Chapter 5

The Redemption of the Planet -2

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 that the promises of God would go unfulfilled toward the miraculous nation (see—Jer.32:37-42) unless the Kinsman-Redeemer stepped forward and completed the transaction required to claim back the earth.

One of the elders comforts John. “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.”

These are Messianic words, dear ones, meant to identify Jesus as the promised Messiah of Israel and intended to signify that it’s Israel (not the Church) in view here.

Israel has been set aside by God only until the Church has run its appointed course, at which time He will again turn to the remnant of Israel and fulfill His promises to them as a people. For God has not forsaken His people (Ps.94:14; Rom.11:1-2) nor will He neglect His future plans and purposes for them (Rom.11:25-27). This is the explanation for the Tribulation. From inside the crucible of great tribulation a pure and holy Jewish nation will emerge, all of its enemies vanquished, and Zion made ready to receive her King.

Let’s look closer.

He is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah”. This is in accord with Abraham’s prophecy that the Messiah would be of the tribe of Judah (Gen.49:10). He is “the root of David”. This is consistent with Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be a direct descendent of David (Isa.11:1). Both are required of the Messiah without compromise. Jesus, in His incarnation, fulfilled the requirements of both: He was born into the tribe of Judah as a descendent of David (Matt.1:2, 6).

“[He] has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals”. Because Jesus prevailed at the Cross, having therefore bled and died as a propitiation for sin upon the Cross (Romans 3:25), Jesus is the blessed Kinsman; therefore He is the One (the only One) worthy to complete the act of redemption.