Revelation 5:1 – Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (NLT)

So I’ve decided to keep moving through the Book of Revelation for a while. Keep in mind that there is a tremendous amount of material to be covered, and what I will share is certainly not the only interpretation.  My goal here, as always when I study the Bible, will be to discover how the text speaks to us today by first understanding how it spoke to those who first heard it some two thousand years ago.  Thank you for reading. 

Remembering that John’s vision contains much imagery from the Old Testament, this passage contains imagery similar to that found in chapter two of Ezekiel.  John sees writing on both the inside and the outside of the scroll.  Most scrolls contained writing on one side only.  God has a lot to say to the people!  The scroll is sealed with seven seals.  Seven is a common and significant number throughout Revelation.  To the ancients, seven represented completeness and perfection.  Also, in that day, the wills of very important people were often sealed with seven seals.  The people of that day probably understood that they were about to hear God’s perfect and complete will for the world.  

In verse two, a strong angel asks who is worthy to break the seals.  Remember, there were four creatures surrounding the throne that represented the best of creation.  There were also the twenty-four elders representing those who had been victorious in life.  Yet, even there in the presence of creatures, victorious people, and angels, no one was able to open the scroll. The significance for us is that only God can reveal God’s will.

John begins to weep, and for good reason!  Imagine standing before the will of God for all humanity, yet being unable to know God’s will. An elder comes to John and tells him that the one who has won the victory is worthy to open the scroll. This is significant – Christ has won the victory! This brings to mind the words of Jesus: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  Because of Christ’s victory, we can know God’s will – that’s Good Stuff! 

There are Christians who fear they may never know God’s will for their lives.  It is God’s desire that we all know God’s will. God’s will is revealed through Scripture.  Stay grounded in the Word, and God will give you direction! 

Posted by Ramón Torres