December 7, 2010
Revelation 5
Pastor Jeff Allen
I’ll never forget when my brother took me to his favorite football stadium. I had been to RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, which seated 56,000 people, and been among 68,000 at the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Field, but my first-time experience was incredible when I heard 110,000 people chanting, “WE ARE…PENN STATE!”
If you have ever been in a sports stadium or arena during a game, you’ve probably heard the crowd chanting something in unison, like “Defense!” There’s something amazing about the moment when the home team does something good and the crowd jumps to its feet with excitement and in unison. It’s even more amazing when that moment awards a championship.
When I read Revelation 5, it’s tough to hold back tears. It’s like watching a game-winning moment that symbolizes victory for all eternity! It makes me want to leap out of my chair, scream and sing in unison with the angels until my voice is gone and my energy is depleted.
John’s vision is so amazing! There’s a huge crowd of people, angels, elders… looking for someone to change their situation. They are helpless and looking for someone to bring victory. They’re looking for a hero. Suddenly there’s a figure that appears seemingly out of nowhere. He’s a champion standing victoriously with confidence and authority. His arrival and the realization that He has won the battle bring the crowd to a unified victory chant: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 (NLT)
Take a moment to dwell on this thought. Picture Jesus Christ - our Champion - rising from the grave and standing victoriously amidst the multitudes in Heaven while the crowd is chanting praises to Him. What would it be like to be in that crowd? How would you feel? What would you do?
When asked to describe his favorite meal, Pastor Jeff identified “steak, baked potato, corn, asparagus (when cooked right), fresh rolls and a cherry crumb pie with ice cream.”
