Who is Worthy?

v.1:

What is this scroll, and where did it come from?

This book is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and the word “revelation” means an unveiling of things previously concealed.

The Scroll seen here is the very picture of the unveiling of a previously hidden mystery.

This is a scroll that has obviously been sealed sometime in the past, and it has been sealed with seven seals, just as a legal contract would have been.

Though the scroll has writing on both sides, the contents remain a mystery until it is opened.

It’s been sealed for some time, and obviously it was not meant to be opened until the end times.

The word mystery is not uncommon in the New Testament. It is often used to refer to a truth which was hidden in the Old Testament, and not revealed until the New Testament.

After the seventh seal of this scroll is loosed, we are told that the mystery of God is finished.

The completion of this scroll will finish God’s mystery

Revelation 10:7

Revelation 10:7 NKJV

but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

Since this scroll is a "mystery", it must have been hidden somewhere in the Old Testament.

So, the question arises, “have we seen this scroll in the Old Testament?” And if so, where?

The answer is yes, and the where is Daniel.

This scroll is a mystery that was hidden in the Old Testament

Daniel 12:4-9

Daniel 12:4–9 NKJV

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Daniel is told to seal up the book until the time of the end.

Also, we are told that the prophecy which Daniel was given concerns the tribulation.

Daniel 12:1

Daniel 12:1 NKJV

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

Not only was it to be sealed and remain a mystery until the end times, not even Daniel understood what he wrote.

Given the description of the magnitude of the tribulation, and the promised deliverance of Israel, this must refer to the great tribulation.

Of course, the great tribulation and the deliverance of Israel is exactly what we will see unveiled in the book of Revelation.

Though many commentators have posed many different explanations of this scroll, we can be confident that it is the same scroll which Daniel was told to seal.

But now, there will be no more delay, the time has come.

The time for the unveiling has arrived, and the scroll is opened.

v.2:

The identity of this angel is uncertain, but it may refer to the angel Gabriel, whose name means “strength of God”.

Gabriel was prominent in Daniel, and there is a strong connection between Daniel and Revelation.

Given the connection between Daniel and Revelation, this angel is likely Gabriel

Daniel 8:16

Daniel 8:16 NKJV

And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”

Notice that not even the strong angel is worthy to open the scroll, since he himself asks who is.

This is certainly a rhetorical question, of course the angel knows who is worthy.

In fact, the elders knew the answer to the question (v.5), so the angel certainly did as well.

v.3:

Here we see the purpose of the angel's question.

He is referring to the entire universe, and his point is that no one in the created universe is worthy.

v.4:

John's weeping is understandable at this point.

Imagine being being called into a meeting with one of the most powerful people on earth.

Imagine being told that you were going to receive some new information that no one else knows.

Then imagine that this information is in a locked filing cabinet, and no one has the key.

What a let down.

Imagine how John felt. He was called up into heaven, to the throne room of God.

He was told that he would be shown the things which were to come.

These things are contained in a scroll, which is in the very presence of John.

Then, all of a sudden, he hears from an angel that no one is worthy to open the scroll.

Disappointment wouldn't even begin to describe what he must have been feeling.

v.5:

But his statement/question from the angel, was not meant to portray hopelessness.

This is ultimately meant to emphasize the power, glory and worthiness of the Creator, which becomes clear in this verse.

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is one of the earliest titles of Jesus Christ

It was first alluded to in Genesis

Genesis 49:9-10

Genesis 49:9–10 NKJV

Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

The Root of David is another title of Jesus Christ which originated in the Old Testament

Isaiah 11:1-5

Isaiah 11:1–5 NKJV

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

Revelation 22:16

Revelation 22:16 NKJV

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

Jewish apocalyptic literature used the figure of a lion to designate the conquering Messiah who would destroy Rome, but this is far more reaching than Rome.

The lion is a symbol of a victorious conqueror, and a king.

Being the root of David reinforces the notion of a king.

Christ is the victory

1 Corinthians 15:57

1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the King of Kings

Revelation 17:14

Revelation 17:14 NKJV

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

He is God, and this scroll is His word, and in it are His judgments.

Christ has prevailed, and only Christ (being God) has the authority to execute these judgments.

Only Christ has the authority to execute these judgments

John 5:26-27

John 5:26–27 NKJV

For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

This is why no one else is worthy to open the scroll.

v.6:

Here we see, in the midst of the church, an amazing picture of Christ.

Jesus is the Lamb of God

John 1:29

John 1:29 NKJV

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Through His death, He took away the sin of the world.

The lamb that had been slain shows us the true victory of Christ.

Christ's victorious death on the cross is the basis of his authority to redeem the world by taking and opening the scroll.

In Scripture, horns always symbolize power, because in the animal kingdom they are used to exert power and inflict wounds in combat.

Seven is the number of completeness/perfection, the seven horns signify complete or perfect power. Unlike other defenseless lambs, this One has complete, sovereign power.

The seven eyes which are the seven Spirits, gives us a picture of the unity (oneness) of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Christ and the Father are one

John 10:30

John 10:30 NKJV

I and My Father are one.”

If Christ is one with the Father, and also one with the Holy Spirit, then the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all God, and all are one

Deuteronomy 6:4

Deuteronomy 6:4 NKJV

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

Being "sent out into all the earth" paints a picture of both the omniscience and omnipresence of God.

v.7:

Here we see authorization from the throne for Christ to execute His judgment, and ultimately His plan for the redemption of the World.

Just as Christ spoke of in John chapter 5, judgment is being given over to Him.

The Lamb of God, the King of Kings, the Lion of Judah has already defeated sin and death.

He already has the victory. The Lamb was slain for your redemption.

His blood paid the wage of death for your sin.

He can both forgive sin and judge sin.

Will you accept the gift He has presented for you, and stand forgiven?

Or will you present yourself to Him for judgment, and stand condemned?

The choice is yours.