John Sees The Book

John sees in the right hand of God the Father, a book. This of course is a scroll since bound books did not yet exist. This scroll is the title deed to all of creation and to all creatures within. It is sealed with seven seals as wills of this time were often sealed with seven seals.

We have an example of a sealed title deed and will in Jeremiah 32:9-10 And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.

 No one but the rightful heir had the right to break those seals. Those seven seals which also signify the completion and finish of God’s plan for the ages. A plan that had been in place since before time began. The plan that would provide the solution to man’s sin and redemption as well as the redemption of all the universe, which had been tainted by that sin.  

As John watches this scene playing out before him, he hears a strong angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book,

No man was even able to look upon this book, the title deed of heaven and earth. The seals of the scroll cannot be broken, because no man is found.

Can you sense the drama, the choreography, staging of this critical scene before us? Following the worship and praise to God the Father, He holds out a seven sealed scroll and all of heaven turns their eyes upon it. Then as we look upon this scroll realizing it is so  important that God the Father holds it before us in his right hand.

Then this mighty angel calls out, “Who is worthy to open this book?” It is a challenge for a champion to step forward and by his strength, power and righteousness to claim the right to open the scroll and claim the title deed to the universe.

But as heaven holds its breath, no one steps forward, no man is found, who is worthy to claim the right. All of heaven is looking in anticipation of the champion but no man can come forward. No man has the right, the power or the strength to take that scroll from the right hand of God.

When John sees this, he is devastated and begins to openly weep. All creature is looking for a champion and there is not a man living or dead, in heaven or in earth who is worthy.

Then in his great sorrow at such a terrible, unanswered, unfulfilled need, John hears one of he elders say, “Do not weep. Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah! And John lifts his eyes back toward the throne and there is no mere man, but the One who is the God-man and He comes forward as if it were, stepping into a spotlight and the attention of all heaven and earth is now focused on Him.