There are several things in this chapter that are well worth discussing. For the majority, this chapter is an introduction into the next three. However, nothing in the Bible is without importance. As a side note, I’ve retired my old Bible, and my new one is another translation.
In the first verse, we are introduced to the “book [or scroll] written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.” There are two main things to note about this scroll. The first is that it is written on the inside, which is normal, and on the outside, which is not normal. I believe that this scroll symbolizes human history, or time. The next thing to note is that this scroll is sealed with seven seals. This, I believe, represents the completion of human history, of time. This is the beginning of the end. In verses 3-4, we see that nothing is worthy enough to approach the throne of God and take the scroll. This symbolizes that nothing on heaven or earth is able to assume the power of God to command human destiney. We also see that thie causes great distress for John, he “began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it.” In the next verse (verse 5) we see that 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.” Christ, who is the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered death and been found worthy to open the scroll.
In verses 6-7, we see that this Lamb (and Lion) stood before the throne as though it had been slain. This is further evidence that this is Jesus Christ. We also can see that only Christ, and Christ alone, of all beings is worthy to approach the throne of God and open the scroll.
In verses 8-10, we can see that all of these creatures, from the four living creatures in chapter four to the twenty-four elders who surround the throne, will sing a new song of praise. This song praises Christ for His sacrifice and gives a further explanation as to why Christ is worthy. We can also see in this same song that all peoples will praise Christ and that Christ will make His people a “kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” This kingdom, is not a physical, earthly kingdom, it is that kingdom of God, that smashes borders and annihilates nationality. These priests are servants of God. And when it says that “they will reign upon the earth,” it is not speaking of political rule or earthly kings; it is saying that we shall be heirs with Christ, to share in His reward of eternal life in the presence of God.
In verses 11 and 12 we can see that God is attended to by countless numbers of worshippers: “and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands upon thousands.” In Daniel 7:10, Daniel uses similar language when describing his vision: “…thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him….” Something that is very, very important to note is that all of these worshippers are singing with one voice. This implies two things: 1) Unity of the Church, and 2) Diversity of the Chruch. These two things are summed up in the phrase: “one body, many members.” The unity of the Church can be seen through the unity of the voices of the worshippers, they all sing the same song at the same time. The diversity can be seen through the “many angels,” and “the living creatures [from Rev. 4],” and “the elders.” We can thus conclude that the many members of the Body of Christ are all in fact one body, as Paul says in Romans 12:3-5: “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body [human body] and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many;, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another.” In verses 13 and 14. we can see that (again) that all things created, “in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them…,” will praise God. This idea is reinforced in verse fourteen, when the four living creatures “kept saying “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshipped.” Man and beast will praise the name of God.
