Revelation 5 01 07

The Seven Sealed Book

Revelation 5:1-7

Introduction:

In Revelation 4 John was given a glimpse into heaven.

He focused on three things:

·         Gods position

·         Gods power

·         Gods perfection

In Revelation 5 John continues this glimpse into heaven 5:1

I.                   The Seven-sealed Book in the hand of God vv. 1-4

1.  What the book is:   literally a scroll

Sealed with seven seals:  placed in such a way that they must be broken in

       succession

            Similar to a Roman will which must be sealed seven times

2.      What the book contains:

*Events about to be unfolded in the Book of Revelation

*As a seal is broken judgment will be poured out

     -an act of God’s mercy that not all poured out at once

*Book is full:  written within and without

   God’s judgment is full and complete

   God’s judgment is not rash and haphazard it is thought out/planned

II.                The Pronouncement that is Made

1.      Made by a strong angel v. 2

J.B. Smith:  “The vision opens with three notes of emphasis:  a strong angel – only twice more is reference made to a strong angel in the book, viz., 10:1 and 18:21.  The angel proclaims-not merely says.  The word signifies to announce as a herald.  With a loud voice denotes urgency and great concern….Who is the strong angel making the challenge?  The answer is doubtless, Gabriel, the one who ordered the closing and sealing of the book of Daniel.”

2.      Content of the announcement:

“Who is worthy….” v. 2

John Walvoord, “It is evident that the contents of the book are impressive in character and require the power of God for their revelation as well as for the execution of their program.”

3.      Answer to the announcement v. 3

No one is found worthy anywhere to open the book

       For what it is worth:  Makes me think of Genesis 2:18-20

      John Walvoord thinks that this was done to impress John with the

      importance of the contents of the revelation contained in scroll

I think that it was done to impress with the person of Jesus Christ

4.      Reaction of John to announcement v. 4

Why did John weep the way he did?

Was it because he greatly desired to see what was in the book?

III.             The One Worthy to Open the Book vv. 5-7  Obviously this is Jesus

1.      He is shown worthy by His description:

1)Lion of the tribe of Judah

            Genesis 49:8-10 out of Judah would come Messiah

            Lion also to me refers to the King of Beasts:  Jesus is King

2) Root of David

Isaiah 11:1 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of

Jesse and a Branch shall grow out of his roots….”

Again when I think of David I think King/Throne of David

When think of highly esteemed kingship of David have to realize that Jesus is greater:  Matt. 22:41-46 “before Abraham was, I was”

3)He prevailed (overcome) to open the seals of the book

    Adam Clarke: “By the merit of his incarnation, passion, and

death.”

I would add to that also by His resurrection

He has overcome all and is worthy

                        All points to His Kingship and Sovereignty

                        Application:  He is deserving of no less than first place in our lives

                                                For what do we push Him aside? Pleasure, earthly gain, etc.

2.      He is shown worthy by what He does and has done

1) He stood:  so far those around throng have been seated or have fallen

                  Here Jesus stands before the throne

      *He is a lamb:  28 times in Revelation

                  Gen. 22:8 “God will provide Himself a lamb”

                  John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God”

                  1 Peter 1:19 “as a lamb without blemish”

      *He has the marks of suffering:  “a Lamb as it had been slain”

For all eternity we will see those marks and remember how we got

there!!

Interesting that we look forward to whole, perfect bodies in heaven yet Christ appears as “a Lamb as it had been slain”

*He is in the midst of the elders

2) He came and took the book from the right hand of God v. 7

      Exodus 33:15-23 Read:  Moses is told He cannot see God and live

      Now Lamb come before the throne and removes a book from His hand

3) His description:

      Seven Horns:  symbol of power and strength

                              Bambi’s dad in movie

      Seven eyes:  He is searching and all knowing

      Seven generally refers to completeness:  Complete power and knowledge

Application:

            We are to worship Him because:

                        He is worthy

                        He is victorious

                        He is the Lamb slain

            No where does it show worship because it benefits us in some way