The Sealed Book…Revelation 4-7 pt 8

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. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (Revelation 5:1-4)

Revelation chapter Five is the continuation of John’s vision of the throne room of God. We proceed from the vision of the wonderful,terrible,Holy beasts and Elders singing the Ancient and everlasting Hymn to the Sovereign Creator of all things into the setting for the New Song.

The indescribable One sitting on the throne, whom John said was “like a Jasper”(diamond), and “like a Sardine stone”, (a blood-red Ruby), holds out in His hand a book, which is covered in writing, but sealed shut.

A mighty Angel issues a loud call for any person worthy to break the seals and open the book. The search is universal, is there any man in heaven, on earth or under the earth, past present or future, living or dead who is worthy enough to open this book?

The search includes all of the great men of the past, and present the saints; the benefactors, the moral and spiritual leaders, martyrs, philanthropists, spiritual and religious leaders, and none measures up, the conclusion is the same as in Romans…”There is none righteous, no not one, there is none that doeth good…”.

And John wept, inconsolably for there was no one found who was worthy to open the book. And in those inconsolable tears lie all of the disappointment, frustration, despair, hurt, wistfulness, vanity, loss, death and spiritual pain that ever befell the race because of sin.

If this book is not opened all is lost. If this book is not unsealed, then Hell and wrath are indeed the last words for man.If this Holy and August book is left shut, man is forever estranged from God, forever and ever.

This book is of the gravest importance and the inability to find one worthy to open it would be the worst tragedy ever, as evidenced by the Apostle’s inconsolable weeping. Furthermore it must needs be opened by a man, a human being. Obviously the man must be qualified to open it, he must be worthy. What is the meaning of the sealed book?

I believe the book is the Word of the salvation and final purposes of God to undo the curse of sin, it’s damning effects and its final destruction by the Judgment of God and the commencement of the New heavens and the New Earth.

It is a complete plan, and there is nothing man can add to or take away from it, as evidenced by the fact that the writing was on all sides , and in and out of it. There is nothing left open to chance, God has provided a Righteous plan to save man, and to save the universe from the effects of man’s sin, and all is of God.

However it cannot commence without the agency of a man. A man brought sin and death into the world, therefore in God’s economy, it must be a man who brings resurrection and life , and who executes Judgment on the earth. As it is written…

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.( I Cor 15:21-22)

But what man? Who is worthy to execute God’s saving purposes? We know the answer to that question, for in Jesus, God himself became a man, putting himself under the limitations of a man. As Paul tells us, “He emptied himself and took upon himself the form of a slave…”. Hallellujah for the man of God’s right hand!

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.(Revelation 5:5)