Scripture:
[1]Then 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. [2]And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” [3]But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. [4]I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. [5]Then 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.”
[6]Then 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 sent out into all the earth. [7]He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [8]And 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.
Observation:
This is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible.
With God sitting on the throne holding the scroll, a mighty angel belting out a challenge – Who is worthy?
No one in heaven or under the earth or on the earth is worthy to open or read the scroll. That pretty much covers everyone. But wait.. our Lord was not conceived from this earth. He and He alone is worthy. One of the elders tells John to look toward the Lion of Judah, as He triumphantly enters the scene with with strength and power. What John sees is the Lamb, with scars of sacrifice for dying for the sins of man – He alone is worthy. He shows up as omnipotent with seven horns – there is no one more powerful. He shows up as omnipresent with seven eyes being the Holy Spirit.
Application:
What a feeling and a visual we will never see this side of heaven – Father God on the throne, Jesus Christ as the Lion and the Lamb, and the Holy Spirit all at once.
Scholars have differing opinions on what was written on the scroll but to me that’s not all that important. What’s important is that the scroll must be opened and only the Lamb of God is worthy.
We look to him as the Lion to fight our battles and give us our victories, which He can do but may not always do when or how we hope. But if we open our hearts, look close enough, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will always find Him who sacrificed for us. We can lean on that fact even when it seems the Lord is not fighting our battles or we are experiencing defeats in this life.
Prayer:
Lord thank you for blessing us with Your word as it is written in Revelation. I love You and look forward to spending eternity with You. I pray that I honor and obey You as I wait for that day. In Jesus Christ mighty and holy name I pray, amen.