Having been transported into heaven, the apostle John witnessed God the Father seated upon His throne, bathed in wondrous glory, and attended to by His worshiping creations.
John’s focus turned to a scroll held in the Father’s right hand.
1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” Revelation 5:1-5 (NKJV)
Although God was surrounded by His creation, no one was qualified to break open the seals of this scroll. Upon learning of this, the apostle John began to weep uncontrollably.
What would cause a man of John’s life experience to weep at this? The unopened scroll represented a final barrier to all that he had lived, dreamed, and worked for, for almost a full century – the kingdom of God on earth.
Decades earlier, John had walked with Jesus during His three-year ministry, witnessed His countless miracles, saw His cruel crucifixion, then was overjoyed at His resurrection. He was assigned the lifelong care of Jesus’ mother Mary by the Lord Himself. John later lived through imprisonment, the execution of the other apostles and Paul, and served as Bishop during the persecution of the churches of Asia Minor, all for the service of Christ and His kingdom. Now, in exile on the island of Patmos, he was called up into heaven to see that if the scroll remained sealed, the kingdom of God would never arrive. John broke down and wept.
What was this scroll? Most biblical scholars believe it represented the title deed to this earth. Property deeds in Roman times were recorded on such a scroll, written on both sides, having seven seals signed by seven witnesses. The deed could only be opened for transfer if the proper authority was present to break open the seals.
If no one could open the scroll for such a transfer, who remained the owner of the deed to the entire earth?
We see who the current title owner is when the devil tempted Jesus in the desert. The devil offered Jesus a way to by-pass the suffering of the cross and still be king – he offered all the kingdoms of world if only Jesus would worship him.
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:8-11 (NKJV)
The word of God clearly calls this offer a temptation. It would not have been so if the devil did not have the legal right and authority to offer it.
Fortunately for believers everywhere, Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations and went on to complete His mission, the Father’s will. He offered to die on a cross as a sacrifice and a propitiation for our sins. Jesus successfully overcame the temptation to avoid this, and as a result, He legitimately reclaimed all rights to the earth that had been lost by the fall and the sin of man. Jesus would then open the seals of the scroll, ushering in the final tribulation of the Day of the Lord and installing the kingdom of God on earth. Believers everywhere can rejoice – we will be invited to join with Him there throughout eternity.
Reflection
To benefit from Christ’s incredible offer and sacrifice, we must accept Him into our hearts through faith. If you have not yet done so, today is a wonderful day to gain the right to His kingdom.
Father God, we thank You that You love us so much that You gave Your only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We pray this believing in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord.
