Revelation (Part 4) Series

(Part 4)

Scott Bayles, pastor

Blooming Grove Christian Church: 10/22/2017

As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, we are four weeks into this exciting adventure through the magnificent and often mysterious book of Revelation. While many see Revelation as an intimidating enigma to be ignored entirely, I see it as a thrilling drama pulsing with mystery and intrigue. And when we understand the setting, style and symbolism of Revelation, we can unlock its mysteries and enjoy its blessings as God intended.

Last week, in Revelation 4, John stepped through a doorway into the throne room of heaven. Inside, John experiences a vision of intense glory and awe and wonder and majesty. He sees the Sovereign God of creation wrapped in dazzling light seated on His throne. He sees the Holy Spirit symbolized by flaming torches. He sees the saints of both the new and old covenant, represented by twenty-four elders laying their crowns before the throne. And finally, he witnesses the four living creatures singing night and day: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty.” Every detail of this scene—the Sovereign, the Spirit, the Saints, and the Singers—emphasizes and enhances one central theme: the majesty and magnificence of God.

But as we sort through the splendor and spectacle of this scene, we notice that something—or rather, Someone—is missing. Surely, John and his readers expected to see Jesus sitting in a place of honor in heaven’s throne room. If you were wondering the same thing, don’t worry. In Revelation 5, John’s vision continues and Jesus… well, Jesus knows how to make an entrance.

If you have a Bible or an app on your phone open up to Revelation 5. This next chapter picks up immediately where chapter 4 left off, continuing John’s vision in the throne room of heaven and shinning a spotlight once again on the superstar of Revelation—Jesus Christ. Before Jesus takes center stage, however, John’s attention is captured by the intriguing and enigmatic sealed scroll.

• THE SEALED SCROLL

Suddenly tension begins to build within the throne room, as John writes:

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. 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?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. (Revelation 5:1-4 NLT).

This sealed scroll and its contents have been the subject of much confusion and curiosity. The scroll has two peculiarities. Both of which help us to understand the contents.

First, John notices that the scroll is “sealed with seven seals.” For centuries important documents were sealed with melted wax. Before the wax hardened, a ring or metal stamp bearing an insignia was pressed into it. The seal served to identify the sender and protect the contents from tampering. The fact the scroll is sealed with seven seals likely indicates the seriousness and significance of the contents.

It also suggests that this scroll contains God’s judgement against Jerusalem. As we see in the following chapters, the breaking of each seal unleashes another wave of wrath and woe upon the earth (land). This sequence is then repeated by the sounding of seven trumpets and the pouring of seven bowls.

The idea of a seven-fold judgement comes from God’s warning to the Israelites: “If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over” (Leviticus 26:18 NIV). This theme is repeated multiple times especially in Leviticus (26:21, 24, 28). So the seven seals point toward this seven-fold judgement of God. But the seven seals are just the first oddity.

Furthermore, John notices that the scroll had “writing on the inside and outside.” The method of producing papyrus scrolls makes this very unusual. The inside of the papyrus plant was sliced thin and joined in vertical strips. Then a second layer was laid horizontally over the first layer. The two layers were glued together, pressed flat and, once the paper dried, it was sanded for smoothness. Ordinarily, scribes only wrote on one side of the scroll because it was difficult to write on the side with the vertical grain. The fact that this scroll contained writing on both sides points toward the fullness and finality of the message—nothing is left out.

It also hints toward the contents of the scroll. Remember that the imagery of Revelation draws heavily from the Old Testament. This particular image comes from the prophet Ezekiel. In his own apocalyptic vision, Ezekiel writes, “Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel 2:9-10 NIV).