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REVELATION - Behold, I am Coming Soon
Studies in the Book of Revelation
BOOK 2 - THE ENTHRONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST (REVELATION 4:1 - 6:17)
PART 2.2 JESUS CHRIST IS ENTHRONED BY GIVING HIM THE SEALED SCROLL (REVELATION 5:1-14)

1. The Preparations for the Enthronement (Revelation 5:1-6)


The Heavenly Herald Breaks the Proud of the World

REVELATION 5:2-4
2 I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?” 3 No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look in it. 4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it.

The angel of God called out with a loud voice so that all heavens, all the ends of the world as well as the netherworld could hear his message which included a call for repentance to all creatures and a revelation of the holiness of the triune God. The angel called in a challenging manner, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose the seals?"

"To be worthy" in the Arabian language means: Who has the right, who deserves it, at the appointed date to take an official action? Who is the good and competent one being patient and mighty enough so as to take over the responsibility and implementation of this business?

In heaven this call meant, who is thoroughly holy so as to enter the shining light of the glory of God unharmed? Who has the authority and who is wise, full of love, and who is compassionate, righteous, strong and merciful, so that he is able to draw near to the threefold holy God of love without being exterminated by his glowing strength?

The question of the angel also meant, who is able to break the seven seals without damaging the text? Who is able to read the writing and to grasp the content without despairing but instead to implement it with sovereignty?

The forceful call in the cosmos invited all interested people, competitors and applicants to come to the fore now. All angels, prophets, spirits, Caesars and rulers of all times should press their claims – but they should also realize that then they would be judged by God. Not the content of the scroll was primarily the point, it was rather the question who is the right person having the right and authority to loose the seven seals of the heavenly scroll.

None of the chief princes of the angels came to the fore, neither Michael nor Gabriel. Mary, the mother of Jesus, did also not appear. Satan did not dare to undergo this fire test. No one could bear the vicinity of God, his holiness, his wisdom, and his decisions. Neither James, nor Peter nor Paul, the three martyrs of the church, came to the fore.

Some of the creatures might have liked to try to loose the seven seals, but there was none who had done well, not one (Psalm 14:3). None of the short-sighted philosophical intelligence could hold its ground any more than the office of a priestly king in the Old Testament, and not at all the honor of presidents of states, professors or doctors. No one was worthy to receive the scroll out of the hand of God. All of them were unable, guilty, and not fitting.

In heaven there was a great shamefacedly silence. The bankruptcy of the whole human race and of the angels appeared. The silence of all creatures implied an anticipation of the judgment: a self-examination so as to know oneself and to necessarily condemn oneself.

John was weeping much. There were not just some surreptitious tears rolling down his cheeks, he rather sobbed in the depth of his heart, as he realized the bankruptcy of the world, including himself. He grasped the truth and reality of the fallen creation: All creatures are unworthy, guilty and condemned. A great loss of response was in heaven and on earth. Despite of all human effort nothing has been accomplished which is worthy forever. Moreover, all elders in heaven were unworthy. If we understand our own situation, then the weeping of John should become contagious to us or at least break our pride.

Yet the right hand of God holding the scroll remained stretched out in spite of the shameful silence. This was the response of God to the history of men! That was the only piece of paper with future!

Today the wording of this scroll can be read by everybody in the book of Revelation. But only a few read it and are interested in dealing with it. Angels and prophets had longed to look into so as to marvel at the plan of God. Today the text of this scroll is translated and printed in many languages. But the bulk of men prefer to see a football match on television, and pious people think of our salvation already being accomplished which would be enough! They do not understand that the revelation of Jesus Christ qualifies each new world order and judges each economy system. Whoever wants to live a purpose driven life has to read the book of Revelation of John in a praying manner and listen carefully to what the Spirit says to the churches.

PRAYER: Before You, Holy One, no human or spirit is righteous or perfect, for there is none righteous except You. Your holiness uncovers our bankruptcy and unrighteousness. Would that we become frightened and weep like John that You may have mercy upon us and reveal to us Your prepared salvation.

QUESTION:

  1. Why did John weep bitterly?

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