We continue on in the Throne room of Heaven
Verse 1
“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.”
There are various books mentioned in the Bible.
The Book of Life ( also called Thy Book ) Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8,20
The Book of the Covenant Ex 24
The Book of Generations Gen 5 etc
The Book of the Law Ex 20 etc
The Book of Curses Num 5
The Book of Wars of the Lord Num 21:14
The Book of Chronicles 1 & 2 Chr
The Book of Purchase Jer 32
Books were not in the format that we know today until the 2nd century A.D. So we have John here giving the extra description of where the writing was on it, that we might think unnecessary.
Up until the 2nd century writing was done on scrolls, made generally from papyrus. Originally only written on one side, but as time progressed they started to write on the back also, although this was unusual as the back was always very rough and hard to write on.
When there was a scroll written on both sides it was only used for a will or title deed.
So what is being referred to here is a title deed, and as we will see it is the title deed to the Earth. One interesting thing to note is that Roman law required a will to be sealed with seven seals.
Verse 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?”
So we have a book with seven seals, but not just anyone can open it, not even the angels, in fact remember this is taking place in the Throne room with God on the Throne, obviously God the Father was not even able to open it, or the question would not have been asked.
Verse 3
“And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.”
The angel is looking for a man to break these seals and open the book. It had to be a descendent of Adam.
Only an appointed heir can open a will or title deed and this was the problem that faced them here in Heaven.
Verse 4
“And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”
John realises the the importance and problem that this causes and he weeps, not just normal tears but it suggests sobbing.
Verse 5
“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
Then good news arrives. The elders have the answer.
Who is opening the seals? - JESUS
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is a Jewish term for Christ and is first mentioned in Jacob’s blessing on his sons in Gen 49.
Root of David comes from Isa 11:1,10; Jer 23:5,6; Rom 15:12
Verse 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.”
Jesus enters the Throne room of Heaven, looking the same as when he died on the cross.
We will see the torture his body went through for us, and maybe understand what it really meant to Him and what He really done for us.
After Jesus’ resurrection he was not recognised Lk 24:16; Jn 20:14; 21:3,12. Why was this?
He had been disfigured so much that his closest companions did not even know him.
Isa 52:14; 50:6 foretells something of what was done to him.
The seven horns is the symbol of power. Duet 22:17; 1 Kgs 22:11; Zech 1:18; Ps 75:4
The horn was always known as the power of an animal and by having seven horns means he has complete power.
The seven eyes are the seven spirits of God as seen in Zech 3:8,9; 4:10
Verse 7
“And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.”
Jesus goes up to God the Father and takes the book from His hand. It is now His and for him to open and use.
This event sees the beginning of a chorus of praise that lasts for the rest of the chapter.
Verse 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.”
Strange reference to the prayers of the saints being odours. Psalm 141:2 see reference to our prayers being as incense.
These prayers are from God’s people, those that are saved, these prayers are actually kept in Heaven and used here.
Prayer is God’s way of involving us in His plans.
What we see happening now is the first of three waves of worship, this first one is by the four living creatures and the twenty four elders..
He is worshipped for three things Who He is
Where He is
What He does
Verse 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;”
One of the characteristics of Revelation are the “new” things
New Name ( 2:17; 3:12 )
New Jerusalem ( 3:12; 21:2 )
New Song ( 5:9; 14:3 )
New Earth ( 21:1 )
New Heavens ( 21:1 )
The word new here is from the Greek word “kainos” meaning a completely new created thing, something that did not exist before, not something that has been made from other existing things.
Notice the elders are attributing their redemption directly to Jesus and his blood.
Verse 10
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
We are kings through Jesus. He opened to us the royalty of sonship of God.
We are priests because only in the ancient world were the priest allowed to approach God, but we can approach him at His Throne.
We shall reign over the Earth. Jesus promised that His own would rule with Him Mt 19:28; Lk 22:28-29;
Verse 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;”
This is the second wave of praise. The angels join in. Notice their is no exact number of angels given, they are innumerable.
Verse 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.”
Their song includes seven great possessions.
Power Mt 28:18
Riches 2 Cor 8:9
Wisdom 1 Cor 1:24
Strength Ps 24:8
Honour Phil 2:11
Glory Jn 1:14
Blessing Ps 103:1,2
Verse 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.”
The third wave comes with the joining in of every creature.
Does it refer to animals? Hos 2:18; Ezel 34:27; Isa 65:25.
What creatures are under the earth? Also mentioned in Phil 2:10
Note also that both God the Father and the Son are worshipped at this stage.
Verse 14
“And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped
him that liveth for ever and ever.”
Confirms the eternal duration of the Father’s rule.
Comments