Jesus Shows the Future Among Angels and Heavenly Scenesby Joel
5:4Revelation 5:4
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
The book is a roll written within and without in symbolic language, containing the history of God's providences and the prophetic history of nations and the church. It holds God's utterances, His authority, His commandments and His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal. In it are the history of all ruling powers in the nations and 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 there.
John wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. No human being or angelic intelligence could read its words or even look upon it, and distress at that utter inability wrought his soul up to agony and suspense as the vision pressed upon his mind. The sealed book was left on earth by a heavenly being who took human nature, taught the mysteries of science and the knowledge of God, set a perfect example of purity and holiness, sympathized with human sorrows, bereavements and afflictions, and suffered the punishment for sins. It contains the history of His mission and character with revelations regarding the future of the world and the solution of mysteries the brightest earthly minds cannot search out, and the eager breaking of its seal shows how eagerly men would seek a copy and grasp its precious instruction for the benefit of future generations.
The book is a register where decisions are written, and the name of the wrongdoer is written there unless he repents. It shows that the Lord's eye is upon every transaction and that His judgment will come upon those who do wrong. The choice of the Jewish leaders to reject Christ was recorded in the book in the hand of the One on the throne. When the Lion of the tribe of Judah unseals it, their choice against Christ will appear before them in all its vindictiveness, with its full record laid open.
The chapter is to be studied together with Ezekiel 9 and Ezekiel 2:1-10 and the flying roll of Zechariah. John need not continue weeping, for one of the strong angels had compassion on him to assure him that the Lion of the tribe of Judah had prevailed to open the book. Its truth is therefore revealed and available to those who diligently search for it.
The book is a long-sealed book of mystery holding God's dispensations and ways. Those ways now seem dark and unexplainable and are deeper than human minds can fathom, so believers are often baffled when they vainly try to comprehend them. Since it remains sealed for the present but will be unfolded by and by, the response is only to believe, to trust a heavenly Father who is too wise to err and too good to do harm. The lesson is to learn simple, confiding, unreserved submission to His will, with contentment that His word is right and that all things work together for good to them that love Him. The chapter is to be read as part of the highest education that can be given to man, education taught by God Himself rather than by human unsanctified teachers. That education is centered on obedience to all of God's commandments and on God's law pronounced from Sinai, including the Sabbath as the sign that the Lord sanctifies His people.
The book is a roll written within and without in symbolic language, containing the history of God's providences and the prophetic history of nations and the church. It holds God's utterances, His authority, His commandments and His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal. In it are the history of all ruling powers in the nations and 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 there.
John wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. No human being or angelic intelligence could read its words or even look upon it, and distress at that utter inability wrought his soul up to agony and suspense as the vision pressed upon his mind. The sealed book was left on earth by a heavenly being who took human nature, taught the mysteries of science and the knowledge of God, set a perfect example of purity and holiness, sympathized with human sorrows, bereavements and afflictions, and suffered the punishment for sins. It contains the history of His mission and character with revelations regarding the future of the world and the solution of mysteries the brightest earthly minds cannot search out, and the eager breaking of its seal shows how eagerly men would seek a copy and grasp its precious instruction for the benefit of future generations.
The book is a register where decisions are written, and the name of the wrongdoer is written there unless he repents. It shows that the Lord's eye is upon every transaction and that His judgment will come upon those who do wrong. The choice of the Jewish leaders to reject Christ was recorded in the book in the hand of the One on the throne. When the Lion of the tribe of Judah unseals it, their choice against Christ will appear before them in all its vindictiveness, with its full record laid open.
The chapter is to be studied together with Ezekiel 9 and Ezekiel 2:1-10 and the flying roll of Zechariah. John need not continue weeping, for one of the strong angels had compassion on him to assure him that the Lion of the tribe of Judah had prevailed to open the book. Its truth is therefore revealed and available to those who diligently search for it.
The book is a long-sealed book of mystery holding God's dispensations and ways. Those ways now seem dark and unexplainable and are deeper than human minds can fathom, so believers are often baffled when they vainly try to comprehend them. Since it remains sealed for the present but will be unfolded by and by, the response is only to believe, to trust a heavenly Father who is too wise to err and too good to do harm. The lesson is to learn simple, confiding, unreserved submission to His will, with contentment that His word is right and that all things work together for good to them that love Him. The chapter is to be read as part of the highest education that can be given to man, education taught by God Himself rather than by human unsanctified teachers. That education is centered on obedience to all of God's commandments and on God's law pronounced from Sinai, including the Sabbath as the sign that the Lord sanctifies His people.