Worthy is the Lamb
The Book of Revelation
Taught by Bernard Bell:
Worthy is the LambThe Book of RevelationTaught by Bernard Bell: |
This class has been offered several times over the past few years.
Study Book: the latest version of my notes (pdf 488 kB, 3/22/2002).
Sermons: my sermons on Revelation as a single pdf file (1.3 MB). 23 sermons covering 1:1–14:5.
PBCC Services: notes for services accompanying my sermons on Revelation.
Power on Earth to Stand in the Face of Hell - my sermon on Rev 1:1-8, preached at PBCC on 7/15/2001 (pdf | mp3).
King of kings and Lord of lords - my sermon on Rev 1:4-5, preached at PBCC on 4/04/2004, Palm Sunday (pdf).
Helpful links:
www.roman-empire.net - Illustrated History of the Roman Empire.
www.roman-emperors.org - De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors.
The Vision that Leads to Worship - my sermon on Rev 1:9-20, preached at PBCC on 7/22/2001 (pdf | mp3).
Helpful links:
The Wind in the Willows - the complete text of Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s story (University of Maryland Fiction Archive). The passage I read about the encounter of Mole and Rat with the August Presence is from chapter 7: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. I have prepared a pdf version (268k), in which the quote is on page 34.
Pictures: this site shows some of the pictures included in the original edition of The Wind in the Willows.
My sermons on the Seven Messages:
Preserving Passion: Message to the Church in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7), 12/30/2001 (pdf | mp3).
Defying Death: Message to the Church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11), 1/06/2002 (pdf | mp3).
Avoiding Compromise: Message to the Church in Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17), 1/13/2002 (pdf | mp3).
Resisting Deception: Message to the Church in Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29), 7/14/2002 (pdf | mp3).
Staying Alert: Message to the Church in Sardis (Rev 3:1-6), 7/21/2002 (pdf | mp3).
Standing Firm: Message to the Church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13), 7/28/2002 (pdf | mp3).
Poor and Needy: Message to the Church in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22), 8/04/2002 (pdf | mp3).
Helpful links:
Ephesus: excavated by Austrian Archaeological Institute. Comprehensive guide in the Perseus Digital Library ; Focus Multimedia article ; Panoramic virtual tour.
Smyrna: Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites. Read the Martyrdom of Polycarp - from Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, in Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org).
Pergamon: excavated by German Archaeological Institute. Comprehensive guide in the Perseus Digital Library.
Thyatira:
Sardis: Archaeological Exploration of Sardis - jointly sponsored by the Harvard University Art Museums and Cornell University. Comprehensive guide in Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites.
Philadelphia:
Laodicea: Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites.
Perseus Digital Library - a massive digital library hosted by the Department of Classics, Tufts University.
William M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven Churches (1904) - ccel electronic version.
Cities of Revelation: a site by Craig Koester of Luther Seminary, author of Revelation and the End of All Things (Eerdmans, 2001).
My sermons:
Behind the Veil (Rev 4), 4/06/2003 (pdf | mp3).
Worthy is the Lamb (Rev 5), 4/13/2003 (pdf | mp3).
Handout:
Music:
Sanctus from Mass in B Minor by J. S. Bach
| Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth! Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Osanna in excelsis! |
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! |
Holy, Holy, Holy: from Unveiled Hope (1997), Michael Card’s album about the Book of Revelation. There is an accompanying book of the same name, cowritten with Scotty Smith, senior pastor of Michael’s church, Christ Community Church (PCA), Franklin, TN.
The Heavenly Playground: a poem by Adrian Plass from The City of Gold: Impressions of Heaven in Poetry and Song (1997). A British album containing a delightful mix of songs, readings from Pilgrim’s Progress, and poetry by Adrian Plass. The album is available in the US from the US distributor.
Worthy is the Lamb from the Messiah by G. F. Handel: the closing piece of this sacred oratorio.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
Helpful links:
The Ghent Altarpiece is well-described at a couple of online art galleries:
CGFA: Ghent Altarpiece.
WebMuseum: Ghent Altarpiece.
My sermons:
When God Turns His Face (Rev 6), 7/13/2003 (pdf | mp3).
Who Can Stand? (Rev 7), 7/20/2003 (pdf | mp3).
Silence! (Rev 8:1-5), 7/27/2003 (pdf | mp3).
Music:
Dies Irae: the first two verses of this medieval poem from the Requiem by Verdi.
| Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sybilla. Quantus tremor est futurus, |
That day of wrath, that dreadful day, shall heaven and earth in ashes lay, as David and the Sybil say. What horror must invade the mind |
O rest in the Lord from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn: a sacred oratorio about Elijah, written in German and English versions.
Helpful links:
Dies Irae - The Day of Wrath - a Latin poem attributed to Thomas of Celano, a friend of St Francis of Assisi.
Catholic Encyclopedia (1908) article on Dies Irae.
Day of Judgment! Day of Wonders! by John Newton (1774). A hymn using similar language.
George Herbert: The Works of George Herbert. The poem I read was Prayer (I).
My sermons:
The Trumpet Shall Sound (Rev 8:6-9:21), 7/18/2004 (pdf | mp3).
Sweet and Sour (Rev 10), 7/25/2004 (pdf | mp3).
Faithful Witness (Rev 11:1-14), 8/01/2004 (pdf | mp3).
Long Live the King! (Rev 11:15-19), 8/08/2004 (pdf).
Music:
Zadok the Priest by G. F. Handel: written for the coronation of King George II in 1727; based on 1 Kings 1:39-40.
Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, anointed Solomon King. And all the people rejoiced and said: God save the King, long live the King, may the King live for ever! Amen, Alleluja!
Tuba mirum : the third verse of the Dies Irae poem. I played two settings from the Requiems of Verdi and Berlioz.
| Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum coget omnes ante thronum. |
The mighty trumpet's wondrous tone shall rend each tomb's sepulchral stone and summon all before the Throne. |
Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah by G. F. Handel; based on Revelation 19:6; 11:15; 19:16.
Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.
King of kings and Lord of lords.
My sermons:
Enter the Dragon (Rev 12:1-6), 7/17/2005 (pdf | mp3).
War of the Worlds (Rev 12:7-17), 7/24/2005 (pdf | mp3).
T.rex (Rev 13:1-10), 7/31/2005 (pdf | mp3).
The Great Deception (Rev 13:11-18), 8/07/2005 (pdf | mp3).
Following the Lamb (Rev 14:1-5), 8/14/2003 (pdf | mp3).
The End of the Beginning - my sermon on Rev 21:1-5, preached at PBCC on 12/12/1999 (pdf).