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Monday, July 25, 2011

What Is The Seven Sealed Book

THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK, WHO IS WORTHTY?

Our text:

Revelation Chapter 5: 1-14

The basic purpose of our existence is to "Glorify God" in our worship, in our service and in our praise of Him.

The Bible says:

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

This "man" would mean "all mankind".

Once we are in Heaven we will eternally praise Him!

Beginning with Chapter four, John's vision is in Heaven and he will be writing from that point of view. When he wrote about the seven churches he was on Earth writing from an Earthly point of view. When John first got to Heaven, in the spirit, he was preoccupied with the majesty of Christ. He now begins to see other things. John now notices Jehovah God, the great I AM of the Bible.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

John also notices He holds a book. This would be a scroll as it is described.

The Greek word "Biblion" is used here. Our English word Bible is derived from this very word. Biblion means "book" or "roll".

There is little doubt that this is a scroll that is being referred to. This scroll is written on both sides. The side rolled up and the outer side that can be seen and is sealed with seven seals.

What is this seven sealed scroll?

Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said--"Ye were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the PURCHASED POSSESSION."

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance [until the redemption of the purchased possession], unto the praise of his glory.

Then there has to be a POSSESSION that is to be REDEEMED. What this is, Paul tells us in the book of Romans.

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, [even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body].

"We know that the WHOLE CREATION GROANETH AND TRAVAILETH IN PAIN TOGETHER UNTIL NOW. And not only they (all earthly created things), but ourselves also, which are the "First fruits of the Spirit," even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the REDEMPTION OF, OUR BODY."

We see from these references that there is something that was lost to mankind and the Earth that is to be redeemed, and we do not have to go far to find out what it was. It is the inheritance of the Earth and of immortal life given to Adam and Eve, and that was lost in the Fall of Eden. When Adam sinned he lost his inheritance of the earth, and it passed out of his hands into the possession of Satan, to the disinheritance of all of Adam's seed. The forfeited Title Deed is now in God's hands and is awaiting redemption. Its redemption means the legal repossession of all that Adam lost by the Fall.

The Bible says of Adam:

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and [let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth].

Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Psa 8:6 [Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet]:

Psa 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

Psa 8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

Then this book must contain the terms of the redemption.

In the Bible times sealed parchment made from papyrus were the means which legal documents were recorded. Wills, deeds, and contracts were all sealed with many seals. It is certain that a seven sealed document would be of royal authority. In most cases it was simply a gob of wax with a ring pressed into it but some sealing methods could be more elaborate. The Hebrews used three seals most of the time but the Romans insisted on seven seals. We know the importance of the number seven in this book of the unveiling of Christ. To break a Roman seven sealed document was at the penalty of death. This seven sealed scroll contains the record of things "which shall be here after" in the third division of this great book. The fact that the Bible mentions that this scroll was written on the inside and the outside shows that this was truly a legal document. The terms were normally written on the inside and the witnessing and sometimes a brief summary were written on the outside.

The Bible says:

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, [inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world]:

The number seven represents fulfillment, completion, and perfection. Though it is noteworthy that the Romans insisted on seven seals on legal documents pertaining to life and death. It is also noteworthy to remind the Church that as Christians, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and Christ has mentioned the seven fold attributes of Him(The Holy Spirit) many times already in this book.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

This strong angel could be any angel in Heaven but we do know of three Archangels.

1.) Gabriel which means "God is my strength".

2.) Michael which means "poor; humble". But we know Michael is the "warrior" angle.

3.) Lucifer which means "bringing light".

There is not any doubt that this is "not" Lucifer.

It could very well be Gabriel because his name does coincide with the word "strong".

But I believe it could also be Michael because of what is written in the book of Daniel:

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall "Michael" stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Michael has already confronted the devil and stood his ground:

Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

We know they both are strong:

Psa 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, [that excel in strength], that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

At this time the Church would already be in Heaven. Michael would know that the children of Israel are about to go through the tribulation period it's about time for Michael to fulfill this prophecy. This angel may not be Michael but we can know for sure that there is a hierarchy among the angels in Heaven.

(who is worthy)

When the "strong angel" proclaimed with a loud voice--"WHO is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the Seals thereof?" that was the time for the "KINSMAN REDEEMER" to appear. But, said John, there was no MAN (redeemed man) in Heaven; nor in Earth, neither under the Earth, who was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon. It was not a question of the worthiness of some angelic being, as Michael or Gabriel, to open the Book, [but of a MAN].

Our text:

*****Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

When John saw that there was no one worthy to open the Book he wept. Some say he wept because he was disappointed that he could not satisfy his curiosity as to the contents of the Book, but such a statement is childish. A man under the influence of the Holy Spirit would not be so foolish. John wept because he knew what the Book was, and that if there was no one to open that "BOOK OF REDEMPTION," that all hope of the redemption of the Earth and of Israel was gone. But John's sorrow was of short duration, for one of the Elders said--"Weep not: behold, the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, the ROOT OF DAVID, hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the 'Seven Seals' thereof." And John saw, what he had not noticed before a LAMB, as it had been slain, standing in the midst of the Throne, and of the "Four Living Creatures." John had not seen the Lamb before, because it (He) had been seated on the Throne with the Father, and advanced out of the Glory of the Throne as the Elder spoke.

This verse is real important because again these scriptures are showing the fulfillment of prophecy and it ties the Bible together from Genesis to Revelation.

Jacob the earthly dad of the children of Israel prophesied:

Gen 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Gen 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Not only is Adam tied to Jesus, sometimes referred to as the second Adam but also the prophecy of Jacob tied to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is found in the first book of the Bible and in the last book of the Bible. This verse also connects Jesus to the throne of David so there is no doubt we have our Kinsman Redeemer.

To become a kinsman He had to be born into the human race. This the Virgin Birth accomplished. Jesus paid the REDEMPTIVE PRICE, which was His own BLOOD, on the Cross.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

He has not as yet claimed that which He then purchased. When the time comes for the Redemption of the PURCHASED POSSESSION Jesus will do so. That time and the act is described in the scripture we are now considering. The "SEVEN SEALED BOOK" is the "TITLE DEED" to the redeemed inheritance. In Old Testament days when a kinsman desired to redeem a property he took his position, with ten men (Elders) as witnesses, in the gate of the city and advertised his purpose. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Boaz and Ruth. Ruth 4:1-12. The kinsman who redeemed the property was called the "Goel" or REDEEMER.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

John looked for a "Lion" and saw a LAMB. But John the Elder was right in calling Him a "Lion," for Jesus was about to assume His Title as the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, and reign and rule with KINGLY POWER. That the Lamb was not an animal is clear from verse seven, where it says--"And HE (the Lamb) came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the Throne." This is an awesome act recorded in the Scriptures. On it the redemption of the whole creation of God depends. It is still future and takes place after the Church has been "caught out" and Judged, and before the Tribulation Period begins, and you and I, if we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, will witness the scene, and take part in the "Song of Redemption" that follows.

1.) Jesus Christ was the root of David and a near kinsman of Adam.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Rom 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

2.) Jesus Christ was willing to pay the redemption price.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

3.) Jesus Christ was able to pay the price.

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The redeemer: Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Slain Lamb: Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

In the Gospels four titles are given to Jesus. He is the Son of David; the Son of Abraham; the Son of Man; and the Son of God.

1. As the Son of David, He has title to the Throne of David.

2. As the Son of Abraham, He has title to the Land of Palestine.

3. As the Son of Man, He has title to the Earth and the World.

4. As the Son of God, He is the Heir of All Things.

It will take the Lamb of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, The Creator of all life! Only He is worthy to open this scroll and break the seals.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

A careless reader could get confused at verse seven. This not the case of two different people but of two of the different persons of God. God the Father and God the Son, the Lamb of God. Notice Immediately the Church, the Bride of Christ(elders) fall down to worship along with the Beast. In Chapter four they were worshipping the one on the throne.

Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

It is the Lamb that is in focus now. This is not just a Lamb.

The Greek word "arnion" is used here this is a lambkin. In other words this could be a house pet, showing how God wants us to feel when some one we love would be sacrificed rather than "amnos" which would be any old lamb used for sacrifice. Because the Greek word "arnion" is derived from "aren" we know that this is a male lamb. There is in typology a story in the Bible that represents this:

2Sa 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2Sa 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

2Sa 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

2Sa 12:4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

Even though in this case it is a ewe, a female, the Bible says this poor man had a lamb that grew up with him and his children and ate from the table in the house. This was a pet lamb described here. For anyone that has pets, the loss of such a pet would bring discomfort. We should feel great discomfort when we think of our Lord on the cross.

The children of Israel had gotten so lax in the ceremonies that they just purchased a lamb at the market before they offered it for redemption of their sins. They had no pity for the lamb they used.

We can see the truth of a Holy God for the Lion of the tribe of Judah was truly a Lamb. God's mercy and grace all in the picture of Jesus Christ our Lord.

(the Harps)

This verse also tells us the the church (elders) now have harps "kithara" or the lyre, which according to Webster was a string instrument as an ancient harp.

I have never been able to play a musical instrument. I look forward to this day.

(the odors)

In the Temple days incense was burnt before the Lord along with the meat offering. This verse says that these odors represent the prayers of the saints. When we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God we must pray for forgiveness. But there is a prayer that goes up often.

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

This prayer has never been answered at least until this time just after the Rapture of the Church. God will have His day of wrath on Earth.

It also the truth that God knows everything about each and every one of His children(Psa 139). He also knows how many hairs are on each head.

Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

You could never sneak up on God because He knows what you smell like too. The vials could be just so God can remember your smell because you haven't been in touch much lately. After all the Bible is our love letter from God and our prayers are our way of staying in touch with Him. These vials also represent those prayers that have not been answered. God promises to answer every prayer that reaches Him but He answers in His Time.

(New song)

That Heavenly choir starts singing a new song. The raptured saints of God sing out praise to the one that shed His blood for our sins. He redeemed us but He has not yet redeemed the the children of Israel and the remaining creation.

Zep 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

This verse in Zephaniah tells us that one day soon we will all again speak a pure language. These saints from every part of the world are already speaking a pure language while singing this song. But only by the blood of the Lamb!

(kings and priests)

Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Our text:

Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

I'm pretty sure that angels sing praises to God but we see in these verses that they are not singing but chanting. These angels have never done anything wrong or sinful. They do no know the feeling of being redeemed but they know who is God.

You know Christ died willingly for our sins but He was slain for what verse 12 says:

The Bible says:

Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Psa 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Psa 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

Psa 110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Psa 110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

He will rule this Earth with all power during the Millennial Kingdom. Not to prove anything except that "He Said He Would".

Our Text:

Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Rev 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Every knee will bow!

Let's Pray!

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