THE SEALED BOOK
Revelation 5:1 ¶ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 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 to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Revelation 5:6 ¶ 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, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of 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, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
The transition from God’s then approved form of acceptable worship in the Old Economy into the establishment of the New Testament, or New Covenant, was a very difficult matter to those having been use to the Old Testament traditions. Consider these passages:
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, (Elijah) which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Modern day religionists are falsely looking for the physical person of Elijah to appear in the last days due to their false eschatology (doctrine of last things)! But our Lord clearly stated that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist! For John was the manifestation of the “spirit of Elijah” – not the person of Elijah! Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And here we are also precisely instructed that God has “taken away” the era of the law, replacing it with the “established” second and final dispensation of the period of grace! And it is only done “once for all!”
And there will be no additional dispensations. Look at your Bibles. Old Testament – New Testament! And just as so many are having difficulties accepting this truth here at the ending of the second and final dispensation, so those, like John the Apostle as a weeping, representative man, could not envision anyone to lead them on from that closed out dispensation. He states, “I wept much .”
Yet the entirety of the scriptures are for the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ! John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Therefore when we read “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” we cannot think that faith comes by the scriptures. For the Lord himself has stated ‘in them’ ye only ‘think’ that you have eternal life. Christ alone is the author of faith! Therefore John was instructed to look upon the Lion of the tribe of Juda! Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
But in reality the letter of the law killeth! It is only the spirit of the word which giveth life. And John had to be elevated out of the effect of a carnal letter of the law into a spiritual understanding of Christ and his kingdom, shown in the spirit of the word! 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
And it is only from the very person of the Son of God that any sinner is given true, saving faith. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Therefore John, as a representative man, signifying the condition of all the believers in his age, having previously had nothing but Moses’ law, weeps much as he has no concept as to what true believers are to do now that the temple veil was torn and the priesthood changed. Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 24 But this man, (Christ) because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Yet he is given the actual personal instruction to comfort him which will be the provision of comfort to all New Testament believers! – “Weep not!” For the Lord Christ shall wipe away all results of helplessness and hopelessness by the fulfillment of accomplished redemption! Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And those words, “shall wipe away” are the same Greek word translated, “Blotting out” in Colossians 2:14! Consider that passage: Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
The privilege of no longer weeping due to our unworthiness is swept away by the Lamb of God having blotted out every ordinance which could be leveled against us! Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Christ Jesus, by his full and completed atonement, satisfied the Father on the sinners behalf. How shall he not with him give them all things necessary for their confidence of peace with God? Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
For we are given to clearly understand that the sealed book of God’s future plans for the church age were only opened upon a completed redemption! Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. For, as has just been shown (see Hebrews 2:14,15 listed above) it was “through death” that he both destroyed the work of the devil and delivered those of his Father’s who were under the bondage of sin! Bless His holy name!
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
He “hath prevailed!” These are the same Greek words we see describing the white horse rider. For “conquering,” and “to conquer” are the same Greek words as, “hath prevailed!” Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
And there is none other for those of us in this second and last dispensation to look unto for our spiritual comfort. For he alone endured the cross and is set down on the right hand of the majesty on high. Hebrews 12:2 Looking 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. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
For ‘all authority’ has been given him in heaven and on earth! We are then to proceed in or daily christian walk in that authority. He is presently reigning Lord! Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
And we see him again in the nineteenth chapter of the Revelation. Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
These verses, although set in the terms of natural warfare, are not referring to the physical, but of the spiritual warfare of delivering souls from the bondage of sin and the devil. Satan is seen as a “strong man armed,” in his captivity of lost souls. But Christ proclaims himself to be the “stronger man” come to deliver them. Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
Therefore John’s weeping, as well as all the redeemed since, find the wiping away of their tears by the clear vision of faith in the full accomplishment of redemption. Jesus victoriously proclaimed on the cross, “It is finished.” John 19:30 And at that moment the veil of the temple, previously shutting out all who would enter into the Holy of holies, was torn as his wounds were opened to reveal the “new and living way” of entrance and approach to God! Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let 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.
“There is a fountain filled with blood;
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood;
Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see,
That fountain in his day.
And there may I, though vile as he;
Lose all my guilty stains.”
Pastor Gene Breed
September 9, 2022
