The Preparation of the Throne of Judgment for Execution. 5:1-14
- The book. 1-4
- The song. 8-14
The Little Book in the Hand of Him on
the Throne 5:1-4
The Identification of the Little Book
The
proper interpretation of this book is a crucial matter. The popular idea is
that this is a book of revelation of what is to follow (Isa. 29:11-12; Dan.
12:4, 8-9). Some think it to be a prophetic history of the church. Others think
it is the covenant with Israel yet to be made (Heb. 10:16-17).But it must be remembered that books were scrolls in that day. This is written inwardly and outwardly and sealed with seven seals.
Archeology has since brought to light just such books as this. Consult Biblical Review for Oct. 1922. This book was like the one Jeremiah made at the time Nebuchadnezzar overran Jerusalem and Judea (Jer. 32:6-16).
The Importance of This Little Book
"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."
An intensive
and extensive search is instituted to discover a man who can open this book.
But though heaven and earth and the nether world is searched, no man is
discovered. In fact, the original says that no one, no creature of any kind,
was found worthy to open the title deed. Adam forfeited the right to do so, and
all his progeny. Angels are outside the pale. In fact, the only One who has the
right to open a deed is the Owner.
The Interest in the Little Book
"And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon."The result of the search is watched with keen interest by John, one of the redeemed from the earth. When no one is found, he bursts into tears and uncontrollable weeping, and for sheer sorrow is unable to stop. He weeps as one would weep at a funeral for one who passes on and will never return. This little book is the title deed to the universe. The devil and his emissaries have usurped it and are in possession of it even though they do not own it. To think that the devil will always remain in possession of it is more than John can stand.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is Found
"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." "And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne."
The Identification
of the Lion
-
The lion prevailed to open the book (5).
- The lamb took the book (6-7).
- The lamb is worthy to take the book and open its seals (8-9).
- The lamb opens the seals (6:1ff).
The Explanation
of the Lion
The scene changes even while John is looking at the Lion. And as it changes he sees a Lamb in the midst of the throne. It is slain, and the perfect tense indicates the fact is permanent. The marks of death are upon the Lamb even as He displays His perfect fullness of strength by the seven horns and His perfection of knowledge and wisdom by the seven eyes. This is none other than the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, with marks of Calvary upon Him. John recognizes Him immediately.
"I shall
know him, I shall know him,
As redeemed
by his side I shall stand;
I shall know
him, I shall know him,
By the print
of the nails in his hand."
The Appropriation
by the Lion
This scene is one of the most dramatic in the Bible. Here is the focal point of all the ages. A ruined earth in the hands of the devil, a redeemed earth potentially with a waiting host looking forward to the actual taking of possession of the earth. John watches intently to see what will happen. The Lamb steps up and takes the book and having taken it, He holds it firmly in His grasp (perfect tense), for never again will it escape Him.
The reason this is necessary lies In the fact that in a sense the entire earth was alienated through sin. As God, Christ owns the earth, but as man, it was necessary to redeem it. (Study laws of redemption in the book of Ruth.)
Today, every redeemed soul is an earnest of the purchased possession (Eph. 1:13). In Daniel 7:13 there is the same subject, but from the aspect of taking possession and reigning.
The breaking of the seals of the title deed is symbolic of Christ casting out the usurpers of the earth, preparatory to the taking possession of the universe.
The Praise of all Creation now Bursts Forth
"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;" "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." "And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever."
The Praise of Redeemed Creation
The four living creatures representing all creation and the elders representing all redeemed mankind (the church) fall down before the Lamb. They are equipped with harps, the instruments for praise. Each one of them have in their hands golden bowls full of incense which represents the prayers of the saints. For more than 2000 years they have prayed, "thy kingdom come" and the prayers have gone unanswered. But now the fulfillment is at hand.
In the song that is now sung, echoing and reechoing through the corridors of heaven, is the fulfillment of God's purpose in Grace (Eph. 1:5-6, 12, 14). They praise him because in His grace He has redeemed them from utter loss and has exalted them to the highest of all positions. Rev. 1:6; 20:6 would support this position.
The Praise of Angelic Creation
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;" "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."Angels in glory have not be privileged to enter into the experience of salvation in the same respect as mankind. They have been ministers to God's children (Heb. 1:14). They have watched the church through the centuries (1 Cor. 4:9; Eph. 3:10). They have longed to enter into this experience (1 Pet. 1:12). But now that they hear the host of the redeemed praise the Lamb, this intoxicating joy sweeps over them and in countless millions they too join in the redemption song.
The Praise of the Remaining Creation
"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." "And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever."Heaven cannot hold the praise that is now reverberating through its halls. In ever widening circles it sweeps through heaven and then through the entire universe. The redeemed in glory begin the song; the angels in heaven catch it up; then every other creature in heaven joins the throng; overflowing the ramparts of heaven it sweeps through the earth and every creature there joins in the song; and finally even the host of lost, subdued insurgents from creation lift their voices to acknowledge now what they refused to acknowledge during the day of salvation.
So far as the vision is concerned, it appears that the entire movement of praise takes place at once. But it is more reasonable to believe that it begins at this moment in the throne and then in ever lengthening and widening circles reaches out across the years of the tribulation, the millennium and eternity.
Conclusion:
We now have the answer to some very
important questions.1. Why did God permit sin to enter the creation in the beginning?
It was that His grace might be manifest and through grace all glory might come
to Him.
2.
Why does God delay judgment now when it seems to be so much
needed? Because by delay many more will be saved and join the vast throng of
the redeemed to give Him the glory. Delay in judgment will
enable all the world to become entirely ripe and prove
irrefutably that God must intervene in human affairs.3. What will God accomplish in the end by His marvelous plan? He will prove His faithfulness, His sufficiency, and the desperate character of the human heart. In the song that is now sung, echoing and reechoing through the corridors of heaven, is the fulfillment of God's purpose in Grace (Eph. 1:5-6, 12, 14). They praise him because in His grace He has redeemed them from utter loss and has exalted them to the highest of all positions. Rev. 1:6; 20:6 would support this position.
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