Revelation 5:1-9 NASB
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. [2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” [3] And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. [4] Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; [5] and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” [6] And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. [7] And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. [8] When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Revelation 5 is all about finding someone who is worthy to open the book that was in the right hand of Him who sits on the throne. John was weeping violently because no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able, or worthy, to open the book and to look into it. Ultimately one of the elders, who represent redeemed humanity, comforted John and told him to stop weeping and behold the lion that is from the tribe of Judah, and the root of David, who has overcome so as to open the book and look into it. At that point, John also saw a Lamb standing as if slain. There is a lot, and I mean a lot, to unpack in Revelation 5, but I want just to point out one particular thing concerning who ended up being worthy to open the book and look into it. It is first important to understand what this book is. This book that is written on the inside and the back is simply “The Human Story.” The book of the Revelation is at least in part a revelation of the unfolding chaotic human story, but it is important to understand the book of the Revelation actually starts off by describing itself as “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word “Revelation” literally means “unveiling.” The book of the Revelation is ultimately not a story about human failure and chaos, but is actually an unveiling of The Redeemer Jesus Christ who, by becoming fully human, and in His crucifixion and resurrection redeemed and overcame The Human Story. Jesus, as the slain Lamb and the victorious Lion of Judah, OVERCAME fallen Adam and made all things new. In Christ, God reconciled the world to Himself. Colossians 1:19 – 20 says, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say whether things on earth or things in heaven.” In Christ, the old was crucified, and a whole new humanity and creation was raised up in His resurrection. Will there be chaos at an increasing level in the last days? Tragically yes, but tragic because in Christ, the cure has already been provided for those who will simply believe in His finished work, and yet so many don’t. In the end, ultimately, we will see the manifestation of all creation made new, but the slain Lamb and the triumphant lion has already overcome. For those who will simply believe the good news, they get to experience their human story being fully overcome in Christ. These are big truths that impact the large story of all humanity and all creation, but it is also a big story for one person at a time. Jesus was worthy to open the book and look into the human story, and specifically your story and my story, because through His incarnational life, crucifixion, and resurrection my tragic story and your tragic story was overcome. Jesus took my story to the cross and crucified, and in His resurrection I was raised up as a New Creation in union with His story to now be lived out through my humanity. He is worthy to open the book of my life because in Him everything written about me, past, present, and future was totally changed. The part in the book about me is now a story about Him. Alleluia!