The same scene of God's throne is being covered. God is seen sitting on
His throne and holding a sealed book in His right hand. Take note here,
the book is sealed. It has never been opened. The importance of this
sealed book can not be over emphasized. This book is the key to 
understanding the book of Revelation. It describes how the world will be
judged & portrays the final triumph of God & his people over all evil.
The world's future is about to be unfolded. When each seal is broken,
a portion of the book's content is revealed in a vision.

Verse 1
John see's in the outstretched hand of the Holy One which is God,
a book or scroll rolled up with writing on it. They had no printing presses
or books as we know them back then. They wrote on sheets of Papyrus.
When the writing was completed they rolled the sheets up and tied some
thread or ribbon around the roll. This is what is meant by the book being sealed.
They very seldom wrote on the back side, because what ever was written on
the back side would be exposed when the last sheet was rolled up and tied.
But this scroll was written on both the front and the back. On the outer edge of
the roll are seven seals that have sealed it shut, so it's necessary for all 7 seals
to be opened before the book can be properly opened and unrolled. Remember
a seal is a signet that stamped or impressed a mark on something.

This mark showed approval or certification assuring ownership and destination.
The Bible does not explain here why there are seven seals followed by seven
trumpets and seven vials(or bowls). John uses a lot of Old Testament language
so he expects his readers to understand and have respect for the number seven.

In Daniel 9:24-27 the 70 weeks or sevens, represent 70 periods of 7 years each.
In other words 1 week = 7 years. 7 weeks would be 49 years. 
70 weeks would be 70 x 7 = 490 years which is the time span between the time
that Israel was commanded to restore and build Jerusalem and the birth of the
Messiah. Also during this time span of 490 years Israel never had another
prophet until the birth of Christ. We know nothing of what went on in those
490 years. I thought I would throw that in for your information. So you see
numbers are very important in the Bible.

The number 3 can refer to the Trinity, the three series of seven judgments seem
to give you the indication that these are judgments of the Triune God and take
place during Daniel's 70th week of years (which we identify with the Great
Tribulation). The right hand of God indicates His power and the source of the
scroll. It is believed that the judgments of the seven trumpets are written on one
side and the judgments of the seven bowls on the other.





7 MEANS COMPLETE

Verse 2
John see's a strong angel or powerful angel shouting throughout the universe
as to be heard by all in heaven and earth. Many believe this to be the angel
Gabriel. Gabriel was the angel who ordered Daniel to close and seal his book.
This angel whoever he may be announces, 
"Who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals?"

Verse 3
The search fails. There is just no one any place that is worthy to approach
God and to execute His will throughout the universe. But look at this:

No person in heaven was found worthy to open the book.

The angels, the seraphim and cherubim, the four living creatures,
the 24 elders, all the redeemed, no being in heaven was found
worthy enough to approach God and open the book.

No person on earth was found worthy to open the book: No statesman,
no educator, no scientist, no minister, no prophet, no astrologer, no magician.

No person under the earth, no person from among the dead, as great
as some have been in past history, no person from the past was
found worthy to open the book.


Verse 4
The search had failed. John breaks down weeping and cannot stop.
At this point John see's something that he had never seen before.
The greatness of God, his majesty and glory, and also because he
realizes the importance of the contents of the book.

John weeps for another reason as well: he is now not going to be
able to see the future of the world, the events of the end time.
The promise had been made to him that he would see these things
which "must be hereafter," but now he was not going to see them.

Why? Because no person not even John himself was worthy enough to
approach God and open the book. The person who could open the
book would have to be a person who could grasp exactly what the
book was saying, then he must be able to carry out God's will and
execute the events. That person would have to have the very mind
and power of God. There was only one such person; The SON of GOD
Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. He and he alone is the only one
worthy enough to open the book. Read Daniel 12:8-9

We should pay close attention to the book of Revelation, study
it's message. It is the revelation of God's will for the end
time, the events that are yet to take place throughout the
universe. Read Ephesians 3:5


Verse 5
God has intervened. We see one of the 24 elders coming to John
and telling him to stop weeping. That his tears are not
necessary. There is one who has prevailed, conquered, and won
a great victory. He is called the "Lion of Judah". The root of
David, meaning Jesus. (And there shall come forth a rod out of
the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
Referring to Jesus as the Lion of Judah is a fulfillment of the
promises God had made to his people Israel. Isaiah 11:1





24 ELDERS before GOD's Throne

What victory did Jesus conquer? He conquered:

1. SIN - Ephesians 1:7
2. DEATH - 1 Corinthians 15:25-26
3. HELL - Revelation 1:18
The cross gave him the right to open the scroll

Verses 6 & 7
When John looks he doesn't see a lion but Christ appearing as a lamb,
bearing the marks of having been slain. John has seen Christ in his first
vision, but Christ was standing in the midst of the churches. But now he
catches his first sight of the glorified Son of God in heaven. This is totally
different from what the worlds idea of a conqueror should be like. Terrible
judgments must precede the coming of the kingdom. This present world
order must be completely swept away, including all its historic roots.
Breaking the seals and opening the book bring the judgments.

As the Lamb or Jesus stands in the middle of the throne, the four living
creatures and the 24 elders are there also. John see's that he has "seven
horns and seven eyes. The seven horns symbolizes complete and perfect
strength and power. He stands in heaven as the supreme power and force
of the universe. The seven eyes symbolize complete and perfect knowledge,
intelligence, and wisdom. He is omniscient; He knows all and see's all.
Absolutely nothing escapes His sight and knowledge. The seven eyes also
are the symbol of the seven spirits of God which is the Holy Spirit.
In the person of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is everywhere,
seeing and knowing all. Read Colossians 2:3

Through the Cross and Resurrection, God has made Christ unto us
"wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. When
Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, comes to judge the world
at the end of the Tribulation, it will be as the perfect judge
who has all power and who knows all about mankind. We should keep
in mind that He was the sacrificial Lamb, but men rejected Him.
The unsaved man rarely contemplates that the one who will judge
him in eternity is the very one he spurns by his rejection of
Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord today.
Jesus takes the book from the hand of God.

Verse 8
As soon as Jesus Christ takes the book out of the hand of God,
all of heaven breaks loose in a song of praise, a song that has
never been sung before.

1. The four living creatures and the 24 elders fall down before
Christ, the Lamb of God, and play harps. The harp was the usual
instrument used to sing the Psalms of Praise to the Lord.
The harps are actually a Greek type of Lyre. The Greek word used
here is the root of our word Guitar. So the harps probably
sounded more like guitars.

2. They offer up golden vials full of odors or incense, which are
the prayers of the saints. (The vials are large flat bowls used
as censers, or fire pans, which were used to present offerings of
incense before the Lord. The prayers of the saints are the
dedicated believers who "love his appearing" and above all else
are praying for the coming of the Kingdom, when we and all
believers shall reign on the earth.

The bowls of incense indicate that the book must be opened and judgments
of the Great Tribulation must take place before the prayers of the saints can
be answered. In other words some of our prayers and questions we have
had will not be answered until after the tribulation. We see that the Kingdom
must be brought in through judgment.

Verses 9 & 10
Up to this point all the worship and praise has been given to God
the Father. Now when Jesus takes the scroll, a great outburst of
praise takes place, starting at the throne and spreading until
the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fall down in worship
before the Lamb or Jesus. In chapter 4 John saw the elders giving
praise to the Creator. Now he see's them giving praise to the
Lamb, praise and worship that belongs only to God. by doing this,
they are acknowledging the deity of Jesus. While on earth Jesus
was 100% God and at the same time 100% man. But yet He was able
to feel what we feel and not let the attributes of his deity and
the attributes of His humanness interfere with each other.

The elders do not present their crowns to Christ but instead they take
their harps and their worship to him is expressed in music. They sing a
new song, praising Him for His work of Redemption that made Him 
worthy to take the book and break the seals. We don't know if the four
living beings join in the song, but if they do it is as Paul indicated in 
Romans 8:21-23, that all creation is groaning for the day when the curse
will be lifted and our redemption or (resurrected) bodies will be received
at Christ's appearing. This new song that the elders sing celebrates the
act of deliverance through Christ. They praise Christ because He died 
for the sins of man and has set man free from sin and death and the
punishment to come. Romans 5:9 tells us that being now justified by his
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Jesus redeemed us by His Blood, on the Cross at Calvary, so now
we belong to Him. In this song we see redemption's price,
universally, and the glorious goal.

What was the price he paid?  He was slain!

What is the universality?
He saves people from every tribe and language and race and nation

There is no rejudice or discrimination with Christ, no favorites
and no partiality. He loves every person male, and female, poor
or rich, black or white, yellow and red, ignorant and wise.
Christ will save all who will call upon His name. These elders
now shout their praise to Christ for His universal salvation.
Romans 10:13

The glorious goal is that the blood of Jesus paid the price for
the redemption of every human being of every race and color.

They praise Christ also because He has given believers the great
gift of royalty. He makes them kings and priests, and they shall
rule or reign on the earth serving the Lord Jesus Christ forever
and ever as kings and priests. Wow! Won't that be neat.

Matthew 25:23 says
Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things,
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Verses 11 & 12
Here is the majestic worship of the angels. They are round about the
throne of God. Their number is innumerable. Ten thousand times ten 
thousand, and thousands of thousands. In other words millions of angels,
along with the four living beings and the 24 elders, singing a chorus that
would be over whelming for anyone. The angels do not sing the song of
redemption which was sung by the 24 elders in Verse 9-10, they cannot.
Why? Because angels have not been redeemed. However they can join
in giving praise to the Lamb, because he bears the marks of having been
slain. But the angels do declare that Christ is worthy to receive seven things:

1. They are praising Christ for his power. He is the one who is
able to open God's book and carry out and execute God's will
throughout the universe. He had power on earth to do miracles,
cast out demons, and raise the dead, but he never used his power
to make things easier for him. Read Matthew 28:18

2. They praise Him for his riches: He has double claim on the
wealth of the universe: first by creation, then by redemption.

Ephesians 1:7 - Philippians 4:19

3. They praise Him for his wisdom: His wisdom is the wisdom of God.
He is the embodiment or the example of God's Wisdom. He is omniscient,
seeing & knowing all. He knows all about God & heaven, and all about us
and our world with all its temptations and trials.

4. They praise Him for His strength: no one nor anything can
stand against Him. He not only has physical strength but strength
& might as the power of truth and as an attribute of God. All he
has to do is speak the Word and His will is done. Luke 1:37

5. They praise Him for his Honor: This includes the reverence and
respect due Him for all He is and all He has accomplished in plan
of God. Listen to that, the angels said he was worthy to receive
the respect due Him. How many people including some Quote
"Christians" give Christ the respect he is due.  Revelation 19:7

6. They praise Him for His glory: His own glory is the light of
heaven. In Him is no flaw or defect whatsoever.

This includes the brightness, splendor, and radiance of God who
dwells in the light. Christ had that glory once but left it
behind to be born in a manger. In John 17:5 Jesus prayed
"Glorify thou me with thing own self with the glory which I had
with thee before the world was."

He has now been given that glory back and will return to earth
in that same glory.

7. They praise Him for His blessing: The Greek word for blessing
is praise. We speak good words of thanks and praise for all He
is, and all He has done, for all he has given, for all he has
promised. So He is worthy! He is exalted because He humbled
Himself (in contrast to the pride of satan & human dictators.)
All the blessings that heaven and earth can give are due Him.

Psalms 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts
with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks;
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Verse 13
All creation praises God and the Lamb. They give blessing or praise,
honor, glory and power (another word indicating the strength, power,
rule and the sovereignty of God shown in mighty deeds) to both God
the Father "upon the throne" and to the Lamb "forever and ever."

Paul saw all creation groaning for the redemption &
transformation that Christ's return will bring. We who have the
first fruits of the Holy Spirit also groan, waiting for the day
when we shall be given new bodies that will no longer be subject
to decay, corruption, pain, or death.

Verse 14
The chapter ends with the cycle of praise back at the throne where
it all began. The four living beings add their "Amen" to the universal
worship and adoration of Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb,
once more falling down before Him. The elders fall down & worship
the Lord Jesus Christ the one who lives forever and ever.

Tim LaHaye in his commentary on Revelation makes this statement
about these last 2 verses. Scripture indicates very clearly that
every living creature, in heaven, on earth, under the earth, or
in the sea, awaiting the day of judgment, will one day worship
Jesus Christ. That includes all those who in this life
voluntarily reject Him. All those on earth will worship Him, all
those under the earth and those in the sea, awaiting judgment,
will at their resurrection be forced to worship Him just before
they are cast into the lake of fire. What a tragedy!
Read Philippians 2:9-11


Revelation Teachings above by Eileen Smith

She believes in a RAPTURE before the Tribulation. I do not.
People are SO OFFENDED when I say we will NOT escape persecution!
The Bible tells us many will be offended.

Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, 
and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
At that time many will fall away (be offended)
and will betray one another and hate one another.
Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Matthew 24:9-11





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