The Revelation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is more than exciting and nothing less than absolutely fascinating!
Growing up and even during adulthood, we hear about Revelation. Many people tremble at the thought of hearing about the Revelation, let alone actually turning to the book and reading a little of it.
Some people say it’s scary. When you come to the realization that it is futuristic, that seems to shed some of the fear of reading it. When you love reading the Bible daily and more, it becomes irresistible to search the whole Bible and your curiosity takes over.
You start wanting to know more and more. Your appetite becomes insatiable. It can become a habit that you cannot do without. It’s your daily food, breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks. You’re eating it all the time and can’t do without it.
The Apostle John, the writer, lets it all hang out. He doesn’t leave anything unsaid in his visions and accounts. His background isn’t unique from the standpoint that his mother, Elizabeth, waited long years to become pregnant.
She was called “barren.” There are other married Bible women who were barren. Elizabeth was married to Zacharias, the priest. They wanted to have a child. When God decided for them to become pregnant, they were delighted!
Zacharias was serving his priestly duties when the angel came and told him his wife would be pregnant. He was astonished in disbelief and the angel made him speechless until later. They were told many unusual things about their son to be, John.
It’s spectacular that Elizabeth named their son John. What did John see? He saw the “Ancient of Days” in His heavenly domain. In His right hand, the “Ancient of Days” was holding a mysterious scroll (at least mysterious to us).
The scroll, this two-sided document, had writing on both sides; that is on the inside and on the back. The scroll was sealed with seven seals. A strong angel comes “proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll? Who is worthy to loose its seals?’ No one came forth in heaven and no one came forth on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll. Nor was there anyone who could even look at it.”
So, no one was worthy to loose the seals; no one was worthy to look at the scroll and no one could read the scroll. One of the elders spoke out and said to John, “Do not weep.” The elder says further says, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
John sees more. He says in the midst of the throne and in the midst of the elders where the all-encompassing authority of the radiant light of His majesty were four living creatures.
There was standing a Lamb! Yes, a standing Lamb that had been slain. This spectacular scene and this Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. They are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
What next? The Lamb came with no hesitation and again having all the rights for claim, took the scroll! After that, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. They had musical instruments – harps, golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints).
And they began singing a new song, a redemption hymn: I had to highlight the holiness of this redemption hymn sung by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals, for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org, (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © [email protected]. Any errors? Let me know. References: Matthew Henry Commentary. Studylight.org. MacArthur Study Bible. The Revelation Record
