WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK

 

Who is worthy to open the book?

 

 

 

We as people do not even understand what is going to happen in our own life but the Bible writes about the future with one hundred percent accuracy. The book of Revelation talks about our assurance and the believers residence in heaven. On the other hand this account describes with perfect accuracy events that will scourge the earth for seven years after true Christians are taken to heaven. This time period will be the most fateful in human history. At the end of this set of years Jesus Christ will return to earth in a cataclysmic appearance to establish the kingdom of God on earth for one thousand years.

 

During the time of the wrath of God the human race will experience the most terrible judgments ever to fall on the creation of God. This is described in chapters six to nineteen in the book of Revelation. Before the seven year tribulation starts there are some things that must take place and this is written in Revelation chapters four and five which happen after the rapture of the church.

 

(1) "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." Revelation 5:1 - 4.

 

Remember the prophet Daniel gave some amazing prophecies and he said "But thou, O Dan'iel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4. Prophecy has been a closed subject for so many years with little or no interest but now most Christians sense we are in the end times. Now the apostle John in chapter five is writing about one the first events that take place after the rapture of the church. It is the unsealing of the scroll that reveals all the judgments which will take place in the world during it's coming seven years of judgment. Notice John also writes about the search in heaven for someone worthy to open the scroll and set in motion the horrible forces that will be unleashed on planet earth.

 

Sealing a scroll was a common practice in biblical times because Emperors were secured with seven seals. A scribe would take possession of a parchment and start writing, then he would stop, roll this up enough to cover his words and seal the scroll at that point with wax. At this juncture the process was not finished because he would resume writing, stop, roll the scroll and add another seal. He would seal the scroll seven times and then this individual was finished. The scroll was only read a section at a time after each seal was opened. This process took place because it was used to prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the scroll, reading or revealing it's contents. Only a worthy person or someone with proper authority could have legal access to the message in the scroll.

 

In biblical times sometimes a Jewish family would have to forfeit his land and possessions for one reason or another but it was the law that their property could not be permanently taken from them. Once again we see the same principal and past reality was their losses were listed in a scroll and sealed seven times then the conditions to buy back the land and possessions were written outside the scroll. Only when a qualified redeemer could be found to meet the requirements of reclamation the one to who the property had been forfeited was obligated to return the possessions to the original owner.

 

Since a major part of Revelation chapter five deals with a seven sealed scroll then it would only stand to reason that we need to understand the importance and significance of these contents. The scroll represents the forfeiture to Satan of the original inheritance of man from God. Adam and Eve received dominion from God and everything in it; therefore, Man was in control of Planet Earth. When Adam obeyed Satan he simultaneously turned his back on God and this effected eternity and the entire universe. He legally forfeited to the devil his authority to rule the world. At that point Satan took over dominion of this earth.

 

God desired to give the rights of Planet Earth to Adam's race but it was forfeited to Satan through sin. None of us can pay this redemption price except Jesus Christ Himself. He is worthy to make restitution for sinful man's deficiency.

 

When the apostle observed this great scroll and understood it's importance he not only wept but cried uncontrollably because no man could be found untainted with the sin of Adam. Not even an angel will claim the right to open this scroll.

 

The weeping of John probably represented all the tears of the people of God through all the centuries. For example Adam and Eve sensed the consequences of their disobedience. When Israel was in slavery they probably cried. In like manner the curse of sin like mud on a precious stone destroyed the beautiful creation of God. This is why this apostle cried uncontrollably and fervently. If there is not a Redeemer to remove the curse of sin this would mean the creation of God would be forever consigned to remain in the possession of Satan. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:4. Notice the part this verse that says ... "The god of this world" ... is a small g who is Satan.

 

In Revelation chapter five John reveals the One Person who qualifies to pay the redemption price of the lost inheritance of man. Jesus Christ paid the debt by forfeiting His own life by dying on a cross and raising from the dead on the third day. If you continue to read the book of Revelation you will see a day coming when the Resurrected and Glorified Christ will cast out the devil who has contaminated this world. He will also unfortunately punish those who refuse His salvation.

 

After reading these biblical facts now may be a good time to accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior and Lord by repenting all your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life. If you just honestly made that decision your body will one day be redeemed at the rapture of the church. You find your hope in the Bible. I read the King James Bible because I do not trust the modern versions. This book says you have a responsibility to abide in Jesus Christ and bear fruit for Him. Read the word of God so you will understand the will of God for your life. The best thing you can engage in is be a doer of what the Bible teaches. Remember it is not just our bodies that will be redeemed but the earth and all of creation. If a person goes to hell there is nothing of any redemptive value in this place. Everything is always in the dying process. I hope many people are seeing why we need Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

 

God bless you,

Bob D.