The Book of Revelations

Part Four: The Scroll and the Seven Seals Part I

FBFC Men’s Thursday night Bible study

03 December, 1998

 

May God watch over us as we look to Him for clarity and unity regarding this great Prophesy that He has left for us. May He guide our thoughts, our words and our conversation and may He grace us by allowing His Holy Spirit to be present with us.

Read Revelations 5: 1-14

Verse 1 has quite a demanding description of Christ as King:

Rev. 5:1 "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book (or scroll) written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals."

(The right hand is significant because, historically, authority and judgement are ascribed to the "power" of a ruler's right hand)

The Question: (Rev. 5:2)

"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"

Notes and observations on verses 2-4:

  1. If you take Christ out of the picture, what is the dilemma in verse 3? Remember that Christ has not, as yet, fully "come into His Kingdom" since a Kingdom is where the King's people live.

  2. What was John weeping about in verse 4? Compare this to Rev. 1:7. What could be so significant about this book/scroll?

 

The Answer: (Rev. 5:5, 9, and 12)

A new song: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (Rev. 5:9)

The "old" song: (Rev. 4:8 note that the four beasts never stopped singing this until now)

(Rev. 4:11 The song of the twenty-four elders)

Notes and observations on verses 5-14:

  1. Notice the two descriptions that the elder ascribes to the Savior in verse 5. Compare these to what is seen in verse 6. What is symbolic about a lamb's sacrifice in the Old Testament? (Lev. 4:35, 5:6 and 14:13 (priest), 9:3 (nation)) How are we sure that the Lamb described is the same Jesus who died for our sins?

  2. In verse 6, Christ is described as "a Lamb slain", in verse 5 He is called "The Lion of Judah". What can we deduce about Christ's character from this? How will Christ's Second Coming differ from His First Coming according to these verses?

  3. What happens (vv. 8-14) when the Lamb accepts the scroll in verse 7?

  4. According to verses 13-14 can there be any doubt left over in the hearts of men as to who is the Savior? Will this remain a mystery to anyone or anything alive during this time? Compare these verses to Isaiah 45:23

At this point, the King is revealed to all. Christ's majesty is no longer a question to be decided for or against! The judgement will soon follow, and the martyrs shall be avenged (Rev. .

 

Next week: The Seven Seals
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