Imagine yourself in a situation when you try to find someone to help you with a momentous task, not finding a suitable person to do this task for you. For myself, it will be diving into the intricacies of the latest auto-electronics work of a modern car stranded next to a road and realising I am stuck! You are confronted with a helpless reality and in the end, you must accept it with hung shoulders.
The apostle John had such a brief experience in Revelation 5 where he is an eyewitness to an immense historical event. In Acts 1 we read of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. This is the last time we read of people seeing Him. The last event was Him ascending into heaven until a cloud hid Him from their sight. After John wrote the seven letters in Revelation to the seven churches, he is invited into heaven to see a glimpse of the glory of God’s throne, the beauty and the overwhelming visual sight and choruses. The throne of God with the twenty-four elders and the four creatures. And it is giving glory and honor and thanks. And in chapter 5 we read of the despair of John when the scroll which is perfectly sealed with seven seals is presented. Who can open it? No one and nowhere – not in heaven, on earth or under the earth. He felt helpless. John wept. The scroll will remain sealed. Here he is in heaven witnessing an event that will have a tragic end.
But then the joy. An elder tells him. Look! See! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, The Root of David is here! He has arrived at the throne of God. The terms being used are significant terms applied to Jesus Christ. The triumphant conqueror has arrived in heaven. He is back. But interestingly, when John looks, he does not see the Lion of Judah or the Root of David …. he sees the Lamb. An interesting wordplay describing another role of Jesus. For John the sacrificial Lamb, which was crucified, who groaned out on the cross “it is fulfilled”, who told his disciples He will be going to prepare a home for them. This Lamb has arrived in heaven from the time he descended for his journey on earth. He stands in front of the throne of God. And when he receives the scroll from the right hand of God as a formal recognition from God that HE IS THE ONE, something happens that reverberates throughout heaven. In Chapter 4 the elders and living creatures worshipped stating God is worthy.
And now, the same description: the four creatures and elders giving this recognition to the Lamb: “You are worthy ….” While holding onto the prayers of God’s people. But then an event one can only dream of to hear. Thousands upon thousands, ten thousands upon ten thousands singing a chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb ….”. What does this tell me?
- Jesus has arrived in heaven.
- God formally acknowledged him as worthy to accept the scroll with the seven seals.
- Jesus took the scroll.
- There is hope. There is a future. In times of challenges and despair, we need to remind ourselves of this event in Revelation 5. The Lamb has arrived. He is there, preparing our welcoming in heaven.
- Jesus continues His work on behalf of us.
Day of Ascension brings into remembrance these historical facts which we can reaffirm as the truth for each one of us.