Untitled Sermon (2)
This chapter doesn’t reveal what is written on the scroll. However, when the seals are broken in chapter six, the judgments of God will be poured out on the earth. When the seventh seal is opened, the trumpets begin to sound (chps. 8–9). Then, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets (10:7). At least in part, the scroll is the fulfillment of the angel Gabriel’s answer to Daniel’s question regarding the end of time. What does Gabriel tell him in Daniel 12:9c?
As God is holding the scroll, a strong angel asks with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” No one was found in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth who has the divine right to open the scroll or look inside it (5:2–3). Why? Because of its nature! This scroll contains earth’s redemption. Understanding the scroll requires knowing what the Old Testament teaches about the redemption of land. What does God say about the land in Leviticus 25:23a–b?
If an Israelite loses the land God allotted to him, a plan of redemption must be granted. Therefore, a provision is made for an Israelite who falls into poverty and forced to sell the family land. In such a case, who is worthy to redeem the forfeited land, according to Leviticus 25:25b?
One of the elders tells John to “weep no more” (5:5a–b). Why (5:5c–f)?
The Lamb has seven horns (5:6c), which may be a reference to the incident when the children of Israel enter the Promised Land. They first encounter the wicked city of Jericho blocking their way. God commands seven priests, each carrying a ram’s horn, to walk ahead of the Ark. On the seventh day of marching around Jericho seven times, the priests are to blow the seven trumpets and all the people are to shout (Josh. 6:3–5b). At that instant, what will happen (6:5c–d)
The Lamb also has seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth (5:6d–e). This describes the Holy Spirit in all His fullness (See comments on 1:4d, page 11.). According to Jesus, what does the Holy Spirit do in all the earth (John 16:8)?
When the Lamb takes the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall down before Him. Each is holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (5:8). These prayers have been unanswered until now. One prayer of all true saints since the time of Christ will now begin to be answered. It is found in Matthew 6:10. What is it?
Next, John sees and hears an even greater multitude numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands (5:11). Myriad means “ten thousand” and is the highest number in ancient Greek. Myriads of myriads denotes a countless, or infinite, quantity. Therefore, John sees an innumerable heavenly host singing a sevenfold chorus of praise to the Lamb. They say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive” seven things (5:12). List them below:
Included in this chorus of praise is every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea (5:13a). This is the answer to what prayer found in Psalm 150:6?
All this praise is the result of the Lamb taking the scroll from the Father’s right hand. This act indicates the final part of God’s eternal plan for the redemption of all creation is about to be accomplished. One day, probably sooner than any of us realize, the seals will be broken. Then, the eternal Kinsman Redeemer will redeem the earth and all of creation. All this should encourage you to keep what exhortation in Hebrews 10:23?
As Jesus opens the seven seals, horrible judgments begin on earth. This is the fulfillment of what words of Jesus in John 5:22?
John sees the Lamb—Jesus—open the first seal and hears one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” John looks and sees a white horse (6:1–2a). How does John describe the rider (6:2b–d)?
This begins the second part of the Great Tribulation we will discuss later. When the second seal is opened, a rider is permitted to take peace from the earth (6:4c). Therefore, what happens on earth (6:4d)?
Some interpreters think this could be a reference to one of the persecutions against Christians, like that of Domitian. However, this passage tells us that people are killing one another. During the persecutions, Christians did not kill their persecutors. During Jesus’ teaching of His disciples, they often represent end-time believers. For example, in Luke 21, Jesus tells them they will hear of wars and rebellions but not to be terrified (21:9a–b). Then, what does Jesus tell them in Luke 21:9c–d?
Three quarts of barley could be bought for the same price. Barley was readily available and much cheaper than wheat. Therefore, it was used as a major source of animal fodder. In the last phrase of verse six, what does John hear a voice say?
The rider of the pale horse is given authority over a fourth of the earth (6:8d). This seems to mean one-fourth of the population of the earth will die. At today’s population figures of more than six billion, the total death count would be more than one and a half billion. Nothing like this has ever happened in human history. That’s why Jesus makes what statement about the great tribulation in Matthew 24:21?
The war is followed by more famine [food shortage] and pestilence [disease] (6:8d–e). Besides killing many people, others will be left alive but injured and helpless to defend themselves. Therefore, what will kill them, according to the last phrase of verse eight?
The white horse represents deception and peace (6:2). Jesus says, “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Mt 24:5). The red horse’s rider has a great sword and takes peace from the earth (6:4). Jesus says there will be “wars and rumors of wars … but the end is not yet” (Mt 24:6). Then, what does Jesus say in Matthew 24:7a–b)?
The opening of the first four seals is only the beginning of judgment. There are still three seals left to open. Therefore, we can better understand what words of Jesus in Matthew 24:8?
When the Lamb—Jesus—opens the fifth seal, John sees under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne (6:9). What do they ask God in verse 10d?
Shortly after the rapture of the church, the seals are broken, the first of which speaks symbolically of peace on the earth. However, at the breaking of the second seal, peace is taken from the earth and people begin to kill one another (6:4). This is the beginning of what Jesus calls the “great tribulation” (Mt 24:21). From Matthew 24, it is evident people will be saved during the Great Tribulation. Because this time of tribulation will be so horrible, what does Jesus say (24:22a–b)?
Therefore, the souls under the altar are apparently those who are saved after the Rapture and martyred during the Great Tribulation. Now, they cry out to God to avenge their blood (6:10). This cry is in complete contrast to how Jesus responded to His executioners (Lk 23:34). Also, what does Stephen pray as he is being stoned to death (Acts 7:60b)?
God also tells them to rest a little longer (6:11b). God has a divine purpose that must be fulfilled and can only be understood from His perspective of eternity. We must always remember this statement: God is not in the business of explaining; He is in the business of sustaining. In our lives, we must often remember what words of Jesus in John 13:7b–c?
John continues, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place (6:13–14). This could be the result of a natural earthquake of catastrophic proportions, resulting in volcanic ash that would blot out the sun and make the moon appear red. The result on earth would be tidal waves and tsunamis that would cause worldwide destruction. This is the fulfillment of what words of the Lord in Haggai 2:6b–d?
What John sees might also be nuclear warfare. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima shook the earth for several miles. The sun was darkened by a pillar of smoke that rose 8,000 meters, or 26,000 feet. It also produced what is called a “mushroom cloud” that looks like a scroll placed upside down. The bomb produced total destruction for a radius of one mile. Today, nuclear weapons are 1,000 times more powerful. The stars John sees falling to earth could be nuclear missiles. John may call them stars because the only weapons he has ever seen are swords, spears, bows, and arrows. How does Jesus describe this in Luke 21:11c?
Because of the devastation, the kings of the earth, rulers, generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone hide in caves and among the rocks in mountains. They cry out for the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of him who is seated on the throne [God], and from the wrath of the Lamb [Jesus] (6:15–16, explanation added). During the cold war, Nikita Khrushchev (leader of the Soviet Union, 1953–1964), warned that in the event of a nuclear war, the living would envy the dead. The rich and powerful hiding and wanting to die is a reminder of what truth in Proverbs 11:4?
The chapter closes with John asking the rhetorical question, who can stand? (6:17b). Only whoever believes in the Son (Jn 3:36a). However, what does Jesus say in the last phrase of that verse about those who do not obey Him (3:36c)?