The Opening Of The Scroll And Its Seven Seals.
Revelation 5:1-14NLT
Upon our study of chapter 4, of Revelation, John the Apostle was caught up into the presence of God in heaven. There he saw the throne of God and the court of heaven.
Though the scene in Chapter 5 is still in heaven, the theme changes from the worship of the Creator, to the worship of the Redeemer.
Revelation 5:1NLT Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
The first important piece of information John gives the reader of this revelation was that He was immediately caught up, from this prison camp called—Patmos, and taken into heaven.
An important truth to fully understand is—Your circumstance might not automatically change, but your understanding and knowledge of the truth has and will make you free.
John 8:31-32ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Notice, John sees a scroll (This scroll is rolled up parchment), but no-one in all the universe could read its content, because the writings inside and out had 7 seals.
Revelation 5:1 states, that these sealed writings were in the right hand of the ‘one’ seated on the throne.
In Ephesians 1:20-21, Paul proclaims that Jesus is seated at the right hand of His Father far above all rule and dominion, principality and powers.
Again, throughout the OT and NT, the right hand is a place of power and rule. References: Romans 8:34, Matthew 22:44, Psalm 118:16.
Not only was Jesus qualified to open these seals, He’s more than qualified to set you free! P.H
Revelation 5:2-3NLT And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
Say, “no one.” No one was found worthy.
Ray Stedman pastor and author, who attended Dallas Theological Seminary writes—So this scroll is a "mystery" book…It answers questions that men have been asking for generations which no one has been able to answer.
He goes on and say’s, Why can't we solve the great problems of mankind?
We hear much these days of the progress that humans have made tremendous technological advances, the wonders that science has produced, and we pat ourselves on the back and say, "We are right on the verge of perfection."
But when we look back on history we find that the truly great problems, the ones we wrestle with every day, are the same that men and women were wrestling with since the very dawn of time. The problem of war, of conflict between human beings, the problems of crime, evil and prejudice, these have always been with us. As far back in history as you can go, no one has made any advance in solving them. They are with us just as they were at the very beginning.
Why can't we get a handle on these? Why can't we solve such problems?
This scroll offers the answers to that question.
In Revelation chapter 6, through chapters 10, we will read the unsealing of these scrolls, and the results of them.
Again, “Jesus is worthy to be trusted, to confide in, and to keep full confidence in.”
Revelation 5:4NLT Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
One of the writers of our day, Annie Dillard, asks what she calls, “the chief theological question of all time, What the Sam Hill is going on here anyway?"
Do you ever feel that way? Things happen in your life and you cannot understand them. They seem to be without meaning or reason. Again you say with disgust, "What is going on?”
She goes on and writes—That is the question this scroll answers. How will God ever straighten out this mess and fulfill his promise of a golden age when men will live in a world without war, without bloodshed, without hatred, without prejudice, when sorrow, death and tears have all been taken away? How is it to be brought about? Men have been dreaming of a world at peace, a utopia on earth, for centuries, but no one has found the answer.
Revelation 5:5NLT But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
If anyone could answer that question—Who is found worthy? These 24 elders, knew Jesus through the trails they faced, good and bad, Jesus had proven Himself! P.H
A reminder—Jesus won, and because He won, you have too!
1 Peter 1:13-17NKJV Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Revelation 5:6NLT Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
Here’s good news—God the Father, and God the Son, placed the Holy Spirit in complete charge to care for mankind.
According to scripture—He’s your teacher, guide and comforter etc.
7 eyes and 7 horns, represent completion. Jesus make you complete, He makes you whole!
Colossians 2:10NLT So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
He’s—Omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient. He’s found inside God’s word, and also throughout this world.
Genesis proclaims, He—the Holy Spirit hovered over the face of the deep.
Remember this, Just one sincere plea from His chosen, and He shows up!
1 Peter 2:9ESV But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Revelation 5:7-8NLT He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
Picture this, the prayers of all the saints become incense, or frankincense. This incense creates a mood. This aroma from the prayers of the Saints, creates worship!
Get this, the elders are on their faces, while this lovely aroma motivates the saints.
Maybe we will think, or possibly say, “I smell my prayers!”
Here’s a quote from my wife, Jenny: “Bath and Body works at the outlet mall sell those $25 candles, they have nothing on the aroma of our prayers!”
Revelation 5:9NLT And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Here in verse 9, I think it’s important to fully realize that every tribe and language will see Jesus’ worth. Also, that He was worth all of our investments—Time, money and sacrifice! P.H
1 Peter 1:18-19NLT For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
Moreover, He can open these seals.
Revelation 5:10NLT And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
One day, all believers shall reign with Jesus!
Revelation 5:11-12NLT Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
Jesus’ worth can’t be explained, nor understood, until this day!
Verse 12, proclaims, Millions will sing a mighty chorus. Remember, presently, your praise and worship has powerful worth.
Brother Mark said it Sunday night, “You’re praise and worship breaks every chain.”
It also frees you to gain even more value in, and through Jesus’ name, because you understand more clearly His worth.
Revelation 5:13-14NLT And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
God’s Kingdom is just that—God’s rule and His complete authority.
Think about this fact—No one will have envy, no jealousy—Jesus will be the centerfold! All eyes upon Him and only Him!
Again, Revelation 5:14NLT And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Isaiah 11:10NLT In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
In closing, It is both our duty and privilege to worship the Creator because all that we have—life, talents, all ability—comes from his creative power.
Matthew Henry’s commentary: Revelation 5:14 Notes: This powerful scene of heavenly worship begins near the throne and then races outwardly to every being in heaven until it extends even further, cascading upon the earth like a waterfall.
Possibly the water of Life flowing in all directions, up and down, in and out.
Think about it!?.
Benediction.
