·
The scroll (v1).
It was made of papyrus, in many sheets sewn together. Usually it was only written on one side but
might be on both sides if you wanted what you were writing to be in one
place/book. Such was the case here in a
scroll that reveals God’s fundamental purposes.
It was sealed with seven seals, showing the importance of what it
contained. The question that is asked,
who will split the seals, is important because opening the seals is the means
by which what is written therein can be brought to pass.
·
The challenge (v2) is issued to all of
creation. Who is worthy? Not just anyone can do this.
·
The silence (v3) indicates that NO ONE could
open or look inside. Not the elders, the
living creatures, the angels, no humans.
It would seem that God’s purposed won’t come to pass.
·
Therefore, the weeping (v4) of John. He knows the depth of the issue, the wrongs
that won’t be righted, the lack of forgiveness.
Even godless men have noted the hopeless of the situation when God’s
purposes cannot be fulfilled. The
atheist, Bertrand Russell, nearing the end of his life, was asked what he had
to hang on as he faced this crucial time of life. He answered, “I have nothing to hang on to
but grim, unyielding despair.” But then
John is told to quit weeping. Why?
·
The Lion (v5) has prevailed. This is a strong word, this prevailing. The Lion (royalty) of the tribe of Judah (of
David). As revealed in the genealogy of
Matt. 1 which contain the three groups of fourteen names, fourteen to match the
numerical value of the name “David” (DVD) in Hebrew. The emphasis is on David. The Christ is the root (as well as the chute)
of David! He precedes David and comes
after David.
·
Then the Lamb (v5). Remember that apocalyptic literature mixes
metaphors. Jesus is not half Lion and
half Lamb as depicted in many classic paintings. He is all Lion and all Lamb. As Lamb He has seven horns speaking of royal perfection. He also has seven eyes, the seven Spirits of
God, tying Him to God (cf. Rev. 4:5).
Messiah is God! And He takes the
scroll (v7).
·
The praise of heaven (v8-14). The living creatures and elders sing a new
song. They sing with harps. Something should be said about this to dispel
the idea that all of eternity for the saints involves playing harps while sitting
on a cloud. Harps are an instrument of
rejoicing. You see this in Psalm 137
when God’s people in Babylon hung their harps on a tree; they could not sing
the songs of joy in Babylon. The harps
appear now because they realize God’s purposes will be brought to pass. (Note: in heaven we will rejoice, work and
learn … only God is omniscient … and all will be done in the presence of God.)
The song emphasizes the atonement, describing the atonement as bloody (by your blood), broad (every tribe, tongue, people, nation), directed (to our God) and triumphant (we shall reign on the earth). In light of this the creatures and elders are then joined by many angels (v11) and then the entirety of creation (v13). The living creatures announce the final “Amen!”
What we see here if what we call, “the naturalness of grateful praise.” It is unnatural not to praise God at the unfolding of His purposes, a truth that has immense value to our lives today.
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