The Scroll and Resurrection

Revelation 5 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.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?3 And no man in heaven, nor in the earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.4 And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

In the book of Revelation chapter 4 is a picture of the throne of God in the third heaven. After the fantastic moment that the church is raptured, this throne room scene is what the church will experience when Jesus brings them before God. Verse one of chapter 5 begins with the word “and” in the King James Version, which is a translation of the Greek word “Kia”. This is an indication that the following chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter and after it. After the spectacular scenery is described by John in chapter 4, chapter 5 begins by zooming in on the scroll in the hand of God who is sitting on the throne. The scroll becomes the focal point of the chapter and the reason behind Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The consensus belief by most eschatologists is that this is the title deed of the Earth. During the Old Testament era, deeds were written on the inside of the scroll, and the instructions were written on the outside, like the scroll in God’s right hand. Adam was given dominion over the earth and all living creatures in it (Gen. 1:26-30). It's believed that Adam forfeited the title deed when he disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. When Adam sinned, the deed did not go to the devil but back to God ever since that moment. In Revelation 5:2, a strong angel issues a challenge for anyone in heaven, on earth, or under the earth to open the seal. But no one was found worthy to take the seal or even look at it. After this moment John begins to weep. This is because he is aware of the significance of the scroll in what it meant if no one was able to take the scroll from the right hand of God. As long as God holds the scroll in his right hand and remains sealed, mankind cannot dwell with God. Another way to understand this is to consider the plight of a person who's been arrested and being held in jail. If that person is found innocent and exonerated by a judge, that person will remain in jail until someone opens the cell door with the key. Then that person can walk out and experience freedom. Jesus has forgiven the church and taken them all, dead and alive, out of the world in the event we call “the rapture”. But we cannot dwell with God until the scroll is released from God's hand and the seals on the scroll are open. John understood this and was greatly saddened.

Revelation 5 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof.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.7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.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.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; We can identify the 6“Lamb as it had been slain” as Jesus the son of God. Jesus was called the “lamb of God” by John the Baptist before he baptized Him. Jesus is still bearing the marks of His crucifixion. The victorious moment for which we all rejoice shall come when one of the 24 elders tells John that “the lion of the tribe of Judah”, has come forth to open the scroll and loosen its seven seals. Jesus is the only one qualified and able to take the scroll. Since the scroll was given to man through Adam, only a man without sin can take the scroll. Jesus being God, man, and perfect, filled all the criteria required to reclaim the deed back to the man from God. In this passage, we also find the answer to the disagreement of the 24 elders being angelic or from mankind. The 24 elders sang a new song and said, “and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”. Only mankind can be read deemed by the blood of Jesus, Angels cannot be forgiven and redeemed by the blood. The 24 are men who have been given positions of authority in Heaven before God.

Revelation 5 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.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;12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.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 honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever. This is one of the most awesome and powerful moments in the Bible. At this very moment of Scripture, Jesus has taken the scroll and set in motion the events in heaven and earth that will end the enmity between God and man. At this moment every creature in heaven will lift praises of glory and honor for what Jesus has just done. These things will happen. As another act of faith and belief in God, we can give ourselves a rehearsal and praise God with the praises from verses 12 through 14. This is the destiny of the church and all those who have received Jesus’ forgiveness of their sins. After Jesus has taken the scroll He will begin the process of losing its seals and opening the scroll. This process is described in the book of Revelation chapters 6-16. We will be studying these events in the next chapter to understand the events that must take place, leading to our fantastically unimaginable eternity with God. It is important to understand revelation chapter 5. Chapter 5 completes the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Revelation chapter 5 should be included with any teaching on the purpose of Jesus coming to earth. When Adam sinned in the beginning, in Genesis, the scroll or book became rolled up and sealed with seven seals. The scroll has been in the right hand of God ever since. The seals on the scroll are judgments and cannot be opened until those judgments are pronounced. Man can never be with God again until the seals are removed, and the scroll is reopened. This is why the challenge was given by the mighty Angel at the beginning of chapter 5. Jesus, being the son of God, will return to Earth after the resurrection, which we call the second coming of Jesus Christ. He will rapture all people who have asked for his forgiveness. This is the church of Jesus Christ. Jesus will take the church back to heaven with him before God. But when the church arrives, they'll see God on the throne for the first time still holding the scroll in his right hand as described at the beginning of chapter 5. John weeps sorrowfully because the church has finally been brought before God, but no one is worthy to take the scroll. Then Jesus steps forward, being the only one worthy to take the scroll because of his victory over death and the cross. He is worthy also because he was perfect as God and man all at once. When Jesus takes the scroll, the last barrier between the church and God has been removed. This is the reason for the doxology of praise that follows in revelation 5:9-14. This crescendo of praise includes all of the Angels, the 24 elders, and all of the church who now will have a direct relationship with God. Another way to illustrate the situation is to consider a large family who has booked a cruise in Florida for a week. They catch a plane to an airport in Florida. They then ride the shuttle to the port where they see the large magnificent ships sitting in the port. But once they get to the gangway, they're not allowed to enter the ship because they don't have the proper authorization to board the ship. Even though the price is paid for them to arrive, they still need the authorization to board the ship. It would be sad to have traveled so far to the port, and not be able to board the ship. The authorization for the church to enter heaven to be with God is through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. · Jesus is the only one qualified to die on the cross for our sins. · Jesus is the only one to be born alive and died perfect. · Jesus is the only one with the ability to rise from the dead. · Jesus is the only one worthy to ascend to heaven and sitteth the right hand of God. · Jesus is the only one worthy to take the scroll from the right hand of God, thus enabling people forgiven by Him, to be with God. Hebrews 1 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11 They shall perish, but thou remainest, and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

John 14 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 8 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

JESUS IS WORTHY!!!

For this reason, we are eternally grateful and will live in eternity with Him forever.