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A Sealed Scroll, a Praiseworthy Lion and a Sacred Song Revelation 5:1-14

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A Sealed Scroll, a Praiseworthy Lion and a Sacred Song Revelation 5:1-14 A Sealed Scroll, A Praiseworthy Lion and A Sacred Song Revelation 5:1-14 NKJV Notes by Pastor Mike Sasso Introduction The four basic views on the book of Revelation begin to disagree greatly in their interpretations of this book starting in the fourth and fifth chapter. We will look at some of the major differences in interpretation. But since this study is meant to be a concise interactive overview of Revelation we will avoid the great depth of details within all the varying views. Before proceeding to the study notes have your group read together the fourteen verses of chapter five. STUDY NOTES: verses 1-4 v. 1 And I Saw in the Right Hand of Him Who Sat on the Throne a Scroll Written Inside and on the Back, Sealed with Seven Seals – John now records God sitting on His throne holding a scroll. As the throne of God and the worship of God was the primary focus of chapter four, this scroll is the primary focus of chapter five. In John’s day, it was unusual for a scroll to be written on both sides. This description reveals that this scroll is completely full with no room for any additions. The “sealing with seven seals” is a picture of a highly secure seal. Roman law required a will to be sealed seven times as illustrated in the wills left by Augustus and Vespasian for their successors. It is much too early in this context to come to a solid conclusion inductively concerning exactly what this scroll is. But here are a few opinions we will encounter from the four major views… Historicists (believe most of the book of Revelations is a record of church history past) – This scroll represents God’s purposes, designs and methods of divine providence for the church and the world. Preterists (believe that the majority of the events recorded in this book took place in John’s day or immediately after) – View the seven seals of this scroll to represent God’s sentence of judgment against Jerusalem for its part in shedding the blood of the righteous. Futurists (believe that the majority of the book of Revelation records events which will take place in the future) – Believe this scroll to be the title deed of the earth, which was forfeited when Adam fell in sin. Roman law required a will to be sealed seven times. Spiritual / Poetic (Believe that this book does not necessarily record literal events but instead reveal allegorical, symbolic and spiritual truths) – This scroll is God’s redemptive plan seen as God’s last will and testament. David Guzik also gives some fascinating insights on the various theories of what this scroll actually is. See below: What is this scroll? What is written in it? Through the centuries, commentators have suggested many different ideas. It’s important to remember that whatever is on this scroll, no one except Jesus is worthy to open it (Revelation 5:3-4). i. Some think the scroll is the Old Testament, or the Old and New Testaments together, or fulfilled prophecy. But these ideas look back, not forward, and John is speaks of things related to things which must take place after this (Revelation 4:1). Additionally, if the scroll is the Old or New Testament, who is unworthy to open that scroll? ii. Some think the scroll is God’s claim of divorce against Israel, but there is little Scriptural evidence for this idea, and who is unworthy to open that scroll? iii. Some think the scroll is God’s sentence against the enemies of the church. Perhaps this is true, but only in an indirect sense; but who is unworthy to open that scroll? iv. Some think the scroll is the text of the Book of Revelation, or the next few chapters. But this is rather unlikely considering how the idea of the scroll is communicated, and who would be unworthy to open that scroll? v. Some think the scroll is the title deed to planet earth. This is an attractive idea, especially because the coming time of tribulation will end with Jesus ruling on earth. But it is hard to demonstrate this with certainty. The best connection in this idea seems to be with Jeremiah 32:6- 15, which describes Jewish title deeds as sealed. But there is no doubt that the earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24:1), though the governments of this world belong to Satan (Luke 4:5-8). If God has to get the title deed back, when did God ever “lose” the title deed to planet earth? In fact, God holds this scroll - it isn’t lost. But the scroll must be opened, it must be revealed. The best solution is to see the scroll as “God’s will, His final settlement of the affairs of the universe” (Barclay). This is based on the idea that customarily, under Roman law, wills were sealed with seven seals, each from a witness to the validity of the will. i. “Roman law required a will to be sealed seven times as illustrated in the wills left by Augustus and Vespasian for their successors..” (Walvoord). ii. “The book may mean the purposes and designs of God relative to His government of the world and the Church; but we, whose habitation is in the dust, know nothing of such things. We are, however, determined to guess” (Clarke). iii. “The seven sealed book therefore is the comprehensive program of God culminating in the second coming of Christ” (Walvoord). iv. “The book of the counsels, decrees, and purposes of God relating to His church, as to what more remarkable things should happen to it to the end of the world; which book was in the hand of the Father” (Poole). v. The idea here is that God has a book in which the history of the universe is already written. He has written the history of the world in advance, He holds in His hand the history of the world in advance, and He initiates the consummation of all history. Only God can hold this scroll. f. Remember the emphasis is not on the content of the scroll, but on its seals and the One who is worthy to take it. v. 2 Then I Saw a Strong Angel Proclaiming with a Loud Voice, "Who is Worthy to Open the Scroll and to Loose its Seals?" – Notice the angel isn’t asking who is willing. Many conquerors in world history were quite willing but unable to take hold of the authority that this scroll obviously represented. The question is, who is worthy? And as the next verse reveals, no one was worthy to this point. v. 3 And no one in Heaven or on the Earth or Under the Earth was Able to Open the Scroll, or to Look at it – Notice that not only was no one worthy to open the scroll, but no one could even look at it. What a reminder of how unworthy mankind is to take on the noble tasks of heaven. v. 4 So I Wept Much, Because no one was Found Worthy to Open and Read the Scroll, or to Look at it – Now, go back over the various theories of what this scroll represents and work this statement into the equation. The fact that no one could open, read or look at this scroll greatly troubled John. There is something to be greatly lost if no one can come to the rescue and open this scroll. This is why I personally believe the best theories are that this scroll represents title deed of the earth or God’s plan of redemption of mankind. If no one could come and redeem it as a Kinsmen Redeemer (as in the book of Ruth), then the world and mankind would be lost to Satan forever. Our next verse will reveal more about this. TRUTH APPLIED: 1. Of the various explanations and theories concerning this scroll, which make the most sense to you and why? 2. Who do you believe is sitting on the throne in verse one and why is He holding the scroll? 3. Why do you think the scroll was sealed with seven seals? STUDY NOTES: verses 5-10 v. 5 But One of the Elders Said to Me, "Do not Weep. Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has Prevailed to Open the Scroll and to Loose its Seven Seals." – Now one of the 24 elders offers encouragement to John by pointing out a person, a savior. What does this statement mean? Consider the following facts: Judah, one of the 12 tribes of Israel, was identified as “the lion.” See Genesis 49:9. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ was from the tribe of Judah (Heb. 7:14). Because Jesus Christ descended from King David, He is also called “the root of David.” See Romans 1:3, 15:12; Revelation 22:15. i. These two phrases together are clear messianic titles. See also Isaiah 11:10. To “prevail” means to be in a battle and triumph, succeed, be victorious, overcome, win out, and conquer... In the battle between God and Satan, Jesus has shown Himself the victor. He overcame sin and death. And He overcame Satan himself. This was all done at the cross. See Colossians 2:14-15. Jesus Christ has prevailed and is worthy to open the scroll and loose its seals. “Under Jewish law, real estate that had been forfeited by a man could be redeemed (brought back) by any near kinsman (Lev.
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