It is all too easy for us to lose sight of the context. We have seen the Lord of Glory, described to us in terms unmistakable to those familiar with the Bible and it's symbolic frame of reference. We have noted a central element of the revelation at hand is His Covenant of Noah, the divine Law of Civil Government, because the symbol of that covenant figures prominently in the vision. From this, we would rightly assume much of what follows applies to that covenant. The key to this Apocalypse is more than simply noting it is a revelation of Jesus Christ; it reveals what He wants us to know about our dealings with human governments, particularly in the persecutions we can expect from such institutions. This is the message to John's flock, and to the Church at large throughout history.
Having seen the Creator of all things in His Courts Above, what does this require of us? What does He demand from those of us allowed to perceive the fullness of Who He is? This chapter is a tight continuation of the previous. The vision of Jehovah on His Throne in Heaven flows further, as John brings the focus to what God Almighty holds in His right hand. From his exile at the hands of the Roman government, John is granted a vision in the Spirit, a look into the spirit realm, a different plane than our mundane existence. What John sees are symbols of eternal truth, themselves invisible to human eyes, generally incomprehensible to the human mind, but revealed by God in a form His Holy Spirit brings to life in His children. For His children, he holds forth a revelation in His right hand. The right hand of a ruler and judge is the hand of power and authority.
It resembles a typical Roman legal document, because it is written on both sides. This scroll also represents a last will and testament, the final act and explanation of what shall be the disposition of all one accumulated during the years of life. It can only be opened upon the death of the one who composes its contents. The authority to open it must be equal to that which made the seals. Thus, we see seven seals, a symbol of things sacred, of a divine nature. It must be opened by One who commands the Seven Spirits, and no other.
As an officer of the Court, a mighty angel calls for anyone worthy, anyone possessing legal authority to break the seals. There is no one. At this, John wept bitterly. The obvious reason is the final instructions God offers to His Church are to be denied her. Without proper authority, John must not pass on this revelation (Daniel 12:4, 8-9). He knew he was the last living apostle, and this last portion of truth would die with him.
Then one of the elders, one of the faithful servants of the Lord, tells John to restrain his tears. There is indeed One worthy, after all. The elder uses unambiguous terms: The victorious Messiah, the One who has conquered all things, has come forward to open the scroll. This One is further described as the Final Passover Lamb, slain by the hands of sin, yet alive again by His own authority over Death. Horns represent power; seven makes it divine power. Eyes see clearly the truth of things; seven makes it divine clarity of vision. Together, this represents His authority to send forth the Seven Spirits of Almighty God throughout all Creation. He stands before the High King, the Lawgiver and Judge of all things, as a faithful Son. Having been sent on a quest, a mission of testing and unspeakable sorrow, He brings to His Father the proof of victory. He has won the right to bask in the glow of His Father's approving gaze. He also shows Himself worthy to break the seals and open the Scroll.
As recognition of this, the Elders and Four Living Creatures offer Him praise as to the Father. He now holds the authority to receive and answer the prayers of all the saints -- past, present and future -- to grant understanding and instruction in the matter at hand. His Blood is the last and final offering for redemption, paying for all the sins for all time. There is now no meaning at all, no validity to national boundaries, to ethnic identity, nor any other category of human understanding. That includes the divide between Jew and Gentile, for those slow of understanding. We who share in His Blood receive His power and authority to serve on the earth. God help us if we do not grasp this point: In His name, no authority on earth can demand anything contrary to His commands. It may well mean we join Him in death, but we cannot capitulate to any other authority. There is recognition of no other loyalty in the soul He saves.
The chapter ends in a climax which won't let this rest. This is no single act of worship, but continuous. Indeed, the whole scene takes place outside of time and space constraints. It is truth eternal, from before Creation, continuing after The End, and unmistakably manifested in Creation during its brief span. This is Ultimate Reality, Truth which cannot be found by any level of human intelligence nor effort. It is out of reach. We do not arrive at such an understanding; it is granted from Above, the only way anyone gets it here below. Once revealed, once granted from God, it is most certainly within reach, and we are bound by its requirements. By His help, we apply this divine perspective to all we experience, letting revelation provide the necessary order and meaning to all other things.
We take our places, hearts and souls open, ready to receive the revelation of the Scroll.
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Ed Hurst
21 August 2007
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