A Mormon leader asked a twenty-one-year-old man if he was considering going on a two-year missionary commitment. This man said, “I wanted to go, but I am not worthy.” The leader asked, “Who made that judgment?” He responded, “I did.” The leader also asked a mother if she would attend her daughter’s wedding being held in the temple. She responded, “I would like to, but I am unworthy.” He asked again, “Who made that judgment? She said, “I did.”

A majestic scene unfolds as John is ushered into heaven to view the throne of God. At the right hand of the throne is “a book written within and on the backside,…sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1). “A strong angel” asks, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof”? (vs. 2). When no one is worthy to open the book, John weeps greatly because he longed to learn its contents. Then the elders tell John “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” has prevailed. The elders fall down before the “Lamb” saying, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof” (vss. 5-6, 9). Verse 12 repeats, “Worthy is the Lamb.” But why is the Lord Jesus Christ worthy of such praise? His description as a Lion from Judah who descended from David all relate to His deity, identifying Him as the One promised by God the Father. But He is also called “a Lamb as it had been slain” (vs. 6). Isaiah 53 promised a divine Redeemer who would bear the sins of Israel so all Jews could be found acceptable to God the Father. Revelation 5:9 confirms, “for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us [Israel] to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” John witnesses the hosts of heaven, human and hundreds of thousands of angels, as a huge choir, worshipping the Savior by singing “a new song” (vs. 9). It gives praise and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ because He was worthy to open this mysterious book. He was, and is, worthy of all praise. Notice too, the focus is not on Christ in the manger, but as having died for mankind, yet triumphantly risen.

If the hosts of heaven exalt the Savior in songs of praise and worship, we should too! Go through today singing praises to your risen Savior for His payment for sins and majestic deity. He is worthy.