Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain – An Expository Sermon on Revelation 5:12 | From Darkness To Light Ministry

Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain (Revelation 5:12)

Text: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12, NKJV)

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Introduction: Heaven’s Loudest Declaration of Worth

Revelation chapter 5 opens a window into the throne room of heaven and allows us to hear the loudest, most authoritative declaration ever spoken about Jesus Christ. It is not spoken by theologians, philosophers, or earthly rulers, but by angels beyond number and redeemed saints from every age. Their unified cry is not merely emotional worship; it is a theological proclamation grounded in redemptive history: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” This statement anchors Christian faith, worship, preaching, and hope. The worthiness of Christ is not abstract; it is inseparably tied to His sacrificial death. In this heavenly scene, the cross is not minimized but magnified. The Lamb’s wounds are not hidden; they are the very reason He is enthroned. Revelation 5:12 calls the church to see Christ rightly, worship Him fully, and proclaim Him boldly in a world desperate for true worth.

The Context of Revelation 5: A Scroll No One Could Open

John’s vision begins with a scroll sealed with seven seals in the right hand of God (Revelation 5:1). This scroll represents God’s redemptive plan for history—His righteous judgments, restoration of creation, and final victory over evil. A strong angel asks, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” (Revelation 5:2). The question echoes across heaven, earth, and under the earth, but no one is found worthy (Revelation 5:3). John weeps, not out of curiosity, but because without a worthy Redeemer, God’s purposes would remain unfulfilled. This moment highlights humanity’s deepest problem: no created being possesses the moral authority, righteousness, or redemptive power to accomplish God’s plan. Only divine worthiness can unlock divine purposes.

The Lion Who Appears as a Lamb

Hope breaks into John’s tears when one of the elders declares, “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed” (Revelation 5:5). Yet when John looks, he does not see a roaring lion but “a Lamb as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). This is one of the most profound Christological revelations in Scripture. Christ conquers not through raw force but through sacrificial love. His victory is achieved through obedience unto death (Philippians 2:8–9). The Lamb bears visible marks of slaughter, reminding heaven and earth that redemption came at infinite cost. Power and humility meet in Christ. Strength is revealed through suffering. This paradox lies at the heart of the gospel and defines the worthiness of Jesus.

Why the Lamb Is Worthy: The Theology of Redemption

The worthiness of the Lamb is not rooted merely in His divine nature but in His redemptive work. Revelation 5:9 declares, “You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood.” Redemption is the purchase of slaves from bondage, and humanity was enslaved to sin and death (Romans 6:23). Christ’s blood satisfied divine justice, fulfilled the law, and reconciled sinners to God (Romans 3:24–26; Colossians 1:20). Worthiness is earned through obedience and sacrifice. Jesus is worthy because He accomplished what no one else could—He bore the wrath of God, defeated Satan, and secured eternal salvation for His people (Hebrews 9:12). Heaven worships Him because heaven understands the full cost and glory of redemption.

“Worthy Is the Lamb”: Worship Rooted in Truth

Heavenly worship in Revelation 5 is doctrinal, not sentimental. The angels proclaim specific attributes: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:12). These are not arbitrary praises; they correspond to who Christ is and what He has done. True worship flows from truth rightly understood (John 4:23–24). When the church sings about the Lamb, it joins an eternal chorus that transcends time and culture. Worship is not entertainment; it is a response to revealed worth. The more clearly Christ is preached, the more deeply He is praised. A shallow view of the cross produces shallow worship, but a biblical understanding of the Lamb slain produces reverent, joyful, and obedient praise.

Power and Riches: Christ’s Sovereign Authority

The Lamb is declared worthy to receive power and riches (Revelation 5:12). Power speaks of sovereign authority, while riches point to infinite sufficiency. Though Jesus was weak in appearance on the cross, He now reigns with all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). His poverty purchased our riches (2 Corinthians 8:9). Christ lacks nothing and needs nothing, yet He graciously shares His riches with His redeemed people—grace, righteousness, inheritance, and eternal life (Ephesians 1:7–11). The exalted Christ rules history, governs the church, and will ultimately judge the world in righteousness. The Lamb who died is the King who reigns.

Wisdom and Strength: The Cross as God’s Masterpiece

Heaven declares the Lamb worthy of wisdom and strength. The cross, once seen as foolishness, is revealed as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23–24). In Christ’s death, God displayed perfect justice and perfect mercy. Satan’s apparent victory became his ultimate defeat (Colossians 2:15). Strength is not merely physical might but moral endurance and faithful obedience. Jesus endured temptation, rejection, suffering, and death without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His resurrection vindicated His righteousness and displayed divine power (Romans 1:4). The wisdom and strength of the Lamb assure believers that God’s plan is perfect, His promises are secure, and His purposes cannot fail.

Honor, Glory, and Blessing: The Exaltation of Christ

The final triad—honor, glory, and blessing—speaks of Christ’s eternal exaltation. Honor reflects the recognition of His rightful status. Glory reveals the radiance of His divine presence. Blessing expresses gratitude and praise from redeemed hearts. Philippians 2:9–11 confirms that God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him the name above every name. One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Revelation 5 shows that this universal confession begins in heaven and will one day encompass all creation. The Lamb’s glory is not temporary; it is eternal and unchallenged.

The Lamb and the Mission of the Church

The vision of Revelation 5 fuels the mission of the church. The redeemed are described as coming “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). Christ’s worthiness compels global proclamation. The gospel is not limited by culture, language, or geography. Because the Lamb was slain for sinners worldwide, the church is commissioned to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). Evangelism is not driven by guilt but by glory—the glory of the Lamb who deserves worship from every corner of the earth. Missions exist because worship does not yet exist everywhere.

The Lamb and Christian Suffering

For persecuted believers, Revelation 5 offers deep comfort. The Lamb who reigns is the Lamb who suffered. He understands pain, rejection, and injustice (Isaiah 53:3–5). Believers who suffer for Christ are united with Him and will share in His glory (Romans 8:17). The cross assures us that suffering is not meaningless and that God brings victory through apparent defeat. The slain Lamb reminds the church that faithfulness, not earthly success, defines true victory. In the end, those who follow the Lamb will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11).

A Call to Preach Christ Crucified and Exalted

An expository sermon on Revelation 5:12 must center on Christ crucified and risen. The church must resist the temptation to preach moralism, self-help, or cultural commentary without the cross. Paul declared, “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Revelation shows that heaven never moves beyond the cross; it eternally celebrates it. Every sermon, song, and ministry finds its power when it magnifies the Lamb. When Christ is lifted up, hearts are drawn to worship, repentance, and obedience (John 12:32).

Conclusion: Joining Heaven’s Eternal Song

Revelation 5:12 invites believers to live now in light of eternal reality. The Lamb who was slain is worthy—worthy of our faith, obedience, worship, and lives. Heaven’s song is not merely future; it is present. Every time the church gathers, preaches the gospel, celebrates communion, and sings praises to Christ, it echoes the worship of heaven. One day, faith will become sight, and the redeemed will join that countless multitude in person. Until then, the church proclaims with confidence and joy: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!” To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (Revelation 5:13).