The opening of the sealed scroll
(REV. 5:5-14)
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992
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Chapters 4 & 5
A Bible Study
Rev 4:1 - After these things I looked, and behold, a door {standing} open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like {the sound} of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." "Revelation 4 and 5 are one vision showing us (1) the scroll which becoming unsealed reveals the unfolding judgments of Revelation and (2) the Savior who, being the One unsealing the scroll, is revealed as the Lord and King of Revelation. [2] Compare Revelation 4 and 5 with Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. Most pre-tribulation rapture adherents say this verse represents the rapture of the church. However, there is no scriptural basis for believing the Church is raptured here, unless you allegorize and read into this verse what is not there. For a further discussion of this please read Does the Bible Teach an Any-Moment Rapture?. [1]) R. C. Sproul has an interesting perspective concerning the return of Jesus Christ and the rapture:
"There is nothing in Scripture that says the purpose of Christ's return will involve 'taking us away someplace' for a period of time. That is a constructed hypothesis read into various passages of the New Testament. It's a misunderstanding of the plain and simple meaning of the imagery that is used. The imagery used in reference to the second coming of Christ repeatedly reflects conquest and retun from conquest. In the culture of the day, particularely of the Roman armies, what happened when a Roman general returned from a military campaign of strategic importance? What does he do when he returns? Does he just march into his city with his troops and spoils of war? No, he does not. He camps outside the town and sends his messenger into the Imperial Palace where Caesar is notified of the victory. Then the general waits for the city to prepare for the triumphal entry, which Rome made a big deal of. Meanwhile the soldiers with their booty and captives were camped outside the city. Finally when everything was prepared - the triumphal arch through which the victorious army was to pass was constructed especially for the occasion, incense was sprayed and garlands of flowers were spread around - the signal was given: a trumpet blast. Then first the citizens of Rome were given the right to go out and meet the victorious general and march in his procession, participating in his glory, and they would march with the armies coming into the city through the arch because the victory was considered as a victory for the people of Rome - not just for the Caesar or the general or the armies that represented Rome. So it is with the imagery of the New Testament from Paul, who frequently suggests this kind of occasion. The imagery is true of the second coming - the trumpet blast heralds the King coming in glory and in triumph and His people go up in the air to meet Him. Why? To leave? No, to participate in the eschatological promise we have from the beginning of the Old Testament - to participate in the victory of the Messiah, to march with Him in His triumphal entry - not this time on the back of a donkey, but now coming in glory and power and honor and coming with His people, His saints. The notion of 'going to meet" is to meet someone who is arriving for a joyous, triumphant return - and to walk in with them. When Christ returns, His people are going to participate in that magnificent moment of redemptive history when His glory and power (which has been hidden from those who perish in this world) will be made manifestly obvious. Those who are enduring tribulation with Christ who are buried with Him in baptism to participate in His humiliation and death will now participate in His exaltation and His glory." [4](NOTE: - This is a very interesting point of view, but I personally think it might actually be true not for the Church but the redeemed "144,000" of Rev. 7 and 14 who will be on earth during the time of the outpouring of God's wrath and recognize Christ as their Messaiah upon His return with His previously raptured Church. Cf. Zech. 12:10; Matt. 23:37-39)
John is here invited up to the Throne Room of God where successive visions will be revealed to him, which he has been instructed to record (Rev. 1:19). Compare this with what Paul the apostle states in 2 Cor. 12:1-4. Rev 4:2 - Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. "Sitting on a throne" denotes judgment or official pronouncements. Rev 4:3 - And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Bible students and scholars can only speculate at the "meaning" of this description of an appearance like precious jewels. Obviously the appearance of the Father is glorious and we can imagine the effect of this scene on John. It is thought the colors of the gems (red and translucent white) might symbolize judgment and holiness. But even better they might symolize the blood and purity of the Lord Jesus. The rainbow of course reminds us of the covenant God made with Noah (Gen. 9:12-17). Rev 4:4 - And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Again, there is difference of opinion as to who these "elders" are. They could represent the redeemed (specifically the Church if you are a pre-tribber). They could be priests (the Temple in Israel had 24 priests at a time serving in it in shifts. They could be the 12 apostles and the 12 sons of Jacob. They could be angels.
Rev 4:5-7 - And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.John must have been awe-struck at what he saw. "Flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder" is of course reminiscent of Mt. Sinai and impresses the observer with God's majesty and power. What the sea of glass is once again is a subject of much discussion. But here in the midst of all that John observed it seemed to radiate tranquility, calmness - as the Sea of Galilee must have after Jesus commanded the storm to cease (Mark 4:39). The four living creatures are apparently Seraphim - as identified by Isaiah (Isa. 6:2) and also seen by Ezekiel (Eze. 1). Each had four faces, possibly representing the kingship, servitude, humanity and the deity of the Lord Jesus. [1] Rev 4:8 - And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." "The place of worship, praise, and prayer must be perceived if we are to grasp the deeper message contained in this passage. Worship (4:8), Praise (4:11; 5:9-10, 12-13) and Prayer (5:8) are the keys to the release of The Purpose. Throughout this Book at crucial turning points, worship, praise, and prayer appear in conjunction with each new "step" of redemption's advance in delivering earth from evil. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done," is our assigned prayer of this genre. Note: 5:8 - no prayer is forgotten!!" [2] The progression of worship in this passage is interesting. First it is noted that the four living creatures never cease their worship, neither do the 24 elders (4:9-11) - this must have provided John with quite a thrilling sight. Then again they join together in 5:8-10. After that, John observed literally millions of beings in 5:11-12. Finally, it is noted that "every creature" in existence worshipped in 5:13, after which the four living creatures and 24 elders joined together for an "Amen!" That must have been quite an overwhelming experience for John.
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come."Holiness is that attribute of God by which He preserves the integrity of every other feature of His being. The essence of "holiness" is the idea of "completeness" or "wholeness," not just "cleanness, purity, or righteousness." We think of holiness as "moral perfection," but the holiness of God is essentially an attribute of His own nature by which there is kept in constant unswerving undiminished continuity every other trait of His being. He is an inexhaustible (infinite) supply of all life, strength, blessing, joy, wisdom, truth, love, etc. He does not become weary (Psalm 121:3-4). Holiness is the attribute of His nature by which He preserves eternally the integrity of His being. He will never be less than what He has been, is and always will be (Exo. 3:14). [2] Peter tells us, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Pet 1:13-16)Being "holy" means that because God has separated and consecrated us unto Himself by His Son, we are to separate ourselves in our attitudes and affections unto Him and His purposes from that which is secular, pagan (the "world" - 1 John 2:15-17)in all that we do and think and say.
Rev 4:9-11 - And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."The first worship John saw (4:8) praised the eternal, almighty, holy God. Joining in that worship, the 24 elders praise God because of what He did in creating all that exists (Gen. 1-2).
Rev 5:1-4 - And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it. And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it."
"John understood that the scroll in the right hand of the Creator, seated upon His throne, with writing on the inside and back and sealed with seven seals was essentially the title deed to the planet Earth. More specifically, it contained the events of the Book of Revelation - the consummation of this age in preparation for the golden (millennial) age to follow. If the scroll could not be opened because the seals could not be broken, then the purging of the earth from the defilement of sin through the trumpet and bowl judgments could not occur." [3] (p. 6) Note Daniel 7:7-8 which depicts the ferociousness of the "World System" that from the time of Christ has progressively worked to its own destruction. Man, as he discovers solutions to problems that confront him (e.g. - diseases, etc) finds that these "solutions" work to his own destruction as, because of his pride, he supposes he can solve every problem by his own hands. Instead, he inadvertently creates a whole new dimension of problems (e.g. the atom). Man began his existence as the penultimate of God's creation with everything in divine order (Gen. 1-2). But from the entry of sin there has come a progressive deterioration. All the skills man has at tapping the resources of the universe and gaining knowledge still do not overcome his sin nature. Whatever gain he makes e.g. scientifically is usually countered by a greater loss. (Note Ecclesiastes and Romans 8:20-25) So there is a dissipating of the World Order and its deterioration (1 John 2:15-17). Humanism says that man is mastering his destiny, solving his own problems. But according to the Bible, the world is "passing away." There is constant turmoil and ferment on earth which increases in frequency and intensity like the birthpangs of a woman in labor as this world is coming under judgment. When man violates the divine order, he puts himself in conflict with God's order and the result is automatic judgment. This is self-inflicted judgment from violating the divine order. Man is reaping right now the long-term cumulative judgment to which he has been sowing. [2] The 24 elders had praised the eternal, almighty holy God for what He had created. But there had been rebellion in His creation, both in heaven and on earth. John now saw that God had in His right hand a scroll that evidently contained God's plan for redeeming His creation. Hanging in the balance were the questions of who would control the earth, would history come to the final consummation God had planned for it, would righteousness prevail, etc. But if no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll, then all would be lost, all would be in vain. It would be a job "half-done" ending in despair and futility. So John weeps greatly.
Rev 5:5-7 - And one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came, and He took it out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.What would John have expected to see after being told that the "Lion" had overcome? A regal figure advancing impressively to the throne? Yes, Jesus is indeed "the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah," but interestingly this is the only place in Revelation which refers to Him by that term. The remainder of Revelation refers to Him in each instance as the Lamb. John sees Him now coming into the presence of the Father after having just accomplished redemption on the earth, bloodied but strong in the victory He had accomplished.
Rev 5:8-10 - "And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."A new song was being sung by the worshippers not only to celebrate this mighty work of God but because a new beginning was being made. The last Adam had achieved a victory where the first Adam had failed. Dominion over the earth had been lost because of the first Adam's sin. Therefore God become man...
Isa 59:15-17 - The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak."The Son of Man refers to Jesus Christ as the "last Adam:" He became God incarnate in order to restore and secure for redeemed mankind what we could never obtain by our own hand or merit. In the Person of Jesus Christ not only has there been accomplished our being brought back to God but has been made possible our being brought into what God intended humanity to become - because no one else can redeem us. It took His coming as a Man and redeeming us not only in the sense of neutralizing the power of sin to damn our eternal souls, but to break the yoke of sin in what obstructed our becoming what we were intended to be - both in this lifetime and in the eternal counsels of God. In this lifetime He has come to give us life (John 10:10) - eternal life (John 17:3) - and to discover in the ages to come the exceeding riches of His grace and all that is His counsel and purpose for us. [2]
Rev 5:11-14 - And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.AMEN!!!
[1] Marvin J Rosenthal - Zion's Hope
[2] Jack Hayford - Living Way Ministries
[3] Marvin J. Rosenthal - Zion's Fire/March-April 1999 - p. 4
[4] R. C. Sproul - Ligonier Ministries