[QTVOTD] Qualifications…

“And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in the realm of the dead, Hades] was able to open the scroll or to take a [single] look at its contents. And I wept audibly and bitterly because no one was found fit to open the scroll or to inspect it. Then one of the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] said to me, Stop weeping! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root (Source) of David, has won (has overcome and conquered)! He can open the scroll and break its seven seals!” Revelation 5:3-5 ->me: I spent a lot of time on this passage last night; looking through the commentaries trying to get a grasp of the symbolism John uses here. First thing that jumped out at me in verse 4:1 was that the scroll was “on the hand” of the One Who sits on the throne (not in the hand); meaning that it was likely laying across the palm of His hand. Second, verse 2 says that a “strong” angel called out in a loud voice asking “Who is worthy to open the scroll?”; I take it that it is not ‘might’ alone that can open the scroll. Then John says that ‘no one’ was able to open the scroll; no one on earth, in heaven, or in death/hell was able to take and open the scroll. My mind keeps going to this period (maybe several moments – enough time to make John cry in sadness) where no one came forth…until one of the Elders around the Throne calmed John down and told him to look. Alright, so takeaways -> Only God the Father possess the future and this is backed up by Jesus when He says “only the Father knows” in Matthew 24:36, but Jesus is the only One Who can bring the end about. Additionally, the timing and worthiness of Jesus is perfect and there is no other who is qualified to open the seven seals. It is comforting to know that the One Who was thinking of eternity with me (the joy set before Him – Hebrews 12:2) when He paid the price of my sin on the cross, is the same Who executes the ushering in of that same eternity.

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