Based on Revelation 5 (New King James Version)
“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because 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 loose its seven seals.’ And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven 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. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘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 have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.’ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying 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!’ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.”
The Spanish writer Pedro Valles first wrote this proverb in 1549; and it was later made world-famous by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in his 1615 work Don Quixote de la Mancha: "There is a long way between saying and doing (translated)." The concept behind this proverb did not originate with them; rather, it reflects a fundamental universal truth. Understanding this is crucial, but—above all—so is following through one's words (for the good, of course). Words and promises hold value but carrying them out or fulfilling them is a different matter entirely, something far more difficult, and in certain situations even impossible. All relationships hinge on promises and actions—on someone saying or promising something and then actually doing it. This is how trust and faith are built. Indeed, this forms the basis of faith—both between people and, most importantly, from humanity to God. A person earns the trust of others—or proves themselves trustworthy—by doing what they promise. When someone is a person of their word, they are held in high esteem, even by their enemies. That is the value of fulfilling what one promises or says.
Now, applying this to the divine—to God, which is what should matter most to us—this is what makes faith in Almighty God possible: because what He has said or says always comes to pass, one way or another. The reality is that God’s Word is fulfilled across different realms—spanning both this material universe and the invisible universe. Everything that exists—whether temporal or eternal, physical or spiritual—exists because God spoke it into being, as it is written: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. This is the great power of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is impossible for us to comprehend—from a human perspective—that this humble Being who came to be the Lamb of God, who lived as a poor man, and who was crucified and died, could be the very One through whom all things exist, are, and shall be. Yet, the Apostle John said this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3. This is the serious problem facing most of our Jewish friends (at the moment): reconciling the fact that the very God who performed all those miracles through Moses—the "I AM" who made the mountain tremble, brought down fire from heaven, and parted the sea—could be this same Jesus of Nazareth. And let us not be too harsh with them, for even though many profess to believe in Christ, when faced with a test or a call to obedience, many question His deity. The difference is that, at the very least, they are more sincere. The Lord Himself would say this about many today who claim to believe in Him: “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me…” Matthew 15:7-9a.
So, what does all this have to do with today’s passage? The Lord is worthy not only as part of the “Elohim” mentioned in the Old Testament—but also because of all He has done and fulfilled. He is not only the Word of God, but the “action” of God. In other words, when God speaks, it is through Christ, and it is Christ who brings God’s Word to reality. When: “…God (Elohim) said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light (Genesis 1:3),” The Lord was both the Word and the One who brought it to pass. When all the prophecies written about the Messiah were fulfilled in the Lord, it was He who spoke them through His Word and fulfilled them. It is written: “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” Matthew 1:22-23. And the greatest act the Lord accomplished was His sacrifice—surrendering Himself to death in obedience to God the Father. The Holy One took our place solely out of grace, mercy, and love. That is why the passage in Revelation 5 refers to Him primarily as "the Lamb." God knew from the beginning that everything had to be fulfilled; yet, knowing things is one thing, but seeing them fulfilled—witnessing the event unfold—is quite another. God the Father watched His only begotten Son allow Himself to be arrested, mocked, and scourged. And He finally allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross and die, out of love and obedience.
And this brings us to the matter that should concern us most: the great judgment that awaits us. God knows everything that will happen and everything each of us will do—whether right or wrong—but judgment is not based on knowledge alone; it is based on deeds. Everything hinges on our actions—and, above all, on whether we are Christians in word only or in heart. The Word says: “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:7. The Lord Jesus triumphed on the cross and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father—by virtue of both His title and His deeds. Now, the task falls to us. We can do all things in Christ—for we cannot succeed on our own—yet we must make ourselves ready and submit to carrying out His will, for the glory of God and as evidence of our faith. So, do you merely know about faith in Christ, or do you live it out daily? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!