John then observed a scroll full of writing and sealed with seven seals but no-one was worthy to open it, causing John to weep vs.1-5.Revelation 5:1-5XWaiting for response This scroll contained information about events in the earth from that time until far into the future, showing the outworking of God’s purpose. Daniel saw similar visions and enquired: “O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” and was told that “the words were closed up and sealed till the time of the end” Daniel 12:8-9.Daniel 12:8-9XWaiting for response The end of the Mosaic era had arrived and the book was to be opened by the only one worthy to do so, the Lord Jesus Christ vs.5-8Revelation 5:5-8XWaiting for response bringing great joy to the saints who sang a new song to him: “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; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” vs.9-10.Revelation 5:9-10XWaiting for response The confident hope of the true disciples of Christ, founded on the promises of God, is to reign with him on the earth. It is not to go to heaven, or any other imagined idyll, but to be with Jesus in the Kingdom of God in the land of Israel. When Jesus returns and the dead are raised, he will be acclaimed by multitudes of saints and ten thousand times ten thousand angels vs.11-12,Revelation 5:11-12XWaiting for response and all people of the earth will bless the Lord God and his Son Jesus v.13Revelation 5:13XWaiting for response who will reign on his Father’s throne for ever.
What was the scroll?
The scroll (translated book in KJV) represented ‘the vision of all’ in God’s purpose. The words for 'the vision of all' in God's purpose had been sealed to other prophets Isaiah 29:11.Isaiah 29:11XWaiting for response Here it is written in its seven chapters, and the implementation ‘of all’ was the task awaiting whoever was found worthy to loose the seals and read the contents.
written within = Things relating to those WITHIN the faith
on the backside = Things related to those OUTSIDE the faith
seven seals = seven chapters (or stages) to be opened
Who could open the scroll?
‘hath prevailed’ = overcome or conquered sin and death, or, ‘the world’
‘a lamb as it had been slain = ‘the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world’
Jesus said, ‘Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33)John 16:33XWaiting for response
‘through death he might destroy him that had the power of death’ (Hebrews 2:14)Hebrews 2:14XWaiting for response
How could he implement ‘The vision of all’?
By:
- being given perfect understanding of the vision
- being given the authority to implement it
- being given all power in heaven and in earth
- being made after the power of an endless life
Jesus said: ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth’ (Matthew 28:18)Matthew 28:18XWaiting for response
Worthy to take the scroll
In chapters 4 & 5 John describes the vision he had of Jesus and the saints in future glory.