History stands as a testimony that many prophecies mentioned in the Book of Revelation have already been fulfilled. Some are currently in the process of being fulfilled, and others are yet to happen. All prophecies are eternal principles, not grounded in time as man measures it. So it is with the scroll with seven seals that John is shown in Chapters 5-6.
(*All Bible verses are from the NIV unless otherwise noted)
Chapter 5:1-5
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.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
5 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.”
John hears the declaration that only The Lamb of God can open the seals. As each seal is broken, calamities spill out on the Earth. However, this cannot mean that Christ’s role is to bring disaster to the Earth:
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Only Christ can offer himself as an atoning sacrifice for mankind’s redemption. The breaking of the seals illustrates the chaos that always follows humanity’s rejection of that gift.
Rev 5:1
A scroll with writing on both sides:
A document filled in on both sides is considered complete, and no additional information can be added to it.
Exod 32:15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.
Ezek 2:9-10 9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
Rev 5:1
Sealed with seven seals:
This scroll was also sealed to signify that God’s words are complete and unchangeable. The fact that it was sealed seven times compounds that image. Only the individual who seals a room or document or delegates authority to someone else can open it.
Rev 5:3-4
But no one … could open the scroll or even look inside it…I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside:
How frustrating would it be not to be able to open a locked room or sealed chest, knowing that something extremely important was inside? Afraid or simply despairing, John somehow realizes how desperately the world needs the message contained in the scroll.
Rev 5:5
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.
In ancient Israel, the lion was a significant symbol that represented power, courage, justice, and God’s protection. The “Lion of Judah” is a powerful image that has deep roots in ancient Jewish and Christian traditions. The origin of the Lion of Judah can be traced back to the Book of Genesis, where Jacob, on his deathbed, blesses his twelve sons. When Jacob blesses his son, Judah, he refers to him as “a lion’s cub.” Consequently, the tribe of Judah became associated with the lion symbol.
In Christianity, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah symbolizes Jesus, and it confirms important prophecies about His work and person.
Gen 49:9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
Gen 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
Luke 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
Matt 1:1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Matt 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,“Hosanna to the Son of David!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Rev 5:5 He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.
Jesus conquered sin and death through His sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection. John sees that only Christ has the power to bring about the redemption of mankind, which is symbolized by the scroll with seven seals that only Christ can open.
Psa 40:7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. 8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” 9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly…
1 Cor 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Heb 10:14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
*All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
