This is a continuation of the invitation to worship. John sees that the one on the throne has a scroll that is sealed. This is like an architect with the plans for a great building. Only the one who can enact the plans can open the scroll. John weeps because there is no one worthy to open the scroll. Israel couldn't do it and neither can any of us. So, apparently God's plan to renew the world and set things right will not be enacted.

But then the angel says, "Hold up - the Lion is here - he'll open the scroll!" So, John HEARS that the Lion can open the scroll. But when he looks up, what does he SEE? A little slaughtered Lamb. So God's victory won't come through the lion-like strength, violence, and brute force. No, God will still have a lion-like victory and transform the world, but it will come through self-giving, self-sacrificing love. It's the only way the world gets transformed.

When we worship THIS God - the little Lamb - we are transformed. We are purchased by God and become a kingdom of priests. What do priests do? Connect people to the Divine. We are now a conduit of God's self-giving, self-sacrificing love that transforms the world.

But when we walk out the doors, we're under constant pressure to have a different identity.

Speaker: Aaron Vis

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

http://bible.com/events/48917740