1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it. (Revelation 5:1-4)
The drama in heaven was unfolding. What looked like a scroll with seven seals was in the hand of the him—God—who sat on the throne, albeit an image shrouded by dazzling light. Enter a strong angel to pronounce the requirements of one who would take the scroll and open it, that such a one must be found worthy. But no one in heaven was capable, or so it was thought, or anyone on or under the earth. John, in his humanity, did what humans do, weeped profusely, sensing futility in a setting that in our eyes would defy such a prognostication, given our proclivity to expect the imminent arrival of a hero, and he did.
John’s reaction should be ours, until we remember that our Lord is always waiting in the wings to help in time of need. We often think that we’re on some island alone, with no one to lend a hand, when such a concern could not be farther from the truth. As we shall see, our Savior was standing all along next to God in heaven to attest to his representation of us. If he’s worthy to grasp and open the scroll that will control the destiny of heaven and earth and all its inhabitants past, present, and future, can he not resolve our “momentary, light affliction?” Just asking. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
5 And one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” 6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:5–6)
Lost amid all the visual stimulation of the central throne and its occupant, distracted by the four living creatures hovering about like hummingbirds, and the twenty-four elders preparing to fall dramatically to their knees around the throne, to toss their crowns at God’s “feet,” was Jesus, the aforementioned hero, standing in the wings. “And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” (Revelation 5:7) And guess who confidently knew he could? One of the elders, who knew the word of God from his faithful days on earth, who himself had been redeemed.
8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:8–10)
Selah…meaning “pause, praise, and lift up.”
Beyond our joining in worship, these are the facts of what we’ve just read. Jesus was indeed worthy by way of his death at the hands of his own people and the state to open and reveal the contents of the scroll. By this act he amassed the capital necessary to purchase the souls of all believers, to establish them as a “kingdom” and “priests” to God, to reign themselves over that kingdom. Also mentioned as almost an afterthought are the “prayers of the saints.” No word we utter to God in prayer is not collected in these “golden bowls.” Whatever I request now on behalf of the unsaved or the saved, or offer in praise and adoration, or submit as a petition, is lost.
And for the heavily starched “dinosaurs” in the pews, you’ll be happy to hear, while you must still put up with music from “harps” in heaven, thanks be to God no mention is made of drums and amplification!
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