Rev 5:1-14 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. (2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (3) And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (4) And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (5) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (6) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (7) And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (8) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts 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 that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Good morning, reader! Every day brings with it a moment that excites my spirit! If it’s not during my morning devotions with the Lord, it’s through prayer time! These moments remind me that this is a glorious day and we are one day closer to the Rapture of the Church by our Wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!!! King Jesus will reign forever more! What a day that will be!!
We are in the last chapter of Revelation before God’s judgments are unleashed upon a sinful and rejecting world. If you don’t think we are in the end times, let me refresh your memory as you read the following verses and compare it to today’s events. There’s no other time in history that can capture these sins in the severity with which they occur today:
2 Ti 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves (selfies and videos posted on social media – people in love with their own image), covetous (wanting what others want – paying thousands of dollars for sneakers and cell phones), boasters (proclaiming their own “goodness” and tooting their own horn – behaving in an extravagant way in order to attract attention), proud (not willing to be meek – having a high opinion of oneself), blasphemers (cursing and filthy conversations; blaspheming God and using His Name irreverently ), disobedient to parents (kids rule the home today and get whatever they want), unthankful (ungrateful for what they have), unholy (anything opposite of righteous living – people actually brag about their unholy acts), (3) Without natural affection (not loving their own flesh and blood – women having abortions because it’s not convenient for them; children not loving their parents but rebellious), trucebreakers (marriages dissolving and families failing; people make promises to others but never intend on fulfilling that promise), false accusers (lying against one another and trying to ruin someone’s character), incontinent (cannot contain their sinfulness, no self control; they can’t control their appetites, such as with alcohol, drugs or sex), fierce (savage toward others – think of the knockout game and the rebelliousness of people during riots; they are wild and impetuous), despisers of those that are good (persecution in China and other countries toward Christians, people in your own family hate you for being a Christian who wants to live a righteous life; people who do love what is good and wholesome are radically bad), (4) Traitors (people who betray others, even in their own families), heady (recklessly jumping the gun without thinking, headstrong and inconsiderate), highminded (thinking they’re better than others, self righteous), lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (selfish pleasures take priority over spiritual matters; lovers of the flesh rather than of God); (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (appear to be spiritual but aren’t; I was raised in such a church – we prayed the rosary over and over but never loved God or His Word): from such turn away.
Wow … just … wow! You can see that we are most certainly living in the end times and what is about to happen in the remaining chapters could include you if you are not saved. Submit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ and accept that He is the only true Saviour of the world. (John 14:6)
At this point in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the words “church and churches” are no longer mentioned. These word(s) won’t be found until the very last chapter of Revelation! If you will notice as you read chapter 5, a barrage of magnificent sights and sounds hit John; he has never seen or heard these things in his life! Let’s also take note that the Scriptures do not show that John is fearful. Why? He’s not because he is safe in Heaven being protected by God Himself!
The chapter opens with John witnessing a “book” in the right hand of God the Father, which had the seven seals. Strong’s Concordance gives us the Greek word used for book:
βιβλίον
biblion
bib-lee’-on
A diminutive of G976; a roll: – bill, book, scroll, writing.
This particular scroll had seven seals (like the wax seals in the picture above). Seven seals will bring forth God’s perfect, righteous and complete judgment on a sinful world.
A strong angel loudly speaks up asking Who is worthy to open the book and to unseal the seals!!! We see that no man in Heaven, earth or under the earth was able to! The scroll has judgments for earth and those who dwell on it. There is no other Judge who is qualified to open these seals and John begins to cry because no one is worthy. An elder speaks up and tells him that the Lion of the tribe of Juda and the Root of David is able! Now we behold Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and our King of Kings making His entrance! Only HE is able to cast judgment on the sinful earth. (2 Corinthians 5:10) The Lamb is Jesus’ favorite title for Himself and is used 29 times just in this Book! He is the perfect Passover Lamb for Jews and Gentiles alike! He is a direct descendent of Boaz and Ruth: Boaz was a Jew and Ruth was a Moabitess! Do you know what the Moabites were famous for? They are descendents of the incestuous act between Lot and his daughters! Can you see the God’s redemptive plan for all mankind in this? Furthermore, if Jesus had not shed His blood and risen from the dead, we would not even be reading this book!
Let’s move on. Verse 6 tells us that the Lamb stood in their midst as it had been slain; this bears the marks of His crucifixion. It further describes the Lamb as having seven horns, seven eyes, and seven Spirits of God. The number seven in Scriptures means perfection and completion; and the horns are indicative of authority. Jesus appears with perfect authority, perfect knowledge, and perfect Spirit! John describes this beautifully, in my opinion. There is no imperfection whatsoever in God – He is holy and Almighty – He is omnipotent! Jesus takes the book out of the right hand of the Father and everyone falls down before Him with harps and the vials of odours, which the Scripture explains are the prayers of the Saints. Isn’t it wonderful that all prayers ever prayed by the saints are recorded in Heaven? Praise Him!
A lot happens in Revelation 5:8-14. The twenty-four elders sing a new song, angels are singing, all creation sings, and the cherubim say Amen! Picture, if you will, as if it is a chorus and orchestra!!! First a few are singing, then more join in; building into a beautiful worship service to the Lamb of God! All are worshipping the Lord! I always think about Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus at this point. I know I’ve said this before but it sure is apropos right here! I get so excited in my spirit when this song is sung! It is divinely inspired, for sure! I’m a walking goose bump right now! 🤗
Next, the cherubim’s final Amen occurs. It’s like the final curtain call and afterwards the wrath of God will be unleashed on earth. Both the earth itself and the people will undergo God’s great wrath. This parenthetical time between the Rapture and the beginning of the judgments will end and there’s no turning back. Praise the Lord that we, the Bride, will be safe in Heaven, protected by the Lord, our Groom, from the horrific judgments about to give way! Again, I cannot stress enough that Jesus said it would be as the days of Noah! (Matthew 24:37-39) Just as God protected Noah and his family from the world-wide flood, so will He protect His church. As well, just as Lot and his family were taken out of Sodom and Gomorrah before they were totally destroyed, so will God protect His Bride.
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!