I. Introduction
A. Turn to Revelation 5:1
Revelation 5:1
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
1. First we have to remember that the scene is the same as the one in Revelation 4
a. John is in the Spirit, in heaven
b. He saw God Almighty upon His throne
(1) The supreme majesty of the universe
(2) Surrounded by the 24 representative elders
c. Then, in this first verse of chapter 5
(1) John sees a scroll in the right hand of God
(2) We must remember that the right hand is the hand of power and the hand of honor
d. The King of creation, God the Father, Jehovah is sitting holding out this scroll which is sealed with seven seals
2. We must now pause and ask ourselves, what is this scroll?
a. The scroll is written on both sides
(1) The inside
(2) And outside
b. We can find part of our answer to the significance of the scroll in Jeremiah 32
(1) Starting with the 7th verse
Jeremiah 32:7-17
Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, 'Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.' (8) "Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, 'Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.' "I knew that this was the word of the LORD; (9) so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver. (10) I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales. (11) I took the deed of purchase--the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy-- (12) and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard. (13) "In their presence I gave Baruch these instructions: (14) 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time. (15) For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.' (16) "After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD: (17) "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
(2) When a Jew was unable to pay his debts, the Lord made provisions for relief
(a) The man could sell his land and himself
(b) When the land was sold, two parchments were prepared
i) In these parchments was detailed the terms of the land sale
ii) In the Sabbath year, the man was to be released from his servitude and the land was returned to him
iii) However, if the man was able to repay his debt before the sabbath year, he was freed and the land returned
iv) If the man was unable to reclaim his property, a near kinsman could redeem the man and his land for him
(c) One parchment was placed on public display in the temple, so that the kinsman could read the conditions of the sale
(d) The second parchment was sealed and placed in trust of the priests in the temple
i) The seals were wax seals each imprinted with the signant of a witness
(e) When a kinsman could redeem the property, he would present proof to the priests and he would be given the sealed scroll
(f) He then publicly broke the seals of the scroll showing that he was able to redeem the land
i) He then paid his kinsman's debt and returned the land to its rightful owner
(3) Later, one scroll took the place of the two, by writing on the inside and the outside they had the sealed and public documents in one
(4) What we have in God's hand is the title deed to creation
B. The book, scroll, is the title deed to creation
1. The world was created by God
a. Ordained by God the father - He was the architect
b. Created by God the Son - He was the general contractor
c. Through the power of God the Holy Spirit - He was the laborer who did the actual work
2. Then, in Genesis 1:27 & 28, man was given dominion over creation
Genesis 1:27 - 28
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
a. God made man the steward of His creation
b. But, man sinned and in Genesis 3:17, we find that for man and because of man, all creation was cursed
Genesis 3:17
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
3. Now, let's Turn to Romans 8
a. In verse 22, Paul reminds us that all of creation suffers.
(1) Adam drew down into his ruin the old creation, of which Adam was Lord and head, by authority of God.
(2) Even the animal and material creation was cursed for man's sake
Romans 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
b. Adam and all his descendants are the rightful possessors of creation
(1) But, because of sin, owe a debt that they cannot pay
(2) And God has in His hand the title deed to creation
(3) Now, let's turn to Revelation 5:1 - 4
II. Body
Revelation 5:1 - 4
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. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
A. The Title Deed to creation
1. We have already said that the scroll is the Title Deed to creation
a. Creation is presently in the hands of the usurper
b. And creation is suffering
2. And in heaven a search begins
a. Everything seems to come to a halt
b. Nothing can proceed until some one is found who can prove that He is able to pay the price of redemption
c. John seems to be a man of a very tender heart
(1) And the more they searched for some one to open the scroll of the title deed to creation
(2) The more he wept because no one was found worthy
d. We might have looked around for one qualified to redeem creation
(1) Adam, how about you?
(a) God gave creation to you, can you redeem it?
(b) Not I, says Adam, I sinned away my inheritance
(c) Satan cheated me out of it; and now I owe the debt and I cannot pay
(2) How about one of the angels?
(a) They are not near kinsmen
(3) How about another man?
(a) Not one of us would be able to redeem creation
(b) We are ourselves, poor, destitute, and blind
(c) What little we have, we owe to God
(4) And John weeps all the more
3. In the case of the redemption of the land, the redeemer had to meet several conditions
a. First and foremost, the redeemer had to be a close kinsman of the true owner of the land
b. Second, he had to be able to pay the debt in full
c. Third, he had to be willing to pay the debt in full
4. Creation is in the hands of the usurper
a. and suffering
b. Adam is unable to pay the debt
c. And John is weeping because of this
d. Now, let's look on down to verse 5
B. The Redeemer
Revelation 5:5 - 7
Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." (6) Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7) He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
1. There can be no doubt as to who the one is that comes to redeem creation, it is Jesus Christ
a. Here He is described as the Lion of the tribe of Judah
(1) In Genesis 49:8 - 10, Jacob in his blessing, prophecies concerning Judah
Genesis 49:8-10
Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down to you. (9) You are a lion's cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse him? (10) The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.
(2) The lion of the tribe of Judah is the Messiah
(3) The one who will sit on the throne of David
b. He is also described as the root of David
(1) In these two titles, Christ is described in both His humanity and His deity
(a) The lion of the tribe of Judah tells of His humanity
i) He is a member of the tribe of Judah
ii) He is the man who has the blood line to sit on David's throne
(b) But, as the root of David, His divinity is described, He is the origin, the creator of David
(c) Then in Revelation 22:16, we have proof positive, from Jesus own words that He is the one described in Revelation 5
Revelation 22:16
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.
i) I, Jesus am the root of David, his creator
ii) And the offspring, the son of David, the son of Judah
2. Have you ever wondered why the book of Luke traces Christ's genealogy all the way back to ADAM?
a. This is to establish that Jesus is a near kinsman to the rightful possessor of creation
b. Christ's favorite title for Himself was the Son of Man
c. So we see that Jesus Christ meets the first qualification to redeem creation
(1) He is the Son of Man
(2) He is the Son of Adam
3. The second qualification was that He had to be able to pay the price
a. The price of the bondage of creation was death
(1) In Genesis 2:17, God told Adam,
Genesis 2:17
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.
(2) What was required was a perfect sacrifice to God to pay the price
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(3) In Hebrews 10:12 we find that His perfect sacrifice was sufficient, once for all
Hebrews 10:12
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
(4) And in verse 14 that His perfect sacrifice has the power to make perfect everything
Hebrews 10:14
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
b. Christ was able to pay the price to redeem creation
(1) Then John said that he saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
(2) John the Baptist proclaimed Him the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world
(3) John saw the lamb, looking as if it had been slain
(a) For all eternity, the scars of the crucifixion will be present on Christ's body
(b) Ugly nail prints in His hands and feet
(c) Great scars from the cruel thorns on His head
(d) The place where the spear of fallen man pierced His side
(4) There in the body of our Lord and Savior will be the scars of His agony and our redemption
(a) Those terrible marks will be forever beautiful to those who place their trust in the one who wears them
(b) In John 20:27, Jesus told Thomas, Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
c. John says
Revelation 5:7
He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
(1) By this act, Jesus shows that He was willing to pay the price
(2) His willingness was proven in the Garden of Gethsemane
Mark 14:36
Abba , Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
(3) Jesus paid the price, His own blood to redeem creation to Himself
d. In Revelation 1:5, John attests to the purchasing power of Christ's blood
Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
e. It took Christ to redeem creation
Romans 8:22 - 23
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(1) He has met all three qualifications to redeem creation
(a) He is a near kinsman to Adam
(b) He is able to pay the debt in full
(c) And He was willing to make that payment
(2) Turn to Revelation 5:8 - 14
C. The Lamb of God took the scroll, the Title deed to creation and the heavenly choruses began
Revelation 5:8-14
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (9) And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (10) You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (11) Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. (12) In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (13) Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" (14) The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
1. Three groups sing praises to the Lamb
a. The first group is the 24 elders along with the 4 living creatures
(1) Their song is the NEW song of the redeemed,
Thou art worthy to take the scroll,
and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain,
and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
out of every kindred,
and tongue,
and people,
and nation;
And hast made us unto our God
kings and priests:
and we shall reign on the earth.
b. The second group to sing are the angels of God,
(1) Their's is a song of praise,
Worthy is the Lamb
that was slain
to receive power,
and riches,
and wisdom,
and strength,
and honor,
and glory,
and blessing.
c. The third group to sing is all of creation
(1) Their's is also a song of praise
Blessing,
and honor,
and glory,
and power,
be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
III. Summary
A. In the right hand of God is the Title Deed to creation
1. Creation has need to be redeemed from the usurper
2. And all creation is suffering until that redemption
3. A call goes out to find some one to redeem creation
4. And the call is answered by the Lord Jesus Christ
B. He and He alone meets all necessary qualifications
1. He is the near kinsman of the rightful owner
a. Adam and Adam's descendants are the rightful heirs to creation
b. And Jesus is the Son of Adam
2. He is able to pay the debt in full
a. His death and His blood are sufficient to redemption of all creation
3. And He was willing to pay the price
a. The price has been paid
b. Now, we wait for the time of judgement
C. The Old Testament LAW provided for the redemption of three things
1. A near kinsman could redeem is brother out of servitude
a. Each one of us who reaches out in faith to Christ is then redeemed, bought out of the slave market of sin and set free
2. A near kinsman could redeem unto himself a wife
a. The story of Ruth is a beautiful illustration of this
b. Christ has redeemed Himself a bride, the church, the bride of Christ
3. And a near kinsman could redeem his brother's property
a. Christ has paid the price
(1) He has redeemed His brothers
(2) He has redeemed unto Himself His bride
(3) And He had paid the redemption price for His brother's property
b. We await the judge to present the Title Deed that Christ might break the seals and reclaim His inheritance
D. As Christ steps forward, John's tears are stilled and the songs are sung
Holy, Holy, is what the angels sing,
And I expect to help them make the courts of heaven ring
But when I sing redemptions story,
They will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joy that our salvation brings
