PURKEY'S
B I B L E S T U D Y
O U T L I N E S
H O M E P A G E
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Rev. Ronald C. Purkey, an ordained Baptist minister, claims no originality for the contents
of these Bible study outlines. However, every Bible study posted on this website has been
taught by Rev. Purkey. To see more Bible study outlines go to the Archives Page:
rcpbibleoutlines.com/index10.htm_
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THE LAMB IS WORTHY
April 27, 2025
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 5:1-14
INTRODUCTION: In Revelation chapter 5 the focus of attention is on a seven-sealed scroll in the hand of Jehovah God. The scroll could not be read because it was rolled up and sealed (secured like a Roman will) with seven seals.
1. There is a scroll in heaven (Revelation 5:1-4).
(Revelation 5:1) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
The scroll represents the title deed to creation, for Jesus Christ alone is the rightful Heir (Psalm 2:8; Hebrews 1:2).
Satan offered the Lord Jesus the whole world in return for one act of worship (Matthew 4:8–10), but Jesus won the right to receive the scroll when He gave Himself on the cross.
QUESTION: Have you placed the scroll of your life in Christ’s hands?
2. There is a Lamb in heaven (Revelation 5:5–6).
(Revelation 5:5–6) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
The Lamb is Jesus Christ who was slain as a sacrifice for sin (1 Peter 1:18–20).
Jesus is both Lamb (John 1:29) and Lion (Genesis 49:8–10), the Savior and the Sovereign.
Jesus is also the Root of David, for He existed before David and brought David’s kingly line into being.
As the Lamb, Jesus offers salvation; as the Lion, Jesus judges those who reject Him.
I. THE LAMB AND THE SCROLL (Revelation 5:6-10).
A. The Apostle John Saw A Vision (Revelation 5:6).
(Revelation 5:6) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
INSIGHT: God aloud John to witness this scene. He says, “I beheld, I saw this.”
1. The Lamb.
“A Lamb” -- the word there is in the diminutive; literally, it means a little lamb.
This denotes its gentleness and its willingness to be sacrificed.
Jesus Christ was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and He did not open His mouth at all (see Isaiah 53:7).
Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world (see John 1:29).
2. The sacrifice.
“As it had been slain” indicates the redemptive and vicarious, substitutionary death of Jesus Christ.
The emphasis is upon the fact that He was slain with violence.
3. The resurrection.
“Stood” a Lamb. This speaks of Christ’s resurrection.
Jesus is no longer seated at the right hand of God the Father.
INSIGHT: In verse 6 Jesus is moving, and Jesus is moving to power.
Jesus is coming to this earth.
4. The judge.
“In the midst of the throne” is indicative of the fact that Jesus Christ is before the throne and ready to act as the righteous Judge.
5. The power.
“Seven horns” means complete power. A horn speaks of power (see Daniel 7-8). Jesus Christ is omnipotent.
“Seven eyes” denotes complete knowledge. Jesus Christ is omniscient. Jesus is the omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all knowing) God.
He moves in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of wisdom and understanding.
6. The “Lion and the Lamb.”
The Lord Jesus Christ is a Lion and a Lamb. (1) The LION character refers to His SECOND COMING. (2) The LAMB character refers to His FIRST COMING.
(1) The lion is symbolic of His majesty; (2) the lamb is symbolic of His meekness. (3) As a lion Jesus Christ is a Sovereign; (4) as a lamb He is a Savior. (5) As a lion Jesus Christ is A Judge; (6) as a lamb He IS judged.
INSIGHT: (1) The lion represents the GOVERNMENT of Jehovah God; (2) the lamb represents the GRACE of Jehovah God.
B. The Lord Jesus Took The Scroll. (Revelation 5:7)
(Revelation 5:7) And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
The Lord Jesus moves to the throne through the coming Tribulation Period.
He judges the world in righteousness before He reigns in righteousness.
INSIGHT: In verse 7, (1) Jesus is NO LONGER the intercessor of the church, (2) because the church is now with Him. (3) Jesus is beginning to act as the Judge.
C. The Lord Jesus Takes Over For God The Father (Revelation 5:8).
(Revelation 5:8) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Verse 8 is THE great movement of all creation, as the Lord Jesus takes over.
1. Notice the “four living creatures.”
Notice the worship of the Lamb by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. “Harps” denote praise. The elders do not play on the harps; they are just a token of praise to God.
2. Notice the “twenty-four elders.”
The twenty-four elders act as priests. Only the CHURCH is a priesthood of believers in heaven.
INSIGHT: Dr. Carl Armerding gives the interesting thought that the prayer of Jesus Christ for believers in John 17 is answered in the elders:…our Lord’s prayer (1) that they might know Him, (2) that they might be with Him, and (3) that they might behold His glory is all answered in this scene of the elders in heaven.
3. Notice the “vials full of odours.”
The “vials full of odours” is more accurately “bowls full of incense.” These are identified as “the prayers of saints.”
INSIGHT: Obviously, the ELDERS represent the BODY OF CHRIST, which is called the CHURCH and they are the PRIESTHOOD.
D. The Multitudes Of People In Heaven Begin To Sing. (Revelation 5:9-10)
(Revelation 5:9-10) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
1. They sing a new song.
“And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book and to open the seals of it: for thou wast slain and didst purchase unto God in thy blood [men] of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, and madest them unto our God a kingdom and priests, and they shall reign on the earth.”
2. They sing a song of praise.
“Sing” (present tense) denotes the continuation of praise.
Praise is directed to the Lamb with the book.
Jesus is praised now as the Redeemer of men in all ages and races.
3. They sing about redemption.
a. The OLD song is the song of CREATION.
In the Book of Job we are told that the sons of God sang. They were singing because Jehovah God was the Creator.
They didn’t really know anything about the love of God then.
Now we can sing about our Savior who loves us and who gave Himself for us.
b. The NEW song is a song of PRAISE and WORSHIP.
“Worthy” reveals that He now fills the entire horizon of praise and worship.
Actually, worship is returning to WORTH, that which belongs to the Lord; and He is the only One worthy of praise.
4. They sing about the BLOOD of Jesus Christ.
“And hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.” In heaven they sing of Christ’s shed blood.
Down here many denominational churches are TAKING OUT of their hymn books all references to CHRIST’S BLOOD, but in heaven they will be put back in the hymn book!
NOTICE: In verse 9 notice the change of the pronoun from “us” to “them” is important. They are praising the Lamb for those yet to be saved on the earth -- the tribulation saints. “A kingdom and priests” refers to the tribulation saints. The church will not reign on the earth, but over the earth.
II. WORTHY IS THE LAMB. (Revelation 5:11-12)
(Revelation 5:11-12) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
A. John could not count the number of Angels.
When the Apostle John says I saw, “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,” I think that he means they were innumerable.
In effect John says, “At first I looked and I saw a company of angels around the elders, and they were singing -- and I thought that was great.
Then all of a sudden I looked out yonder and, man, there was a crowd which I could not even count!”
B. Nobody could have counted them.
A computer could NOT count them.
Jehovah’s created intelligences were PRAISING the Lord Jesus Christ.
STATEMENT: I do not know WHY anyone would want to go to heaven,…if they do NOT want to worship and praise THE LORD JESUS CHRIST down here.
III. ALL HONOR, GLORY, AND POWER TO THE LAMB. (Revelation 5:13-14)
A. John Sees A UNIVERSAL Act Of Worship. (Revelation 5:13)
(Revelation 5:13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Every living creature of God joins in this universal act of worship, both in heaven and earth.
Evidently, the animals on the earth and the fish in the sea join in this volume of praise!
The living creatures add their “amen” to it, and the church falls down in silent adoration and praise. (Revelation 5:14)
(Revelation 5:14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
B. You And I Would Sing the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
If I could, I would sing the “Hallelujah Chorus,” for as we come to the end of this very remarkable scene in heaven,…we see that all glory, praise, honor and worship must go to the Lord Jesus Christ!
INSIGHT: If you are NOT in the habit of praising and worshiping Jesus Christ, why don’t you start right now?
CONCLUSION: What have we learned from our BIBLE study today?
First, we learned that In John’s vision of the end times, (1) he saw Jesus as the slain Lamb, who is (2) the only one capable of opening the sacred scroll.
Second, we learned that when Jesus Christ took this scroll from God the Father, (1) the elders fell on their knees (2) and worshiped the Lamb of God.
Third, we learned that such honor should be our constant feeling toward the Lord Jesus Christ because He has earned our deepest respect and our highest reverence.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: “When a Christian dies, earth’s story ends and heaven’s glory begins.”
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