WORTHY IS THE LAMB

                                                 By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D. D.

 “And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on a throne a Book written on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice;Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the seals thereof?

“And no man in Heaven, nor in earth was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the Book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not. Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven seals thereof.

 “And I beheld and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. And He came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.

 “And when He had taken the Book, the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song saying,

“Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy BLOOD out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth.

 “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels around the Throne and the beasts 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 that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Rev. 5: 1-14)

JEUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD!

For thousands of years Jewish people looked for their promised Messiah. On the Day of Atonement rabbis would stand outside the synagogue saying, “Let one Innocent come and atone for the guilty.” Many years passed and no-one came because there are no innocent people. The Bible says: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom.3:23); “…There is none righteous, no not one.” (Rom.3:10).

God had promised that He would send a Deliverer to free His people from Satanic bondage: “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded thee thou hast not known Me: That they may know from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none else. Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for there is none else.” (Is.45: 5,6,22)

Then, one day John the Baptist pointed to Jesus of Nazareth, saying, “Behold the LAMB of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) The perfect, holy and Innocent ONE had come to REDEEM the world through His perfect atonement upon a Roman Cross on Golgotha!

St. Paul wrote about Him: “But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchanging priesthood. Wherefore He is ABLE also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, Who is Holy, Harmless, Undefiled, Separate from sinners, and made Higher than the heavens;

“Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for their own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did ONCE, when He offered up Himself.” (Heb.7: 24-27)

THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS!

“Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask ye a Sign from the Lord thy God; ask it even in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And He said, Hear ye now, O House of David; is it a small thing to weary men, but will it weary my God also!

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a SIGN: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his Name Immanuel.” (Is. 7:10-14). Then, one day, John the Baptist pointed to Jesus of Nazareth and said, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” (John 1: 29)

The Word of God states: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made  in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:5-11)

When Moses led the Jews from Egypt through the wilderness, they rebelled and God sent fiery serpents. Moses cried to the Lord.“And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole, and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live.

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” (Nu. 21: 8-10)

   MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT!

When they looked at the serpent, it spoke of victory over the serpent’s bite. It goes back to Satan in the Garden of Eden who had tempted Eve. After Adam and Eve’s disastrous fall, God spoke to Satan who was hiding in the serpent, saying:

 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed: It shall bruise (crush) thy head and thou shalt bruise His (Christ) heel. (Gen. 3:15). Almighty God stated that when the SEED of the woman (Christ) would come, the devil would bruise His heel. He would die on the cross but RISE again. Christ rose from the dead and crushed Satan’s head!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of God be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3: 14,15,36)

The Bible says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17)

FINISHED, FULFILLED, PAID!

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30). Jesus spoke in Greek, uttering the word tetelesta, in His victory cry. The word tetelestai has three meanings: to finish something or make an end to something; to fulfill something; to pay that which is owed!

Jesus had finished His work of Redemption and brought to an end Satan’s domination over mankind. He had fulfilled all the Old Testament scriptures about the Messiah. He had paid for all our sins and diseases!

About seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, prophet Isaiah declared: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we esteemed Him not. Surely, He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was laid upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to His own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53: 3-6)

JESUS CHRIST PASSOVER LAMB!

John the Baptist stated that Jesus of Nazareth was the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb: “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. This is He of whom I said, after Me cometh a man which is preferred before Me: for He was before me. And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He that baptizes with the Holy Ghost.

“And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he sayeth, Behold the Son of God.” (John 1:29-36)

REDEMPTION TROUGH HIS BLOOD!

St. Paul declares: “God hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His Son; in whom we have Redemption through His BLOOD, even the forgiveness of sins. And having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the Body of His flesh through Death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” (Col.1:13-14, 20-22).

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took them out of the way, nailing them to His CROSS. And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:14: 15)

“I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for Me.” (Gal:2:20)

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God, day and night. And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev.12: 9-11)

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Rev. 20:10).Hallelujah!

“And I saw a great White Throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hades gave up the dead which were in them, and they were judged every man according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.” (Rev.20: 11-15).

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD!

The sovereignty of God demanded punishment for SIN and the CROSS provided the Final Solution! For a time, God overlooked or winked at sin by allowing the sacrifice of innocent lambs, goats and bullocks (occasionally a red heifer) to suffice. When the fullness of time had come, Almighty God our Heavenly Father, gave Himself in His SON to be the propitiation for our sins. The word propitiation means ‘the covering, satisfaction, expiation’.

Jesus, the Righteous One humbled Himself and laid down His life, thereby meeting the righteous demand of Divine Justice to atone for sins of Adam and the entire fallen race.

The fifth chapter of Revelation is unique and difficult to understand but it totally glorifies Jesus Christ. His sacrificial death on Golgotha for the redemption of mankind and His glorious resurrection from the dead liberated the human race from Satan’s kingdom of Darkness!

It focuses on Christ’s victory as King of kings, Lord of lords, Saviour and Redeemer of the world. His sacrificial death on the Golgotha’s Cross has purchased our freedom from sin, fear, condemnation, sickness and disease. Through His precious Blood we have received His peace, joy and eternal Life!

GOSPEL OF CHRIST WORKS!   

The Gospel of Jesus Christ works. God anoints His Word through the Holy Spirit. He answers prayer and performs miracles of healings and deliverance for those whobelieve. The Bible states: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)

“Afterward He appeared unto the eleven and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen Him after He was risen.And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

“And these Signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; thy shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word with Signs following.” (Mar 16: 14-20). The Key to miracles is found in this text: “The Lord working with them.”

If the Lord is not involved in the prayer, there will not be any miracle! He confirms the Word preached. He gives us the faith necessary! He is the Miracle Worker! It is by grace alone, through faith alone and in Christ alone!

                                           FOR GOD’S GLORY ALONE!

Here is a personal letter we received four years ago:

Max, my life was impacted greatly, and I thank you for coming to Dawson City in the 1980’s to minister to Dawson City Pentecostal Church. I remember you had some individuals with you and we had services in the School Auditorium. You prayed for many people over two days, including me.

We had about six Bible School students with us. One was healed of Asthma and another was healed emotionally. Jim’s niece walked home from being in a wheelchair and one First Nation individual was set free. It meant alot that you came up there to Dawson City. God bless you, Max. We also came to see you in Edmonton.

Jim & Elaine Caruso, Langley, B.C.         

               GOD HEALED OUR DAUGHTER’S KIDNEYS!

“God healed our daughter’s kidneys” says Nina and Lasse Steen of Bergen, Norway. In December 1983 God visited our home and healed our 5 year old daughter Cecilie. Ever since birth she had trouble with her kidneys and would wet her clothes many times every day. There was nothing she could do about and nothing the doctors could do, until last December when God sent his servant Max Solbrekken from Canada to hold a large crusade at the Eldorado Centre here in Bergen. Hundreds of people were saved, healed, and blessed during those wonderful days.

Pastor Solbrekken stayed, by the divine will of God, in our Mission Hotel. Daily he came and worshipped with us, and faith arose in our hearts to ask him for our little Cecilie. We were having coffee together one day when little Cecilie came in with her friend from outside where she had been playing. As usual, she was soaking wet.

After Nina washed and changed her clothes, Pastor Solbrekken put her on his knee and prayeda gripping prayer to the Lord for her healing. She was instantly healed and a staggering miracle occurred. There hasn’t been as much as a drop since that day. To God be the glory, great things He hath done.

  JESUS HEALEDMY CRUSHED HIP BONE!

By Vigdis Simonsen of Narvik, Norway

I had been a backslidden Christian for 16 years. In spite of this, I decided to attend the meetings of Max Solbrekken in Narvik. When Max made the altar call the first night I attended, there was a terrible battle going on within me. It was as if I heard a voice saying, “This is not for you…You are not among the chosen ones.”But, there was another voice telling me that this was my opportunity, however, I remained quiet in my seat.

When I returned to my home, it was as if a voice was telling me that this chance would be one of my last ones. It became very serious to me and it also scared me. So, I went back to the Meeting the next night and this time I answered the call to receive Jesus Christ as my Saviour! But, something else happened. To explain that, I must go back a little in time to give you the whole story.

Before Christmas, I fell and broke my hip and had to have surgery. I had to stay home for 16 weeks. When I went back to the hospital for a check up, the doctor was not at all pleased with the fracture. I was told to use two crutches until the 4^th of April. But, when I went for another check up, the doctor was still not pleased with the result because the fracture had not healed like it was supposed to. So, I had to continue using two crutches until the 16^th of May. When I saw the doctor again he was still not satisfied, but I was allowed to drop one crutch on my own recognizance. He said that I must be extremely careful, and only step very cautiously on my foot; and I was only allowed to this indoors.

When I came to the Meeting the second night (July 3), I could neither bow my left knee – where my hip had been fractured – nor could I walk straight. I was dragging my left leg behind me, and there was much pain. It was almost impossible for me to walk up the steps of the stairs. When Max Solbrekken had finished praying for everybody that had come forward, someone asked him to come down to where I was sitting.

He laid his hand on my hip and prayed for me. warm went through my hip and my back and my leg and all the pain disappeared immediately. Afterwards I walked back and forth on the floor, and I even ran up and down the stairs to the platform with no pain and no difficulties whatsoever. I can’t explain what happened, but I was instantly and completely healed, and I can only thank God for what He did for me. He is wonderful!

Note: These testimonies taken from the Cry of His Coming July, 1984.

Max Solbrekken World Mision Box 44220 RPO Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6. Email:[email protected]; comehometoJesus.ca; Facebook; Youtube; Blog: MSWM; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make your donations to max@ maxsolbrekken.com. Thank you so much. May richly bless you. Amen.