OPENING THE LOCKED BOOK. With its terrible and ferocious beast, the book of Revelation can be a mysterious and scary read. Even more mysterious is the description of a locked book found in Revelation 5. This book contains seven locks that seem as if there is no one worthy of opening. Yet it has important information that we need for the time in which we are loving. Is there anyone worthy to open the book?
In this series of videos, we look at God’s Judgement. We view it as good news in the context of the times in which we are living. His judgment is considered from the perspective of the three angels’ messages of Revelation chapter 14.
These messages make up the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are the present truth for our time.
If you want to review any of our previous videos, you can find them at SabbathSchoolDaily.com. Additionally, you can obtain the study guide for these lessons at Sabbath.School or ssnet.org.
Seeking God’s Presence
Heavenly Father, we are thankful for your end-time message. Open our hearts and minds to receive it. In Jesus Name Amen
Revelation is really a beautiful story about hope and redemption. This message of hope and redemption is especially displayed in the mystery of the locked book found in Revelation 5. What is daunting about this book is that John starts to cry when he sees the book because he knows this book contains important information. But he sees no one worthy of opening it.
In Revelation 4, John, through an open door, was allowed to view activity around the throne of God. Similarly, Revelation 5 opens with us seeing a throne. In Revelation 5:1–4, John describes a scroll in the throne room. (Split)
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. (Revelation 5:1-4)
A scroll is a rolled-up paper, or a book, with writing on the front and back. This book has seven locks or seals on it. As it seems no one in heaven or on earth can break the seals and open the book because the book is locked with a divine seal. This is serious. No angelic being is worthy of representing humanity in Earth’s final judgment.
So, John starts to cry. He weeps bitterly. But Revelation 5:5 tells us that John is encouraged. One of the 24 elders who had been redeemed from the earth gives John good news. He tells John that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is worthy to open the scroll.
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 5:5)
Thus John receives a message of hope for the sin problem. He sees that Jesus is the only means by which God can accept us when He does His final work as Judge.
Hence John tells of that “One of the leaders said to me, ‘Stop crying. See! The Lion from the family group of Judah has power [control] and has won. He can open the book and break its seven locks. He is of [from] the family of David.’ I saw a Lamb standing in front of the twenty-four leaders. He was before the throne and in front of the four living beings. He looked as if He had been killed” (Revelation 5:5, 6, NLV).
In response to the announcement that Jesus is worthy to open the scroll Revelation 5:8–12, all heaven shouts out in songs of praise.
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God, And we shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:8-12)
Everyone in heaven shouts with praises to the Lord our God.
For Jesus is worthy to open the book. Why? Because of His victory over Satan’s temptations, His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His ministry as our high priest. He is, therefore, able to provide salvation to all who choose by faith to respond to His amazing grace.
Hence, for the people of God, the judgment is incredibly good news. Judgment is the beginning of a world without sin and all its effects. God’s work as Judge means that He will put an end to sin, evil, and death.
This is good news! Who then could ask for more? Is there any news better than this? Jesus stands for us in the judgment. He forgives our sins. He covers us with his righteousness and makes us brand new. It is Jesus who pardons us, changes us, and helps us live transformed lives.
Daniel 7:22 lets us know that judgment is made in favor of the people of God.
22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. (Daniel 7:22)
Therefore, we have no need to fear Judgment or God’s work as Judge. His work as Judge is not about showing us how bad we are. God’s work as Judge is about showing how good and merciful, He is. To escape the destruction after the judgment, we must make a choice.
We can choose Jesus and live or Choose Satan and be annihilated along with him and his evil angels. It is your choice. Whom do you choose?
Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Houston, TX 77088
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