Tuesday: The Sealed Scroll
Read Revelation 5:1-4. In light of Isaiah 29:11-12, what is the meaning of the sealed scroll, and why did John weep?
The Greek text indicates that the scroll was lying on the throne at the right hand of the Father. It waited for the One who was worthy to take it and “to loose its seals” (Rev. 5:2, NKJV).
Image © Review and Herald Publishing Assn. Goodsalt.com
In the words of Ellen G. White, the sealed scroll contains “the history of God’s providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth’s history to its close”. – Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 7.
In short, the sealed scroll contains the mystery of God regarding His plans to solve the sin problem and save fallen human beings. The full realization of that mystery will occur at the second coming of Christ (Rev. 10:7).
Read Revelation 5:5-7. Why is Christ the only One in the whole universe worthy to take the sealed scroll and unseal it?
The crisis in the throne room is related to Satan’s rebellion. This planet, although created by God, has been under the dominion of the usurper, Satan. John’s tears expressed the longing of God’s people, since Adam, for salvation from the bondage of sin. The sealed scroll comprised God’s plan for resolving the sin problem. No doubt with His immeasurable power God Himself could realize that plan. However, the redemption of the fallen human race required something special, and that was Jesus, who did “overcome” and thus was worthy to open the book, to assume the lordship over this earth, and become our Mediator in the heavenly sanctuary.
| How do we learn to keep Jesus first and foremost in our Christian experience? |
(30)
My son studied for his PhD in pure mathematics. Compared to some PhD theses, his is quite short – a mere 150 pages and quite incomprehensible, even to me with my science/maths background. There are very few people in the world who really understand the ideas that he studied and the solutions that he has provided. If I want someone to explain the mysteries contained in his thesis, the best person for me to ask is my son. Not only did he write the thesis, but I also have a personal relationship with the author.
The sealed scroll is a bit like my sons PhD mathematics thesis. We can look at it and see the symbols, but it only makes sense when we have a personal relationship with the author, and we take time to listen to him. The scroll is about the God/People Interaction over the whole history of the good/evil conflict. We only experience a little bit of that interaction over our lifetime. Now, when the scroll is opened by the author and the main participant, we have the opportunity to see the sweep of the whole story from inception to completion.
John wept, was he in heaven or on earth?
The elder announced a lion but john saw a lamb instead. How can a lamb be a lion also?
The lamb is....as it had been slain. Is the sacrifice of Jesus still fresh?
The lamb had seven horns. That's power, a mark of omnipotence. Is Jesus God?
The lamb had seven eyes. That's wisdom,a mark of omniscience. Which are the seven spirits of God. Is the holy spirit both of God and Christ? Rom 8:9; acts 16:7.
The lamb is called the lion of Judah. Where else do we get this in the Bible? Gen 49:9-10;Hosea 11:10;Isaiah 31:4.
The lamb is called the root of David. Where can we get this in the Bible? Isaiah 11:10; rev 22:16.
Why was no one in heaven able to open the scroll, not even the Father, As depicted in the book of Revelation ?
This is symbolism. Jesus mission as Redeemer (Rev 5:6,9)) is what 'unlocked' a sequence of events that started with His life and ministry, accomplishment of Redemption, and establishment of the Christian church (Rev 5:10). The remainder of the seals then represent/describe what the Christian church subsequently goes through across history.
The scroll contains the complete plan of salvation in particular the part that Jesus Christ carries out - the revelation of Jesus Christ. The reason - the scroll - the mystery of God - needs to be revealed is because Satan accused him of being arbitrary and selfish. God couldn't just say that is not true he had to allow the Great Controversy to be played out to demonstrate to the Universe that his selfless style of government was the best option compare to Satan's selfish style.
This was the reason why God the Father could not open the scroll because then it would just be His word against Satan's word, that is why only the Lamb could reveal the plan because he had demonstrated by his life, death and resurrection God's true character.
Rev 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne.
Rev 3:21 summarizes the past and also sets out the future:
Rev 4: - God is on his throne - because he is the Creator
Rev 5: - Jesus joins him on his throne - because he is the Saviour
Rev 6 & 7: - the seals describe the process of his people becoming overcomers and at his return joining him on the throne
When Jesus ascended to heaven and joined God on the throne, the heavenly beings and those who believe in the Bible accepted his victory, however the truth of God's character had still to be proved to the rest of the world that is why the scroll is still sealed. The heavenly beings rejoiced because the destiny of the Universe is assured, Jesus has the taken His rightful place as Ruler of the Earth, he has been given: Rev 5:12 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Satan has been knocked off his stolen throne as Ruler of the earth.
Now what has to be revealed how this victory affects the people and how they respond as we will see when the seals are opened.
But be re-assured the end has been written down and sealed, it will not be changed, Father, Son & Spirit with their followers are the winners of the battle!
Heb 8:1,2 Now the sum of the things which we have spoken is this: We have such a High Priest, who has sat down on the right of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle,
Php 2:9-11 Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth; 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Look up the word 'goel' - Redeemer. The most classic example is that of Ruth, and how a 'goel' was able to redeem her.
Jesus Christ is humanity's 'goel' or near kinsman - because He shares our nature. This is the element that qualifies Him, and no one else.
By Jesus Christ taking the scroll it is confirmed that God's battle plan is now fully operational and the destiny of the Universe is assured and will be completely revealed when the seventh seal is opened.
Jesus is worthy because without His propitiating death in the place of sinners, there would be no salvation for sinners possible, and God's design to restore the dominion could not happen. What is in that scroll cannot be revealed(understood?) until the events foretold in the seals are accomplished. This is symbolic language telling what must "shortly come to pass" for the restoration of all things. Could the 1000 years in heaven(Rev 20) be the opening of the scroll, at least in part? Could it also be that the unrolling of the scroll will "wipe away all tears"?
In short, could we say that the resurrection, glorification, and many of the answers we seek cannot take place until the work of Christ is finished for the salvation of sinners, and we are in the presence of God? The "Rest" promised cannot take place until this "warfare" is finished, both in our individual experience(overcoming) and in the mission of the Church while probation lingers.
Jesus can only be "first and foremost" when everything and everyone else is secondary our life. Doesn't that give us much to consider at this time?
From Tuesday’s lesson, par. 2: In the words of Ellen G. White, the sealed scroll contains “the history of God’s providences, … from the beginning of earth’s history to its close”. - Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 7.
The word comes from Latin providentia "foresight, prudence", from pro- "ahead" and videre "to see". { https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_providence}
Could it be that this book is God’s foreknowledge of what would happen before anything was created that God recorded and sealed? Then God created angels and directed some of them to begin accurately recording history as it unfolded. Then, at the proper point in time, Jesus began opening the book sealed with seven seals and revealing God’s foreknowledge of history and all beings compare it with what the angels recorded and it is demonstrated that they are exactly the same.
The benefit of this would be to reveal that God’s foreknowledge is perfect and yet we all still have absolute freedom of choice. God’s character, government, methods, design laws are all revealed to be perfect.
God is the only genuinely *Free Agent* in all of eternity because He alone is not influenced by any creature or outside force. He is the only Being with absolute freedom to will as He sees fit.
The scroll was sealed with wax seals. Wax in those days was used to secure and authenticate important documents. No one was able to break the 7 seals and read the scroll. This brought tears to John's eyes. Christ the only overcomer of sin was able to break the seals and read the scroll. In the text Christ is referred to as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” and this speaks to His strength and victory over sin. He is shown as a sacrificial lamb because he willingly succumbed, like a lamb, to be slained in our stead. (Philippians 2:5-8). This then makes Him qualified to open the seals. He is the Lamb who takes away our sin when we come to Him to ask for forgiveness. Christ is projected as a lion because of His kingly power and strength. We all know that He is coming to take the saved to heaven for a holiday of a thousand years. When He returns again He will deal decisively, like a lion, with sin and sinners. “Seven” is the number of perfection, and “horns” represent power. (refer 2 Samuel 22:3) Clearly therefore the “seven horns” represent Christ’s perfect power to save entrapped sinners.
God sealed the vision in the book of Daniel
Daniel 12
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
God alone is able to break the seal and open the scroll
Daniel 2
10 The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”
Thank you Jesus for making your dwelling among men
Daniel 2
26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”
27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.
Isaiah 41
“I am the First and the Last;
there is no other God.
7
Who is like me?
Let him step forward and prove to you his power.
Let him do as I have done since ancient times
when I established a people and explained its future.
8
Do not tremble; do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses—is there any other God?
No! There is no other Rock—not one!”
He reveals and no one can hide it. When he hides it, no one can find it.
Praise God for his enduring mercy on us.
Great explanation