Revelation Chapter 5
John sees in his vision of heaven that the one who sat upon the throne held a scroll. John somehow knew that this scroll was of great importance and contained the news of what will happen to mankind in the future judgement. It was frightening to know that judgement is coming from a holy God, but no one is worthy to read what is written on the scroll. There was a lot of information written on this scroll as it was written on the front side and the back side. This scroll was sealed with seven wax seals. This is an indication that what was written on the scroll was the inheritance of mankind.
The angels in heaven do not place an importance on what was written on the scroll but rather who was worthy to open the scroll or break the seven seals. It was customary of Roman law that a will which was written down for someone to pass on their inheritance to others had to be sealed with seven seals. These seven seals were symbolic of seven witnesses to the validity of the written will. While we do not know what is written on this scroll, we know that the only one holding the future of all of mankind is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And we will learn in this chapter who is worthy of breaking the seals of that scroll that will allow it to be read.
Let's Reflect
1. Who is asking who can break the seals of the scroll that is in the hand of God?
2. We learn that John in his vision knew that no one, no person nor any angelic being was worthy of opening the scroll. What emotion does John display with this humility of knowing that there was no one worthy of breaking the seals of this scroll?
3. The elders gave John hope. They knew there was one who was worthy to break the seals, and He was described as the Lion of Judah and also the root of whom?
4. We know that the elders are speaking of Jesus the one who has conquered sin and death for all of mankind. We really must stop and just meditate on what Jesus has done for us. We were all dead in our trespasses and sins and our inheritance should be eternal separation from God. In verses 6-8 we find a description of Jesus – the one who made it possible for us to be redeemed from our sin. We would expect Him to be seen as a great strong animal like a bear or a lion, but how is Jesus described here?
5. We also see proof that Jesus is God. He is able to break open the seals of the scroll and He has seven eyes and seven horns which are the seven spirits of God, meaning God the Holy Spirit. The equality that Jesus, the Son of God, had with God the Father and with God the Holy Spirit is clearly seen here. When the four living creatures (the cherubim) and the elders saw Jesus take the scroll, what did they do?
6. We recall that God made a covenant with the Jewish nation when He rescued them from Egypt. This covenant or promise was an inheritance given to them that He would sustain them no matter what came their way. Exodus 19:5-6Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you (Moses) shall speak to the people of Israel. In the song the angels sang who will inherit the work of Jesus who was slain?
7. John then realizes that there are many voices that are around the throne offering praises to God with a loud voice. Who else is praising God and how many are there?
8. When all created beings on earth and in heaven see Jesus the Lamb and they see God the Father there is only one thing they will do and that is to worship Him. What does the last verse say about the worship of God?
