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The scroll in heaven
- 1st – The Scroll… vs. 1-5
- Still in Heaven…
- Continuing the REVELATION of what John saw…
- Chapter 4 was focused on the THRONE – and what was AROUND it…
- Chapter 5 will focus on the SCROLL – and who was allowed to OPEN it!
- 1st – Seven seals… vs. 1
- I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll – written inside and on the back!
- In the RIGHT hand of God [the One sitting on the THRONE]
- There was a SCROLL [βιβλίον] – literally a BOOK – also Revelation 20:12
- BOOKS like we think of today – with a binding and pages – did not come about until 450 A.D.
- The BOOKS in the day of John – would have been SCROLLS…
- This SCROLL in the hand of God – had writing all over it – on the inside and outside…
- Meaning it had a LOT of information – more than one side could contain!
- The writing on scrolls would be in COLUMNS about EIGHT centimeters wide…
- The way you would read a scroll would be to hold it with your left hand…
- And unroll it with you right hand – rerolling up the scroll on parts already read…
- A SCROLL the size of the book of Revelation – would be around FIVE meters long!
- Sealed with seven seals!
- The SCROLL was sealed [perfect] – so not just anyone could OPEN it…
- SEALS [σφραγίς] – were WAX impressions used to mark OWNERSHIP!
- In ancient times – a ruler would have a RING with a unique MARK…
- He would press that into hot WAX – to mark a letter as GENUINE…
- Roman LAW required official documents to be SEALED with SEVEN seals!
- As we will see – there is only ONE who was WORTHY to open this SCROLL…
- And He will break the SEVEN seals – opening them one by one – Revelation 6-8
- The CONTENT…
- We do NOT know for certain what was WRITTEN on the SCROLL…
- There have been a LOT of ideas presented over the years by various scholars…
- TWO seem to best fit the CONTEXT of Revelation – and the Bible as a whole!
- FIRST – the DEED to the earth…
- God told Jeremiah to BUY a field – and SEAL up the title to the land – Jeremiah 32:6-12
- When he asked the LORD why – God told him because of the SIN of Israel…
- They would lose the DEED to the LAND – and it would be given to Babylon…
- But God would bring Israel BACK – to RECLAIM the land that had been SEALED!
- Jeremiah 32:37 – “Behold I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven… [and] will bring them back to this place.”
- When God created the world He gave the DEED of the earth to Adam – Genesis 1:28-30
- But when Adam and Eve choose to SIN in the garden – Genesis 3
- The DEED of the world was given to satan – II Corinthians 4:4 – John 14:30
- And the question is – who is WORTHY – to RECLAIM what had been LOST!
- SECOND – the PLAN of God…
- The writing on SCROLL could also contain the PLAN of God – all the way to the END…
- His purpose and plan for REDEMPTION – JUDGEMENT – and RESTORATION…
- A plan that was SEALED – so that not just anyone could READ it!
- When Daniel had finished his prophecy – he was told to SEAL the book – Daniel 12:9
- Because the PLAN was meant to be a MYSTERY – until God was READY!
- I Corinthians 2:7-8 – “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery – hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory – which none of the rulers of this age [satan] knew. For had they known – they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
- When Jesus was put on the cross – satan rejoiced – he thought he had won…
- What he did not understand – but would learn THREE days later – it was part of the PLAN…
- Because ALL things work according to the WILL of God – Ephesians 1:11
- A plan that is REVEALED as the SCROLL is opened in the book of REVELATION…
- Which – unlike Daniel – God told John to NOT seal!
- Revelation 22:10 – “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book – the time is at hand!”
- I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll – written inside and on the back!
- 2nd – None are Worthy… vs. 2-4
- Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice…
- Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals!
- John saw a STRONG unnamed angel – who shouted with a LOUD [μέγας] voice…
- Who is WORTHY – to BREAK the SEALS on the scroll…
- That a STRONG angel was not WORTHY – sets the standard…
- If He could not BREAK the SEALS – then who could!
- No one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll – or to look at it!
- In ANSWER to the challenge – NO one had the POWER [δύναμαι] to open it…
- NOT in HEAVEN – which would include ANGELS and the REDEEMED [Israel and the church]
- NOT on EARTH – which would include ALL those who are LIVING…
- Including fallen ANGLES – whose dwell ON the earth – Revelation 12:9
- NOT under the EARTH – which would include all those who have DIED!
- I wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll – or to look at it!
- As a RESULT – John cried – a LOT [πολύς] – because…
- No one was WORTHY to UNDERSTAND [γινώσκω] what was written on the SCROLL!
- John thought NO one could REDEEM the DEED to a world that had been LOST…
- He thought NO one could UNDERSTAND the PLAN of God for His creation!
- Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice…
- 3rd – Look to Jesus… vs. 5
- One of the elders said to me – do not weep – Behold!
- One of the TWENTY FOUR elders told John NOT to weep – instead LOOK [imperative]
- He needed to get his eyes off of what MAN could NOT do – and look at what God could do!
- The Lion of the tribe of Judah!
- LOOK to the LION – who comes out of the tribe of JUDAH…
- A title given by Jacob in his final words to his son JUDAH – Genesis 49:9
- Who prophesied God would raise up KINGS [scepter] out of JUDAH…
- Who would RULE up until the time when the MESSIAH [שִׁילֹה] comes!
- The Root of David!
- Look to the ROOT [of Jesse] – who will come out of the line of DAVID…
- A title given by Isaiah – who prophesied all NATIONS would seek Jesus – Isaiah 11:10
- Because God promised David – one of his descendants would rule forever – II Samuel 7:13
- [He] has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals!
- Jesus – who was from the tribe of JUDAH – a descendant of DAVID – Matthew 1:1-3
- Is the promised MESSIAH [שִׁילֹה] – the KING who will reign FOREVER…
- He had [aorist] the VICTORY [νικάω] – He conquered SIN and DEATH…
- And now He is able to OPEN the SCROLL and BREAK the SEVEN seals!
- Too often we get overwhelmed – and cry A LOT – because we are looking the WRONG way…
- If we are FOCUSED on what we can do – what others are capable of – it seems IMPOSSIBLE…
- We need to get our eyes off of MEN – and put them on JESUS…
- When we look Him – we will have VICTORY [νικάω] – NOTHING is impossible for Him!
- One of the elders said to me – do not weep – Behold!
- Still in Heaven…
- 2nd – The Lamb of God… vs. 6
- 1st – Looking to the Lamb… vs. 6
- I looked – and behold!
- In the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders!
- Once John stopped LOOKING to MEN – he saw the LAMB…
- He was in the MIDDLE of the THRONE – FOUR cherubim – TWENTY four elders…
- Because Jesus is the FOCUS of everything in Heaven…
- All it took was one LOOK – and John commands [imperative] us to also behold the LAMB!
- Once we SEE Jesus – we KNOW nothing else in this world compares!
- 2nd – Describing the Lamb… vs. 6
- Stood a Lamb as though it had been slain!
- The LAMB [ἀρνίον] – a little lamb – 30x in NT – 29x in the book of Revelation…
- When God sent Moses to deliver Israel from the Pharaoh – bring them out of bondage…
- God sent TEN plagues on the Egyptians – ending with the Death Angel…
- The Jews were spared – IF – they put the BLOOD of the LAMB on their doors…
- Then the Death Angel would PASSOVER them and they would be saved!
- John 1:29 – “Behold – The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
- The contrast is POWERFUL – John was looking for someone WORTHY…
- But rather than a strong LION – he saw an innocent little LAMB…
- He was STANDING [alive] – but looked LIKE He had been [perfect] SACRIFICED [σφάζω]!
- When a SPORTS team picks an ANIMAL to represent them…
- They chose something POWERFUL – like a LION or a TIGER!
- But the SYMBOL of our LORD – is an innocent LAMB who has DIED…
- Because we were condemned as a result of our sin – and no STRENGTH could save us…
- The ONLY solution – was for someone to DIE for us!
- I Peter 1:19 – “[We were redeemed] with the precious blood of Christ – as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
- Seven horns!
- SEVEN – used 54x in REVELATION – is a number we see a LOT in this book…
- In the Bible the number SEVEN – is used to represent COMPLETION or PERFECTION…
- HORNS [κέρας] – used in the Bible to speak of STRENGTH…
- Used specifically to describe the STRENGTH to SAVE us!
- Luke 1:69 – “A horn of SALVATION for us [from] the house of His servant David.”
- Seven eyes – which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth!
- Seven EYES – which we are told represent THE [ὁ] seven SPIRIT of God…
- Speaking of THE Holy Spirit – the THIRD person of the TRINITY…
- Who has SEVEN eyes – so He can see everyone and everything!
- Zechariah 3:9 / 4:10 – “They are the eyes of the LORD – which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
- Although Jesus is the LAMB who was SLAIN – He is NOT weak…
- He has the POWER to save us – and He SEES all who come to Him for salvation…
- He was SENT [ἀποστέλλω] out into ALL [πᾶς] the world to share the message of HOPE!
- Romans 10:13 – “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
- Stood a Lamb as though it had been slain!
- 3rd – Taking the scroll… vs. 7
- Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne!
- This is where the vision of John builds up to the most amazing crescendo…
- HOPE is restored – the DEED of the earth can be redeemed…
- The PLAN of God can be REVEALED – because of the sacrifice of the LAMB…
- TEARS are turned to JOY – as the Jesus is WORTHY to take the SCROLL…
- And all of HEAVEN erupts into spontaneous PRAISE!
- 1st – Looking to the Lamb… vs. 6
It will be LOUD worship – of the LAMB of God – because He is WORTHY to be praised!
3rd – Song of Heaven… vs. 7-14
1st – How to Worship… vs. 8
Now when He had taken the scroll!
WHY we worship – because we DESERVE death and hell!
This is NOT a popular subject – and many churches no longer talk about it…
But there is a very real – eternal – consequence to SIN – Romans 6:23
And when we UNDERSTAND what we have bene SAVED from…
And that the LAMB of God DIED for our SINS – so He could TAKE the SCROLL…
The immediate response should be everlasting WORSHIP!
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb!
WHO will worship – everyone who is in HEAVEN…
ANGELS [cherubim] and MEN [elders] alike BOW to WORSHIP the LAMB!
Each having a harp!
WHAT we worship with – everyone has a HARP [stringed instrument]!
This is where we get the stereotype of people having HARPS in heaven!
I find it interesting there are some groups who do NOT allow instruments in worship…
They argue we never see any musical instruments in the NT…
But the scene here in HEAVEN – makes it VERY clear – we have HARPS…
Now – if we are concerned about ABILITY – we will have an ETERNITY to prefect our skills!
Golden bowls full of incense – which are the prayers of the saints!
HOW we worship – with the INCENSE of PRAYER!
Inside the Tabernacle – next to the veil – was an Altar of INCENSE – Exodus 30:1-10
The Lord told Moses that He would meet with him there at the Alter…
Because even Moses could not go inside into the presence of God…
But as the INCENSE was burned – it would carry through the veil – into the HOLIEST of all!
We do have access to the Lord anytime – anywhere – we can come to the Lord in prayer…
WORSHIP the LAMB – and find grace during the hard times in our lives – Hebrews 4:16
2nd – Song of the Church… vs. 9-10
And they sang a new song:
You are worthy to take the scroll – and to open its seals – for You were slain!
There are THREE groups that WORSHIP of the LAMB…
The FIRST was the ELDERS and cherubim – who were always singing [present]
Because the LAMB is WORTHY – for He was CRUCIFIED [slain]
It was a NEW song – perhaps because as we will see – the SONG is about the CHURCH…
And the CHURCH has just been RAPTURED – and NEWLY arrived in heaven!
Have redeemed US to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation!
REDEEMED [ἀγοράζω] – to PURCHASE for God – with His BLOOD…
Out of ALL [πᾶς] TRIBES – referring to specific families – the HINCHEY tribe…
ALL [πᾶς] LANGUAGES [γλῶσσα] – every language will be presented before the THRONE…
ALL [πᾶς] PEOPLE [λαός] – referring to national boundaries – different countries…
ALL [πᾶς] NATIONS [ἔθνος] – referring to ethnic groups!
There is NOT one ethnic group [Jews] – or one language spoken in heaven…
In the greatest display of the beauty of Gods creation…
There is an amazing DIVERSITY in those who WORSHIP the LAMB…
A DIVERSITY – that can only be describing ONE group – the CHURCH…
Whom the Lord calls from every corner of the globe – from ALL [πᾶς] families!
Have made US kings and priests to our God – and WE shall reign on the earth!
Because the CHURCH has been redeemed – THREE things happen…
FIRST – Kings [βασιλεῖς] – we BELONG to the King – part of His KINGDOM [MGNT]!
SECOND – Priests – there are THREE priestly lines defined in the Bible…
Levitical – which represents the Jewish priesthood…
Melchizedek – which is the Priesthood of Jesus – Hebrews 7:1
Royal – to belong to the KING – which is for you and me – I Peter 2:9
The purpose of the priest was to be a mediator – a go between God and man…
God has called us to be His PRIESTS – represent Him to a lost world!
THIRD – Reign [βασιλεύω] – we will RULE on earth beside Jesus when He returns…
Revelation 2:16-17 – “He who overcome… to him I will give power over the nations.”
Where is the CHURCH…
There is a TEXTUAL [Greek manuscript] problem with this verse – who is singing…
Depending on your translation – it will either read US – or THEM…
If it is THEM – then ANGELS and ELDERS singing ABOUT the church…
If it is US – then it is the CHURCH in heaven – before the TRIBULATION…
It is easy to see how someone could misinterpret this verse!
What is the best bible version – the answer is ALL of them…
If we have a favorite – that is OK – but we should not limit ourselves to just ONE…
We will have the best understanding of the Bible – by studying multiple translations!
3rd – All of the Angels… vs. 11-12
Then I looked – and I heard the voice:
Many angels around the throne – the living creatures – and the elders.
The number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand – and thousands of thousands!
Along with the FOUR cherubim – and ELDERS – were a LOT [πολύς] of other ANGELS…
How many – [μυριάς] meaning TEN thousand x TEN thousand – or 100 MILLION…
But the word is repeated TWICE [μυριάς 2x] – which is the number 100 TRILLION…
To emphasize this – John simply says THOUSAND [χιλιάς] of THOUSANDS [χιλιάς]!
Saying with a loud voice – worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive:
With that many TALKING – it is no wonder John says they had a LOUD [μέγας] voice…
These ANGELS are always [present] saying – WORTHY is the LAMB…
Because He was CRUCIFIED – once and for all time [perfect] – for our SINS…
But the ANGELS are NOT redeemed – the CROSS was not for them…
Therefore WE are the ones who should give back to the LAMB – SEVEN things:
Power [δύναμις] – we should give Him our abilities – our talents…
Riches [πλοῦτος] – we should give Him our resources – our finances…
Wisdom [σοφία] – we should give Him our mind – our thoughts…
Strength [ἰσχύς] – we should give Him our life – our time…
Honor [τιμή] – we should give Him our heart – our love…
Glory [δόξα] – we should give Him our praise – our devotion…
Blessing [εὐλογία] – we should give Him our words – give Him EVERYTHING we are!
4th – All of Creation… vs. 13
Every creature which in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea!
Along with the FOUR cherubim – and ELDERS – and LOTS of other ANGELS…
Everything in HEAVEN – everything on earth – everything under the earth [hell]
Even all of the ANIMALS in the sea – ALL [πᾶς] of CREATION [κτίσμα] joins the WORSHIP!
When Adam sinned – ALL of creation was CURSED…
And ALL of creation – looks forward to the day when the CURSE will be removed!
Romans 8:21 – “The creation looks forward to the day when it will join Gods children in glorious freedom.”
I heard [them] saying: Blessing – honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne!
Do miss who is now TALKING – it is no longer just the ANGELS and CHURCH…
It is all of CREATION – even those who are in HELL [under the earth]
They do NOT sing about being REDEEMED – there is NO mention of the CROSS…
But they still give to God – BLESSING – HONOR – GLORY – and POWER!
Because we do NOT get to choose whether or not to WORSHIP God…
We only Get to choose WHEN – either now in salvation – or later in condemnation!
Romans 14:11 – “As I live – says the LORD – every knee shall bow to Me.”
And to the Lamb – forever and ever!
They will NOT just give HONOR the one on the THRONE…
They will also HONOR the LAMB – Jesus Christ – forever and ever!
When John tried to bow down and worship and ANGEL – Revelation 22:8-9
He was immediately rebuked – the ONLY one worthy to be worshiped is GOD!
There are those who say Jesus is NOT God – but note who is WORSHIPED by all creation…
He is WORTHY to receive all GLORY – because He is GOD!
5th – Response to Worship… vs. 14
Then the four living creatures said – Amen!
In RESPONSE to the SONG – the FOUR Cherubim simply said – AMEN…
AMEN [ἀμήν] – what has just been sung and said is TRUE!
And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever!
In RESPONSE to the SONG – the ELDERS fell down and WORSHIPED…
WORSHIPED [προσκυνέω] – 60x in NT – almost half of them in Revelation [27x]
Because if we ever wonder what heaven will be like…
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