Who is worthy? Revelation 5 points us to the Lord Jesus Christ — the One who has overcome, the Lamb who was slain, and the One who has redeemed us by His blood. He is worthy not only because of what He has done, but because of who He is: “He is altogether lovely.”
But what should mark those who belong to Him while we wait for His return? Proverbs 31 presents the woman of worth — a picture that points us toward the Lamb’s wife and the character, faithfulness, wisdom and devotion that should mark the church. This Address turns our eyes to the worth of Christ and challenges us to live as those who belong to Him.
Bible Scriptures: Darby Translation
Revelation 5:1-10 “5 And I saw on the right hand of him that sat upon the throne a book, written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who [is] worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?3 And no one was able in the heaven, or upon the earth, or underneath the earth, to open the book, or to regard it.
4 And *I* wept much because no one had been found worthy to open the book nor to regard it.5 And one of the e lders says to me, Do not weep. Behold, the lion which [is] of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, has overcome [so as] to open the book, and its seven seals.6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [which are] sent into all the earth:7 and it came and took [it] out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when it took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, having each a harp and golden bowls full of incenses, which are the prayers of the saints.9 And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,10 and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth.”
Song of Songs 5:9-16 “9 What is thy beloved more than [another] beloved, Thou fairest among women? What is thy beloved more than [another] beloved, That thou dost so charge us?10 My beloved is white and ruddy, The chiefest among ten thousand.11 His head is [as] the finest gold; His locks are flowing, black as the raven;12 His eyes are like doves by the water-brooks, Washed with milk, fitly set;13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, raised beds of sweet plants; His lips lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.
14 His hands gold rings, set with the chrysolite; His belly is bright ivory, overlaid [with] sapphires;15 His legs, pillars of marble, set upon bases of fine gold: His bearing as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars;16 His mouth is most sweet: Yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, yea, this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”
Proverbs 31:10-13 “10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
12 She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.”
Proverbs 31:20 “20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
Proverbs 31:23 “23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”
Proverbs 31:26-28 “26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her:”