Tag: scroll
The Sealed Scroll
Scripture reading for December 5: Revelation 5
“Then I saw in the right hand of Him Who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:1-5
John was in the Spirit in heaven beholding the activities around the throne of God and Jesus Christ. God, the Father, was holding in His right hand a scroll sealed with seven seals. This scroll represented the will of God and the coming events that must take place after this. A ‘mighty angel’ cried out concerning who was worthy to open this scroll and reveal its contents. A search was made, and no one was found among the angels, saints in heaven, saints on earth or those awaiting the judgment. John wept loudly because of the inability of anyone to open this scroll.
But one of the twenty-four elders who were also seated on twenty-four thrones spoke to John to comfort him in his weeping. He pointed out that the ‘Lion of the tribe of Judah’ and ‘Root of David’ had conquered and was there to open this amazing scroll and break its seven seals. As John looked towards the throne again, he beheld a Lamb standing, with the marks of being slain. (Revelation 5:6) This was Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, Who Alone had conquered sin, death, hell and the grave. The marks of sacrifice were still visible on His Glorified Body. He had endured the shame of mankind’s sins and paid the penalty of death in their place. He was a Lion of Judah, of the kingly line of David Who was worthy to reveal and oversee the will of His Father on earth as in heaven!
As you think about all the people who have ever lived and are alive now, do you know anyone who might be worthy to carry out God’s will on earth by sitting on heaven’s throne? Why do you think one of the twenty-four elders revealed to John the One Who alone was worthy?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for providing the ‘Lamb of God’ for the perfect and only true sacrifice for our sins. I am humbled to know that You have revealed this to me and all who believe through grace. I will sing with those around the throne “Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain!” Amen!
John and the “Upper-taker”
Scripture reading for December 23: Revelation 4-5
John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice calling him to enter. He immediately saw the brilliant throne of heaven and One seated on it. This throne was encircled by an emerald rainbow and radiated flashes of lightning and rumblings of loud thunder. This throne was surrounded by twenty-four other thrones with elders seated dressed in white with golden crowns. There were four other living creatures that resembled animals with eyes all over them. These creatures worshiped the One on the throne constantly saying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
The twenty-four elders responded to the worship of these strange creatures with worship of their own. They fell down before the throne and cast their golden crowns before the Lord and said: “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.” (Revelation 4:11) The worship of these elders was focused on God as creator of all things. Everything that has life draws it’s life from God. He is the source of life. Because of His will and pleasure we have our being. Many in our culture deny God as Creator and feel that their existence is not connected to anything but time and chance.
John saw a scroll in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. A mighty angel spoke out: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2) No one was found and John began to weep profusely. One of the elders spoke up and told John to calm down because the Lion of the tribe of Judah had triumphed. He would open the scroll!
When John looked, this Lion was none other than a Lamb Who had the marks of being slain. He also had seven horns and seven eyes, speaking of complete authority and wisdom! The Lamb took the scroll from the One seated on the throne and the elders fell down before the Lamb and began to worship with a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God 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.” Revelation 5:9-10
As John looked again and he saw multitudes of angels worshiping the Lamb and then he heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea singing praises to the One on the throne and to the Lamb! The Lion Who was also a Lamb, Jesus Christ, is the focus of all heaven and earth!