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Additional Comments |
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| 1 And I saw on the right hand of him that sat upon the throne a book, written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. |
Right hand – Right hand of power (the right hand symbolizing one's strength). – Matt. 26:64
A book – A scroll. This was how "books" were kept then.
Written within and on the backside – The fact that this book was written on the backside indicates that some of the book could be read without opening it up.
Compare to Eze. 2:9,10
Sealed – Kept hidden under divine authority (as indicated by the seal).
Seven seals – A scroll closed up with seven seals would be revealed only gradually by the opening of each seal until the seventh seal is opened up. At that time the scroll would completely open and so much more could then be seen as compared with even that seen when the sixth seal had been opened. |
| 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals? |
Strong angel – See also Rev. 10:1; 18:21 (the only other places where this phrase is used.)
The strong angel seems not to be our Lord. It may refer to Pastor Russell. This suggestion comes from a comparison of the connection with the strong angel of Rev. 10:1 who is our returned Lord. Then in Rev. 10:5, 6 this angel is described in the same terms found in Dan. 12:6, 7. The Daniel reference brings in the man clothed in linen. This reference is to the same one as found in Eze. 9:2, 3, 11 and refers to Pastor Russell.
With a loud voice – Compare Rev. 10:1-3 where we also have a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice. This angel also has a book in his hand.
See Clothed in Linen
Please see Topical study "Loud Voice". |
| 3 And no one was able in the heaven, or upon the earth, or underneath the earth, to open the book, or to regard it. |
No man in heaven – There are no men in heaven. Therefore we must conclude that this refers to the nominal heaven, i.e., the power of spiritual control. In the early church this would still have referred to the Jewish system (church and state). During the Gospel Age this would refer to the religious element – the nominal church. In any case, no man could read the book.
Nor in earth – Organized society under religious restraint (R498). A man in the symbolic earth would be a willing member of that society.
Under the earth – A man under the symbolic earth would be one who lives in society and is forced to accept its religious dictates, as opposed to one who willingly lives in that society.
Was able to open the book – None in the above described groups had the ability to open this book.
The book – This is not the book of life. It seems highly unlikely that the book of life would be written within and without. This book is therefore most likely to indicate the revealed plan of God.
Neither to look thereon – No member of Adam's race was permitted to look into that book. |
| 4 And *I* wept much because no one had been found worthy to open the book nor to regard it. |
I – The John class – previously identified (Rev. 1:10) as the church in the flesh at the end of the Gospel Age.
Wept – The sorrow of the Lord's people that they were not able to understand the Plan of God was indeed great. Many had tried before and were blessed by the effort nevertheless they could not bring into harmony the entire bible, thus their sorrow.
Because no man ... – See vs. 3. |
| 5 And one of the elders says to me, Do not weep. Behold, the lion which is of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, has overcome so as to open the book, and its seven seals. |
One of the elders – This would refer either to Jacob, who actually gave the prophecy (see next comment), or to Moses who recorded it.
Our understanding is that the 24 elders refers to the Old Testament Scriptures (please see Topic Twenty-Four Elders.)
The lion of the tribe of Judah – Our Lord Jesus. This was prophetically given by Jacob Gen. 49:8-12.
Root of David – Isa. 11:10.
The originator of David. Jesus, as the Logos, created all things (John 1:1-3) and as such is the root of David. All are well aware that He (as a human) is also the son (descendant) of David.
Has prevailed to open the book – The book was given to Jesus at the time of his baptism. There he began to 'prevail' and continued to prevail until he finished his course in death 31/2 yrs. later. – R4641:1[R4640]
To loose the seven seals – This is an important point. It is Jesus who not only prevailed but who also opens the seals. When we look at chapter 6 we see that it is "he" (Jesus, the Lamb) who opens each of the seals. He may use human agencies to bring things about but we should always recognize that it is Jesus who is the one who opens each seal and sets in motion the things described under each. |
| 6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God which are sent into all the earth: |
In the midst of the throne.. 4 beasts.. elders – This indicates what is the central thing of importance to God, His throne, His attributes and His Holy Word. It tells us that His Only Begotten Son is the main focus of His being, that which has the first, chief place in His heart.
Seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth – The holy spirit sent into all seven stages of the church during their earthly journey.
See Zech. 4:10; 2 Chron. 16:9
Remember our Lord's promise: 'Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.' – Matt. 28:20. See also Rev. 1:12, 13. This shows how He is with us, i.e., by the Holy Spirit. |
| 7 and it came and took it out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. |
He – The lamb, our Lord Jesus.
Took the book – The entire plan of God centers in Jesus the Lamb of God. But it was not until he offered himself at Jordan that he took the book and began to read it. There, at his baptism, "the heavens were opened unto him." Matt. 3:16
Out of the right hand – Jesus earned the right by the sacrifice of himself according the will and plan of God.
Him that sat on the throne – Jehovah.
Phil. 2:9-10 |
| 8 And when it took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, having each a harp and golden bowls full of incenses, which are the prayers of the saints. |
He – Jesus, "the Lamb of God." (John 1:29, 36)
The book – Of prophecy. This is the book (or scroll) on which the seven seals are. In chapter 6 the lamb opens the seals and the prophetic events begin to unfold.
Four beasts – The Four Attributes of God. While falling down before someone usually indicates worship, it does not always. For example consider the 24 Elders casting their crowns before the throne. Please see Additional Comments for Rev. 4:10.
Twenty-four elders – The word of God (as expressed in the Old Testament).
Fell down before the lamb – Honoring him. See John 5:23 |
| 9 And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, |
And they – they [the saints, not the 24 elders]
We know it is the saints who are here singing because included in what they sing is: "thou .. hast redeemed us to God .." It is easy to see this being sung by the saints. It is not easy to see this being sung by the 24 elders.
Sung a new song – The song of Moses and the Lamb (Rev. 15:2-4) which song only the 144,000 can sing (Rev. 14:1-5).
Thou – Our Lord Jesus.
Art worthy – No one else is, only Jesus!
To take the book – Of Divine Prophecy concerning the Gospel Age.
Open the seals – It has been said that "The New Testament, in the Old is concealed while the Old in the New is revealed." The overall plan of God had been but vaguely seen until our Lord began to open up this sealed book and reveal its secrets, but not all at once. No, this took the opening, one at a time, of all seven of these seals.
Thou was slain – The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8
Redeemed – Hos. 13:14; 1 Cor. 15:54,55; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Tim. 2:5,6; Matt. 20:28.
Us to God – By providing the ransom AND the sin-offering on our behalf. 1 Pet. 3:18
By thy blood – Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:12
Out of every kindred.. tongue.. people.. nation – This makes it clear that the little flock is comprised not of Israel alone but will have representatives from all people. |
| 10 and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth. |
Us – The saints.
Kings and priests – The antitype of Melchizedek who was both a king and, at the same, time a priest.
Reign on the earth – Reign OVER the earth (Darby, MKJV, Weymouth, RVIC). This makes more sense. The saints will not be reigning ON the earth for they will be in heaven, but they will be part of the Christ which does reign OVER the earth. |
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| 11 And I saw, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and their number was ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands; |
I – John – church in the flesh.
The number of them – Primarily the angels who are 'round the throne.'
Ten thousand times ten thousand – = 100 million. All of humanity – C302:2
And thousands of thousands – millions more.
Compare with Dan. 7:10 |
| 12 saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that has been slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. |
A loud voice – See Topical study: Loud Voice.
Power, riches, wisdom .. honour.. glory – These are terms used by the angels AFTER great company has proven victorious in Rev. 7:12.
This suggests that, at this point, the vision is describing the early portion of the mediatorial phase of the Kingdom. |
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| 13 And every creature which is in the heaven and upon the earth and under the earth, and those that are upon the sea, and all things in them, heard I saying, To him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing, and honour, and glory, and might, to the ages of ages. |
In heaven – The Spiritual phase – nominal church.
[Sr. Ginger – The new heavens. Dan. 7:14]
On the earth – Those living in organized society under religious restraint.
Under the earth – Those who are under the dominion of organized society.
In the sea – The irreligious restless masses of humanity. R498
Heard I – John, the church in the flesh during the time of Christ's second advent.
see Rev. 19:1
We here suggest that the thought of this verse is that all the classes here described are those who WERE in those conditions, but have NOW reached the place where ALL are praising our Lord. The identification of these groups is here given in this fashion in order to remind us that the Plan of God, centered in the Lamb of God, will indeed bless ALL the families of the earth.
For ever and ever – For all eternity. See Topical study: The Reign of Christ (How Long is Forever?) |
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| 14 And the four living creatures said, Amen; and the elders fell down and did homage. |
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