When I was in college I finally got an interview for a job I'd been wanting since high school. I got through the initial phone call and had the chance to sit down with a manager of Gadzooks. You remember, the late 90's/early 20's store that was the pinnacle of alt-culture? Yeah, I actually wanted to work there. For everyone who tried to be different during that era, it was the place to be. We didn't realize it pretty much made everyone look the same, but it was OUR store. For the kids who didn't shop at Dillard's, drive to Shreveport to Old Navy or American Eagle. We didn't have the cash for a Tommy Hilfiger polo, but we could scrap the $18 together to get a random band shirt.

It was the form of being different, while altogether blending into just another community. It was a form of commercialized resistance…quite the paradox. Now, nearly 20 years later…I think back and laugh about it.

What does it mean for something to truly be different? From the bottom to the top different?

That's part of the story this week. We are reading Revelation 5, the chapter right after our conversation last week. In some ways, chapter 4 just sets up the story that is taking place in this chapter.

Worthy

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: "Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals."

6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spiritof God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:

"You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth." 11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing." 13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever." 14 And the four living beings said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

John is at the point where he realizes something has to happen and no one has the ability to actually do it. Until an angel taps him on the shoulder and refers to "the worthy one", the only being that is truly able and different enough to open up this scroll and begin putting into place the decided actions of God. He said to watch for the Lion, but John only see's a lamb.

Something truly different. But worthy.