Revelation 1:1 - 8

April 26, 2020

Today is Sunday. We have lifted our service for six weeks now. While I miss my church family, we can still hear from God. Let’s dig into the book of Revelation.

Chapter one begins with a blessing (meaning happy or favored), “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” [Revelation 1:3 NIV]. John says there is something special about reading, hearing, and obeying the things found in the book. So consider yourself blessed as you stick with this study!

The reason for this blessing is the timing of the events. The word translated “near” carries the idea of "being in place" or "in position." One thought about the timing of events swirling around the end times it that it could happen in any generation, at any time (“imminent”).

John greets the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the book of Revelation with grace and peace. It seems what follows has little to do with grace and certainly will disturb peaceful thought. John uses the Trinitarian greeting in verses 4 and 5. The Father is described as “who is and who was and who is to come.” The Spirit is described as “the seven spirits.” Another way to translate this is “seven-fold Spirit,” an image from Isaiah. Jesus is identified as “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth… loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” [Revelation 1:4 – 5 NIV] 

So why do we think we are NOT free from sins, now? Notice this is PAST tense, not FUTURE tense. Effectively, Jesus is saying we are free from our sins, now. While the sin nature still stalks us, the downward spiraling of the world pulls us, and our own weaknesses blind us, we do not have to remain chained under the control of sinful impulses or the sinful nature. We have been bought, washed, and freed by the blood of Jesus Christ. 

John reassures the readers, “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” [Revelation 1:7 NIV]. A problem the church faces is the delay of Jesus’ return, while maintaining its confidence. The New Testament suggests that the first generation of believers had the confidence that Jesus would return in their lifetime. This declaration is the first prophetic declaration of the book of Revelation.

Verse 8 states, “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” [NIV] This is another statement concerning the divinity of Jesus. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, while Omega is the last. God is saying He is the beginning, everything in the middle, and the end of all things. The formula focuses attention on three perspectives of time; “is” refers to the present tense, “was” refers to the past tense, and “is to come” refers to the future tense. This is the second time this formula has been used.

In these short verses, we are urged to live victorious lives in a broken, decaying, and dying world. Jesus return and our resurrection is scheduled to happen. Everyone has an appointed time of judgement that will result in one of two possible outcomes. Do you want to hear, “well done” or “depart from me?” it’s your choice. 

If we are bought, washed, and freed by the blood of Jesus, why do we continue to go back to the "vomit" sin? (see Proverbs 26:11) We do it because we have never allowed Jesus to effectively wash and free us. At some point, we need to yield to God and allow God to sanctify (meaning to "set apart," "make holy") us.

Optimistically looking forward, the isolation will slowly be relaxed and we will be able to meet as a congregation soon. If you are reading this and are in need of a church family, please join us at Faith Alliance Church of Fuoss Mills. (Just search "Fuoss Mills" and you will find us.)

Introduction to Revelation #2

April 25, 2020

It’s Saturday! Tomorrow is the “Lord’s Day.” We call it that because we continually remember the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ while anticipating His return.

I promised to unpack a complicated web of differing views of how to interpret the book of Revelation. Let’s start with the three “millennial” (referring to the 1000 time period in Revelation 20) views. There is “pre-,” “a-,” and “post-,” What do they mean? I am so glad you asked!!!

Put your “thinking caps” on and lets dive in… deep. To make you think, and keep the minds open, I will attempt to refrain from passing judgment on the views. However, I strongly feel one of them is a lie from the pit of hell. (Hint: one of these positions denies the "atonement.")

Premillennialism is a view that Christ will come back BEFORE the millennial; and set up a literal physical 1000 year reign.  

In the category of premillennialism there are two different views.

1. Dispensationalism believes the Bible is separated into seven dispensations (periods of time) in which God dealt with humanity differently. This view claims it follows a strict literal interpretation of Scripture. It was popularized by Darby and Moody in the 1800’s, and Scofield (study Bible) starting around 1900. Keep in mind, this doctrine was never taught by any church before 1830.
2. Historical premillennialism believes that the Bible is a historical record of God dealing with humanity. Lessons can be applied and transferred to different dispensations. This was the belief of many prominent Christians in the first four centuries of church history.

A point of contention running through this subject is the "Great Tribulation" and the timing (or existence) of a "rapture."

1. Posts-tribulationists believe the church will go through the “great tribulation.” (Seven year period of time described in Daniel and Revelation.)
2. Mid-tribulationists believe the church will go through the first half of the tribulation and be raptured in the middle.
3. Pre-tribulationists believe that Christ could come at any moment. The church will be raptured before the tribulation.

Amillennialism holds to the idea that the millennium is now. Satan is now bound so that he cannot prevent the spread of the Gospel. This was the predominate belief of the church through the Middle Ages.

Postmillennialism has a positive view of the trajectory of the history of the world and the church. It believes the earth will get better through the spread of the Gospel. That all the world will convert to Christianity. This optimism died hard during the World Wars. 

There are essentially four hermeneutical views: preterits, idealist, historicist, futurist.

1. The Preterist view maintains that the events and symbols referred to events of John’s time/day. This view denies the prophetic element of the book of Revelation.
2. The Idealist view suggests an allegorical approach to Scripture spiritualizing the symbols of the book of Revelation. It claims no specific historical events or persons are literal.
3. The Historicist view says the symbolism outlines the course of church history from Pentecost to the return of Jesus.
4. The Futurist view claims the first three chapters deal with the apostolic period. The major portion of the book is future.

Concerning the book of Revelation John Wesley wrote, “The revelation was not written without tears; neither without tears will it be understood.” This book requires intellectual, spiritual, and emotional maturity to comprehend. The result should be a more tenacious and fearless witness in a hostile world.

Introduction to Revelation

April 24, 2020

Today is Friday. According to the Bible, this is the day Adam was created. Thus, the number 6 became the number of man.  Eventually this is reflected in Revelation to be “666.”

A lot of ideas swirl around the book of Revelation and it’s images. I know the book is a difficult nut to crack, or even scratch, but let’s take a look at it. I know these are uncertain times, and this study maybe opportunistic, but let’s set aside the strange things happening in our world and have some fun with the book of Revelation.

The book of Revelation was written by John while on the island of Patmos around the year 95 A.D. He had been banished by Emperor Domitian.

Other than its unique style several qualities of the book of Revelation distinguish it:

1. Only book to pronounce blessing for reading, hearing, and keeping its contents.
2. More references to the Old Testament than any other New Testament book [400].
3. Only New Testament book of prophecy.
4. Only book authored by Jesus.

The book of Revelation starts with these words, “A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. Christ made it known by sending it through his angel to his servant John” [Revelation 1:1 CEB]. Basically, we have the two-pronged gist of the book. The intention is to “reveal” Jesus Christ and to show what will take place on the stage of God’s eternal plan of redemption.

If we take the standard manner of how books are titled, Jesus is the author. For instance, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” [1 Peter 1:1 CEB], “From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for God’s good news.” [Romans 1:1 CEB].  In the Greek, it would be correct to also understand the first words as, “The revelation FROM Jesus.” [Revelation 1:1 NIV] John is the servant who receives the words, watches the events unfold, and worships Jesus. John watches it happen, making it a history. John writes, or doesn't write, as instructed.

The word translated “revelation” is the word “apocalypse” in the Greek. It means “disclosure: - appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation” [Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary]. It is used once in Luke. Paul uses the word 13 times. Peter uses it three times. Our concept of apocalypse is that of cataclysm and violent upheaval. When studying the book of Revelation, a tendency is to focus on the turbulence of events rather than on the Lord.

The interpretation of the Revelation depends on theological perspective (a framework or construct) and hermeneutics (the science of interpretation). Let’s start with theological views. There are three theological ways to understand the events of this book based on the key concept of the "millennium" (1,000 year time period) mentioned in Revelation chapter 20. The theological views surrounding this concept can determine much of our conclusions. The three main views of the millennium are 1.) Premillennialism, 2.) Amillennialism, and 3.) Postmillennialism. 

There are five flavors of the premillennial view and four hermeneutical views. I’ll briefly unpack them tomorrow. Hopefully this will trigger various reactions for you. I hope it makes your head spin and cause you to begin to rethink what you thought you knew. The interpretation of Revelation is not as simple as some would pretend. Consensus on meaning does not exist. 

I suspect we should consider new theological ideas and interpretations with extreme suspicion. The problem is, the interpretation of Revelation and future events comes from where you sit geographically, politically, and in time.  See you tomorrow.

Revelation 6

Revelation 6

The Great Day of Wrath

Jesus opens six of the seven seals.  The first four are what has been call “the four horsemen of the apocalypse.”  Traditionally they are called conquest, war, scarcity/famine, and death. Zechariah 6:1 – 8 includes a similar image of four chariots.

The fifth seal is the martyrs asking God to judge and avenge. The sixth seal is a massive upheaval in creation.

Three ideas have been proposed as to the source of this calamity.  It could be caused by humans and could be consequences of war.  The second idea is that these are natural events. Finally, the thought is that they are caused by God. Notice they correspond to the four living creatures around the throne. Notice also they are never recalled, meaning there is a very real possibility they continue their destruction through the end of human history on earth.  This gives rise to the possibility they are the “birth pangs” Jesus mentioned and may give weight to the “amillennial” nature of Revelation.

“I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, ‘Come!’  I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest” (verses 1-2).

The first seal is the white horse. The white horse was a symbol of a victorious conqueror.  The text describes this as “a conqueror bent on conquest.”  Possibly, we see a picture of arrogance (riding the white horse before the victory).  The picture is of someone holding a bow, which is a weapon of war.  Notice this is not a sword (like the Lamb of God).  The bow is a long-range weapon, and in those days it was not a precise weapon but one used in mass.  The image includes a crown which is a symbol of power and authority.

Irenaeus, 2^nd century, suggested this was the Christ (see Revelation 19). Others have suggested this is the Holy Spirit and the advancement of the Kingdom of God or evangelism (such as Matthew Henry, Gill). Another way to understand this horseman is “pestilence.” Augustine claimed this was the advent of Jesus. Billy Graham has suggested it is the Anti-Christ or some sort of false prophet. Throughout history it has been suggested this rider is: Trajan (by Wesley), Hitler, Cromwell, Gorbachev, Kennedy, Napoleon, Washington, Lincoln, Stalin, Mao, Queen Victoria, Woodrow Wilson, Nixon, Reagan, Putin (turned 62 on October 7, 2014… Revelation 6:2... He reclaimed Crimea in March 2014), and Hillary Clinton (from Pinky and the Brain).

Who/whatever this is has the ability to force his authority on others, to subject the will of others, and exercise some form of control.  His desire is on conquest.  Thus opens the violence unleashed in the book of Revelation.

^“When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’ Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword” (verse 3).

The opening of the second seal reveals the rider of a red horse. Red symbolizes blood and blood shed. Technically, the word translated “red” is better translated “fire-like.”  This is an image of war.  It makes sense if one is out to conqueror that bloodshed is the natural consequence.  This rider is able to take peace and cause people to kill each other.  Notice this can be read on a personal level instead of a national level. 

One way to understand this is the collapse of social order.  With no moral or absolute restraint (restrainer removed) then anything goes. Another thought is this rider represents mass and indiscriminate slaughter.

^”When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine’” (verse 6)!

This is the only horsemen to have a spoken announcement. The third rider represents famine (or scarcity).  It is interesting this is limited to grains (wheat and barley), while oil and wine are exempt. The price for the grains would be about ten times expected in the ancient world.  This is also a picture of inflation. One thought on this is that while the regular person suffers, those that live in luxury do not. Interesting enough, we see a trend for wealth to float up to the smallest percentages while the percentage of poor is growing at an alarming rate.

Basically, we see an image of economic collapse, extreme inflation, and selective targeting.

The scales are a symbol of justice. Some have seen this, as well as the other horsemen, as images of Christ, this being the “Christ the law-giver.”

^“When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth” (verses 7-8).

The rider of the pale horse is identified as “Death.”  It is trailed by “Hades” (the grave, hell).  There is a massive amount of death that takes place here.  The text can read one quarter of the population of the earth dies or one quarter of the earth’s land mass is effected by this rider.  If it is the first possibility, then 1.75 Billion die due to this rider (based on today’s population).  If it is a quarter of the land, this number could be much higher. The sword described here is a long curved seminar emblematic of Oriental empires (as opposed to the short sword the Roman Empire).  The rider of the red horse carries the short sword.

Under the “if it were to happen today” category: One possible explanation of a quarter of the earth (based on the distinctions of the sword) may refer to the “Ten-Forty Window” (most of the Persian Empire).

The 10/40 Window is located from 10 degrees south to 40 degrees north of the equator, which includes Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

• Nearly 4 billion people live here, including 90 percent of the world's poorest of the poor. It is estimated that 1.6 billion of these people have never had the chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ - not even once!
• The seat of every major non-Christian religion - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, Atheism, and Sikhism - is headquartered in the 10/40 Window.
• In many of the 68 countries represented in the 10/40 Window, witnessing the Christian Gospel means death. Truly, the 10/40 Window remains the darkest and most inhospitable territory to the cause of Christ and represents the greatest remaining stronghold of Satan.
• Two-thirds of the world’s population (4 billion) live in the 68 nations of the 10/40 Window.
• 95% of the people are unevangelized.
• 90% of the people are the poorest of the poor, averaging $250 per family annually.
• 43 of the 50 worst countries in the world for persecution of Christians are here.
• Only five pennies out of every $100 spent on missions goes to this desperately needy area of the world.
• Illiteracy is widespread.
• Terrorist organizations and child prostitution run rampant in many of these nations.
• Horrific abuse of women and children remains unchecked.
• Children as young as 18 months old are trained to be Jihad soldiers.

[Source win1040.com]

The opening of the violence associated with the Great Tribulation begins with one bent on conquest and the following result of wide spread misery and death. Verses 12 – 15 describe what would be consistent with a nuclear war.  I personally doubt this is the Anti-Christ but sets up for the world’s desire for peace, leading to the Anti-Christ.

^“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been” (verses 9-11).

It has been suggested that the first four seals are trials on the church, and this is a turning of the tide.

The fifth seal may be more horrifying than the first four.  This is the martyrs calling for justice and vengeance. We tend to think of the souls of the faithful as happy, but these are not.  One idea is these are specific to a specific time and location [see Luke 18:7]

The word translated “slain” in verse 9 is closer to our word “butcher” (as in animal).  This is the same word that is used of the “lamb.” The fact that they were slain because of the word of God and their testimony.  The Syriac and Arabic versions read, "For the testimony of the Lamb." Again, this is the point.  They are not slaughtered because of some stubbornness or crime.  It is because of Jesus!

God’s holiness requires both justice and vengeance, but at this point there is a “full number” yet to be killed.  This may possibly could refer to either the church or Israel.  Verse 11 is a shift from “slain” to “killed” (two different Greek words).

The white robes represent righteousness. They are also considered wedding clothing. Throughout the book of Revelation, white is the color of victory.  The word translated “a little while longer” in verse 11 is the word “chronos” that Wesley claimed was a time period of 1111 years that began in 98 AD and continued to 1209 when the Waldenses (the first of the “protestant” groups) arose.

^“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place” (verses 12-14).

Notice this earthquake (literal or symbolic) is the first devastating event mentioned.  The question is if this is the earth shaking, or if it is a local earthquake, or if it is created by weapons John did not understand.  Remember war is part of this section of Revelation. The sun turned black, the moon turned blood red, and stars fell from heaven.  If it were to happen today, this might be a first century description of a war that includes missiles… possibly nuclear. The reference to the stars may also be a jibe at the Greek and Roman gods who were supposedly depicted in the stars.

^“Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.  They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it’” (verses 15-17)?

The idea of taking shelter maybe an image of a nuclear war. However, there is a strong acknowledgement that the earthquake and its fall out is attributed to “the wrath of the Lamb.”  All judgment is attributed to Jesus in Revelation. The interesting thought here is that those outside a right relationship with God fear God more than death.  The mistake is believing that death will save them, or be a mercy, when instead it puts them squarely in God’s court. It lends itself to C.S. Lewis’ idea that the eternal lake of fire may be God’s final mercy to the lost.  The presence of God would be worse than any form of eternal punishment.

Revelation 4 - 5

Revelation 4 – 5

Vision of heaven

“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.^’  At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.”

Revelation 4 begins with John being asked to “come up here.” The moving of an individual by the Spirit is seen in other places in Scripture. Some examples include:

Elijah: ^“I don’t know where the Spirit of the Lord may carry you when I leave you” [said by Obadiah in 1 Kings 18:12].

Ezekiel: “The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—deeply distressed” [Ezekiel 3:14 – 15].

Philip: “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing” [Acts 8:39].

Paul: ^“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows” [2 Corinthians 12:2].

The Revelation 4 throne is occupied.  The general feeling is this is THE ONE who rules all.  Everything comes from and to this one who is seated on the throne.  This is the appearance of God the Father.  There is NO physical description of the one on the throne other than colors and impressions. The language is rabbinical to describe the “shekinah” glory of God. We also have God posturing Himself as the confident victor in the inevitable war that follows.

“And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” The rainbow (literally “iris” and can be translated “halo”) is the symbol for covenant and promise (see the covenant given to Noah after the flood).

Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones, and seated on them were 24 elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

This is the only mention of the number 24 (used symbolically in scripture).  Wesley suggests the 24 thrones/elders represent “the whole body of saints.” Possible ideas: the 12 tribes + 12 apostles, the divisions of Aaron’s descendants (and duties), angelic rank (Colossians 1:16), great and minor prophets, etc…

“From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal” [verses 5 – 6a]. The ancient world worship “gods” that terrorized people with lightning and thunder. However, the image we have brings joy to those in heaven.  The seven lampstands have already been identified as the seven churches, but they also have a connection to the lampstands in the temple.  The significance of seven connects with the seven-fold Spirit (Holy Spirit).  Notice the nature of the old covenant (temple), the new covenant (church), and the Holy Spirit are to light up their surroundings and operate in the light. 

“In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back” [verse 6b].  The four living creatures have been a source of speculation.  The cherubim on the mercy seat (lid to the “ark of the covenant”) had two wings.  In Isaiah 6 there are seraphim who have six wings.  The eyes of the living creatures are a picture of ceaseless vigilance and unending intelligence.  They are the “honor guard” for the one who sits on the throne.  Early Christian writers understood the creatures to represent the four gospels, the four “great” apostles, and/or the church of both the Old and New Testament (Israel marched under four banners: Reuben = man, Dan = eagle, Ephraim = ox, Judah = lion).  Wesley suggested that they represent the church, because they “sang a new song” [verse 5:9ff] only possible for humans. This song’s theme is redemption, something angels do not know.  They sang, something angels are never mentioned doing.

The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle [verse 8]. Wesley gives this opinion: The first living creature was like a lion to signify undaunted courage. The second, like a calf or ox, was to signify unwearied patience. The third with the face of a man was to signify prudence and compassion. The fourth, like an eagle was to signify activity and vigor.

We now cross the first two praise anthems.  These times of praise supplement the awesome images of God.  “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ^‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’”

The first praise anthem reflects back to Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple (Isaiah 6:3).  This threefold “holy” is referred to as the “Trisagion.” This threefold pattern is then repeated in a reference to time: was, is, and is to come. We see the threefold nature of God (“trinity”) and His relationship to time (before, now, and future), indicating God’s presence everywhere (not just in physical space). This also emphasizes God eternalness.  It has been suggested that they also represent the three stages of God dealing with us: creation, redemption, and sanctification.

The second praise anthem represents a response to the truth of the first anthem.  The elders lay down their crowns, which is an act of worship.  Their praise is directed at “our Lord and God.”  This is a significant counterpoint to the Roman emperor worship.  We see preparation for the clash of two kingdoms. 

Notice that God is “worthy.” What God is worthy of is to “receive” (or “take”) is “glory, honor, and thanks” (another tricolon).  In fact, God is the ONLY being in the universe who is worthy to receive these things.  The reason for this worth is God is the one who created and sustains all things by his will (again said three times). The rights of ownership apply to the one who has created the world and us.  It is His to set the laws since He understands how life is supposed to work.  The creation/creator motif plays a significant role in Revelation (as well as theology).  The reason God is worthy is that He is THE creator.

John is now presented with a quandary that seems to stop the progression of the vision: “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside” [5:1 – 4].

The expression “saw” or “looked” occurs often in Revelation so often that John is sometimes nicknamed the “Seer.” What John sees is a scroll written on both sides with seven seals. Ezekiel was given a scroll written on both sides to eat (Ezekiel 2:10). A Roman will was sealed with the seals of seven witnesses. This may be considered the “last will” of sinful humanity. A seal could only be broken by the person for whom the sealed document was intended.  Anyone else opening a sealed document risked death.

Notice nobody in heaven, or earth, or under the earth could open this scroll.  This is connected to supremacy of Jesus found in Philippines 2:9 – 11: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Again we see a threefold emphasis.  However, the significance is that no angel (or heavenly creature), no human, and no fallen angel (demon) is worthy to break the seals.  Satan would like to take God’s place, and humans have tried (and are trying) to take the place of God; but this worth must be earned.

John’s weeping sets in because he understands the importance of this scroll and the necessity of it being opened.  Is it possible there is no heir to open the will?  Is it possible there is nobody to rightfully inherit the document and its contents?  In this, the only dark moment in heaven, something remarkable happens.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’  Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne” [5:5 – 7].

John is informed the “the Lion” has triumphed and is able!  However, what John sees is a Lamb.  On an animal scale, these two animals would be opposites.  One is a powerful predator while the other is about as helpless as it gets.  The lamb looks like it has been slain, referring to Jesus’ death (and by implication resurrection).  The image of the “root of David” vaults us back to the multiple prophecies about Jesus; His rightful place, His death, and resurrection.

The Lamb is seen having seven horns (symbolizing power) and seven eyes (symbolizing the sevenfold Spirit of God).  All power, knowledge, and wisdom are His.

Revelation 5:8 – 14 gives the next three anthems of praise in the book of Revelation: “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:  ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”

The third anthem is sung.  The focus of number four is “with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”  Two ideas jump out at this point; Jesus has purchased us with His blood and this is open to all people everywhere at all times.  We see the basis of our faith in the blood that purchased us.  We also see the equality of every human and God’s desire to bring all to faith.

The fourth anthem is spoken by the angels, and more or less confers the similar worth to Jesus as to the God (the Father). The fifth anthem features the first two groups being joined by “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea.” Notice this is very similar to the list of those who were unable to open the scroll and those who, according to Philippines 2:9 – 11, will “acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Before the mayhem begins we get a good picture of the magnificent glory of God. We taste the joy of the results of our resurrected Lord and Savior.  This is a prelude to God unleashing His justice on a world that will constantly refuse salvation despite the final and dramatic attempts God goes through to offer salvation to all.