CHAPTER
FIVE The
first thing we see in Chapter Five is the seven sealed book.
Our Authorized Version says, “in
the right hand of Him that sat on the throne,” but the Greek
word EPI in this expression is their word
for “on”. So it should read “on the right
hand of Him that sat on the
throne.” This book is being offered freely to anyone who is worthy.
It is
sealed, not with just a seal but with seven seals. This is not a book
as we
know books, but rather a scroll which was rolled into a roll. It was
written
and rolled to a certain point at which a seal was placed. Then it was
written
and rolled to another point and sealed. This was continued until the
whole
scroll was written and sealed. This book, or scroll is not only the
title deed
to the redeemed possession, but it is also the foreordained process by
which
our Lord will claim His possession. He has redeemed this possession on
the
Cross, and for us to understand what is going on here we need to be
familiar
with the kinsman redeemer as set forth in Ruth 4, and in Jeremiah
32. Adam
was given possession of the earth and everything on it, but
when he sinned he lost possession of all this. It fell into the hands
of old
Satan, the god of this world. Now no one but a kinsman of Adam could
redeem
that which Adam had lost. By means of the Virgin Birth our Lord became
that
kinsman who was eligible to redeem the lost possession. This He did on
the
Cross of Calvary, but He did not take possession at that time. In Jeremiah
32 we see Jeremiah redeeming the field of Hanameel, but he did not
take
possession of the field at that time. This field he had redeemed was at
this
time in the hand of the enemy, the Babylonians, so Jeremiah had his
title to
this field put in a vessel that would neither rot nor rust in order
that his
heirs might take possession when the seventy year captivity had ended.
So here
we see Adam’s possession in the hands of the enemy, old Satan, the god
of this
world at the time our Lord redeemed it. But now the time has come for
Him to
lay claim to that which He had redeemed long ago.
In verse 2 we see a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” In Ruth 4:4 Boaz must first give others a chance to assert their rights to redeem Elimelech’s possession. So it is here the strong angel is giving any and everyone an opportunity to assert his right, or worthiness to claim the lost possession. No man in Heaven, on earth, or under the earth, that is, in Hades itself, was found who was worthy to so much as look in or inspect the book. As a result of this we see John weeping, and in the Greek it means he wept bitterly. I am persuaded that his weeping is brought on as a result of his having seen man’s terrible unworthiness rather than his fear of not being able to see what was in the book as some claim. When we see the sinfulness and the unworthiness of even the best of men it is enough to provoke us to bitter weeping. This word “wept” is the same word found in Luke 19:41 where we are told that our Lord wept over Jerusalem. This weeping too, was brought on by His seeing the awful unworthiness of sinful man. As John wept one of the elders began to console him. No man was found who was worthy to open the book, but this elder assures him that there is one who is worthy. This one is “the Lion of the tribe of Juda”, the offspring of David. John no doubt expected to see a majestic lion, but when he looked he saw a lamb which looked as though it had been slain, or sacrificed. When you come into the presence of Him who redeemed you on the Cross of Calvary may I warn you not to expect Him to resemble the heathen Catholic god you see on the walls of even Baptist churches and homes. This so-called picture of Jesus is an abomination in the sight of almighty God. I am persuaded that when the anti-Christ is revealed he will resemble this abominable picture so much that the religious world will have absolutely no difficulty in recognizing him as their god. But when we, the redeemed of the Lord, come into the presence of Him who redeemed us we should be looking for one with wounds in His hands and feet and a wound in His side. These are open wounds which He will ever wear as a memorial of His redemptive work on the cruel tree. So then, that we be not confounded when we come to meet Him, let us be looking for one that looks as if He had been slain, and not for a heathen god made by the hands of depraved man. But this name like that of Jehovah and many other of the wonderful names by which our God is called may be, and in truth are used interchangeably. In Daniel 7:22 the One who is “Ancient of days” is most assuredly the Son who is coming to reign on the earth. Our Lord’s receiving this book from off the Father’s hand is the fulfillment of His being given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom in Daniel 7:14. May we who are called by His name become more concerned about, and pray more earnestly for the coming of that glorious day when all the filth and corruption that is called judgment in our day will be forced to give way to that righteous judgment that will cause even the mountains and the hills to break forth before us into singing. Isaiah 55:12. When our Lord takes the book (scroll) from off the extended hand of the Father the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall prostrate before Him. Each of them have harps (stringed musical instruments) and golden vials. If some of these people who are afraid of musical instruments in their churches should happen to get to Heaven, I fear they won’t feel at home. Our Lord loves good music and there will be plenty of it up there. Won’t it be wonderful to hear all this music, that is, for those who are not afraid of musical instruments? Not only do each of these wonderful ones have their musical instruments that will make up the orchestra I long to hear, but they also have the golden vials which are full of odours, or rather incense, which are the prayers of the saints. There is a lot concerning the part that our prayers play in the working out of God’s sovereign will in the world that, so far as I am able to see, is still hidden in His strong box of Deuteronomy 29:29. But they play an important part whether we are able to see it or not. God does not command us to pray and urge us to pray just to fill up our time. Our sincere and fervent prayers mean more to God and His working out His will in this old sin cursed world than we will ever be able to know in this life. It might be well for each of us to stop and think just how long it has been since we really and truly prayed fervently that our Lord’s will be done here on earth. How many times have you and I really, sincerely prayed for our dear Lord to come and set up His kingdom and rule in righteousness on this earth? I assure you that everyone of our honest and sincere prayers for these things will someday be found in these golden vials. It might be well for us to stop at this point and get a good view of what is before us in this Scripture. First, there is the Father on His throne. Then we see the Son who comes and takes the seven sealed scroll from off the Father’s hand. When He does this the four living creatures who form the inner circle around the throne and the twenty-four elders who make up the next circle round about it fall down before Him playing and singing the song of our Lord’s worthiness. As they do this John looks and sees a great host of angels making up a huge outer circle round about the throne and round about the living creatures and the elders. At first he sees a hundred million of these angels, and then thousands of thousands of others come into view. What a magnificent array of majesty, power and might bedecked in gorgeous splendor. This our eyes should long to see - may it be soon. |