Revelation 5 reminds me of ghosting. That is when someone stops responding and blocks all communication, typically with no explanation. It is often done on a whim, with little thought about the consequences. This soul-crushing experience of rejection is becoming tragically common. People are left feeling totally unworthy. It is happening in professional, personal, and social relationships. Today’s lesson is about second chances. John continues his vision of heaven: “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.” This is a very important document sealed in such a way that the contents were hidden. John hears a mighty angel proclaim in a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” He understands that unless it is opened, there is no hope for wrongs to be righted. “No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside.” It could be the scroll described in Daniel 12. I believe it is something like a proof of ownership and listing of assets. John is aware that the scroll must be opened for God’s promises to be fulfilled. “I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.” One of the Elders comforts John: “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David… He is able to open the scroll.” These are common names for the Messiah. Perhaps John is now expecting to see the resurrected Jesus, triumphant, in all His glory.
Our expectations can be very different from the reality. John writes: “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne.” There are many facets to Messiah. He was a teacher, a healer, a role model, and a willing sacrifice. Later we will see Him as a warrior, but here John describes a sacrificial lamb with perfect knowledge and perfect power: “seven horns… seven eyes… seven spirits.” Seven is the number of perfection. “He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” As He did, the four living creatures and 24 Elders “fell down before the Lamb.” John is describing a future event. Today evil reigns and corruption is flaunted. Today, the innocent cry. John notes that the elders hold “bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” Every prayer ever uttered by the oppressed are saved for the day of judgement.
John describes a new song of praise as Messiah takes the scroll: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because… Your blood… purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Here is the gospel message; every person can be purchased from bondage to sin by the blood of the Lamb. All of heaven joins in: “I looked and heard the voice of many angels… ten thousand times ten thousand.” They encircled the throne, all in a loud voice saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Most people in America today are completely distracted by the pursuit of happiness. We seek heaven on earth. It is the pain of death, disease and loss that remind us that this life is only temporary. While we bounce from one endeavor to the next trying to find happiness, the Holy Spirit continues to call. John notes that in the last days: “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!’” Many of us focus on health and wealth and pleasure, completely rejecting the sacrifice made for us. The Savior grieves over every one that has blocked Him. He does not give up on us. He continues to pursue His beloved until the last possible moment. The four words no one wants to hear are: “I found someone else.” Choose wisely my friend.