Who is Worthy?
“AND I SAW TO THE RIGHT OF THE ONE SITTING ON THE THRONE A SCROLL, WRITTEN WITHIN AND ON THE BACK, SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS. AND I SAW A POWERFUL ANGEL PROCLAIMING WITH A LOUD VOICE, “WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL, NAMELY, TO BREAK ITS SEALS?” AND NO ONE IN HEAVEN OR ON EARTH OR UNDER THE EARTH WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE SCROLL OR TO LOOK INTO IT. AND I WEPT MUCH BECAUSE NO ONE WAS FOUND WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL OR TO LOOK INTO IT. AND ONE OF THE ELDERS SAID TO ME, “DO NOT WEEP, THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE ROOT OF DAVID, HAS OVERCOME TO OPEN THE SCROLL AND ITS SEVEN SEALS… AND I SAW A LAMB STANDING AS IF IT HAD BEEN SLAIN…” – REV 5:1-6.
Revelation 5 is built on the scene in Revelation 4 and describes the general realities of the heavenly throne room. The throne is in the centre of the room, and everything happens in relation to the throne. The main thing going on, of course, is worship. Over and over in these two chapters the four living creatures break into song and more and more worshipers chime in.
But there is a major difference between chapters 4 and 5. Whereas chapter 4 describes the general realities of the heavenly throne room, chapter 5 describes a specific point in time. There is a crisis in the throne room of the universe! All the praise suddenly stops, and everyone looks toward the centre with anticipation and silence, asking by implication, “What’s going on?”
What is the problem? There is a scroll that no one can open! While this might seem at first to be a trivial problem, the silence in heaven and the weeping of John suggests a life and death crisis. Someone must be found to open the scroll. What heightens the drama even further is the fact that the scroll is in the possession of God Himself, the one sitting on the throne. Why is it necessary to look for someone to open the scroll? Can’t God do that?
The point of this scene seems to be that there is a huge problem in the universe, a problem so large that God Himself is ‘reluctant’ to handle it on His own.
The problem has to do with the right to rule. God is certainly powerful enough to seize control if He wanted to. But might does not make right. So ultimately the problem can only be solved by a “worthy” person.
The word “worthy” picks up from Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” To be “worthy” is to be qualified or suitable for a task or an office. Here the task is to open the scroll. Being God is not enough to qualify! The issue represented by the scroll requires a special kind of qualification. Nothing less than the death of the Lamb qualifies Him to open the scroll. WOW!
As stated in yesterday’s submission many translations of the Bible suggest that the scroll is in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. But recent research suggests that the phrase “in the right hand” probably means “at the right side” instead. This makes a lot of sense in the light of how thrones were used in the ancient world. It was generally felt that the right side of the king was the highest possible place of honour. In Psalms 80:17 and 110:1, the king of Israel is described as sitting at God’s right side and they are co-rulers of Israel.
John has been set up to expect a Lion, but sees a slain Lamb! This is another of Revelations ‘sliding images.’ The greatness and majesty of the Lion are blended with the humility, sacrifice and tenderness of the Lamb, two qualities that tend to live at opposite ends of the human spectrum. This is also a picture (concept) for us to capture because of God’s perfect love combined with His complete justice. When Jesus takes the book into His hands, He also sits down at the right side of the Father, taking up His role as the new king in the line of David (Rev 5:5). Nothing less than the death of the Lamb qualifies Him to open the scroll of our lost inheritance and remove the seals that will signify the unfolding conquest
In our passage for today from Revelation 5, Jesus, the Saviour of humanity, is presented before John under the symbols of “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and of “a Lamb as it had been slain.” These symbols represent the union of omnipotent power and self-sacrificing love. The Lion of Judah, so terrible to the rejectors of His grace, will be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful. The pillar of fire that speaks terror and wrath to the transgressor of God’s law is a token of light and mercy and deliverance to those who have kept His commandments. The arm strong to smite the rebellious will be strong to deliver the loyal. Everyone who is faithful will be saved. “He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt 24:31 .
In comparison with the millions of the world, God’s people will be, as they have ever been, a little flock; but if they stand for the truth as revealed in His word, God will be their refuge. They stand under the broad shield of Omnipotence. God is always a majority. When the sound of the last trump shall penetrate the prison house of the dead, and the righteous shall come forth with triumph, exclaiming, “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55. —standing then with God, with Christ, with the angels, and with the loyal and true of all ages, the children of God will be far in the majority.
The Lamb became the central metaphor of the sanctuary symbolism revealed by God to Moses. So, this concept of a Davidic kingship lies behind the story of Revelation 5. The Lamb is “the Lion of Judah” and the “root of David.” Elsewhere in the New Testament Jesus sits down at the right hand of His Father on the throne in heaven (Matt.26:64; Heb.8:1. etc.) So, when Jesus comes and picks up the scroll, He is re-taking his seat on the throne in the heavenly sanctuary. He alone has the right, because He alone purchased our lost inheritance through His redemptive act on the cross.