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| Chapter 5 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, 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 on 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 said unto me, "Weep not! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, 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 the four living beings, 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 living beings and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sang 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, from 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 living beings 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 honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And I heard 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, saying, "Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever!" 14 And the four living beings said, "Amen." And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth for ever and ever. |
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John now concentrates his view on the person sitting on the throne. The Person holds a book or scroll which has seven seals to hold it shut. The book has writing "within and on the back" indicating that it is completed, no more writing can be added. This book contains God’s plan and instructions. The following chapters show what these are. Under Jewish laws and customs, when a piece of land or property was sold, it was not permitted to be held beyond a certain period. God had issued an instruction that at the year of the jubilee it must be returned to the original owner. These instructions also allowed a man who had sold his property to buy it back, redeem it, also a ‘close kin,’ a near member of the family could also redeem the property. When the property was sold by the rightful owner two records were made, one was unsealed and open, the other sealed, specifying the redeem price. The previous owner or kinsman could now redeem the property. Leviticus 25:25-49; Ruth 2 to 4. We have therefore to conclude that this book was the sealed title deeds to earth which had been lost due to the sin of man back in Eden, Satan had been the purchaser. However the true ownership right is God. The redemption price had been paid at Calvary by God in the form of man, Jesus the Son of God. v2,3 John now saw an angel, who was obviously very powerful, call for a man who has the right and authority to open the seals and so start the reclamation. The call goes out through the earth, the universe and heaven, and there was no man was found fit (pure without sin) and have the resources to pay the price, so a man was not able to do it. Angels did not have the qualification of ‘kinsman,’ though they were created beings like Man. v4 John realized the significance of this and weeps for it means that Man can never claim the earth back as the rightful owner. God’s plan for Man has failed. v5 The elders comforts John and tells him that there is one able, "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David." v6 John now saw a Lamb Who had been slain, this is the Lord Jesus Christ. Through incarnation He became a man, pure and sinless, a close kinsman Heb 2:14 and has paid the require price, a sinless sacrifice, a Lamb without blemish, acceptable to the Father and taking the punishment meant for Man. This Lamb has seven horns, perfect authority, seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God. v7 God gives the book to Jesus so confirming His right to control and rule the coming events. Jesus who once was jeered and spit at, bowed before in mock worship, scourge and nailed to a cross was now claiming His true throne. v8,9 The four creatures and twenty four elders now fall down in worship of the Lamb, the twenty four elders have harps and bowls of incense, the prayers of the people of God. They sing a new song because Christ has made the next step in restoration of the earth to Man. The price was paid, redemption made for all mankind. v10 A better translation is "they reign" not "shall reign," suggesting that it is the Lords people who are really the true owners of the earth even in today’s situation. v11-14 The angelic multitudes now take up the song of praise to the Lamb, followed by all the creatures in heaven and on earth praising not just the Lamb but God and the Lamb together. The universe bows and worships them just as it was originally meant. |
Easy English Translation
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