1) Jesus' place "in the midst of the throne" gives Him unique access and authority, demonstrating His worthiness. 2) Jesus' person as the perfect sacrifice with power and knowledge also makes Him uniquely worthy. 3) Jesus alone has the privilege to take and open the scroll containing God's plan, showing His ability and worthiness to enact judgment and redemption.

1. Heaven Help Our Worship
The Worthiness of Jesus
Revelation 5:6-10
INTRODUCTION
Within the makeup of an organization
- what are the characteristics of a person that make them
most important to that organization?
Iʼm not talking about intrinsic value
- people are people - we are all humans - created in the
image of God; we share a degree of human equality and
common dignity.
But within an organization
- the Army - a football team - the White House - Any
Fortune 500 Company
- what makes some people of greater value to that
organization than others?
- we have to say that is true, because there is always
some sort of pecking order.
- while everyone is needed
- the Vice President of a company is probably worth
more to the company bottom line figures than the
data entry clerk
- The General has more authority and privilege than
the private
- The President has more pull than the White House
Chef
- The Head Coach has the right to yell the loudest at
the game

2. What is it that could make a person worth more to their
company - more to their organization?
Maybe Access?
- Though the Vice President of the U.S. is the next in line
to become the Chief Executive of the country if
something should happen to the President
- his access is not as great as that of the Presidentʼs
Chief of Staff - who has continual, instant, and at-
will access
- All in politics say that access is power and the
person with the greatest access to the highest
levels is worth a lot within the organization of the
Executive Branch of our government
Maybe Attributes? - that is, certain qualities gained
through experience
- we all value certain attributes - we list them on our
resumes
- we ask questions about strong points and weak points
during job interviews
- we look for certain characteristics of an individual that
might bring greater value and worth to the company.
Maybe Abilities
- the speed of the runner - the arm of the quarterback -
the bat speed of the batter - the agility of the basketball
forward - all effect how valuable a particular player is or
could be to a team.
Maybe Accomplishments
- past actions, deeds - may point to great future actions
and future deeds - thus making a person valuable to a
certain organization.
What makes a person valuable - what makes a person
worth something to a greater organization?

3. Perhaps if you possessed all these qualities to a great
degree
- great access to power, great attributes - great abilities
and great accomplishments
- you make yourself valuable
These are the very characteristics that make Jesus so
very valuable.
How much is Jesus worth?
- the estimation is inestimable
How valuable is Jesus Christ?
- what gives him the right to judge the world?
- what gives him the privilege to say He is the only way of
salvation?
- What makes him more valuable than anything or anyone
else in all the world?
That is the question that Revelation 5:6-10 answers
for us.
- it shows us 4 qualities that make Him the most
worthy in all the universe
- it demonstrates four characteristics that describe
His value compared to all else that exists
Recall what we are talking about in Revelation 4 & 5
Revelation 5 is the introduction of Jesus into the scene of
heaven
- and this scene of heaven is an introduction to judgment
This is a section of Revelation that reveals the rightful
place of Jesus in exercising total authority over all
creation in judgment and ultimately also in redemption.

4. Here is the introduction of Jesus into the scene of
judgment and redemption - from the headquarters of all
authority
- chapter 4 shows the majestic authority and intense
exaltation that exists in heaven.
- Chapter 5 reveals the one who is most worthy out of all
that exists in that most holy, majestic, authoritative and
intense place.
Recall - we had seen God the Father - the Holy Spirit and
an incredible description of some of the angelic begins
that surrounded the central piece of furniture in heavenʼs
headquarters - the throne
- but no Jesus
Even in chapter 5 - there is an awesome silence - and a
grieving absence of Christ - until v 5
All of this is building the tension which will be resolved in
the latter part of chapter 5
- where is Christ in all of this divine exaltation and
majesty?
- Who is it that can take the very plan of God for judgment
and redemption and implement it?
No one - in heaven, hell or earth
- no one, except Christ
Remember
- chapter 5 is built around a little phrase “And I saw” - it is
found 4x in this chapter and it reveals 3 special lessons
about Jesus
- vv 1-5 - the uniqueness of Jesus
- vv 6-10 - the worthiness of Jesus
- vv 11-14 - the exaltedness of Jesus

5. So - we have been asking three questions of this
passage:
1 - what makes Jesus undeniably unique? - we saw this
in vv 1-5 last time
2 - what makes Jesus uniquely worth? - here we will
examine this in vv 6-10
3 - what makes Jesus universally exalted? - we will see
this next time in vv 11-14
So
I. WHAT MAKES JESUS UNDENIABLY UNIQUE? vv
1-5?
1 - Godʼs plan v 1
2 - Creationʼs inability vv 2-4
3 - Jesusʼ Position - v 5
II. WHAT MAKES JESUS UNIQUELY WORTHY? vv
6-10
Here we will see the four qualities that make Jesus
uniquely worthy - unlike anyone else in the entire
universe.
1. Jesusʼ place makes him uniquely worthy v 6a
and I saw - marker for the 3rd part of chapter 5
between the throne (with the four living creatures)
and the elders
- LIT reads - “in the midst of the throne and of the 4 living
creatures and in the midst of the elders.”
- Recall the setting: 4:4 - around the throne - elders
- 4:6 - in the midst of the throne and around the throne

6. - concentric circles around the throne
- 1st circle out - the living creatures - yet
moving around the throne - a part of the
place where the throne actually sits
- a second circle outside the throne circle - the
24 elders
- Note Jesusʼ place within all of this - in the
midst of the throne (but not around it)
- adjacent to the throne - yet connected with
the very spot of the throne - just inside the
circle of the 4 living creatures
Where is Jesus at this very moment?
Revelation 3:21 (ESV)
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my
throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his
throne.
Access is everything - placement means power - access
is power
H.R. Haldeman was the originator of the modern day
Chief of Staff to the President of the U.S. - served Richard
Nixon
- never out of immediate touch with Nixon, night and day.
- no paper crossed Nixonʼs desk without going through
Him
He had the greatest access and was one of the most
important men in the White House.
It is a similar idea to what we see in heaven with Jesus -
His location describes his access to the throne - the

7. authority of God - an dHis access demonstrates His
power - and His power reveals His worthiness
- Jesus is in the midst of the throne
- Note:
Revelation 7:9–10 (ESV)
A Great Multitude from Every Nation
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could
number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and
languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,
clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and
crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits
on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:17 (ESV)
! 17! For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their
shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 22:1 (ESV)
The River of Life
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright
as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
Not just anyone is able to sit or exist - in the midst of the
throne
- this speaks of access - privilege - power - a place
of authority - it is the nearest point to the majestic
authority of God.
Jesusʼ place reveals how worthy He is
- there is no one closer to the Father - no one who has
greater access to the Father - no one who has as much
authority -
- with that kind of nearness, access and authority -
that makes Jesus ultimately worthy.
That would be enough to ascribe ultimate worth to Jesus -
his access and place alone - but there is more - not only
the place of Jesus reveals His worthiness:

8. 2. Jesus Person makes him uniquely worthy v 6b
here we speak of His attributes - His resumeʼ - His
characteristics
How could we describe the person of Jesus - in such a
way that shows His unique worthiness?
a. Jesus is the Perfect Sacrifice
And I saw . . . a lamb standing, as though it had been
slain
Note the contrast
- v 5 - the Lion of the tribe of Judah
- the root of David
- This speaks of might, power, privilege, authority
- Lion - David - military majesty and might
- Judah, Root - place of privilege and power -
fulfillment of biblical prophecy - lineage of
royalty
- Judah - the most faithful of the tribes (i.e., Judges)
- David - the most powerful and most celebrated
king in all Israeli history
This is the one the elder tells John - has overcome - and
has the power and authority to take the scroll that
contains all the judgments of God on earth and will
implement them
And when Johnʼs eyes catch a glimpse of the Lion of the
tribe of Judah - the Root of the Mighty David
- what does He see? a lamb.
- arnion - could refer to a little lamb

9. - but by the time John was writing - this term
simply referred to a sheep of any age -
probably an adult male of a sheep -
something like a ʻramʼ - has horns
This particular term is used exclusively by John
- almost 30x John uses this term in his writings - all but
one occur in the book of Revelation
What a shock! - you expect to see the vision of chapter 1
- you expect to see a military ruler
- you expect to see a royal and majestic figure
And you see a lamb - a little sheep
Yet - this is the term that will describe Jesus throughout
the book of Revelation - unlike any other term or name
- at least 26 times outside of this verse Jesus will be
called the Lamb
- the lamb is worthy- 5:12
- sits with the Father on the throne 5:13; 7:9,
10
- Breaks the 7 seals of the scroll 6:1
- Unleashes His wrath on the earth - 6:16
- Cleanses those who have been martyred in
the great tribulation with his own blood - 7:14
- Is the shepherd of His people - 7:17
- Provides the means for saints to overcome
in the Tribulation through His blood - 12:11
- The book that contains the names of all the
saved and redeemed - is the Lambʼs Book of
life - 13:8
- His name is on the forehead of the 144,000 -
14:1
- The beast - will be tormented in the Lambʼs
presence - 14:10

10. - The victorious martyred saints wills ing the
song of the lamb - 15:3
- The lamb is the object of Satanʼs wrath -
17:14
- the lamb will host a marriage supper - the
saints will partake in 19:7, 9; 21:9
- the 12 apostles are the apostles of the Lamb
21:14
- The Lamb with God are the temple of the
New Jerusalem 21:22
- The Lamb is the light of the new Jerusalem
21:23
- The water of life comes from the Lamb 22:1
Why a lamb?
Exodus 12 - the Passover Lamb - slaughtered
- Jesus is that final lamb - slaughtered once for all
Isaiah 53:7 (ESV)
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his
mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep
that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
John 1:29 (ESV)
Behold, the Lamb of God
29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the
world!
John 1:36 (ESV)
36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the
Lamb of God!”
1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you
really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed.
1 Peter 1:19 (ESV)
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb
without blemish or spot.

11. Hebrews 10:11-18 - Jesus is the final sacrifice
That is why he was shown to John not merely as a lamb
- but one “as slaughtered” - a strong word - implying
violence and force
- Perfect tense - having been slaughtered and
remains to this moment with a look of having
been slaughtered
But note - not dead - not a lifeless lamb
- but “standing” - a demonstration of the Resurrection
Why is Jesus worthy? - because of His person
- and who is He - the Perfect Sacrifice for Sin
1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the
unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the
flesh but made alive in the spirit,
Acceptable to God - perfect for mankind
- he is worthy, because He is the perfect sacrifice
b. Jesus Has Perfect Power
with seven horns
In Revelation - horns refer to authority or power -
kingdoms
- 13:1, 11; 17:3, 7, 12
The same is true in the Old Testament
- especially in Daniel - Daniel 7:7-8, 20, 24; 8:3, 20, 22 -
and Zechariah 1:18-21

12. 7 horns - 7 being the number representing something
complete and full - finished - final
Thus - the Lamb with 7 horns - a Lamb with total authority
- power - rule - complete power and might
c. Jesus Has Perfect Knowledge
with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God
sent out into all the earth
Here is another reference to the Holy Spirit - 1:4; 3:1;
4:5; 5:6
Described in Zechariah 4:1-10
- Jesus - connected to the father through the Throne
- Jesus connected to the Spirit through the 7 eyes
Referring to complete knowledge of all that goes on in the
earth.
What makes Jesus worthy? - His person
- perfect sacrifice - perfect power - perfect knowledge
3. Jesusʼ Privilege makes him uniquely worthy v 7
Here is Jesusʼ ability- what He alone is capable of doing
Remember 5:2-4 - recall what the scroll is - Godʼs plan for
the future - judgment and redemption
Recall what it means to take it out of Godʼs right hand -
implies ability and worthiness
Recall what it means to open - to implement and enact
what is in the scroll

13. Out of everything and everyone in the entire creation - no
one was “worthy”
- and Jesus displays His worthiness to all the universe
- Jesus - in the midst of the throne - reaches over to the
hand of the Father and takes the scroll
That is the place of ultimate privilege - ultimate ability
And note what happens when Jesus takes that scroll
- assumes his place as the sovereign judge over all the
earth
- takes his position as the one who will take back the
earth from sin and Satan and restore everything under
the rightful rule of the Almighty
What happens next reveals a fourth reason why jesus is
uniquely worthy
4. Jesusʼ praise makes him uniquely worthy vv 8-10
Here are Jesusʼ accomplishments
When Jesus takes the scroll - look at the response in
Heaven - and in fact, over all the earth
Exuberant and enthusiastic praise erupts - like an
earthquake with shock waves circling out from the throne
itself
4 living creatures - 24 elders v8 - v 11 - all creation
But notice how the praise of Jesus makes Him uniquely
worthy
- worth more than all the rest of creation
a. Jesus is the object of angelic worship v 8a

14. the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the Lamb
- here is the normal posture for worship - absolute
humility
- no one is worthy to stay on their feet - only in a position
of submission and humble surrender
- 7:11; 11:16; 19:4
- NOTICE - they take the same position of worship as
they did before the Father
- when John fell down before an angel to worship -
he was rebuked - 19:10; 22:8, 9
- only God deserves such a response
each holding a harp
- the kithara - a stringed instrument - all the strings are the
same length - probably around 10 inches long
These are the instruments of worship and praise in the
Psalms
Psalm 32:2 (ESV)
! 2! Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no
iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 43:4 (ESV)
! 4! Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God,
my God.
Psalm 71:22 (ESV)
! 22! I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the
lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 98:4 (ESV)
! 4! Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break
forth into joyous song and sing praises!

15. Psalm 150:3 (ESV)
! 3! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute
and harp!
The ancient guitar - would be strummed - also called a
lyre
It was the instrument David played - 1 Sam 16:16
- would bring an attitude of joy to the worship of God
Notice - the instrumental orchestra of heaven begins -
primarily by the 24 elders
Jesus is the object of angelic worship
- those whose minds are not clouded by sin - who see the
presence of God and worship God day in and day out -
worship Christ with exuberance and joy
b. Jesus is the vindicator of the saintsʼ suffering
and golden bowls full of incense, which are the
prayers of the saints
bowls - like what was used in the temple to burn incense
to God
- a wide mouth, shallow bowl - like a saucer
Full of incense - sweet smelling spices that were burned -
the smoke lifted up
Within the temple - an altar of incense - represented the
prayers of the saints being lifted to God
Psalm 141:2 (ESV)
! 2! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

16. Luke 1:10 (ESV)
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the
hour of incense.
But here - the prayers of the saints are much more than
merely general prayers being offered
6:9-11; 8:3ff
These are prayers of vindication by the saints - God
vindicates the blood of those who lost their lives for you
The prayers of martyrs for martyrs - the prayers of those
in heaven - for those who suffer persecution on earth
Here these prayers are being lifted up continually - by the
elders - who represent those who God has redeemed
through all the ages
- and Jesus talking the scroll, means their long
offered prayers will now finally be answered - and
Godʼs name and their blood will be avenged.
The saints - in Revelation - primarily refers - not to the
church specifically - but those who suffer on the earth,
during what Revelation calls the Great Tribulation
But here before the Tribulation begins, are the prayers of
saints already in Glory - praying for those who have and
will suffer
- OT and NT believers - possibly those who have
arrived in heaven due to persecution
What makes Jesus uniquely worthy - His praise - the
fulfillment of all the prayers of the saints for the
persecution they have endured and the way Gods name
has been profaned
c. Jesus is the Purchaser of Mankindʼs salvation v 9

17. And they sang a new song
- not a new song - like newly written - written yesterday
- but a new type of song - a new kind of song
- not a song of praise - anticipating the Messiah to reign
- but a new song - a song that now acknowledges the full
Reign of Jesus Christ and the complete overthrow of all
his enemies
Mentioned often in the Psalms - Ps 40:3; 96:1; 98:1;
144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10
- refers to a song of salvation
- a new kind of song - different than the songs of
unforgiven lost humanity
- new song sung by new people
Goes along with all that will become new
- Rev 2:17 - new name
- 3:12 - New Jerusalem
- 21:1 - new heaven
- 21:2 - New Jerusalem
- 21:5 - behold I am making all things new
And now they sing His praise and exalt His worthiness
- and note why -
- you ransomed - lit - purchased or bought
1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV)
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 7:23 (ESV)
23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
Notice the price for this purchase - with your own blood
from every tribe and language and people and nation
- not every individual - but some from within every type of
person

18. people from different descents or clan
people who speak different languages
people from different ethnicities
people from different political entity - not just republicans -
not just democrats - not just Americans who live in
democracy
BUT
- some who live in dictatorships
- some who under communism
- some who live under absolute monarchies
Some from all of these
Heaven will not be all white southern born people - or
middle class
- it will be filled with every race, every language,
every people group, dialect and nationality.
Note - no one else in all the world receives this kind of
praise
- because no one else has paid this kind of price to
bring all kinds of people together as one united
people of God
d. Jesus is the producer of believersʼ victory v 10
The result of his purchasing them
- future reign with Christ upon the earth
Daniel 7:22 (ESV)
22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the
saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints
possessed the kingdom.
Daniel 7:27 (ESV)
! 27! And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven

19. shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their
kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall
serve and obey them.ʼ
Revelation 1:6 (ESV)
6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be
glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 20:6 (ESV)
6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!
Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests
of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand
years.
Kingdom and priests
- there will be a priestly role of believers in the millennial
kingdom
- offering up sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to
God in honor of His name
CONCLUSION
Jesusʼ place, person, privilege and praise
- all show how worthy He is
- how much he is worth
- how valuable he is
and no one is like Him
- and no one deserves greater obedience and love and
adoration
How significantly have we thought about Jesus today in
our gathering?
How often do you sit to significantly pray through - think
about the implications of the person, attributes,
accomplishments, details of the person of Jesus Christ?

20. Often our worship services have so neutered the
immensity and depth of Jesusʼ accomplishments by
speaking of Him in general and undefined terms.
- precious words like “Savior” “Lord” “Master” “Redeemer”
“Lamb” “Son of God”
- all need to be unpacked - meditated upon -
deepened in our contemplation of
Our songs should not merely an emotional outlet to sing
about the generalities of Jesus, but a stimulation to
challenge our intellect and deepen our emotional
responses to the depths of what Jesus has done and who
He is.
Our prayers should reflect a thorough, personal, profound
contemplation and understanding of the sufficiency of the
person of Jesus.
- no wonder the church is continually giving way to the
false premises of psychological evaluations of peopleʼs
problems
- when we think about Jesus in no more significant
terms than a future ticket to heaven
- when we think about the gospel and the work on
the cross as simply what grants forgiveness, but
not necessarily the central answer to every issue
of life
Our gatherings should we a weekly expansion of our
ideas of who Christ is
- a constant challenge to how we are responding to the
multi-faceted nature of what He has done
- a continual deepening of our trust in His sufficiency for
every area of life - every issue of our past - every detail
of our future. We must view Jesus as uniquely worthy.