The Hollow Book

Revelation 5:1-3, 5-8

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.

The book could not be opened by any other than the Lamb for he alone could write therein. Having paid and suffered the most, he alone as the last Adam is worthy. The focus is not upon the scroll which could not be opened. This scroll had writing on both sides; it was sealed with seven seals, and none could look inside. Is there a significance to this scroll? Yes, there is. Notice John's inappropriate response; he wanted knowledge for its' own sake without knowing who had written such. The answer to whom is always Christ. He is not just a man. This focus on people to meet and satisfy your every need is a mistake; neither men nor angels are the ones who was, who is, and who is to come. He holds the whole world together with his power. He walks with you even when you do not walk with him or even consider him to meet your every need.

Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Christ is called "the root of David" which literally means the source. David was a renowned king of his time. Christ is the source of every righteous man and woman for he has "made us unto our God kings and priests" in Revelation 5:10. He is called the root of David because he claims preeminence as in Colossians 1:18. Not only is he is the descendent of David but also the source; Luke 2:4 says he claims kingship and fulfills the prophecy of Christ being borne among men. See, the tree did not bear the roots, the roots bore the tree. You may be saying, 'that sounds backwards.' Yes, it is, but that is the way it is in the kingdom of Heaven. The wisdom of men is made as foolishness that he might have first place according to 1 Corinthians 2:19. 1 Corinthians 3:19 explains further so no man would be able to contest his place. Did they try getting Satan to open the scroll? Believe me, they sure did. Verse three says no one "under the earth" or "on earth" was found who could open the scroll or "look inside."

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

The Lamb looked as if he had been slain. What was done is a testimony against them in the time of judgement. See those "wounds received in the house of my friends" in Zechariah 13:6. Notice how he appears "looking as if [he] had been slain;" saving the world was a higher price for him than any should have the right to pay. Literally this scroll makes the hearers hollow. Luke 9:5 describes shaking "the dust off" the feet as "a testimony against" those who had rejected the message. Now is the time of judgment or a shaking off the dust from where he has been. We see later in the book the effects of this scroll and it's judgements. The Lamb is the focus rather than the judgment. The living creatures and the elders were witnesses to his death. Here they are seen circling him in a form of protection to him who needs none; they worship him who fulfilled the demands of hell, the price of grace, and the will of God. We see in multiplicity the unity of God. There is not seen seven other gods and two different people sitting on the throne; rather, his Spirits are sent to the seven churches of Revelation 1:4. The unity of God the Father and the Son is demonstrated in his taking the scroll from him who sits on the throne.

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.

Lastly, we see the prayers of God's people represented by the souls of those martyred under the altar which cry out for justice in Revelation 6:9. Just as the world treated Jesus, so they treated his people. These bowls of prayers held by the elders were offered on the altar to judge the world. Judgement is less about wrath and more about the justice and vindication for God's people. The Holocaust and the genocides of the world were Satan's play at creating God's perfect justice poured out on the world. In those days, God makes it clear he is the only one who will be their creator, their judge, and the executioner. Judgement and justice will not be found at the hands of the Antichrist who punishes all who do not follow his name; rather, both are found in the hands of Christ who made all and purchased the rights with his blood. This is why every attempt by Satan and man at overthrowing the world has failed. The final ingredient needed is Christ, for without him there is no judgement or justice. There will be nothing without him. This should be incredibly comforting to the people of God. Colossians 1:15-20 states that Christ is "before all things and in him all things hold together." The author of the hollowed book is Christ. The answer is not found in the judgement but rather in Christ himself.