What were those moments like when heaven paused and held it’s collective breath? When John saw Him who sits on the throne, in splendor and glory, raise His right hand to reveal a scroll sealed with seven seals . . . when John and all of heaven heard the loud proclamation of that strong and mighty angel, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And then heaven goes silent . . . for no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth had the power or capability to open the scroll . . . or to even look at it. And John says that he wept much because no one was found worthy.

But you don’t read that anyone else wept . . . not the twenty four elders . . . not the living creatures who declare God’s holiness day and night . . . not the myriads of saints surrounding the throne. John was the outsider. He didn’t realize it was perhaps a bit of a rhetorical question. Spoken maybe to “set up” the moment . . . to prepare the anticipation . . . to emphasize the holy sacred trust of handling the scroll. For, as John cries, one of the elders leans over and whispers to him, “Do no weep. Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (Rev. 5:5) Don’t cry . . . behold! Wipe away the tears . . . and turn Your eyes upon Him! Who is worthy? He is worthy!

And in the midst of that great heavenly silence He emerges . . . coming into view for all to see. There, in the midst of the throne . . . among the living creatures . . . in the middle of the twenty four elders . . . stands the Lion . . . stands the Heir to David’s throne . . . stands a Lamb. A Lamb as though it had been slain! And in that instance, John realizes what all heaven already knows . . . He is worthy!

Behold the Lamb. He who was slain . . . slain that He might redeem lost souls to their God through His blood . . . slain that people out of every tribe and tongue and nation might be gathered around that throne as He is declared the One who alone is worthy.

The silence is broken! Heaven comes alive as the elders fall before the Lamb . . . each with a harp . . . each with a golden bowl full of the prayers of the saints . . . and they start to sing . . . to sing at the top of their voices . . . to sing a new song, “You are worthy.”

And then the angels get into the act. Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels join with the elders and shout with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” (5:11-12)

Heaven is silent no more . . . the question asked has been answered. The Lamb is the Lion . . . He who was slain is the King. He is Jesus . . . the Son of God . . . the Christ . . . Immanuel . . . the once for all Atoning Sacrifice . . . the Conqueror of sin and death . . . resurrected . . . ascended . . . and before the throne. And He, praise God, is worthy!

“Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (5:13)

The living creatures say, “Amen!” The twenty-four elders fall down and worship Him. (5:14) And I say, “Amen!” . . . and I fall down and worship too.

Who’s worthy? He’s worthy!