Season 5 Podcast 102 Book of Revelation Ch 5 A 1-8, “Golden Vials Full of Odours.”

A New Voice of Freedom

Season 5 Podcast 102 Book of Revelation Ch 5 A 1-8, “Golden Vials Full of Odours.”

From the beginning, God has spoken to his prophets. It has been the responsibility of the prophets to write down the words of God. Those words have been passed down to us for thousands of years. Books of scripture symbolize the words of God, the laws of God, the commandments of God, as well as the spiritual history of God’s people on earth beginning with Adam. Taken from existing books of Scripture, Moses wrote the story of creation as well as the history of his ministry.

It is no coincidence that John looking into heaven saw a very special 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.”

The one sitting on the throne is Elohim, the Father of us all. All images are important, including the fact that the book is in the Father’s right hand, signifying its great importance. Also, who would be sitting on the Father’s right hand? It would be none other than Jesus Christ Himself, the only Begotten Son of God. The book is being handed to Christ signifying that God is delegating his power to the Son.

We also have the number seven which is the perfect number symbolizing completeness, its origins going back to the creation story.

John’s entire focus is on the book. He does not record anything being written on the cover; therefore, we don’t know the title of the book. A title reveals the contents. Until the book is opened, we cannot know the contents, The writing is on the inside and on the back side. The book is divided into seven parts, but each part is sealed. The word ‘seal’ has many meanings. One, the word seal refers to a vow, oath, contract, or bond. Another, it refers to a lock, clasp, binding, fastening, or closing. Before one can know what the book is about, one must first break the seal.

A question is asked by an angel.

Revelation 5: 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?”

The angel is defined as a “strong angel” suggesting that the angel is in great authority. It is a rhetorical question. The angel already knows who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals. We don’t know who the angel is, but it could be Michael, the arch angel, or Adam. Notice, however, that a single seal does not bind the entire book. That would make eight seals. The book may be opened, but only one is worthy to loose the seven seals thereof. The book then is divided into seven chapters or seven books, each book a complete record in itself.

The angel makes it clear that only one person is worthy to open the book.

Revelation 5:3

“And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.”

Chapter 5 of the Book of Revelation, as is the entire Book of Revelation, is about the Savior and his role. Note the declaration, ‘no man in heaven, no man on earth, no man under the earth.’ Only God can open the seals. John doesn’t yet understand that message, for he records.

Revelation 5:4

“And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”

Clearly John desperately wanted to know what was sealed in the book. He assumed it would be opened, but the angel dashed his hopes. He jumped to the conclusion that the book could never be unsealed. It is then that John is taught the greatest lesson he could learn.

Revelation 5:5

“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.”