Now we're back on track starting with Revelation Chapter 5. Here's the text for 1-7:
1And 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. 2Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5But 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.” 6And 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. 7Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
The scene, where we left off, is still in the throne room. We left the elders singing and worshipping God. As they are finishing the praise song John turns and sees something new. We see four occurances where John turns and sees a new thing to behold. We see this in verses 1,2,6,11.
In verse one he saw the right hand of God who sat on the throne. The right hand symbolizes power and authority, and in this hand was a scroll. This is not a book but is a "biblion" which is papyrus rolled up with writing on both sides. Many of these have been found over the years including one that was eleven or twelve feet long.
In Roman times you would have your will on such a scroll. You would list your possessions, roll up the scroll, seal it with wax and signet ring, not to be opened again until after your death. Roman scrolls had six seals as a witness to make it authentic. To seal something denoted ownership. Your seal was to be honored, not to be opened until it reached its final destination. This is not unlike today when we mail a letter. We seal it and send it, not to be opened until it reaches its final destination.
Scrolls were also used in transfers of land. You would put a description of the property and it's boundries and roll up and seal as you did your will. This would then serve as proof of ownership. We see a picture of this in Jeremiah 32:6-15 when the Lord requests of Jeremiah to buy him land. The deal was then sealed up in a scroll and the evidence of the purchase was given to another.
When Christ comes back he will claim the earth as only a redeemer can. He has the title deed and only he has the right to redeem it; to buy it back. He already paid a hefty price for it. This passage in Jeremiah is a picture of this similar scene in heaven.
This scroll has been put away until God's proper time to come about. He says to the Son, "the earth is yours. You paid the price. You have all the authority to open and break the seals."
The seven seals speak of absolute completion. There will be no breaking of these seals until someone is found worthy to do so. What's inside will not been seen until owner opens the seal himself. God spoke to Daniel about this in 12:1-4 when he said:
“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.4“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
We see a hint of a rapture here as well as the end time resurrection. Daniel was troubled by what he saw and was probably only too glad to seal this book up.
Now is the time to see what is in this scroll. So the question is asked. " Who is worthy?" This strong angel with no name speaks loudly to show, enhance or to demonstrate that there is only one person who is so worthy to open up this document. The angel is proclaiming this loudly for all to hear. We see in just these seven verses that "who is worthy" is repeated four times. This is a significant role to be played in the end times. If no one is found worthy, then that would mean the world would stay the same as it is. We would have sin, sickness, death, forever.
No one is found worthy except for one. Jesus. Nobody represents God like Jesus. He was the epitomy of absolute obedience to God even to death on a cross.
At first John doesn't see anyone worthy so he starts to weep. Why is he so upset? John realizes life will go on and on and on as it's been. Life is hard. It's so hard with people dying all the time. We have war, famines, murder, sickness and all sorts of things going on. We need to end this and the only way is to find someone who is worthy to open the judgments to bring this present world to an end.
We read in Romans 8 that even creation eagerly awaits the return of God. We wait for this hope. We wait for this to end; for these days to be over. No more suffering, pain, hunger and violence and all will be well. So John is beside himself here. He's coming unglued. His joy has been replaced with weeping. But not for long.
The Lion of Judah, the root of David is found worthy. He has prevailed (nikao) which means to overcome, conquer, won victory. Just before he was taken to be crucified Jesus said these words in the upper room:
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
At the cross he defeated sin, death and hell. He is worthy. He is the one!
4Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15
In V6 we see John standing there and he looks now and sees a lamb. Christ not only is called the Lion of Judah but is also called the lamb of God. John uses the term lamb 31 times in Revelation alone and seems to be John's favorite title for Christ. He says in John 1:29:
"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
This lamb bears the marks of death. He saw the nail holes, the piercing displaying the evidence of redemption. He can see it all. In the center of the throne with all authority is the lamb.
This lamb has seven horns which symbolize power and strength. The seven would mean that his strength is absolutely perfect. Along with the seven horns John sees seven eyes which would speak of God's omniscience. He's all seeing being even able to look even into the hearts of men. He knows who's loyal to him and who is not. God is getting earth's report. He's searching for all those who are loyal to him.
9“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chron 16:9
Finally He takes the scroll with his nail pierced hand. He doesn't hesitate. This is the transfer of authority that will close out history and is all based on what Jesus did on the cross.
God has ultimate authority to execute judgment on this earth. He came the first time not to condemn but to save. The second time when he opens the seals he will execute judgment on the earth. When these scrolls are opened, it will be the end of times as we know it now.
We will all come before the throne one way or the other. We will all spend eternity somewhere. The opening of this scroll will bring the greatest judment on earth like never before.
Paul said to Timothy regarding this:
1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Be ready anytime. The time is now. We know people are not listening. Tell them anyway. Judgment is not for believers. This time will bring joy to believers. We need to be constant in preaching God's word being careful we're not preaching our words.
Let today be the day to get commited to God before these seals are opened.