Revelation 5:2, commentary and pictures

A strong angel proclaims with a loud voice the challenge of who is worthy to open the book and to loose its seals. John in his vision at Patmos hears this call for one worthy to open the sealed roll. The book is held forth in God's open right hand, written within and on the backside and sealed with seven seals. It lies in the open hand as a roll written within and without.

The book is the roll of the history of God's providences and the prophetic history of nations and the church. It contains the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. It holds in symbolic language the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth's history to its close, and the destiny of every nation is contained in it. It is written within and without with no blanks and space for no more writing.

The proclamation exposes that no one in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth could open the book or look thereon. No human being or angelic intelligence could open the book, read its words, or even look thereon. This utter inability distressed John to agony, suspense, and much weeping. He continued in this distress until he was assured that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, had prevailed to open the book and loose its seven seals.

John need not weep over the sealed book as having no one worthy to open it, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed and the truth stands revealed. The sealed book also holds the registered record of the decisions by which the Jewish leaders rejected Christ as Owner and King and condemned Him to death. No one could open the book until the Lion of the tribe of Judah unsealed it. When He unseals it that vindictive choice will be brought before them for judgment in all its vindictiveness.

The book is also the great roll twenty cubits in length and ten cubits in breadth where the name of the wrongdoer is written unless he repents. The Lord's eye is upon every transaction to bring judgment upon stealing, false swearing, and fraudulent dealing. The verse presents a long-sealed book of mystery that shall by and by be unfolded. God's dispensations and ways are now deeper than can be fathomed, often baffling and vainly struggled to comprehend, and the opening of the book is the future clearing of that darkness. Until then the right response is only believe, in simple confiding unreserved submission to His will and content trust in a heavenly Father too wise to err and too good to do harm, knowing all things work together for good to those who love Him.

The verse pictures the eagerness with which men would break the seal of a book left on earth by a heavenly visitor. Such a book would contain the history of his mission and character, with revelations regarding the future of the world and the solution of mysteries that the brightest earthly minds had been unable to search out. Thinking men would eagerly seek a copy and grasp its precious instruction for the benefit of future generations. Revelation 5 needs to be closely studied because it is of great importance to those who act a part in the work of God for these last days. It warns the deceived who do not realize what is coming on the earth and who are beclouded about what constitutes sin that unless they change they will be found wanting when God pronounces judgment upon the children of men for transgressing the law and breaking the everlasting covenant.

Revelation 5 is part of the highest education that can be given to man, coming from God Himself. It is to be read together with Revelation 3 and with God's law spoken from Sinai. This includes obedience to all His commandments and the Sabbath, as teaching for sanctified souls who live the Word of God.