Studies in the Apocalypse

1. Who is worthy to open the Book. 5:1-7

2. They sung a new song. 5:8-14

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. (Rev.5:1)

“Written within and on the backside” ie on both sides

Written on the inside to reveal how those within the ecclesia would be affected

Written on the outside to reveal how those outwith the ecclesia would be affected

Psalms 122:2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Psalms 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev.22:15)

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (Rev.5:3)

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (Rev.5:4)

I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (Rev.5:2)

Why did John weep?

1. No man was worthy

Ps.53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Isaiah 59:16 ¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Why did John weep?

2. The vision was sealed

Isa.29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

“I saw in my vision by night, and, behold …. Four great beasts came up from the sea

Daniel was worthy to receive an introduction to the apocalyptic vision

“Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast”

“And of the ten horns, and of the other which came up… which made war with the saints”

“He shall speak great words against the most high, and shall were out the saints of the most high …. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time”

But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion.. shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High….

Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (Rev.5:4)

“..to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass….

How will the saints take the kingdom from the power of the beast?

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. (Rev.5:5)

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…. (Rev.5:6)

The Lord Jesus Christ in the vision

The Lamb - To redeem the saints through his blood (5:9)

The Lion -To conquer and subdue the nations of the world by the opening of the seals (5:5)

He sits on the throne - And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: - Rev.4:3

I am set down with my Father in his throne - Rev.3:21

It is the Fathers throne - Jesus occupies it on behalf of his Father

At the end of the millennium Jesus will again be subject to his Father, “that God may be all in all” (1 Cor.15:28)

The Lord Jesus Christ in the vision

Rev.4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:

Rev.5:9 Thou art worthy to take the book and to loose the seals thereof

Worthy - “axios” - of equal weight or value - corresponding to a thing - of equal merit

The Lord Jesus Christ in the vision

Phil.2: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

… 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. (Rev.5:6)

7 Horns - Complete power to destroy all enemies

7 Eyes - Complete enlightenment and knowledge of all things throughout the earth

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (Rev.5:7)

Jesus now receives complete knowledge of future events - He is one with the Father in every respect :-

IN HIS NATURE

IN HIS POWER (THE THRONE)

IN HIS KNOWLEDGE (SCROLL)