Beginning of Sorrows: Part 7 -- Worthy is the Lamb

Beginning of Sorrows Part 7

We have been looking at prophetic events of the End Time; in particular; The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation chapter 6 and their correlation to Matthew chapter 24.  We have called this series “Beginning of Sorrows;” a quote from Matthew 24:8.  This is now part 7 in the series and we are going to back up to look at the scroll that has contained the seals that have revealed the Four Horsemen prophecies.  Let’s review the overview of the writing of the book of Revelation.  It was written by the Apostle John while in exile on the Island of Patmos.

Chapter 1 is an introduction that establishes that the writing is a message from Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end; and that the message is to be taken to the seven churches in Asia.  John received it in a vision; in the Spirit and it was a time in the future; the End Time which is the Day of the LORD.

Revelation 1:10-11 KJV I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,  (11)  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Jesus states that He holds the keys to death and Hell

Revelation 1:18 KJV I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Chapters 2 and 3 are the seven messages to seven churches in Asia.  These churches represent 7 attitudes and possibly 7 eras of the true church.  They were referred to as the seven golden candle sticks; and each has an angel referred to as a star in chapter 1.  The candle stick with seven lamps was originally part of the Tabernacle of the congregation of Israel.

Revelation 1:20 KJV The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Chapter 4 describes the throne of God and John is taken there in his vision.  John is shown the four beasts that sit at the throne saying, continuously; Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come; and there are twenty-four elders that worship the LORD continuously, saying Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created

Revelation 4:8-11 KJV And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.  (9)  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,  (10)  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

It is in Revelation chapter 5 that John sees the book; the scroll with seven seals and it is in the hand of God and that the book could only be opened by the Lamb of God who was slain.  There are many things that we only partially understand now because it is not meant for us to fully understand at this time.  We must become worthy just as the Lamb of God; Christ Jesus made Himself worthy.  Jesus said, “to him that overcometh…even as I overcame…”  Jesus is the captain of our salvation (Hebrews2:10)…He leads us on His path; He is the WAY, Truth and Life (John 14:6).         

Revelation 3:21 KJV To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Our understanding will become complete when we have overcome the flesh and have completed our course; our race.  Our overcoming is not complete until death or the return of Jesus Christ.  Then our eyes will be fully opened and given fullness of understanding.  The bread of life is Christ; the bread that came down from heaven; the hidden manna is the fullness of understanding.

Revelation 2:17 KJV  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

As the Apostle Paul said; “What we only see as reflections in a mirror, shadows of what is to come; we will see face to face in fullness.”

1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

The Book of Revelation contains the mortar that holds all of the Gospel and the Truth together and erects the house for us to see.  Jesus came for more than healing and salvation.  The greatness of our potential along with the grandeur of the mansion that awaits us; this and all of their proportions and that which our son-ship in Christ portends; is revealed in the Book of Revelation; that is if we overcome!  The clarity of the consequences of rejecting our calling is also revealed along with the torment of the devil’s fate.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are the first four seals of the book that only the Lamb of God is worthy to open.   

Revelation 5:1-5 KJV 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.  (5)  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Revelation 5:12-13 KJV  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.  (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.

Chapters 1 through 5 of Revelation are the introduction that prepares the setting and stage; of all of the fulfillment of God’s plan that begins with the End Time.  This course of events commences with the opening of the first seal; the White Horse and culminates in the seventh trump of the return of Jesus Christ.  The chart below is a map through these events.

You need to fully understand the events that are unfolding on the world stage.  Your future is at stake.  Pray for understanding; pray that the LORD would lead you into His righteousness.  Now is the time to make your calling an election sure!