THE SEVEN SEALED SCROLL “Who is worthy to open the sealed scroll?”

Scroll with Seven Seals Scroll

”And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Daniel 12:8-10)

Daniel 12:10-11 reveals the two fold response of the people living during the events of the Tribulation: 1. Large numbers of people will be saved including the Jews who receive the witness of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:4-8) and seeing the hand of God in the judgments He sends on the earth. (Rev. 7:9-10) 2. Large numbers of people will reject the Lord, following the Antichrist and the false prophet. These people will grow increasing evil as the seven years unfold.

"Who is worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof?" (Rev. 5:2) "Who is worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof?" (Rev. 5:2) “And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” (Revelation 5:3)

A praetor was a Roman magistrate, a judge. When Jesus was examined by Pilate this was done in the praetorium or judgment hall (John 18:28,33; 19:9)praetor In the ancient Roman world, a will (a Praetorian Testament) was sealed with the seals of seven witnesses to attest to the validity of the will. (Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, edited By William Smith, LL. D., Second Edition, Boston, Little, Brown, & Company, 1870)

This scroll could only be opened by the Praetor who is the mediator. Only Jesus Christ could open the seals because He is the Mediator of the New Covenant. “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.” (Revelation 5:5)

Revelation 5:5 describes Jesus as a Lion. John looks and behold he does not see a lion, but a Lamb which had been slain. Jesus is described as having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God. The seven Spirits are the seven Spirits that God has sent forth into all the earth. This represents the seven fold ministry of the Holy Spirit.

There are two words translated in the New Testament “lamb.” The word “amnos” is used by John in John 1: The word stresses Jesus Christ as the sacrificial lamb which God provides for nation of Israel. (See Gen. 22:8, Exod. 12:5, 1 Cor. 12:5) In the New Testament there are two Greek words for lamb. One is the word, "amnos," meaning a lamb in general. The other word is "arnion," pronounced "r-non" and is symbolically to refer to Christ’s character and His substitutional sacrifice for the sins of the world and here of Israel. Jesus’ position of being the sacrificial Lamb gives Him His authority to offer redemption and judgment. Thus in the Tribulation Jesus is offering both salvation and judgment.

Another interesting word is the Greek word for "slain, " which is "sphatts." It refers to a violent death. It is used in 1 John 3:11-12, describing how Cain slew his brother. Thus the verse is telling us it was the innocent Lamb that was rejected and brutally slain by Israel who is the only worthy One to open the seals of the book.

. "The stone which the builders rejected is become the head stone of the corner: this is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:22-24).

“And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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.” (Revelation 5:7-8)

Note that in the Bible only once in Job 38:7 are angels seen singing. The Scriptures also never record angels as playing harps. Only men on earth and here in heaven are men shown playing harps. “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.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

“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. “ (Revelation 5:11-12)

“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.” (Revelation 5:13-14)