Ezek. 2:9-10; Dan. 12:4,9; Rev. 5:1-10, The Scroll is Opened

This may or may not be an essential question, but I find a significant lesson on the sufficiency of Christ in this question: is the book of Rev. 5:1 the same as the one Daniel sealed up in Dan. 12? 

To be honest (always a good idea), few of my favorite commentators think they are the same.  Several want to identify the Revelation scroll as a will, since in Rome wills were sealed with seven seals.  In answer I would say that Revelation is not about what Christ will receive but rather how He receives it.  “It does not record the description of what Christ will inherit, but rather how He will regain His rightful inheritance” (John MacArthur, Because the Time is Near, p118). 

MacArthur goes on to say that it is the same book as in Ezek. 2:9-10, since it is written on both sides.  Ezekiel writes that it is a book of lamentations and mourning and woe.  That could fit quite a bit of Rev. 6-22, although Revelation is ultimately a book of victory and glory.  Besides, Ezekiel is commanded to eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel (Ezek. 3:1).  Ezekiel’s scroll is the message of his ministry.  The scroll of Rev. 5 has not been opened, and cannot be opened, until the appearance of the Lamb that had been slain Who redeemed us to God by His blood.  I don’t think they are the same scrolls.

But what about the scroll Daniel sealed up?  Here are some things to consider.

·       Daniel was told to seal the book until the time of the end.  Is there any other place in Scripture where we are told that Daniel’s book was opened?  That is not a compelling argument, but it is a place to start. 

·       Daniel’s last vision (Dan. 10-12) spoke in detail of Israel’s troubles from Daniel’s time until the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, who was connected with the future Antichrist.  Then Daniel gave a very general description of what is still future, in terms of a time of much travel and increased knowledge, and then that there would be a resurrection.  Daniel is told of the 3 1/2 years (of which he was also told in Dan. 9:24-27) and then, without explanation, of an additional 45 days.  Rev. 6-18 is a very detailed description of the 3 1/2 years and their culmination in the return of Christ (Rev. 19).  Then Revelation also becomes very general, giving quick overviews of the Millennial Reign, end-time judgments and the new Jerusalem (Rev. 20-22).  I can see that Revelation picks up where Daniel left off.

·       I believe Revelation is also very clear about the connection of the seven-sealed scroll with Israel.  The scroll doesn’t appear until after Rev. l-3, which speak of the things that were and the things which are (Rev. 1:19).  In other words, it speaks of the Church.  The seven-sealed scroll can only be opened by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David … the Lamb.  All of these, of course, are titles of Christ rooted in the Old Testament.  The promise of God that all Israel will be saved is given in Rev. 12. 

All the scrolls (Daniel, Ezekiel, Revelation) are about the mystery of God, the promise of the Father to give the Son the nations as an inheritance, and to rule over them from David’s throne.  I believe it is proper to say that the entire Bible is about the mystery of God.  When Christ is exalted, then the humble of Israel and the Nations are also exalted, with Him! 

But here’s the significant lesson on the sufficiency of Christ: it cannot happen until there is One who is qualified to open the book, One who is the true Redeemer.  Without redemption the nations are not fit to be the inheritance of the Son of God.  Hallelujah!  There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son!