John now sees God holding a scroll in His right hand. This hand is seen as the place of power and authority, and it is clear that God is holding the unfolding of the rest of the Apocalypse, up until now hidden to Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others, including the early church. For a scroll, or a book, to be sealed was to show that its contents were kept secret. Only someone authorized to break the seal could read that scroll.
The scroll contains a “history” of the future. All God’s counsels, His judgments, are about to occur.
For the scroll to be read meant the seals (seven of them here) had to be broken. For God’s full plan to be revealed, for His judgments to be levied, someone needed to access that scroll. But who? John weeps, because there is no one able to do so, nobody worthy to break the seals. A strong angel tries, and it unable to do so. One of the elders comforts John, telling Him the Lion of Judah will be able to do it. He has overcome, so that He can govern this task.
Christ appears as the Lamb, also the Lion, showing both meekness and gentleness along with majesty and power. His supreme self-sacrifice led to His supreme power (Thomas). The seven horns indicate an all-powerful warrior and king. The seven eyes seem to speak to His omniscience, and the seven Spirits is a reference to the Holy Spirit, Christ’s agent in action in the world. We simply cannot comprehend His worthiness.
The elders hold musical instruments, along with bowls of incense, the prayers of the saints. These prayers are likely those who find themselves in the trial to come, and become believers, and then cry out to God to either help them or for Him to avenge their martyrdom. The incense is that sweet smell created by the Christian’s praise to God.
The songs that are sung here would be incredible to hear. The elders speak of Christ’s worthiness, He indeed was the slain Lamb that made it possible for man to gain access to God. He purchased people from all walks of life with His atoning sacrifice. Yes, He is worthy to lead God’s plan for the future and all time. More angels join in, myriads, thousands! Oh, what a joyous sound of this heavenly choir! Just imagine the sound, the harmony, the joy in the expression of this song! The choir ascribes to Christ power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing. He indeed is King!
All creation joins in the chorus of praise. This song looks ahead to that great day in the future when every knee will bow (Phil 2:10)! The four living creatures keep saying “Amen”, affirming what they know, what everyone will know, that Jesus Christ is Lord and King. And the elders follow them in worship.
SO WHAT...?
So, I am sure I do not fully grasp all Christ has done for me. I know I do not comprehend the glory and majesty that awaits in heaven. For now, I can only imagine.
So, it would be a good time to tell someone else about Christ, and all He has to offer, and all that it means to live for Him.
So, I am so thankful that because of what Christ has done for me, I do not have to endure what is about to be revealed in these chapters. Christ took on the wrath of God for me.
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