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Revelation V
buildontherock
2022-01-252023-09-13

Obtaining the Scroll of the future of man. CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED WORTHY BECAUSE HE IS LAMB AND SAVIOUR OF THE UNIVERSE.

The seals are what is holding this age together by preventing the new age. Christ rips them off to reveal a NEW WORLD. Christ begins to give the background to the scroll that He just obtained on the Day of the Lord. Having been proclaimed worthy in Chapter 5 Christ now rips off the seals. The seals are the obstacles to the Kingdom of God or the Church which is Israel which is the core of the future of man.

The seals are the things which prevent man from accessing his future. They are obstacles to be removed.

Use this link to go back to the summary.

THE SCROLL

In Chapter 4 we see those resurrected from various perspectives. These are the ones that held on from Chapter 2-3. Christ is there with the Church seen from every perspective. The Day of the Lord is when they are resurrected and hence if it had not come John could not see them. That is why his perspective is the Day of the Lord. In chapter 1 John tells us it is the Lord's day and in Chapter 4 John shows us that it is the Day of the Lord and then he fills in some background.

Remember that John is seeing this from the perspective of the Day of the Lord therefore for him our present is already past. In Chapter 1:16 He (Christ) had seven stars (the Church) in His right hand (firm grip) now we see that He has the book with seven seals in His right hand. He controls the future of man with dexterity and power. The book could not be opened by strength since the strong angel (v2) could not open it but it was opened by a slain lamb. This book was already written on and sealed (v1), showing that God has already proclaimed a wonderful future for mankind.

It is not the Book of Life because it is sealed. God shows in the message to Sardis that He has people written in the Book of life (Revelation 3:5) and He could not do that if it was sealed. It is not the Bible because then the Bible would be sealed and John would not be able to add the messages to the Churches to it for us and expect those messages to be read. It is not the Torah because Christ opened the minds of His people to understand those (Luke 24:44-46).

Holding the book in His right hand instead of the angels (seven stars) also suggests that the Bible message is complete and the concern now is the Day of the LORD.

Scroll
"Sealing a scroll was a common and important practice in Biblical times. The wills of both Emperor Vespasian and Caesar Augustus were secured with seven seals.

"For such a document, a scribe would procure a long roll of parchment and begin writing. After a period of writing he would stop, roll the parchment enough to cover his words and seal the scroll at that point with wax. Then he would resume writing, stop again, roll the scroll, and add another seal. By the time he was finished, he would have sealed the scroll seven times. The scrolls would be read a section at a time, after each seal was opened.

"Why was this process used? Evidently it was to prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the scroll or reading and revealing its contents. Only a "worthy" person -- that is, someone with proper authority -- could have legal access to the scroll's message.

"When a Jewish family was required to forfeit its land and possessions through some distress, the property could not be permanently taken from them. Their losses were listed in a scroll and sealed seven times, then the conditions necessary to purchase back the land and possessions were written on the outside of the scroll. When a qualified redeemer could be found to meet the requirements of reclamation, the one to whom the property had been forfeited was obligated to return the possessions to the original owner."

Philologos
Bible Prophecy Research
Title: Scroll
Submitted by: research-bpr@philologos.org
Date: October 3, 1998
URL: http://philologos.org/bpr/files/s006.htm

The last description of the scroll is particularly pertinent to Revelation. John saw all the seals at once therefore the seals were all on the outside. It is ONE scroll with seven seals. The document in Revelation could not be read until all the seals were opened. He (John) could tell that it was written on both sides because he could see writing on the versa side, the good side would be inside. The visions of the seals happened in response to the seals being opened and the conditions being met to eradicate the problem. It does not appear the John read the scroll when the seals were ripped off, he seems to have either read THE SEALS or by some other means got understanding about THE SEALS. Remember from the extract above that . . . the conditions necessary to purchase back the land and possessions were written on the outside of the scroll. The possession that mankind has lost is its future.

There are at least two ways that such seals could be applied. (1) the scroll was secured by seven ribbons or strings which each had a seal binding it to the scroll. (2) the seals were directly applied as hot wax to the scroll at the leading edge so that as they were broken they would expose a bit of the underlying document. I prefer option (1) because then john would see the writing as the ribbon was removed.

Revelation 5:1 shows that the book was written on both sides of the page. Apparently this was very rare since only one side of the parchment (the recto side) was well suited to writing. The second side (the verso side) was only used when there was a lot to write. There was a lot that mankind had lost. This writing on the retro side also satisfies the requirement for the document to be one that recorded what a Jewish family had forfeited. The LAMB satisfied the requirements to be a Kinsman Redeemer. He was a close relative being the root of David and also his SEED Revelation 5:5, Revelation 22:16. The husband (Christ) died and the wife (the Church) was in debt and lost everything.

A WILL and TESTAMENT

Christ also had the challenge of passing on something to be redeemed. He passed it on through HIS WILL and TESTAMENT. It does not say that the scroll was read, it just says the seals were opened. The above extract highlights several things.

1.. It was probably also a Will and Testament. Christ has given humanity life in His last will and Testament, which matches Revelation 21:27 and Revelation 13:8.

2.. The requirements were strong legal requirements.

At the time of this writing almost every reference says the same thing almost word for word. Take wikipedia  2011-11-01 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_(law) which says: . . . In the strictest sense, a "will" has historically been limited to real property while "testament" applies only to dispositions of personal property (thus giving rise to the popular title of the document as "Last Will and Testament"), though this distinction is seldom observed today. A will may also create a testamentary trust that is effective only after the death of the testator.

So a testament does not give you all of a persons property, just a specific portion of their personal possessions. The scroll is probably not all of Christ's possessions but some part that was dedicated to us in a Testamentary Trust. Let us look at something that Hebrews says about the will that is important to Christians.

Hebrews 9:15-28 (KJV) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,20Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.21Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Not just anyone can execute a will. It has to be a judge or divider (executor) but that is not the only problem here. The key problem is that nobody was strong enough to defeat the power that had the will closed. The answer lies in the word prevailed or overcome.

ATONEMENT

The year of the Jubilee started on the Day of Atonement. Atonement is a time of freedom.

Leviticus 25:9 (KJV)Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. [KJV]

Leviticus 25:8-17 shows that The Year of Jubilee was to be celebrated after every 50 years. It included cancelling all debts, freeing all slaves, and returning all land that had been sold to its original owners. This will happen once again at the real Atonement and as a continual practice after. Notice that this reveals a key to understanding Atonement. It is about causing possessions to return to the original owner. God gets back His creation and in the process man gets back his life. It is a mistake to focus too much on being at one with GOD, although that is true, because it drifts a bit from the fundamental concept. Atonement was a daily practice in Israel through the morning and evening sacrifice but was focussed on at the special feast of Atonement. The Day of the LORD is about Atonement.

It seems to me that people try to understand the meaning by picking apart the word ATONEMENT rather than by examining what God says about the festival. At-ONE-MENT is picking apart the word. The practice and festival primarily it is about causing possessions to return to the original owner. God gets back His creation and man gets back his life and Satan gets back his sins.

Restoration of the king. We do not know who the rightful king is because He was the King in the Garden of Eden. Satan appears as an angel of light (a lion dressed like a lamb) or a serpent. The true king is the lamb.

Restoration of His subjects. Mankind was cut of from the tree of life because the tree of life is in the most Holy Place or Holy of Holies. These are things that the King makes available to all of his subjects. According to Hebrews we can no enter into the Most Holy Place as a cloud of witnesses and Christ has torn the veil.

Restoration of God's territory. Satan and all of his ways are placed on him to take along with him and he is put out of God's territory. Satan is the God of this age, the one who told Christ that he would give him the kingdoms of this age.

KINSMAN REDEEMER

One of the conditions necessary to obtain the scroll was that you had to be a kinsman redeemer.

Leviticus 25:23-28 (KJV) The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.24And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.25If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.26And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;27Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession.28But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.
Leviticus 25:47-48 (KJV) And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:48After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:
Ruth 3:13,18 [KJV] Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning. . . 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

The book of Ruth typifies what is happening in the book of Revelation. Christ is the Kinsman Redeemer who purchases the debts and redeems the possessions before He marries the bride. Notice that Boaz was eager and would not rest until he did it the same day.

Ruth 4:1-12 (KJV) Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.2And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.3And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:4And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.5Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.6And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.7Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.8Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.9And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.10Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.11And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:12And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

At least five things were required in order to be a Kinsman Redeemer:
  • You must be a close relative (Leviticus 25:48; 25:25; Ruth 3:12-13).
  • You must have the means to redeem (Ruth 4:4, Leviticus 25:27).
  • You must be free of pre-eminent encumbrances (Ruth 4:4-6). You cannot have more important obligations.
  • You must be willing (Ruth 4:6).
  • You must pay the whole price of redemption (Leviticus 25:27; Ruth 4:9-11).

Boaz surpassed all requirements just as Christ does for us.

OVERCOMETH

Christ promises several things to those who overcome. The reason is that He first overcame death and inherited those things as He passed them down to Himself as an inheritance. He is the SEED.

Galatians 3:16 (KJV) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (KJV) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:14-18 (KJV) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Christ redeemed a future for mankind. Only He is able to take the book of the future of mankind. Christ prevailed or overcame death. Death is eternal nothing. By overcoming death there is a future of limitless possibilities. Christ overcame and inherited all possibilities not just things that exist now but all that He will do in the future.

Revelation 3:21 (KJV) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 21:7 (KJV) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

The Greek word for overcometh is G3528 nikao (nik-ah'-o) which means to subdue and this is the same word translated as prevailed in Revelation 5:5, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book.

ODOURS

Sometimes the thick cloud covered and blotted out the sin so that people could approach God

Isaiah 44:22 (KJV) I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Sometimes God was in the cloud.

Exodus 19:9 [KJV] And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

God could therefore break forth if people did not steer clear.

Exodus 19:21-25 [KJV] And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. 23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. 24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. 25 So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

Notice that the issue of God breaking through was targeting unsanctified priests and ordinary people, but that is not necessarily the reason for the cloud in Leviticus 16. It is true that God was very likely in the cloud, present by the Holy Spirit as suggested by Exodus 19:9 above, but He was very likely there with His people.

Leviticus 16:12-13 (KJV) And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: 13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

The same cloud (representing the presence of God by the Holy Spirit) carries the prayers of the saints represented as odours. Odours are the prayers of saints (v8). Now what do we read in Hebrews 12?

Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

I believe that the New Testament was written by or about Apostles hand picked by Christ and Apollos was not one. I believe that as the apostle to the gentiles it was not Paul's role to write to the Hebrews. That leaves James. What is James talking about? We have to go back to chapter 11. It is talking about all of those who died in faith compassing about someone as witnesses. So who was that someone that the writer was talking about? You have to go back to Hebrews 8-9. He is talking about the one represented by the High Priest. The High Priest was mediator or go-between of the covenant. Christ is the mediator of the new Covenant. Then in chapter 10 we get.

Hebrews 10:19-22 (KJV) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;21And having an high priest over the house of God;22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

So we saw that we are a cloud from Hebrews 12 and now this indicates that a whole group of Christians are together moving into the Holy place under the blood of Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant, each being a witness for all of the others who died in faith. This is what the cloud represents in Leviticus 16, a whole host of Christian witnesses. Their prayers are a witness. The two cherubs know who the High Priest is by the cloud of witnesses that accompanies him and it only took two or three for legal proceedings. Only one person has the power to bring that cloud of witnesses to corroborate who He is.

Revelation 5:9 [KJV] 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 ;

Only one person is worthy. The two cherubim know who the High Priest is by the cloud of witnesses that testify to His worthiness. If the incense is strange incense (another group or the wrong testimony) then the cherubim will immediately defend the Holy Place and kill him. Hebrews pictures a High Priest with a cloud of witnesses moving into the Holy Place.

The cloud that compassed the Old Testament High Priest was the incense. That incense represents the witnesses and we are the witnesses. All of those prayers are witnesses. After the lamb took the scroll and before the seals are opened the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders sing the redemption song, indicating that everything in the song was now accomplished. (v9-10) Notice that the living creatures and elders said of themselves that Christ redeemed us to God and also made us unto our God kings and priests, so that they are part of the cloud of witnesses; this is irrefutable evidence that because something is represented as animals does not mean that it looks like that. After they sing then the angels (v11) announce that Christ is worthy to receive power. Then they altogether (v13) proclaim a blessing.

Four beasts and four and twenty elders had been redeemed by the blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation and are kings and priests v8-10, therefore they are not angels. They represent the redeemed of the world as rulers of spiritual Israel taken from the four corners of the earth. In v6 Christ is represented symbolically as the lamb and is also identified as the person on the throne by Rev 1:10 showing that this is not real but symbolic. In v11 we see that the living creatures are not angels because they are identified separately from the angels.

Every nation and language and tongue will not exist until the end of the millennium but a representative group will exist at the beginning of the millennium. The four living creatures with the four faces have the faces that were in the base of the all lavers of the temple. This suggests that each face could also represent evils that need to be washed away and replaced by the opposite good in the lives of those seeking access to God. This is accomplished by using the water of the Spirit in the laver i.e. death replaced by by life, deception by truth, war by love and servitude by freedom and prosperity.

Notice that golden vials can contain the sweet smell of the prayers of the saints v8, or the wrath of God Revelation 15:8, and in both cases it comes from the redeemed.

RIGHT HAND

Depending on the context right hand can mean several things. It was offered as the hand of friendship because it was the hand that would wield a weapon. In Judges 3:12-30 we have the story of Ehud who was left handed, verse 15. Ehud was sent to the Moabite King Eglon to deliver Israel's annual tribute. He made a double-edged knife about eighteen inches long and apparently concealed it in the inside of his right thigh. As soon as he was alone with Eglon and in range he stabbed him fatally.

Another example was Joab who was either left-handed or ambidextrous.

2 Samuel 20:9-10 (KJV) And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.10But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Bathsheba sat on Solomon's right hand indicating a position of favour.

1 Kings 2:19 (KJV) Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.

In another context the right hand was the hand of reliability and power.

Job 40:14 (KJV) Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
Psalms 16:8 (KJV) I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalms 17:7 (KJV) Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Acts 3:7 (KJV) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

VIAL

in verse 8 the angels have vials full of prayers of the saints. In Revelation 15 and later the vials hold the wrath of GOD. The vials translated from Greek phiale are defined as a broad shallow cup. They are not modern day censers and they are not actually vials. I provide a more detailed examination in Revelation 16. Vials are usually fairly small but this suggests something like a dish. These are Patera which have to do with cleansing and correspond to the censers of the Aaronic priesthood.

This extract from wikipedia under caption patera should be enlightening, In the material culture of classical antiquity, a phiale (Ancient Greek: φιάλη [pʰi.á.lɛː]) or patera[2] (Latin pronunciation: [ˈpatɛra]) is a shallow ceramic or metal libation bowl. It often has a bulbous indentation (omphalos, "bellybutton") in the center underside to facilitate holding it, in which case it is sometimes called a mesomphalic phiale. It typically has no handles, and no feet.[3] Although the two terms may be used interchangeably, particularly in the context of Etruscan culture, phiale is more common in reference to Greek forms, and patera in Roman settings, not to be confused with the Greek (Πατέρας) Patéras or Father,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patera, timestamp: 00:51, 3 October 2021.

Revelation 5

Revelation 5 [KJV]
scriptureComment
[1]And I saw in the right hand {*1} of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside {*2}, sealed with seven seals {*3}. 1__the hand of reliability that was holding the angels to the churches now holds the book.
2__too much to write.
3__man's future is at present completely sealed, 7 seals. You cannot see any future for man.
[2]And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice {*4}, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 4__even a strong angel could not open the book.
[3]And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon {*5}. 5__notice that the issue is to be able to read the book not write on it. This type of document is one where reading and not writing is critical.
[4]And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
[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 {*6} to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6__the same word translated as overcometh in Revelation 2 and 3.
[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 {*7}, having seven horns {*8} and seven eyes {*9}, which are the seven Spirits of God {*10} sent forth into all the earth. 7__He came from among them in the Earth; the realm of all the living creatures, in this case the Church/Israel. He has the crowns of all the beasts and living creatures Revelation 4:10. The power to open the book came from more than physical strength it was the strength to overcome death through love, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.
8__all power/authority.
9__sees everything. used for perception and discernment. Remember in dealing with Revelation 4 we saw that 7 lamps = 7 spirits = 7 horns = 7 eyes. The seven lamps relate to the Church being the light of the world (Philippians 2:14-15).
10__preaching the truth.
[7]And he came and took the book out of the right hand {*11} of him that sat upon the throne {*12}. 11__the hand of greatest strength and control and friendship.
12__He passes the baton from His old self, to His new self.
[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 {*13}, and golden vials {*14} full of odours {*15}, which are the prayers of saints {*16}. 13__for rejoicing (Genesis 31:27) and spiritual uplifting (1 Samuel 16:23).
14__Strong’s 5357:broad shallow cup.
15__Greek thumiama; Strong’s 2368:incense. Incense will not give off its odour unless it is burning hence the smoke, this suggests that these prayers are unheard or unanswered – remember they are praying how long?. Because they are using patera it may mean how long until the cleansing is completed.
16__The FRAGRANCE is the prayers. The Greek word thumiama is apparently only used twice in Revelation, here and in Revelation 8:4 where it is clearly demonstrated that the prayers (fragrance), the incense and the smoke are different, hence the prayers are not the incense but is contained in the incense. How would they get the prayers of the saints if they are not saints?.
[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 {*17}, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation {*18}; 17__worthiness depended on being slain not being strong. Someone had to die in order for this type of book to be opened. This has to be a new song because it could not be sung under the Aaronic priesthood.
18__because their hearts were perfect towards God. This new song has to do with global redemption and a new government (from the next verse).
[10]And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
[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 {*19}; 19__these are the angels surrounding the saints and Christ NOT the 144,000.
[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 {*20}. 20__this is what is in the book. When the book is read the reader will see all of these things. A completely abundant future.
[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 {*21}, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 21__the whole creation.
[14]{*22} And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. {*23}22__now you will hear the 144,000 who are the living creatures and elders.
23__Christ is twice worthy, once because He was from forever and created all things and secondly because he redeemed and saved all things. He is worthy to open the scroll. He owned all things and died to redeem them.