The Throne Scene
Revelation 5:1-6
Revelation (singular) is not a photo – it is a movie, in living color, action starts in chapter 4 and goes through chapter 22.
Stage is set in chapter 4 – God, 4 living ones, 24 elders (apostles, Israel) host of angels, all humanity
Now the camera moves in on the action – the throne.
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.
God has a scroll – written on both sides
Papyri or velum (deer leather) – both have a smooth and rough side
Writing on the rough side implies – important, or scarcity of material – here important
Sealed with 7 seals
Not sealed to be air tight – like a can of corn
Seal of authority
Not tampered or changed
Genuine
Authority – notary seal, official stamp
2 Then I saw a strong angel
proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose
its seals?"
Strong angel – one of the four (archangels) highest in rank
Who is worthy? - Who has the authority or power to break the seal
Think of a seal on your electric meter – do not tamper with it
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.
Look around – preacher, elder, tribes of Israel, apostles, angels
NO ONE was able to open it
4 So I wept much, because no
one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
John wept – Why? - Here is important information – hidden
Nobody can open the scroll – no one can look at it
Think sealed letter in the mail – who can open and look inside?
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."
An elder (apostle or Israel tribe) – Don't weep.
LION of Judah – tribe of kings
Root of David – line of kings
King – in line of David, of the tribe of Judah – has the power to open the scroll
6 And I looked, and behold, in
the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of
the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and
seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Camera spins around – looking for the LION of Judah
There is the LAMB – slain
7 horns – power
7 eyes = complete Spirit of God
Conclusion:
God is on the throne – in charge
Jesus is still in power – still king of the kingdom
God has a plan – scroll
The LION is the LAMB