New International Version | Par ▾ |
The Scroll and the Lamb
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” This scroll is the Book of Daniel with its seals. Daniel's book is sealed until the time of the end Seven is the number of completeness and this speaks to us of what the Lord closes no one can open and if He cannot do it no one can open the book. The Lord has preeminence in all things but John was not aware of it. When we walk by sight we will usually find our understanding of the Lord and His ways lacking. The disciples went fishing instead of waiting for the Lord. When He arrived at the seashore they did not recognize Him. Disobedience, self-will all these things cause us problems with our Lord. Then John is told not to weep the Lion of Judah, the Root of David two Messianic titles has scored the victory and is not only worthy of opening the Book He will open it it bears His Name the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It reminds me of Hebrews where it is written that the Lord spoke to us in many ways but in these last days He has spoken by the Son.
6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits a of God sent out into all the earth. 7He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign b on the earth.” The word then is a connector word and links what is going to be said back to what has been written.The One spoken of on the throne with the Messianic Titles is the Lamb of God Jesus Christ.The Lamb had been slain this was no fake wound or death. The Son takes it from the Father's hand The four living creatures are very interesting. They are angels and each of the angels has four faces One Face is that of a Lion. The second face is an Ox. Third we find the face of a Man. Last we have the Face of an Eagle. Each of the angels faces show a different aspect of the Lord. The first face is the King of the beasts so the Lord is The King. Next is the Ox and it is the Lord as the Suffering Servant. Next is the face of a Man picturing the Lord as Man. Last is the Eagle representing the Lord as God. The Gospels align in this same order Matthew King, Mark Servant, Luke Man and John God. Check the way the parables begin in each book.
11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Our God is really cool as well as awesome He provides so much for us in His Word and you just have to act like your looking for gold because its in there. Angels beyond number sing the praises of the Lamb His sacrifice and then they sing seven items for the Lamb to receive, Power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. Seven items and seven speaks of completeness such as 7 days being a week. These things are not only meant for the Lamb but complete power, complete praise and down the line. When these words of praise have been sung every creature over earth, under earth, the sea sing His praises. With that the four living creatures said "Amen, It is Finished" With that we are told elders "fall down and worship." Throughout Scripture worship is shown as falling down prone on the ground. Even when the false worship shown in Babylon they fell on the ground and worshipped. |