tion clearly shows how such a scroll could be sealed on the back, the breaking of each disclosing some new fact: Seven seals would indicate that it was fully, completely sealed. See Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:26.
2. Who is worthy?—It is God's challenge to the universe, not for courage or strength or prowess, but for that which is more, and which includes all these—righteousness. In it is involved the eternal triumph of all struggles of the ages—the triumph of right. Worthiness the sealed book demanded. By worthiness only could its seals be broken.
3. No one.—No creature in God's universe was able, was worthy, even among the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, to open the book, nay, nor to look thereon. Learn hence the book's importance. It contains not a mere line of prophecy, not a portion of apocalyptic revelation duplicated elsewhere, not a chapter or so that we could spare with but little loss. In it was involved the salvation of the universe, the hidden mystery of the ages. Nor angel nor man could save from sin. Ps. 49:7.
4. Wept much.—Would God that more concerned themselves with the revelation of God's will. Moses turned aside to see the burning bush; Daniel considered the vision in detail which God gave him. John wept at the thought that that which was written for revelation to man should be withheld because no one was worthy to disclose it.
5. Weep not.—There is always a comforter from God to unselfish sorrow. This comforter, himself one who had struggled and longed for light and conquered, brought the message of cheer, the story of a Mighty One. The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Isa. 11:1), the Root of David, as also a Branch, had come to the rescue. The eternal Son of God had remembered the need of His children. Nay, more than that: He had stooped to sinful man's estate, had met the difficulties, obstacles, forces of evil, and had overcome in order that He might open the book and break its seals to humanity. But Christ overcame that He might save man. Therefore in the opening of the book there was involved the salvation of man.
6. In the midst.—Within the circle of the rainbow. A Lamb.—John looked for a Lion, and behold, a Lamb; but in the Lamb is potency greater than all armies, mightier than physical courage or power. Slain.—The climax of Christ's sufferings and sacrifice. In divine purpose He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 1 Peter 1:19, 20. But He met its actuality on Calvary. Opening the book cost the life and eternal sacrifice of the Son of God. The opening of the book was the opening and surety of God's everlasting Gospel. Seven horns.—Horn is a symbol of power. 1 Kings 22:11. In our Lord this power reached its fulness and perfection. Seven eyes, explained to be the fulness of God's Spirit.
7. He taketh it,—the book; He was worthy.
8. Fell down before the Lamb.—The victory of the Lamb calls forth spontaneous praise from all His holy and redeemed agencies. Full of incense.—A symbol of the merits of Christ's righteousness and sacrifice for man, making the prayers of God's children acceptable and effective. In the earthly temple incense was offered at the time of prayer. Luke 1:10.
9. Worthy art Thou.—And worthy, because He gave Himself to be slain, and to purchase by His blood those sold under sin. He is personified unselfishness, divine and infinite Love. Note that it is not said as in the Common Version, "hast redeemed us," but "didst purchase unto God with Thy blood men" from all classes of earth. A kingdom.—
They are subjects of God's kingdom, the important feature with Him of that kingdom, eventually to share it with Him. Dan. 7:27; Matt. 25:34. Priests.—Christ is our great High Priest. He has His assistants on high, represented by the twenty-four elders. But on earth, wherever there is a saved soul, that soul is a priest to minister the graces of Christ and offer the sacrifices of praise. 1 Peter 2:9; Heb. 13:15. Reign upon the earth.—Over sin now; over all the results of sin in the earth renewed and redeemed. Matt. 5:5; Ps. 72:8.
10. Many angels.—All God's angels are not organized in the grand divisions of His army, the cherubim. They are, as the term implies, angels, meaning messengers, to men and worlds throughout the far-reaching kingdom of God. Ten thousand times ten thousand equals one hundred millions, and then there are beside the thousands of thousands, the "innumerable company" of Heb. 12:22. God's armies are many, and have various divisions. Rev. 19:14. Yet had they but the one voice of praise.
11. To receive—the completeness, the seven-fold fulness of all that a king could ask or God bestow.
12. And every created thing.—Anticipatory of the final result of Christ's sacrifice when sin and its results shall be forever swept away. God's universe shall be sinless, and one universal song of joy and praise shall ascend to God, to whom and to the Lamb belong "the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever,"—"unto the ages of the ages."
13. Amen.—It is true. The work is finished. God's mighty agencies, the great divisions of His army, who have wrought so mightily, the all-potent cherubim under His directions, join in the triumphant, eternal Amen. And all God's temple attendants see in the glorious result additional reason for holiest worship and adoration.
