Welcome to our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John.
I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we continue our study in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, as given to John, we begin in chapter 5.
Rev. 5:1-4. 5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, 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 loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Once again we see the number seven (7). This is a book Almighty God is holding with seven seals keeping it concealed. The number seven signifies a complete spiritual event which is to influence the physical world. However, no one was worthy to open and declare what these spiritual influences are. God only knows, but He is not going to reveal it until the appropriate time. When is this time? Let us investigate.
Rev. 5:5. 5 And one of the elders saith 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.
It has been verified that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David is the only one who has authority to open the seals.
Identifiers of who this spirit is:
The Lion
He is of the Tribe of Judah
He is known as the Root of David
Who do we know as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Root of David? Jesus, the son of God. Who is sitting upon His throne? (vs. 1) God!
God has declared only His son can open the seals and everyone in Heaven knows this. (vs. 5)
Vs. 6. 6 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.
Once again we have identifiers proclaiming more information we can identify with and it is giving us a time schedule for these seals. NOTICE:
In the midst of the throne: we know Jesus is now on the right hand of the throne. Being in the midst of is to say “around” in the middle of the circle of the Elders and the Holy Spirit–the four beasts.
John saw a Lamb as it had been slain. This signifies after the physical life of Jesus on the earth and after his ascension back to heaven.
We find more sevens. The Lamb has seven horns. The number Seven means complete amount. Jesus has all authority and power on earth and in Heaven. He has complete authority. Jesus is most powerful signified by the horns. Jesus has seven eyes signifying he sees all things both on earth and in heaven. Jesus is in control of all the spirits of God sent forth into the earth to bring messages back and forth to the throne. The horns and eyes are the seven Spirits of God.
We know Jesus has all power and authority by his own admission. Mt. 28:18.18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Vss. 7-8. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Jesus took the book from God his father. Now the work of these seven, complete amount, whole, sets of Spiritual events can be known. With this, the Elders rejoice; they fall down before the Lamb with music and now present the prayers of the saints before their one in authority, The Lamb of God.
How do we know this is after the life on earth of Jesus?
Rev. 5:9-10. 9 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; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
What are these Elders now doing?
Singing a new song
What are the lyrics of this new song? We read the lyrics and it gives a message.
Jesus, the Lamb of God was worthy to open the book
He was slain
He has redeemed these 24 Elders–perhaps the 12 sons of Jacob and the 12 chosen Apostles
They were redeemed along with every saint who lived and now lives on the earth from every nationality
These Elders are now, along with all saints, kings and priests. (Rev. 1:5-6)
What reigns on earth? Who will inherit the victory over the earth? The Saints. The Saints shall reign and judge the earth. (1 Cor. 6:2)
These seven seals–the complete activity of these individual seals–is to happen in this new generation we call The Christian Dispensation. It is to take place now after Jesus has ascended back to Heaven.
Rev. 5:11-12. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 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.
How many entities are now in heaven? We have identified some of them:
God
Jesus the Lamb
Four Beasts which is the Holy Spirit
24 Elders
And, now an unknown number of Angels indicated by a new identifier
Ten thousand times ten thousand, and
Thousands of thousands
An extremely large number one cannot count
Remember God said to Abraham his seed would be as numerous as the sands on the sea?
As we learn more, some of these will be of the first resurrection, saints who were martyred for the name of Christ
This is a reference to ‘very’ large. NOTE THIS!
Each entity is praising Jesus because he is worthy to open the book and break the seven seals.
In John's jubilation, he speaks and the ones in heaven hear him.
Rev. 5:13-14. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
What did John say? “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
All saints shall and do proclaim that God and The Lamb are worthy of our glory and praise. This is what saints do every Lord’s Day. Perhaps they also do it every waking breath. And:
Vs. 14, the four beasts–Spirits of God–said “Amen!” The 24 Elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever.
