This is Living Waters of Grace, the teaching ministry of Clark
Wofford, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel of Westmoreland,
County of Greensburg, PA. Now here's Pastor Clark as he
continues teaching through God's Word.
Why would we want to hurt one another?
Why would we want to say evil things about one another?
Why would we want to be unforgiving and bitter and
hateful and spiteful and lustful and, and just all these
characteristics that come out of the depraved human heart when
God is the way he is and we see him in that throne room and
pictured as the Holy One who loves us and.
Who's given everything for us? Last time on Living Waters of
Grace, Pastor Clark shared with us how Jesus is called the Lamb
of God. We learned that Jesus was called
the Lamb of God because of the correlation to the Passover
lamb. Today, Pastor Clark will focus
on the love of God that was displayed through the life of
Jesus and this should be our example.
Our lives, like the life of Jesus, should be for the sake of
others. Our love for God should be seen
in how we love the people around us, including those we might
define as enemies. Now here's Pastor Clark in
Revelation Chapter 5 with today's edition of Living Waters
of Grace. And no one in heaven are on
earth or under the. Earth was able to.
Open the scroll or. To look at it and the reason
that is, is that. We're all sinful people.
There's only one. That has the power and the
ability and the right to cast judgment.
Right now, you and I aren't to judge.
The Bible says judge not lest she be judged.
One of my prayers every day is Lord help me to judge my own
sins. And not the sins of my brothers
and sisters. It's easy for us to judge, but
our judgments have no power. They have no authority.
And I'm not talking about the judgments.
Of sin or church discipline those have been given to us that
authority by. The word of God.
But in regard. To judging sinful people, well,
this person deserves to go to. Hell, because of.
This and this and that. Well, if that's the case, we all
deserve to go to hell, right? There's none of us that are
worthy. Praise God that when you look at
someone who's messed up that your heart would pray for the
Lord. To save them and.
Work in their lives as he's worked in yours, and that you
wouldn't be casting judgment. But John's weeping.
This was so broken understanding that we are so unholy.
Compared to the greatness. Of our God our.
Savior Jesus Christ. In John 87 it says He that is
without sin among you, let him. Cast the first stone.
Who of us here today can pick up a stone and throw it at each
other? None of us.
God's our judge the Scripture. Reminds us about this.
Picture of the scepter. Of God's righteousness.
That only is given to the one. From the tribe of Judah, Jesus
Christ himself in Genesis. 44910 It says a scepter shall not
depart from. Judah, nor a lawgiver from
between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the
gathering. Of the people be.
And we see that verse 4 says he wept so much that no one was
found worthy to open and read the scroll or to look at it.
But one of the elders said to me, do not.
Weep, behold the lion. Of the tribe of Judah, the root
of David has prevailed to open the scroll and to lucid 7 seals.
And so the the beauty of this is Jesus isn't only the descendant.
Of the throne of. David.
But he's the one who established the throne before the earth was
made. So David truly is a descendant
of our Savior, the Messiah Jesus.
Christ, but in Jesus humanity he is a descendant of this lineage.
Through David. 'S father, Jesse.
And the Messiah is. This word Shiloh is taken from
the word. Meaning Messiah, and he takes
the scepter the. Symbol of the right.
To govern, There's only one that has the authority to govern the
universe and the whole. World and that's our Savior
Jesus Christ and all those in the.
Line of Judah David. And Solomon and Rehoboam were.
Actually kings from the line of Judah, but Jesus himself is.
Truly the king of. Kings and the Lord of Lords that
was preordained and prophesized by the Old Testament Saints and
the Prophets. In Acts 13 is an interesting
verse that ties into this if you got your.
Bible to flip over there to Acts 13, it's amazing.
How all these things connect together.
Acts 13 verse 22 and 23 it says. And when he had removed him, he
raised up for them David as king, to whom also he gave
testimony and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man
after my own heart, who will do my will from this man's seed.
Referring to David, according to the promise God raised up for
Israel a Savior Jesus. And so Jesus is.
This one that's being. Spoken about in the Book of
Revelation, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of
David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven
seals. Jesus is seen as he looks in
verse 6. And behold, in the midst of the
throne, and are the four living creatures.
Into the midst of the elder stood a lamb as though it had
been slain, having 7 horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Then he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who
sat on the throne. Again, when we study the Book of
Revelation. Some of these things are quite
graphic and strange. You know that we would think,
OK, here's here's the Lord here referred to as a lamb, the Lamb
of God. Who taketh away the?
Sin of the world. That's what John the Baptist
said whenever he saw Jesus walking at him.
He said, behold, the Lamb of God.
Now Jesus was not coming down the road as a lamb, but he's
pictured in type and the old. Testament is a Passover.
Lamb that he is the true Lamb of God that has the ability to take
away the sins of the world. Well, John is.
Giving us a. Picture as though.
It had been slain and he's describing what he's seeing in
this this vision and the lion is referring to the one who judges
the sins of the ungodly, the lion of the tribe of Judah.
And the seven horns represent the complete omnipotent power of
God. 7 is always a number of completeness and perfection.
The seven eyes show the. Omniscience of God, that God is
all seeing. He's everywhere present.
And knows all things I mean today he.
Looks into your heart and mine. He sees it all.
We can't see each other's hearts.
But God sees it all. He's receiving now, taking into
his own hands the title. D to the universe, the beautiful
picture. Is that only the father has the
authority? To give this.
Scroll and only the Son has the power and the authority to
receive it, no one else. And what happens in verse 8 when
he takes this scroll the the living creatures, the four
creatures and the 24 elders, they fall down before the lamb.
They fall down and adore him and worship him do.
You ever experience in your life?
I'm sure you have certain times in your life.
And I sense that at times here when our worship team leads us,
and sometimes I just want to throw myself on my face on the
ground. And I would tell you that that
would never be inappropriate here.
If you ever are inclined to get on your knees during the
worship, there's nothing wrong with that.
And it isn't body language that gets the heart of God, it's our
heart. I mean we could be on our knees
and our heart could be 1,000,000 miles from God, but what God
wants is those who worship Him in spirit and truth.
And sometimes our physical ways about us represent what's going
on in our heart. Whether we raise our hands or
bow on our knees. But I find that in my home, in
my own prayer closet, that's where I'm most comfortable
getting on my face with God, right?
No one can judge me saying, why is he doing that?
Is he trying to be spiritual or trying to act like he's
something? No, but God sees me alone,
right? And at times I'm just thrown to
to be on my. Face before the Lord.
And that's what's happening here.
All this. Beauty.
Can you imagine? Seeing the Lord Jesus grabbing
this, taking the scroll. And his hand from the father,
and knowing there as John knows that he's the.
Only one that's. Worthy and the elders see.
Worthy as a lamb. And the creatures that God has
manifests and created, they're worshipping.
It's astounding. It's overwhelming.
How could one not be on their face?
Before the Lord. And I love this part here which
says they have these golden balls full of incense which are
the prayers of the Saints. All the prayers that you and I
have sent up to the Kingdom since we've known the Lord.
Many of. Them are still unanswered, but I
believe one day that God will take those prayers that we've
given to him and and bring a conclusion to those prayers.
Some of the answers will be yes, some of the answers will be no.
But one of the big. Answers.
That He will give us is the prayer that the Lord gave his
disciples, where He said our. Father who art in.
Heaven hallowed be thy name thy. Kingdom come on earth as it is
in. Heaven, this is the.
Beginning of the. Kingdom of God eventually coming
to this earth and being established in in Jerusalem and
Jesus will roll with an iron hand for a. 1000 years and
forever and ever and ever and we'll roll with him.
But the beauty of this incense of the prayers of the Saints are
like sweet smelling incense to his heart, is that the prayers
that you and I give up to the Lord are never forgotten by God
and God. Has those prayers.
They're not wasted. I I find it amazing that all the
prayers are put in a bowl. Not one of them are worthless.
Not one of them to God are senseless or.
Unimportant and it. Says they're going to sing a new
song in verse 9, a new song they're going to sing not
something they remember when they sang the Hellel songs in
the Psalms of the Old Testament that were very symbolic of the
nation of Israel and worship to God or in the in the in the
garden at the time that Jesus was.
Being. Prepared to give his life There
was some hymns that were sung but this is a brand new song and
you know Rick and the. Guys, if they wanted to, they
could write the music to the song.
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your
blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
and it made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign
on the earth. That's a brand new song.
You know when the gospel goes out and we support missionaries,
especially some. Who are in unreached?
People groups like the Dawsons in Venezuela, the beauty of
missions and the beauty of being involved.
As a. Church in Missions is that we
are all part of what's happening.
On the mission field here from this local church and as they
are out there laboring and being faithful to give the gospel and
and these. Tribal Indians come to know the
Lord. They'll be in the Kingdom of
heaven one day at the same table that you and I will be.
At the marriage supper of the lamb.
It says there will be representatives there from every
tongue, every language group, every tribe, every people in
every. Nation.
No sectarianism in heaven, No prejudice believers made-up of
every tongue. Tribe, kindred and nation.
And they'll sing this new song. You have redeemed us, He has
bought us with His blood, and now we see that there is true
dominion because He's making us kings and priests to our God,
and we shall reign on the earth. That's hard to fathom that
whenever we come. Back with.
Christ at the second coming that we're going to have positions of
authority in the earth during that 1000 years.
We're going to. Have roll and reign.
As kings and priests for our God on the face of the earth.
I don't know some of you you. You might be.
The new mayor of. Greensburg or something, I don't
know, but we're going to have amazing titles and, and just to
encourage you, there is no one unimportant.
In the body of Christ. Guys, there is no one here and
no one down here. We're all the same.
Christ is ahead and He loves us and accepts us the same way.
There's no one insignificant. We are precious in His sight, so
precious that even the very hairs of our head are numbered.
He has a specific purpose for you during that millennial
reign, already chosen, already picked out, already described to
fit your temperament, your personality, how God's made you
and created you to be. You're not to be like me and I'm
not to be like you. We're all different and unique
and. Precious in his sight, the body
of Christ. Not one member can say to the
other member I have. No need of you can we?
We all need each other and the parts that seem to be the less.
Important in the eyes. Of man, God.
Chooses them to be. The most important, the most
quietest, loving, godly, meek, prayerful person in our church
is seen by God to be so much greater than the person who's
speaking and talking all the time.
The Kingdom is upside down, isn't it?
The world looks for. Fame and fortune and.
Personality and popularity, and the Kingdom of God looks for
humility and meekness. And quietness.
And so we see these songs being sung.
And the true dominion is beautiful because as God
intended this world to be when he created Adam and Eve, one day
it'll be. Restored to that place that it
was. Before the fall and that
original part of creation where? God had that beautiful.
Garden and that scene. Where?
Man and woman could talk to God audibly and they could hear his
voice and all the heavenly hosts.
In verse 11 it says I heard the voice of many angels around the
throne and living creatures and the elders, and the numbers of
them were 10,000 * 10,000 and thousands of thousands saying
with a loud voice, Worthy is a lamb who is slain to receive
power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and
blessing. How many have the new King James
Version in here? Read Raise your hand.
I want you to read this with me in unison.
Worthy is a lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and
wisdom and strength and honor and.
Glory and blessing. We have maybe 30 people that
read that with me. OK?
Can you imagine 10,000 * 10,000 the myriad of angels and the
heavenly hosts? It's going to be this deafening
the sound. And the glory of God.
True dominion where Christ will. Truly reign and roll and we will
roll with him and this heavenly host in verse 11.
They're going to break out and this voice and John hears this
and the wicked. Will no.
Longer have an opportunity to prosper as the judgment is about
to be poured out on the earth. The Dominion of the.
Evil one will be destroyed. In other words, the title.
Deed of the Earth. Right now, the enemy.
Is the Prince of the power? Of the air.
He's the small G God of this. World that has.
A degree of dominion for a period of.
Time only under the authority. Of God, but.
One day he will have, absolutely.
No more influence and no more. Ability to dominate.
The evil one will be destroyed. Now we.
Look at the. Throne of God and all these
angelic beings. And angels are very, very
fascinating because they're here with us today.
We can't see them. But they're in our.
Midst they're listening. The Bible says that every time
the Word is preached, the angels are in anticipation of wanting
to hear. Something new to learn.
Something more the heavenly host.
I love the artwork of the picture of the.
Mother and father at the bed. Of their child.
And they're praying and asking God to work in their.
Heart of their. Children so that they'll come to
know the. Lord and the Evil.
One is wanting to come in and just destroy the.
Family, but the heavenly. Hosts The Archangels are
surrounding outside the window and they're.
Preventing evil and ungodliness and and darkness to enter into
the life of. The family as the parents are
praying for their home and for their family and for their.
Children, what a beautiful, beautiful picture.
But you have these three spheres of heaven.
Paul was taken up into that place where John was, and he saw
things he said he couldn't even describe with human words.
But we have in that first realm the Seraphim and the Cherifim.
And the Thrones, the principalities of God that are.
Designated to be in that particular domain of heaven,
they're the. Guardians.
Of the throne of. Guard of God.
And the second sphere is. We read about this in Ephesians
and the. Chapter 6 about the the weapons
of. Our warfare and the armor of
God. The dominions, the virtues
meaning the might and the powers.
They're the heavenly governors of the Kingdom.
And then the third sphere is the Principalities, the Archangels
and the Angels. And these are the ones that are
the messengers. They're the ones that take the
message out to the far ends of the Earth, and they're.
Also the soldiers. They're.
Guarding you and me. Today I love what?
It says in. Hebrews about the angels, are
they not ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them
who are the heirs of salvation? You have a guardian Angel.
I do too. And I think many times my
guardian Angel is saying, why did you assign me to Clark?
You know, he's just been a real problem.
I'll have to apologize to my Angel when I get to the Kingdom
one day for the things he's had to put up with me.
But the good news is, is that God has assigned angelic beings.
To watch over you and to protect you.
And then the last two verses and as we finish this chapter says
in every creature in verse 13 which is in heaven and on earth
and and under the earth, and as such are in the.
Sea and all that. Are in them are heard saying the
amazing thing the Bible. Says Jesus talks about the
descendants and the people who were proud because they were of
the lineage of David. And Jesus tells them that, you
know, I could cause these rocks to rejoice and praise me if I
wanted to. The whole creation.
It says in Romans. Is waiting in earnest
expectation to praise and magnify God.
Waiting for the culmination of these things that we're studying
about in Revelation. And they're saying blessing and
honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne, and
to the Lamb forever and ever glorifying.
The Lamb of God and the. Father, the four living
creatures, the 24 elders, and the numerous angels and all the
creatures of the universe, worshipping and giving.
Glory to God. And then the four living
creatures said Amen, It's. Good to say.
Amen. Amen.
We can say. Amen.
They say it in heaven. We can say it here on earth too.
So be it. Lord and the 24 elders fell down
and worshipped Him. Who lives?
Forever and ever. So this scene.
That we're studying today is a prelude to the righteous
judgments from a holy God, which will begin to erupt.
Upon those still on the earth who have refused God's mercy and
love, holding on to their. Sin and rebellion against God
it's hard to fathom we. Hear these things today.
And God knows our hearts and some of us might be here today
and think, well, who cares? So what?
What's this mean to me? Well, if you're a believer in.
Christ, you wouldn't. Say that this means everything
to you. It's God's love letter to you,
His promises to you, but He's prepared for you.
But if you're lost and you can't see, this is bizarre.
It's strange, it's confusing, it's not drawing because you
hold on to something that has got you in bondage and that's
your. Sin and your rebellion.
Of wanting to. Have your own way.
And be part. Of the crowd that says.
We will not have this man to. Rule over us.
Let's crucify Him and we crucify Christ by our own sin.
As unbelievers, we basically are still driving nails into Him,
hating Him for what he represents and what he came to
do. Why would we want to do that to
the one who loves us so much that he gave us his only
begotten Son? Why would we want to hurt one
another? Why would we want to say evil
things about one another? Why would we want to be
unforgiving and bitter and hateful and spiteful and lustful
and, and this all these characteristics that come out of
the depraved human heart when God is the way he is and we see
him in that throne room and pictured is the Holy One who
loves us and has given everything for us.
And John sees what it cost him when he's giving this vision to
the people that are listening and those who us today who are
hearing it. And where do we fit in with all
this? Where?
Where do we? Belong.
Do we belong in that room, that throne room with John?
Are we still on the outside looking in?
That's what we have to ask ourselves today.
And the heart is deep. The Bible says it's a very, very
unwielding part of the human psyche.
The heart is a vessel that is hard.
It is rebellious. The Bible tells us it's
desperately wicked, and it's only the.
Lord, who can? Try our hearts and know our
thoughts, right? And so I'd like to just conclude
today and giving the Lord again the opportunity to examine our
hearts. To see where.
We are with these wonderful things of God, will we?
Walk away from this. Today.
And just think, So what? Or will we walk away and a
deeper appreciation of the majesty and the greatness and
the glory and the dominion and the authority of our Lord.
That's what I pray will be a case for all of us.
We are digging into the Book of Revelation here on Living Waters
of Grace. Pastor Clark is tackling this
challenging book as we try to discern the messages that are
within its pages. There's so much imagery and at
times you're not always sure what's literal and what's
metaphorical. At one point there's a reference
to an adulterous woman riding on a beast.
And as someone else mentioned, at one point it almost sounds
like a rodeo from hell. And in actuality it kind of is.
You learn about the downfall and demise of a sinful and
rebellious world, falling down in worship to someone who is the
anti hero, the enemy, Satan working his insidious ways into
the minds of fallen people. It's sad and it's heartbreaking,
but it's a classic story of good versus evil.
Thankfully, we know how this story ends.
Jesus wins, Jesus reigns, and evil is conquered once and for
all. We pray and trust you've
received Jesus as your Savior. But if you haven't, don't wait
until the events in Revelation become what's happening on the
streets. None of us wants you to be there
at that time. Instead, we'd love for you to be
with us in heaven as we celebrate the marriage supper
with Jesus as his bridegroom. To get a better understanding of
where we are in the Book of Revelation, to listen to any
messages before or after this one, you can find them at our
website, calvarychapelonline.com.
That's it for today's edition, but we hope you'll want to hear
Pastor Clark teach more from the Book of Revelation.
It can be exciting to think about the future for believers,
but it can feel a bit harrowing for those who don't believe.
Come hear more next time on Living Waters of Grace.