s because between then and now—between the time of Isaiah’s prophecy and this moment we sit here today with leather-bound or smartphone versions of God’s Word in our hands—what Isaiah said would happen happened! The Lamb of God was pierced for our transgressions. Jesus Christ was led like a lamb to the slaughter before John’s very eyes!
While we can believe and even imagine the unfolding of Isaiah’s prophecies because we have a firsthand narrative of the actual events, John’s prophecy in Revelation is a bit more difficult to picture. None of us has seen Heaven! This prophecy is not yet fulfilled. And yet, to read about it causes us as believers to exhale an, “Amen, come Lord Jesus!”
Here we are—you and I and this poor, fallen world, smack in the middle of the Already and the Not Yet. We believe with faith that the Lamb of God was crushed for us, and we believe with hope in the truth of God’s Word, that that same Lamb is worthy and will open the scroll in Heaven and break its seals and look into it at just the right time, and ransom people for God. And He—our Jesus who was dead and rose for us—will appear and every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them will say all together:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
– Revelation 5:13b
Amen, come Lord Jesus.
For an added layer of worship during this sweet season of adoration and expectation, we’ve created a Spotify playlist for Advent 2014! You can find the complete SheReadsTruth | O Come Let Us Adore Him playlist at this link, or listen to today’s track on the player below. Enjoy!
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65 thoughts on "The Worthy Lamb Will Come"
What bible do you use? :) where did you get it? :)
Wow this truly blessed my bible study today (Ifeel behind quite a bit with the advent study, and I'm new on shereadstruth hi everyone :-) ) so as I was saying, this study was a blessing and really stirred my heart how amazing must it have been for john to witness what he did, to see what was to come must have been amazing as well as a self examining experience.
I decided to read the study text then study briefly myself before seeing what Raechel had to say as I read what she had writter I realised that we both got the same things from the scrpiture the EXACT same things that it was all about Jesus no one could open the book because God was showing john that only he could he is the spotless worthy lamb who has the power and the authority to open the book, to come back soon, and redeem his people form earth.
Thanks for this Raechel it filled me up :-)
He is reminding me over and over that He is our ONLY hope. And He is enough!!
It’s amazing to imagine just one angel, imagine thousands upon thousands!
Was just talking to my mom about this tonight. The glory of heaven! The hope of eternity spent with our Savior. This is now a recent reality for someone we know and we were just talking about how we would love to just have a peak of what heaven is like. How great is it to know that for those who have passed that trusted in Christ as their Savior no longer have just the hope of heaven, but it is their reality. When tragedy happens, Christ is the only hope. He is the anchor of our soul. The hope that this life isn’t all there is. We get to look forward to being received into our loving Savior’s arm and bowing at his feet!
I am forever so grateful for His gift of eternal life. It is free for me and you! It is given to us out of pure love! He gave his life for us with no queations asked! Let me honor you in all ways!
Powerful! Beautiful! What a Godly combination of His truth! Thank you!
I love the idea of being between the already and the not yet, it’s beautiful seeing Gods promises and prophesies fulfilled, and amazing to know they will continue to do so.
Ah, I just love Revelations! These two passages together are just amazing. Makes me want to weep and laugh at the same time
Beautiful… Just Beautiful.
Worthy is the lamb that was slain. For me! Thank you Jesus…
As a muslim only just discovering Christian faith it is so refreshing to finally understand the true meaning of Christmas. I knew before it was supposed to be about Jesus being born, so I never uderstood why the Santa and all the spending are in the center of it all. I am now a mother of two and live among catholics. It makes me sad to see how the commercial side of Christmas is being forced on to my children in their school, by everyone around them really. So I started to research more to be able to explain to them that Santa is not the hero here. That gift-giving, although nice, is not the main purpose of Christmas. So I stumbled upon this story that is so simple yet so clear that I have decided to share it with my toddlers in hope to make a new tradition out of it. It may not be perfect, but to me and I hope my little girls this takes the edge of all the senseless spending and center the attention once again on Jesus. So grateful for being led here to learn and fill my heart with Jesus!
Link to the story: http://llerrah.com/truemeaningofchristmas.htm
Thank you for sharing this, Mukasha. It was beautiful! Praise God as you grow in your faith! Praying for you friend! May God’s love cover you today and always!
Thank you for sharing! Praise be to God!
Praying for you and your family Mukasha! Christ brings so much joy and purpose to your life! It’s incredible!!
The story was wonderful!! Thanks for sharing! I will keep it for future reference! I’m so glad you are discovering the love of our Lord!! Welcome to the family! :) God is so amazing!!
Amen..thank you Jesus forgiving your life so that we may live and worship with you!!!
He was promised hundreds of years before He came. Amazing the details. And God’s faithfulness in every detail. He bore the penalty for MY sin – something only He could do!
I am studying the book of Mark in depth in Community Bible School and was just thinking after reading this passage truly how great the detail was. In Mark the religious leaders couldn’t believe this was the Messiah! And they had these prophesies to refer to I’m sure. How did they not know?!
The same way we can hear the truth of the Gospel for 20+ years before we understand and believe. God opens the eyes of the blind … and gives light to those who live in darkness!
We talked about Christ’s sacrifice at church this morning. Sheep in the Old Testament did not come willingly to be sacrificed. They kicked and resisted with all their strength (sounds familiar to us doesn’t it?) but Jesus, the perfect Lamb went to the cross in perfect obedience. He himself said that no one could take away his life, but he chose to give it up freely. He is our perfect example of sweet surrender and obedience to the will of the Father. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!
I’m so grateful for all the time studying Isaiah. I didn’t realize how fully prophesied Jesus was. Amazing. Thank you.
I think because the prophecy of the second coming in Revelation is so big, so unique, and so unlike anything we've ever known it is easy to be a skeptic or to have doubt. And don't you think, the people of the Old Testament, when they received the prophecy of Jesus' birth, of the child coming to save humanity, had some of the same doubt? And yet, the prophecy was fulfilled.
Let us have faith and believe in the second coming and prepare ourselves for the day of judgment, bathing ourselves in light and distancing ourselves from the darkness.
This was what I needed to read. Thank you
Jesus, forgive me for not worshiping you in Spirit and in Truth. You became the lamb who was slain for us, not based on how worthy we were, but based on Your never-changing love for us. Forgive me for not accepting your gift of grace with worship and thanksgiving, but instead focusing on how worthy I may or may not be to accept it. What pride! Change me, Lord Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, Lord God, for being both the judge and the advocate. I praise You, that even when we're in sin we can run to Your arms, repenting of our sin and trusting that you are both the light that eliminates darkness and the water that cleanses us completely. May we rely more and more upon You, Lord God! May we all sing, with every other being in existence, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" (Revelations 5:13b). Amen!!
Be so blessed today, my dear friends! I truly do love all of You!
Thank you so much for this comment!
Amen!
Worthy is the Lamb!! Is anybody else amazed that “He did not open His mouth?” It states it twice in Isaiah.
Wow!!! Constantly overwhelmed by my Savior.
As a kid, the book of Revelation wasn't really discussed much in my church. My parents also glossed over it when I'd asked about it, saying it was simply about the end of this world. That used to terrify me as I'd sit in my bedroom and read through it on my own. And let's be real, there are some strong images and events described in Revelation.
But Revelation shouldn't be a terrifying book- and it's not to me any more. Yes, there are some terrible things that will come. But more importantly- most importantly- Christ will come. We can believe it with confidence because He has already fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy along with other prophecies that foretold of Him. His return is foretold in Recelation. He will ransom His people. It all will be finished once and for all. That is hopeful, not terrifying. Glory to Him!
You expressed my thoughts exactly! How incredible to see God's consistency and faithfulness- his promise of salvation and hope for man kind through Jesus' first coming and for His people through Jesus' second coming. Revelation should be read and studied as another advent.
He loves us so much and we did so little for that love. I am always in aw of that. I also, really like how the bible calls Jesus the Shepard while he was on Earth. (as he was/is) and once he sacrifice for our sins was made, he became the lamb. The precious lamb So beautiful.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain for my sins!! Life can be hard and it's a struggle for me to stay afloat mentally sometimes with work, but knowing this truth makes it easier to maintain on a day to day basis. I am not worthy yet he gave his life. Where can anyone find that kind of love?? I am awaiting His return!
P
He is Worthy, He is Worthy!
Could we by any chance get today's verse and graphic on a lock screen?? It's beautiful!! (And that verse just gives me goosebumps)
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
I’ll be singing all day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DJS5XZcpS0
You can either copy and paste the link above, or search for Worthy the Lamb Gaither Vocal Band; will be a YouTube video. Beautiful worship of the Lamb!
I started celebrating Advent four years ago. And it completely changed how I view the season. But the most important thing it did for me was made me realize the grandiosity of what happens during the season: God makes himself a baby who will be the sacrificial lamb to cleanse us of our sibs and redeem us. This is such a wow moment for me. So much so that it brings tears to my eyes. This is how much you love me, God– how much you love us. You sent this baby to bring us hope and make the prophecy come to life, so that one day the prophecy of the second coming of Jesus and the rising of the new Jerusalem can come true. Thank you so much for your love and sacrifice Jesus. And thank you God for sending your Son to redeem us.
Amen, come Lord Jesus,come!! I say this, but I have family members and friends that are heavy on my heart that don’t know you yet Lord. Please help me to be a light to guide them to you soon, so they too can say “Amen, come Lord Jesus!”
I can’t tell you what a joy this study is to me, thank you ladies, all of you. Enjoy your day. Xo
So often, in this Christmas season, we get caught up in the beauty of the decorations, & the lights, and the gifts that we forget to think about the future of the babe that was born in the manger. Yes, I know He was born to die, but at the moment, between the carols and the Christmas shopping, it's much more pleasant to think of the beauty rather than the ugliness that He came to destroy. Reading that familiar passage from Isaiah forced me to remember the ugly promise of Christmas – a sobering reminder that makes me grateful, so grateful!
O come, let us adore Him!
“Here we are—you and I and this poor, fallen world, smack in the middle of the Already and the Not Yet.” You’ve got that right Rachael. It is such an amazing concept to be on the other side of Isaiah and the other prophets, knowing that this promise of the Messiah has already been given, and we already are living out the freedom that he has provided for us. As wonderful as that is, we still live in a broken world. There is so much pain and suffering and death and destruction that we see on a daily basis. Yet, we are promised something more. The “Not Yet” period of time is our pillar of hope. It is our rock that provides us peace. It lets us know that though sin still is apparent right now, it’s isn’t for long.
It’s not a surprise and oh so fitting of such a Just and Merciful God to reserve this task of opening the scroll for His Son! The scroll that disclosed Gods perfect plan of judgment and redemption of His creation which will culminate in the end times. Only JESUS, the one who gave his life to offer salvation to a dying world would be worthy to break the seals and reveal the destiny of the world! What a deserving honor! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
So magical & so beautiful. When I was younger & it came to Jesus coming back, I remember thinking wait what?! What if he comes before I get married and have children! Now, at 26, the prime time for all those things, I still sit here boy friendless, childless, husband less. But at 26 I sit here reading this message, closing my eyes, letting the words soak in with a few tears & my only thought is, I can’t wait to praise The King! I am so thankful for how my relationship with God has grown. Just like everyone else, I too have my own story in life, people so often say “your strength amazes me.” But it wasn’t just me, I have the strength, courage & hope because because I know God. I know that my God has no limits. He is strength, courage, hope, love & so much more. Thank you God, for giving me strength, love, hope & support. Thank you. I pray that all my sisters reading today, my family & friends, all find their strength and joy in you. Today, during this sometimes difficult Christmas season & all the days. Thank you for being our Shepherd Lord. Thank you for sending your son to save us. In Jesus name, Amen!
Amen!
Oh Brittney, only 26 and you said it so well. Thank you for your prayers, and right back at you!:)
What God has done in your heart, He will do in any ones heart. Even my grandchildren at 8 though 18 say I'm ready for God. That is the blessing of what God can do for us. Even as early as 8. When I was your age I thought and felt the same as you, Praise God I have the peace that passes understanding at 65. Blessing to all who know my Lord and may we use his word to draw others in like manor.
I remember thinking that too, as a child. Funny how the week before my actual wedding this summer, I thought "If Jesus came back before, or even DURING my wedding, I would be the happiest bride on earth. Because I'm part of THE Bride." God changes our hearts desires, and I love that.
Brittney, I am in almost exactly the same place as you–newly 26 and still single, and sometimes I get caught up in thinking, “This wasn’t how I expected my life to go.” Isn’t it awesome how the Lord takes us on a journey we wouldn’t have chosen for ourselves? Like you, my relationship with Him continually grows, and I’m grateful that my singleness has allowed me the time and opportunity for that.
Plus, there’s the comfort that we’re all in this together, single or not. :)
Thank you for your comment, Brittney! I’m also 26, but I still struggle time to time with the thoughts you mentioned above about wanting to be married, etc before He returns. But, He has been proving Himself faithful in my life, particularly over the past year or so, and I’m much more able to find the joy in WHATEVER happens in my life per His will now (like the Daniel 3 theme: “And if not, He is still good). Thank you for this reminder!
Amen…Britney…beautifully said…our hope, strength, love and support…beautiful…x
Amen. Beautiful message. Lord we await you!
Believing in faith AND hope. Beautiful. Yes – come Lord Jesus!
Thank you for this beautiful selection of scripture in our Advent reading. The whole idea of "naughty or nice" (and we are always on the nice list) has infected Christmas with the idea that we deserve good. Truly, there is only one list and we are all on it. Praise be to God and his perfect Son, Jesus, for taking away the punishment that we deserve. When I consider the passage in Isaiah–the sin and darkness in my heart and the suffering that Jesus endured because of it–I am compelled to join with the saints and angels and sing "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain!"
Jesus Christ did not die because He was guilty but because i am guilty. we are guilty.
the only right response to what Jesus has done for me (done for the world) is worship.
"worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!" (v. 12)
"to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" (v. 13)
"amen!" (v.14)
Amen is right!!
Amen. All we can do in return is humbly accept this free gift of grace and worship Him for it. Praise you, Lord Jesus! For loving us all so much– no matter who we are or what we do– that You'd humiliate yourself by becoming man, by humbling Your Lion self to become the little lamb that was slain, so that we could know You intimately. Jesus, may we know you more and more intimately each day through worshiping You with our lives! Amen.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”…..
What else or more can I say, or add, but quite rightly…Amen,….Come Lord Jesus, and Thank you…
Rachael, thank you….
Sending out some especially warm love, and blessings this chilly Saturday…Sisters…keep warm…xxx
You too sister, God bless.
Praise God for you, Tina. Praise Him that He is the Only one who can do what needs to be done– whether it'd be saving us from our own sin by dying on a cross, or opening the seven-sealed scroll at the end of the age. Only He and His Spirit can do what must be done! Jesus, thank you for taking on sin and death for us! You are Holy, great, and mighty! Amen!
Have a beautiful, bundled-up day as well, dear sister!
–AnnaLee
This really does make me want to praise my Jesus! an offering so big, and He pleads ‘not guilty’ for us with our Father… It kind of reminds me of the books of Narnia, where Aslan, the lion, the ruler of all, shows himself as a little lamb. Jesus is both great as a lion, and gave Himself up as a lamb. All praise be to the Lamb that was slain!
Amen Margriet! Both the awesome power and the humility of Our Lord fills me with Holy reverence and love for our Father. Jesus, thank you for being both the Mighty Lion and the Little Lamb!
–AnnaLee
I also thought of Aslan while reading this! :)
I think it’s really important for us to remember that Jesus is the good shepherd, but he was also the perfect lamb who was taken in our place. In his majesty, our Lord is able to be both guide and sacrifice. Praise be to God!
Amen Sarah. He is both Promise-Maker and Promise-Fulfillment, as shown from a devotional a few days ago, and He is both the Good Shepherd and the Lamb. He is I Am! Everything we could ever need! Praise You, Lord Jesus, for being all our hearts and minds need, exactly when we need You, no matter the time or place (no matter if we're looking back or forward!). May we come to You with hearts wide open, asking that You'd change, mold and shape us into Your image, Lord Jesus, no matter how that looks at the time. Amen.
amen! those tie together really well-be truly is ALL we need.