Learn the Revelation

v.6 “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”

This characterization of our Redeemer as a “sacrificed Lamb” is the explanation of His worth, and why Jesus (while others dare not) may respond to the great call to take the scroll. For it’s the death of Christ and the shedding of His own undefiled blood that alone serves to explain God’s forgiveness, and the basis of all redemption.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His

v.4-5 ” So I wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 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’. ”

The phrase, “wept much” is better translated “wept convulsively.” In other words, John is sobbing. Why, because John understood that the restoration of Israel, and it’s inheritance of all future blessings, rested upon God’s destruction of Israel’s enemies, the safe and peaceful occupation of its land, and the subsequent reign of Messiah upon King David’s throne (2Sam.7:10; Isa.9:6,7). In other words, John wept because he knew

Perhaps no other doctrine in all of Christianity creates more buzz and yet controversy than the yet-future advent known as the rapture.

Whereas many Christians believe in rapture, many others do not; even amongst those who believe, there are opposing views as to whether the rapture occurs before, during, or after the tribulation.

This diversity amongst Christians is not bothersome, though, because rapture is not a salvation issue. A born-again believer is not going to lose his or her salvation based on the acceptance or denial of rapture doctrine. Therefore, I choose not to bicker, contend, or

v.1-3 “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. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. “

The best way to approach this remarkable chapter, and the explanation for what we are about to read, is for us to understand both, the historical facts surrounding the planet and man’s relation to it, as well as an ancient Jewish law regarding the redemption of forfeited property; an anti-type to the transaction we’ll see Jesus later evoke in this chapter.

In the beginning, God

v.9-11 “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.’ ”

This chapter closes with a breathtaking scene. With nothing in themselves worthy to offer Jesus for His Great Work, the elders remove their crowns and lay them at the feet of God. They offer only that which He has given them, their crowns.

Here’s a thought, dear ones.

Whereas