Revelation Chapter 5/Commentary

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Revelation Chapter 5 “Chapters four and five are closely related: chapter four sets forth the throne of the universe and Him who sits upon it; chapter five gives prominence to the Lamb, to whom is given equal praise with God; and the book which He takes out of God’s right hand” (Hailey p. 174). 5:1 “I saw”: Introduces a new phase in this vision. 5:1 “A book written inside and on the back”: “Indicating fullness and completeness; nothing was to have been added” (Hailey p. 174). Indicating this is the full will of God in the matter. There is no room for addition. 5:1 “Sealed up with seven seals”: The book/scroll was perfectly sealed. “The number seven often symbolizes perfection, completeness (1:4); thus the full roll was thoroughly sealed for its protection” (Hailey p. 174). Various authors note that in Roman times a scroll sealed with seven seals was usually a last will and testament. These seals may also stand for profound secrecy of what is on the scroll. Some view this scroll as symbolizing the New Covenant, yet by the time that the Revelation letter is written (whether early or late dates are considered) the vast majority of the New Testament had already been written, and thus there was nothing hidden or secret about the information concerning the New Covenant. Most view the scroll as containing God’s plan and purpose for the future. Of course, futurist writers seek to argue that its contents only apply to the time right before the end of the world and that the mighty judgments of the supposed Tribulation period that are unleashed by the opening of the document are all part of God’s reclaiming for Himself control of the earth. Rather it appears that the scroll is God’s will that will be revealed in the rest of the book, that is the scroll describes “the things that will take place after these things”. 5:2 “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?’” No personal name is applied to the strong angel, who is also mentioned in 10:1 and 18:21. The term “worthy” means of sufficient weight, that is, of sufficient moral and spiritual character. I believe that various writers are correct in pointing 1


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