Deeper Reflection
TYPICALLY, SCROLLS ARE NEITHER WRITTEN ON BOTH SIDES, nor sealed with seven seals (although we do have one archaeological example of it).²⁰ With these two descriptions, John the Seer immediately understands that the scroll contains heavenly business, held in the right hand of God, concerning God’s purposes for all of creation. So John weeps when no one can open the scroll – it means that God’s purposes cannot be fulfilled. Everything is futile.However, someone steps up. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who is also the slain Lamb. Jesus the Messiah is worthy! In another mysterious juxtaposition, the Son of God, who is Himself God, takes the scroll from the hand of God on the throne, while all creation and all peoples fall down in worship.Revelation 6 to 19 tells of the events associated with the opening of the scroll, where we see judgment intermingled with salvation. God’s people triumph by patient endurance and faithfulness (Rev 13:10), by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, not loving their lives even unto death (Rev 12:11). In doing so, they prove themselves true followers of the slain Lamb – a strange triumph.Until in Revelation 21:1-8 we catch a glimpse of the glorious purposes written in the scroll – a new heaven and new earth. A new creation, the new Jerusalem, coming down to earth out of heaven. Like it was at the beginning in Eden, God once more fully dwells among His faithful people, while anything unholy is destroyed. God’s purposes, fulfilled by the hand of God! “Amen, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20).

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²⁰ Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation., vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 283-284.