JANUARY 29, 2024 – SCROLL

READ: Rev. 5:1-7: And I saw .. a scroll … sealed with seven seals. … ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll …?’ … Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, … has prevailed to open the scroll …. And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne … stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, … Then He came and took the scroll …

John sees God holding a scroll. This scroll contains the entire plan of God regarding the sinful world and the chosen church until the second coming. It also includes the names of those chosen for eternal life. God is involved in a long story. Why so long? Because in His patience, He desires to bring all His children home (2 Pet. 3:9). Everything must be fulfilled, the holy and the defiled.

The right hand of God signifies that everything written will indeed happen with divine certainty. This scroll is heavily sealed: everything is established with divine assurance. Yet, everything must also be carried out swiftly. The seals must be broken, the scroll opened and unfolded. The entire progression of history now depends on whether someone is worthy and able to do this. Who is worthy?

There seems to be no one worthy. At that moment, the apostle John bursts into tears (v.4)! But he is reassured (v.5): “Do not weep; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

There turns out to be a solution! What is completely impossible for humans is possible with God! God Himself has provided an unexpected miracle: there is Someone who can and may do this—the Lion of Judah. This was how the Lord Christ was announced in Jacob’s blessing. He is the Lion who conquers the adversary.

He is also the root, the Lord of David, who was born in Bethlehem as his son. He was slaughtered as a Lamb for atonement on Golgotha. In this way, He conquered the power of sin and death and after His Ascension received the name above all names. He now stands there with power: with seven horns. And with seven eyes: He sends His Spirit to His church, wherever it may be in the world.

Is there reason to fear the future?                     Singing: Ps. 138:4