Who Can Open the Scroll?

Revelation 5

Good morning, I hope everyone is doing well this morning.

Thank you all very much for allowing me to come once more.

Its an honor to be able to speak somewhere one time but to invite me back a second time is a great blessing.

Thank you pastor for the invitation.

Last time I was here we learned about the book of Ecclesiastes and the valuable lesson that we as believers can learn from it.

We learned that wisdom can truly be gained in this life but that true wisdom must come from the true God.

While last time we looked at what can be given to us from God, today we will examine who that God really is.

If you will turn in your bibles to the book of Revelation.

We will be reading in chapter 5.

Verse 1 says, Revelation 5:1–14 (KJV 1900): 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 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.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, 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;

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 honour, 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 honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

The book of Revelation is as we all know, the last book in the Bible.

It is a book that describes the end of days through prophetic language and descriptions.

The way in which this book is composed, parallels the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

The latter half of that book also uses prophetic language to describe what things will be like in the future.

Because of the nature of these books and the prophecies that are discussed, these books are topics of much debate within different Christian denominations.

People have disagreements on the nature of the return of Christ and the order of events that will take place at this time.

While every Christian may not agree on all aspect of these events, we can agree on the fact that Jesus wins in the end.

He will be glorified in all that will come to pass.

He will be glorified because of Who He is, what He has done, and through His people.

So going back to our text, we must acknowledge the context of this chapter.

The Apostle John writes This book to describe the vision that he had been given by God.

John is seeing all the things that are being described.

His vision takes place in Heaven as he beholds saints, angels, the Seven Spirits around the throne, and the Father.

So this where our passage begins.

Look back in verse 1 If you will.

Reading these first two verses we see an introduction into this chapter.

John is looking to the throne of God and is beholding the Father in all His glory.

He is witnessing the glory of the Father in real time.

Think about that very concept!

Try and pit yourself into Johns shoes.

Try and think of what he is beholding.

Then acknowledge the fact that anything that you are imaging is nothing close to what John is seeing.

For witnessing the Father in all His glory is so beyond the very ability of all the might of human imagination and thought.

He is so high and we are so low.

Looking at the description of the Father, we see that He is holding something in His hand.

The Father is holding a book that contains writing on both the inside and outside of it.

For everyone’s understanding, while the word that we read is the word book, John is describing a scroll.

This scroll however, is sealed with seven seals.

After John describes the scroll that the Father is holding, he hears the proclamation of an angel.

An angel cries out and we learn of the great problem that is found within this portion of text.

The angel cries out and asks who is worthy to open the scroll and who is worthy to open the seals that are attached.

Who could do this thing?

Look in verse 3.

King James Version Chapter 5

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

John looks around him and discovers that no one can in heaven, earth, or under the earth can open the scroll and look at the contents that are on it.

There seems to be a problem in heaven. Remember that phrase.

But how could this be?

Without this scroll being opened and read, the future events that are to take place at the end of time cannot come to pass.

If the scroll is not opened, then there will not be a perfect justice and judgment for the wicked, and the saints in Christ will not be ready to be glorified with God.

In verse 4 we read of the reaction to this great problem.

John describes the feeling that is coming over him as he hears this troubling news.

As mentioned just a moment ago, the perfect cannot come until this book or scroll has been opened.

John looks around him and begins to weep because there was no one that was found worthy of opening the scroll.

When all hope seems to be lost and a great deal of despair is about to sweep over the entirety of heaven, we see a remedy to the abundant problem.

We must read verse 5.

King James Version Chapter 5

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

What an amazing verse!

When there was a problem that could not be resolved by the elders, there was one that could solve the problem.

When there was a problem that could not be solved by the four great beasts that worship the Father on His throne, there was one that could solve the problem.

When there was a problem that could not be solved by the multitude of angels, there was one that could solve the problem.

And finally, when there was a problem that could not be resolved by a faithful Apostle named John, there was one who could solve the problem.

But who is that one?

What is so special about this one that is different than the rest?

Look back in verse 5 and see the proclamation of the elder.

The elder looks at John and tells him not be weep.

He tells him not to be discouraged because there is one who has overcome.

The elder says that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has overcome.

This hearkens back to the days of the great Patriarchs as seen in the book of Genesis.

Roughly 2000 years have passed but an already established bloodline was already determined to be preserved.

There would be one to come from the line of Judah that would do something that no one else could ever think of accomplishing.

Not only is this person described as the lion of Judah, but He is also described as the root of David.

This one person would come through the line of Judah and through the line of David.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, this one person who has the authority to open the scroll is the prophesied Messiah: Jesus Christ.

The text says that He has overcome and because he has overcome, he can not only open the scroll, but he can also open the seals that are on the scroll.

Jesus Christ, the person that we have been talking about this entire time has overcome.

But what exactly has He overcome?

This question cuts to the very essence of the gospel.

Every Christian MUST understand the weight and the meaning of the gospel of Christ.

Why must we understand it?

Because it has set us free!

Our bondage, or guilt, our earned condemnation, has been taken away from us and has been transferred to the perfect person of Jesus Christ.

God Himself took our sins and bore them with a purpose.

They were placed on Him not only so that we could live in freedom and live with Him forever, but also that He may be glorified in the salvation of His church.

He has overcome His mission on this earth and now He has the power and the authority to open the scroll and the seven seals that are on it.

What a thing to think about!

The same Jesus who has overcome His mission is the same Jesus that has saved us by His marvelous grace.

He has overcome His mission for His church.

If we have repented of our sins and believed in His wonderful gospel, we can have assurance that we have been saved.

He has died for those that believe and He has overcome for us.

Look now in verse 6.

King James Version Chapter 5

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.

Here we see the glory of the Lamb that was slain.

When we look at the book of Revelation and see the characters that surround the throne of God, we see that they are all there to bring glory to their creator.

Surrounding the throne we see the four great beasts.

These are beasts that are pictured or described as different things that John is familiar with.

For example, the first beast that is mentioned is described as being like a lion.

The second beast is described as a calf.

The third is described as having a face that resembled a man.

And finally the four is described as resembling a flying eagle.

All of these creatures that are mentioned have six wings and are covered in eyes.

But what is the purpose of the beasts you may ask?

It’s simple.

Look in verse 8 of Revelation chapter 4.

You may have to flip back a page.

King James Version Chapter 4

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Here in this verse, we can see the theme of this book.

The purpose of these four beasts is to glorify the name of God.

He is worthy of all the praise.

Look again to the latter part of this verse.

Look to what they are saying.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

This is the theme of this book.

It tells of the final things and leaves us with a declaration of glory that our Lord God was, is, and is to come.

We serve an everlasting God that has had no beginning and will have no end.

There is nothing that can be done to measure Him because He is outside of the physical reality that we find ourselves apart of.

He is worthy not only because of what He has done for us, but also for who He is.

After we see the purpose of the four beasts, we see the presence of the elders.

Like the beasts, they are there to proclaim the name of our great God and bring glory and honor to no one but Him.

Again, He is worthy of all the praise.

We see the Lamb standing in the midst of the elders and we see the seven Spirits of God that are sent into all parts of the world.

Those seven Spirits represent the power of the Holy Spirit that is in fact God.

In these six verses we see a perfect unity between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Once we recognize the position and purposes of all the characters that are found around the throne of God, we see the action that the Lamb makes.

Verse 7

King James Version Chapter 5

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Jesus approaches the Father and takes the scroll that is in the Fathers hand.

As we have already discussed, He takes the scroll or book because He is worthy of opening it.

Beginning in verse 8, we see the pinnacle of this chapter of Revelation.

We have already seen the problem and the Person that has overcome the problem, but now we see the praise that this Person rightfully deserves.

King James Version Chapter 5

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

All of the characters that have been positioned in heaven to bring praise to God are about to fulfill their purpose.

Christ has the scroll, the problem is resolved.

Because the problem has been resolved, there is to be gratitude, praise, and glory given to the only One who could overcome such a task.

Everyone hits the ground in reverence to the One who has overcame.

As they bow in worship, they each possess harps, and bowls of the prayers of the saints and they honor their Master.

But now that they are bowed to the ground, what happens next?

I am so glad you asked.

In verses 9 through 14, we see the glory and the honor that our righteous God deserves.

We see the action of our characters as they sing a new song that is directed to only One.

Look in verse 9 as we read this amazing song.

King James Version Chapter 5

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;

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 honour, 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 honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

What else needs to be said?

The song is sung and the voice has proclaimed that our great God is worthy to be praised.

We read of our holy Christ as He is glorified through the presentation and delivery of this new song.

Blessing, Honor, glory, and power belongs only to the One that sits on the throne.

He is God.

The Creator, the Deliverer, the Judge, the King, the Conqueror, the Healer, the Protector, the Lover, the Destroyer, the One who sticks closer than a brother, the Messiah, the Defender, and the One by whom all things consist.

He is our God.

So what do we learn from this passage?

We learn of the problem, the Person, and the praise.

But how do we apply this passage?

Do you remember what I said the theme of this entire book was?

If you forgot, I truly believe the theme of Revelation is to bring honor and glory to the One who was, is, and is to come, through the telling of things that are yet to come.

We apply this passage by doing two things.

Firstly, we understand who our Savior is and what His role is in the end of time.

We recognize that Jesus Christ is the only way of redemption and that only through belief in Him can one be made in right standing with God.

That Jesus Christ, the Lamb who is mentioned of in this text and the One who is worshiped by the elders, beasts, and angels, is the same Jesus Christ that was born of a virgin.

The same Jesus Christ that lived a sinless life that none of us could even imagine living.

The same Jesus Christ that performed many miracles and proclaimed that He was God.

The Same Jesus that predicted His death and His resurrection that was to follow.

The Same Jesus that died a perfect death just as He had foretold and the Same Jesus that arose from the grave three days later.

He did all these things so that He could reconcile His church to Himself.

By repenting of your sins and believing in the very message that I just stated to you, you too can join the church as we worship our holy God.

If you have begun to hate the sin that you once loved and have begun to love the God that you once hated, do not resist Him.

You too can be made whole today.

Secondly, to the believer, we must understand that He is worthy of all of our praise.

We must praise Him and bring Him glory for He has redeemed a worthless sinner such as us.

While it isn’t yet our turn to sing that new song that is mentioned in Revelation 5, there is another song that we can sing before that day arrives.

In closing I would like to read one more thing.

if you will flip way back in your Bibles to Psalm 136.

This is a song that we can sing together.

Before we sing that new song at the end of time, we can rejoice in the greatness of our God and the mercy that He has bestowed upon us.

This psalm or song is unique in that in each line it repeats the same phrase over and over again.

If its ok with all of you, we are going to do something a little different.

I am going to need some participation from all of you.

As we read through it, help me read the second line in each verse.

I will read the first part, and you follow me up by saying “For His mercy endureth forever.”

King James Version Psalm 136

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

2 O give thanks unto the God of gods:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

4 To him who alone doeth great wonders:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

7 To him that made great lights:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

8 The sun to rule by day:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

9 The moon and stars to rule by night:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

11 And brought out Israel from among them:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

16 To him which led his people through the wilderness:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

17 To him which smote great kings:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

18 And slew famous kings:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

19 Sihon king of the Amorites:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

20 And Og the king of Bashan:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

21 And gave their land for an heritage:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate:

For his mercy endureth for ever:

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

We serve a holy and merciful God.

A God who truly is worthy of opening the scroll.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Prayer.