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The Scroll of Redemption
(Revelation 5:1-14)
Chapter 6

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

The word "book" that is used here, literally means: a scroll.  It did not in any degree resemble our modern book, for the books of that time were generally, as this was in particular, composed of skins of parchment rolled together.  Whether it was, as some believe, seven skins, each with its own seal, so that with the opening of each seal there would be an added depth of revelation brought forth, or, all seven seals in a row upon the scroll, as others believe, is really quite immaterial to the subject at hand.  The book was of vital importance, as we shall see, and the opening thereof would bring great joy to man, for it bespeaks that the message contained therein could now be freely shared, and its reality become experiential.

Many Bible Scholars feel that the scroll must be one of future events that were to be unfolded.  We personally have come to the conclusion that this is not necessarily so, but rather that it was written long ago concerning the awesome mystery of our REDEMPTION, of the inheritance lost, and the requirements for its restoration, in which the Redeemer is the pre-eminent figure.

While it is true that the letter of the law cannot be explained but by the gospel, it is no less true that the gospel in its breadth and depth cannot be set forth except by the figures of the law, each jot of which covers come blessed mystery.  Hence the statement that is often quoted: The New is in the Old concealed,  the Old is in the new revealed," referring to the figures of the Old Testament which are given rich, spiritual meaning in the New Testament.  Obscure and mystical phrases become clearly understood with the quickening of the holy Spirit as we read the Gospel in the New Testament.  Furthermore, the Word of God is its own best interpreter, and therefore we do well to look elsewhere in the Book to find the meaning for these SIGN expressions, with their specific language terms.  And it is on the basis that we set forth the premise that this scroll spoken of is indeed a scroll of redemption.

In type and shadow, God set forth in the law the principles for the redemption of their land of inheritance, if per chance they lost it.  When the land was divided into estates for each tribe according to their families, it was to be a perpetual ownership of the original families and their seed, passed on from generation to generation.  So the rule was established, "The land shall not be sold forever: for the land is Mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with Me.  And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land."  (Leviticus 25:23-24).

The inheritance could never be lost permanently, there was a plan of redemption which secured that fact.  In this GOD ORDAINED PRINCIPLE, placed into the laws of Israel concerning their land-inheritance, we have the fact and the PROMISE for the totality of redemption, for God said, "the land is Mine."  What is spoken of in regards to one minute parcel of land foreshadows what God purposes for the whole of His creation.

"If 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."  (Leviticus 25:25).

Whatever the cause, whether hard times fell upon the man, or he wasted his substance until he acquired debts which needed to be satisfied, or whatever, if any of the estate was sold to settle the accounts, the title deed would pass to the purchaser for only a limited time-- either until it could be redeemed, or else until the year of the Jubilee when all lands were returned to their original owners.  "In the year of jubilee (every fiftieth year) the field shall return unto him of whom it was bought, even to him to whom the possession of the land did belong."  (Leviticus 27:24).

Transfer all of this symbol unto man, who is the earthen vessel, the field, which is the Lord's. and when man sells himself to sin, "yielding your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity..."  (Romans 6:19), yet man is never brought into perpetual servitude to sin and unrighteousness, because, God says, "All the land is Mine," and He will bring to pass a total redemption, so that by the year of jubilee all the land every creature) shall return unto Him, "even to Him to whom the possession of the land did belong." This, in itself, is one of the most glorious mysteries of our God tucked into the figures of the law, in the Old Testament.

How wonderful is the truth.  "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He shall gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him.  (Ephesians 1:10).

It is to be noted that the words "gather together," are the translation of the Greek word "anakephalaioo" meaning: "to bring back to and gather round the main point."  The compounded preposition "ana" signifies "AGAIN," pointing back to a previous condition where no separation existed.  He is going to restore ALL things! God has purposed a regathering, a restoration to that former condition when all things were in perfect unity, when  "the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:21).

Precious as this truth is, might we say, it is too far away-- in the far distant future of that age of ages, the Jubilee, when all things are fully restored unto Him, and God shall be all in all.  And so, there is this other part of REDEMPTION, that which is designed for our NOW.  We see that the life which has been sold into the bondage of sin can be redeemed NOW.  The nearest of kin was able to buy back the inheritance lost.

Again the Old Testament gives us the beautiful example.  When Ruth was come with her mother-in-law Naomi, back to the land of Israel, her land by right of her Israelite husband now dead, was in need of redemption.  by the arrangement of God, as He directed her steps, Ruth went to glean in the fields of Boaz, and so came to meet him.  At the end of the day she told Naomi all about this encounter, and Naomi said, "Blessed be he of the Lord who hath not left off His kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen."  (Ruth 2:20).  What a cause for rejoicing! Ruth had met up with one that had the right to redeem.  So the events were set in motion whereby Ruth would gain the favor of Boaz, and he would be willing to exercise his rights of kinship.,  In the time it all worked out, the inheritance was redeemed-- God had purposed it so.

Another Old Testament passage adds to this unfolding mystery of the scroll, and illustrates how the sealing and unsealing goes.  Jeremiah's cousin, "Ha-nam-e-el my uncle's son came to me,"  and said, "Buy my field, I pray thee-- for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself.  Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord."  (Jeremiah 32:8).

Jeremiah goes on with the transaction, "I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses. -- So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open." (Jeremiah 32:10-11).

Here we find they had two scrolls, instruments of writing, one was open, which stated the right of the purchaser, a public record of the transaction, and the other one was sealed for future use.  The sealed scroll contained both the details of the sale, and the terms of the redemption.  The cause, the specifics of who sold what, and why.  The terms of redemption were fully noted and established at the time of the sale-- both as to the cause, and the cost to redeem.  Then they had the signatures of witness written on the backside, it was rolled up, and sealed.  When the kinsman who would redeem it would come on the scene, they would bring out this sealed scroll, and he would have to be qualified to fulfill all the terms written therein.

When Jeremiah had finished the transaction, we read that "I prayed unto the Lord, saying, Ah Lord God! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, there is nothing too hard for Thee:   Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of the children after them: the Great, the Might God, the Lord of hosts is His name.  great in counsel, and mighty in work:..." (Jeremiah 32:16-19).

The message is clear: Jeremiah recognized that the inheritance was in need of redemption, for what he had just concluded in that little type and shadow transaction, needed to be done for his nation.  There was only one Source to whom appeal could be make, THE GREAT, The Mighty God, for He is both "Great in counsel, and might in work," and He alone could provide the redemption.  Here before us is the sealed scroll, it pre-figures the need of all mankind.  Lord, God, become our Kinsman-Redeemer, we desperately need You!

Returning to Revelation 5:1, we read again, "a scroll written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals."  As long as the scroll remained sealed, it was a sign that someone had lost the inheritance, and it still waited to be redeemed.

Little do we yet know what all Adam lost in Eden, inasmuch as we have the fallen Adam nature in us from the moment of our birth.  The mystery of "I will" and "iniquity" are already at work in us.  Not until the fulness of our redemption is brought forth, will we begin to comprehend the extent and the seriousness of the fall.  A child born in captivity does not realize what he is missing of the glory of freedom.  Therefore it will be an on-going revelation as is brought to the full, and we realize the depth of the pit from which we have been lifted.  Yea, what awe, what worship will fill our hearts, as we bow before our Redeemer.

Neither do we yet comprehend the full extent of redemption's cost, of what it meant for our Lord to come and be our Redeemer.  So much is sealed up in the scroll-- the cause of our lost inheritance, and the price for its total redemption.

We need not write at length concerning our lost inheritance, for we all are deeply aware that strangers have come and dwelt in our land, even in our earthen vessels.  Disease, germs; ideologies and carnal concepts; defiling spirits of the world; all of which causes us to groan within ourselves, waiting for redemption.

Another point for serious consideration: the scroll is "in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne."  Far too long men have accepted religious Babylon's lie, and the Satanic bluff, that when Adam forsook and abdicated his God-given in heritance, that Satan took it over, that the "legal title deed" went into Satan's control.  It even appears that there are some who consider Satan to be equal with God, and that some awful struggle is now going on, the outcome of which is still not sure.  That is blasphemy!  God is not in an eternal struggle with Satan.  Christianity is not a dualism, with God and Satan in an eternal warfare.  God alone is GOD!  He is sovereign!  He is in total control of the universe, "working al things after they counsel of His own will." (Ephesians 1:11).

When Adam forfeited the inheritance, Satan did not get it.  God took it out of Adam's hand, and He keeps it till ONE comes who can handle it.  Thus John said, "I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a scroll..." The scroll, written within of the cause of the forfeiture, and the terms of its redemption, on the backside were the names of witnesses, and then it was sealed-- all this evidence was KEPT BY GOD.  Thus Peter writes that we have "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN for you." (1 Peter 1:4).

It is in God's right hand, held in the highest place and authority. On the veracity of God's Word, we firmly declare that this is not the devil's world, and never has been. "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1).

But, you ask, "What about the scriptures that speak of 'the god of this world,' and 'the prince of the power of the air,' and such like?" And we reply, What world is he prince and power over? Over moral intelligences who submit to his lying reign, and "those taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:26). The phrase "god of this world," does not confer on him any title of honor, any more than our Lord's calling him the "prince of this world" conferred on him a rightful dominion. As a prince he is a usurper, as a deity AN IDOL, he is a prince without right, a god without divinity.

We are in a world that BELONGS TO GOD. Satan is not our god, nor is he our prince. "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die. WE ARE THE LORD'S." (Romans 14:8).

Now we note that the scroll was "sealed with seven seals." Seven is the number of completeness, and thus speaks of the completeness of the loss, of the deprivation, until a competent Redeemer comes who is equal to the task of redemption. And it also speaks of the completeness of that glorious redemption. A complete loss, and a complete victory!

"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll, and to loose the seals thereof?" This give us a clear indication that it was the will of the One who sat upon the throne, for this scroll to be opened, its terms be made known, and the redemption process be carried out. The initiative action is always God's, He is the First cause of all causes. Redemption begins in the heart of the Father -- so great is His love toward us.

But a profound silence ensues, for "no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the scroll, neither to look thereon." It was totally beyond the qualification of the angels. Principalities and powers of the celestrial realm knew that they were not worthy, for whoever would take the scroll and open it, would have to also meet all the requirements for its manifold outworking.

And no man was found, not even among the saints who "by faith" were among "the spirits of just men made perfect." (Hebrews 12:23). None was found in heaven, and certainly none was found on earth. From the time when Adam and Eve sewed their fig leaves together for a covering, man has tried to work out his own redemption, and failed. All of ma's righteousness is as filthy rags. Once any man has lost his first estate of innocence and purity, he cannot place himself back into that state again.

No wonder it reads on, "And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the scroll, either to look thereon." Perhaps John could have stood in awe and reverence when he first beheld the scroll in the right hand of Him who sat upon the throne, for full well he knew what that document was, evidence of an inheritance lost, yet with a promise of redemption. Perhaps he waited with bated breath when the call went out for one to come and open the scroll, and fulfills its requirements. But when none was found worthy to open the scroll, his emotions could be held in restraint no longer, and "I wept much." If none was found worthy, then the promise of the prophets, the hope of all the saints, yea, all creation, was dashed to despair. Failure at this point and people would remain in corruption, forever subject to the tyranny of change and decay. This was a crucial moment! As goes the words of the beautiful Christmas carol: "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee..." Faith that held mankind through his trials would be meaningless. The Word which has sustained them through deep processings would become as a fable. Redemption was the only answer, and if there be none to redeem, what then? So John went on weeping.

"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the scroll, and to loose the seals thereof."

Good news! Here is the beginning declaration of the Gospel. There is One who hath prevailed to open the scroll, there is a Redeemer! We note that the word " prevailed is the Greek word "nikao" meaning: to conquer, to gain the victory, to overcome. Jesus Christ declared, "I OVERCAME, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

What tremendous truth lies hidden under the veil of this symbolical transaction. Once again omnipotent God could commit the title deed of the inheritance back into the hand of a Man-- the Man Christ Jesus. With awesome wonder we see the Father, handing over the scroll-- affirming that the Son is WORTHY to open it, and execute it fully. "He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all..." (Ephesians 1:20-22).

"Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18). All the resources of the universe were placed at His disposal. So great is the challenge caused by the degeneration, that to bring about the regeneration-- "the restitution of all things," (Acts 3:21), the Father has invested in the Son total power and authority.

"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; that all men should honor the son, even as they honor the Father. - For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man." (John 5:22-23, 26-26).

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of man, the Beginning of the NEW CREATION, now has the full right, power, and authority, title deed of the inheritance. We do not yet see in ourselves the fulness of this victory, "BUT WE SEE JESUS." (Hebrews 2:9), and in Him is the security for the fulness of redemption.

"And when He had taken the scroll, the four beats and four and twenty elders feel down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers oft he saints."

Immediate worship is forthcoming with adoration because of His exaltation. And golden vials full of odours-- prayers! Not the idle petitions of "give me this, and give me that," nor the recitations offered by rote, but here are the intercessions of the saints, distilled and purified until they are the deep heart-felt prayers for redemption of man, and they are offered as sweet incense to Him because He has become the Redeemer.

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:" (and here is how we know that You qualify) "for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. And Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

 Worthy-- the Greek word is "axios" meaning: to be deserving, to merit. There is a depth contained in this expression, and some Scholars give it to mean: worthy by rank, by character, by ability, and by action. Certainly Christ's merits were equal to the honor, and His abilities to the task. His character was without blemish and without spot. In rank He was the very Son of God. All that He did now causes us to bow low before Him, and sing, "Thou art worthy!"

Were some carnal man to have loosed the seals, not as a Lamb, but as a proud pretender, a naive maker of chaos, trying to change the human heart, it would have been total disaster. For, as Jesus said, "Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." (Matthew 23:15). Such is the effort of the flesh bringing forth after its own kind. But here is The One who truly qualifies, bringing forth a new creation species by the Spirit, to bear the image of the heavenly.

Christ has just the right process to bring about a total cleansing, redemptive work in us, bringing us into His life. And how victorious is the outworking of His redemptive process? As if surveying the whole through the telescope of time, Jhohn declares that HE who has taken the scroll and opened the seals thereof, shall bring to a successful conclusion His work of redeeming all mankind, unto "Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the thrones, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

Redemption for all! "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6) Amen!