STUDY IN REVELATION 13
Who Can Open The Book?
Revelation 5: 1-14
Chapter four runs right into chapter five, with no break. John sees God holding a book in His right hand. The book is sealed and has never been opened. The book is the key to understanding the rest of Revelation, it is the official document of the last days of man.
1. The Book: v.1
John said that God Himself is holding the book. Why is this important?
a. It shows that God is the only authority when it comes to the end of the world.
b. God alone holds the future of the world in His hands.
c. He is ready to begin the process of bringing this world to an end.
John notices that the book is written on the front and back. The “Book” was actually a scroll. We need to remember that they didn’t have books like the ones we have today. They wrote on small sheets of paper about 10 inches by 8 inches. If a large amount of writing was to be done they would join the sheets together. When finished they would roll them up and tie them with a ribbon or some type of thread, which be considered sealing the document. They usually did not write on the back since what ever was on the last sheet would be exposed when the scroll was rolled up. But John saw that the scroll in God’s right hand was written on both sides.
Is this important? It shows us a couple of things.
a. There is a lot of stuff that will happen before the end.
b. It will take a lot of time for all this to happen.
What about those seven seals?
Every symbol in God’s book means something important and these seals show several things about the book.
1. The seven seals show us that this is God’s last will and testament for mankind and the earth.
In the Roman world a person’s will was to be witnessed by seven people. Each person attached his own personal seal to one of the threads that was tied around the document. The document could only be opened by the recipient.
2. There is so much written that it has to be tied together.
3. The seals show us the secrecy of the book. What is in the book is only to be revealed when God finds some one worthy to break the seals.
2. The Search: vs.2-4
There is an APB (all points bulletin) put out in all of heaven and the entire earth. What are they looking for?
Someone who can break the seals and open the book that God is holding in His right hand.
Four things we can learn from these three verses.
1. John saw a strong angel in heaven. This angel was so strong that when he shouted, his voice could be heard where? ›In the entire throne room ›In heaven and as far as Jupiter ›ALL of Heaven and ALL of earth.
What did he shout? ˜Come and get it or I‘ll throw it to the hawgs! ˜There is a sell on isle four! ˜see verse 2
2.The search fails. Not one person, not one being was found that was worthy (good enough) to open the book.
Think about this. The angels couldn’t, not even Gabriel. The seraphim and the cherubim couldn’t.
The four living creatures couldn’t. The 24 elders, all the redeemed in heaven, including those so privileged as to sit around the very throne of God. Not one could be found worthy to break the seals and open the book.
Not one person in all the earth could be found able, not even the best of us is worthy.
3. John began to cry. Why? There a couple of possible reasons.
a. John saw the greatness of God, the majesty that only belongs to God and he realized that not one of us is worthy to approach God.
Scripture: Mt. 3: 11 * Mt. 8: 8 * Mt. 10: 38
The only way you or I can approach God is Through Jesus. Never ever forget this.
b. John was not going to see all that God had promised to show him.
4. The reason no person is worthy to open the book is because of what’s in the book. The book is filled with the destiny of the world. We will see this in chapters 6-21.
3. The Announcement: v5
God has intervened and sent someone who is worthy to open the book. Who is He?
1.He is the “Lion of Judah.” Remember that the lion is a sign of strength. This one is the strongest member of the tribe of Judah.
Judah was the strongest tribe of all the tribes of Israel. God prophesied through Jacob that his son, Judah would be a lion’s “whelp” which means a young cub. If Judah, himself was only a young cub then the Messiah must be the king of beast, the Lion. See Gen. 49: 9-10
2. He is the “Root of David.” The Messiah was to come from the household of David. See Is. 11: 1
3. He was the one who has prevailed, which means He has conquered or won the victory. What did He conquer?
a. Sin Eph. 1:7 * Heb. 1: 3 * 1Pt. 2: 24 * 1Pt. 3: 18
b. Death 1 Cor. 15: 25-26 * 2Tim 1: 10
c. This evil world Jn. 16: 33 * Gal. 1: 4
d. Satan Lk. 10: 18 * Jn. 12: 31
e. Hell Jn. 5: 24 * Rom. 8: 34-39 * Rev. 1: 18
4. John sees Jesus: vs. 6-7 There is a bloody lamb with seven horns. Let’s talk about this picture…[discussion]
There are 5 things we need to look at here.
1. Jesus is the center of things in Heaven. Where did John say Jesus was standing?
˜ Behind the elders ˜At the gate ˜In the “midst” of the throne.
In the midst tells us that He was as close as you could get without actually being on the throne. He was standing right to God the Father.
Jesus was the center of attention and every eye was on Him at this moment.
2. Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb of God who has been slain. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the Lamb of God who died for our sins.
In Passover we see the Lamb sacrificed so that the judgment of God would pass over His people. Ex. 12: 3
Isaiah said the Messiah would bear our sins and be brought as a lamb to slaughter. Is. 53: 6-7
John the Baptist said that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jn 1: 2
Peter said that we are redeemed through the blood of Christ, as a lamb without spot. 1Pet. 1: 18-19
3. Jesus is the omnipotent power of the universe. The number seven in the Bible means
š God likes odd numbers š more than six but less than eight šcompleteness or wholeness
The seven horns symbolize that Jesus as being complete in power and strength.
Scripture: Mt. 28: 18 * Jn 10: 18 * Heb. 1: 1-3
4. Jesus is the All-knowing one of the universe. We see Him with seven eyes, symbolizes His complete and perfect wisdom. John says that the eyes are the seven spirits of God.
What does this means?
™We can through the Trinity thing out the window ™Boy now I really am confused ™The Holy Spirit
Seven means what?… In the PERSON of the Holy Spirit [NOT AN IT BUT A HE!!!] Jesus is everywhere, seeing and knowing all. Jn. 2:25 * Acts 1: 24 * Col. 2: 3 * Is. 11: 2 * Jer. 16: 17
5. Jesus is the only one who is able to walk up to God and take the book from His hand. He alone has the authority to open the book and to see that the events of this book are carried out. Rev. 1: 1
5. Christ receives the worship that He alone deserves: vs. 8-14
As soon as Jesus takes the book from God’s hand praise breaks out in heaven. There are three separate waves of praise that are sung.
1. The four living creature and the elders, who are right around the throne.
2. There are a whole bunch of angels who praise. How many does the Bible say there were?
10,000 X 10,000 on calculator [actually 100million]then He adds the clincher by throwing thousands upon thousands in to the equation. The reality is that the # was too many for man to count.
3. All the creatures in heaven and earth under the earth and even in the sea. This gives us the idea that all of creation begins to praise God and the Lamb.
Let’s look at the praise of each of these.
The Elders vs. 8-10
1. The elders fell down before the Lamb and played harps.
2. They offer golden bowls of incense why?
—Because the blood is beginning to smell
—Only hippies go to heaven
˜The incense is really the prayers of the saints.
3. They sing — A old Hymn that everyone can remember
—A new song that focuses on the worthiness of Christ v9-10
The Angels song had seven points vs. 11-12
1. They praise Christ for His power.
2. They praise Him for His riches.
3. They praise Him for His wisdom.
4. They praise Him for His strength.
5. They praise Him for His honor.
6. They praise Him for His glory.
7. They praise Him for His blessing.
The whole universe vs. 13-14
After each group of created beings has sung their chorus of worship, all creation breaks forth in one chorus of praise to God and to Christ.
STUDY IN REVELATION 13
Who Can Open The Book?
Revelation 5: 1-14
Chapter four runs right into chapter five, with no break. John sees God holding a _________ in His right hand. The book is ________and has never been ___________. The book is the key to understanding the rest of Revelation, it is the official document of the _______ _________ of man.
1. The Book: v.1
John said that God Himself is holding the book. Why is this important?
a. It shows that God is the ________ authority when it comes to the end of the world.
b. God alone holds the __________ of the world in His hands.
c. He is __________ to begin the process of bringing this world to an end.
John notices that the book is written on the ___________and _________. The “Book” was actually a scroll. We need to remember that they didn’t have books like the ones we have today. They wrote on small sheets of paper about ___ inches by __ inches. If a large amount of writing was to be done they would join the sheets together. When finished they would roll them up and tie them with a ribbon or some type of thread, which be considered sealing the document. They usually did not write on the back since what ever was on the last sheet would be exposed when the scroll was rolled up. But John saw that the scroll in God’s right hand was written on both sides.
Is this important? It shows us a couple of things.
a. There is a _______of stuff that will happen before the end.
b. It will take a _______of time for all this to happen.
What about those seven seals?
Every symbol in God’s book means something important and these seals show several things about the book.1. The seven seals show us that this is God’s _________ for and the .
In the Roman world a person’s will was to be witnessed by seven people. Each person attached his own personal seal to one of the threads that was tied around the document. The document could only be opened by the recipient.
2. There is so much written that it has to be together.
3. The seals show us the secrecy of the . What is in the book is only to be revealed when God finds some one to break the seals.
2. The Search: vs.2-4
There is an APB (all points bulletin) put out in all of heaven and the entire earth. What are they looking for?
Someone who can the seals and the book that God is holding in His hand.
Four things we can learn from these three verses.
1. John saw a angel in heaven.
This angel was so strong that when he shouted, his voice could be heard where? ›In the entire throne room
›In heaven and as far as Jupiter ›ALL of Heaven and ALL of earth.
What did he shout? ˜Come and get it or I‘ll throw it to the hawgs! ˜There is a sell on isle four! ˜see verse 2
2.The search fails. Not one person, not one being was found that was worthy (good enough) to open the book.
Think about this. The couldn’t, not even Gabriel. The and
the couldn’t.
The living couldn’t. The elders, all the in heaven, including those so privileged as to sit around the very throne of God. Not one could be found worthy to break the seals and open the book.
Not one person in all the earth could be found able, not even the best of us is worthy.
3. John began to cry. Why? There a couple of possible reasons.
a. John saw the greatness of God, the majesty that only belongs to God and he realized that not one of us is worthy to approach God.
Scripture: Mt. 3: 11 * Mt. 8: 8 * Mt. 10: 38
The only way you or I can approach God is Through Jesus. Never ever forget this.
b. John was not going to see all that God had to show him.
4. The reason no person is worthy to open the book is because of . The book is filled with the destiny of the world. We will see this in chapters 6-21.
3. The Announcement: v5
God has intervened and sent someone who is worthy to open the book. Who is He?
1.He is the “L of J .” Remember that the lion is a sign of . This one is the strongest member of the tribe of Judah.
Judah was the strongest tribe of all the tribes of Israel. God prophesied through Jacob that his son, Judah would be a lion’s “whelp” which means a . If Judah, himself was only a young cub then the Messiah must be the of beast, the . See Gen. 49: 9-10
2. He is the “R of D .” The Messiah was to come from the household of . See Is. 11: 1
3. He was the one who has which means He has conquered or won the . What did He conquer?
a. Sin Eph. 1:7 * Heb. 1: 3 * 1Pt. 2: 24 * 1Pt. 3: 18
b. Death 1 Cor. 15: 25-26 * 2Tim 1: 10
c. This evil world Jn. 16: 33 * Gal. 1: 4
d. Satan Lk. 10: 18 * Jn. 12: 31
e. Hell Jn. 5: 24 * Rom. 8: 34-39 * Rev. 1: 18
4. John sees Jesus: vs. 6-7 There is a bloody lamb with seven horns. Let’s talk about this picture…[discussion]
There are 5 things we need to look at here.
1. Jesus is the of things in Heaven.
Where did John say Jesus was standing? ˜ Behind the elders ˜At the gate ˜In the “midst” of the throne.
In the midst tells us that He was as close as you could get without actually being on the throne. He was standing right to God the Father.
Jesus was the center of attention and every eye was on Him at this moment.
2. Jesus was the sacrificial of God who has been slain. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the Lamb of God who died for our sins.
In we see the Lamb sacrificed so that the judgment of God would pass over His people. Ex. 12: 3
Isaiah said the would bear our sins and be brought as a lamb to slaughter. Is. 53: 6-7
John the Baptist said that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the of the world. Jn 1: 2
Peter said that we are redeemed through the of Christ, as a lamb without spot. 1Pet. 1: 18-19
3. Jesus is the omnipotent of the universe. The number seven in the Bible means
š God likes odd numbers š more than six but less than eight šcompleteness or wholeness
The seven horns symbolize that Jesus as being complete in power and strength.
Scripture: Mt. 28: 18 * Jn 10: 18 * Heb. 1: 1-3
4. Jesus is the - one of the universe. We see Him with seven eyes, symbolizes His complete and perfect wisdom. John says that the eyes are the seven spirits of God.
What does this means?
™We can throw the Trinity thing out the window ™Boy now I really am confused ™The Holy Spirit
Seven means what?… In the PERSON of the Holy Spirit [NOT AN IT BUT A HE!!!] Jesus is everywhere, seeing and knowing . Jn. 2:25 * Acts 1: 24 * Col. 2: 3 * Is. 11: 2 * Jer. 16: 17
5. Jesus is the only one who is able to walk up to God and take the from His hand.
He has the authority to open the book and to see that the events of this book are carried out. Rev. 1: 1
5. Christ receives the worship that He alone deserves: vs. 8-14
As soon as Jesus takes the book from God’s hand praise breaks out in heaven. There are three separate waves of praise that are sung.
1. The living creature and the , who are right around the throne.
2. There are a whole bunch of angels who praise. How many does the Bible say there were?
10,000 X 10,000 on calculator [actually 100 million] then He adds the clincher by throwing thousands upon thousands in to the equation. The reality is that the # was too many for man to count.
3. All the creatures in and under the and even in the sea. This gives us the idea that all of creation begins to praise God and the Lamb.
Let’s look at the praise of each of these.
The Elders vs. 8-10
1. The elders f d before the Lamb and played .
2. They offer golden bowls of incense why?
—Because the blood is beginning to smell
—Only hippies go to heaven
˜The incense is really the prayers of the saints.
3. They sing — A old Hymn that everyone can remember
—A new song that focuses on the worthiness of Christ v9-10
The Angels song had seven points vs. 11-12
1. They praise Christ for His .
2. They praise Him for His .
3. They praise Him for His .
4. They praise Him for His .
5. They praise Him for His .
6. They praise Him for His .
7. They praise Him for His .
The whole universe vs. 13-14
After each group of created beings has sung their chorus of worship, all creation breaks forth in one chorus of praise to and to .
