Title [Rev 5:1-5] The sealed book
John continued to see the throne of God. Upon closer inspection, there was a book in God's right hand, which was written inside and outside sealed with seven seals. However, there was no one worthy to open the seal, so John wept bitterly, and one of the elders comforted him and said that the descendants of David would open this seal. I am trying to receive grace by introducing the text by saying that it is a sealed book.
1. It is necessary to examine the meaning of the sealed book in God's right hand.
① It is said that it is sealed with seven seals (1). This indicates that the content is a secret that cannot be disclosed. In fact, we should know that God's will, plan, and providence are kept in complete mystery until revealed through Christ. In Deuteronomy 29:29, Moses testified, "The mysterious things belong to the LORD our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever." We should not try to evaluate everything about God based on what has been shown. You should pay more attention to the secret and make an effort to make it known. We must also know that God's plan remains unfinished. And we must become believers who wait for the sovereign work of the Lord, wondering how that plan will be fulfilled. In any case, knowing that we cannot clearly know God's revelation in our own strength, we should wait for the Lord's revelation and become faithful believers.
② The content of the book is about the end. The content of this book is a record of God's plan unfolding when this seal is broken. First, let us believe in the end of the world. Second, we must believe that in the end times, our bad deeds will be decided depending on whether we believe in Jesus. Third, we must know that the end of mankind will be completed through the redemptive history of the elect. In other words, we must know that according to God's predestination, the elect will believe and be saved, and it will end in the destruction of the abandoned. Fourth, we must know that the end is the beginning of a new world. The first step to eternal life in heaven is the end. Therefore, the saints should not be afraid of the end, but live a life of waiting in joy and hope.
③ It is said that this book is in the right hand of God. All human history is moving toward the end, and all of these things are written in the book, showing that only God can make it happen. We must know that the history of mankind belongs only to the sovereignty of God. Ecclesiasts 7:13-14 “Look at the works of God, who can straighten what God has crooked? Rejoice in days of prosperity, and think in days of distress. made them not to know.” No man can change God's plan and fulfillment. Wisdom is obeying and following God's will. Their business will prosper. Obedience to the Word also includes this meaning. Let's get rid of the foolishness of planning things on our own and trying to accomplish them on our own, and let's become wise saints who find God's plan for ourselves and obey His will to enjoy blessings.
2. It is also useful to know the meaning of John's weeping.
Knowing that no one could open the book in God's right hand or look at it, John wept bitterly.
① You can see John's desire to know the revelation. True saints long for revelation and must have a desire to know it. We do not have this desire. I hope that desire will be restored. We must meditate deeply on the Word and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, know its deep and mysterious meaning and become joyful members when we realize it.
② One of the elders told me who would open the sealed thing. It must be known that there must be a solution to the eager person. Only those who seek, those who seek, and those who knock can achieve their intended purpose. May we never forget that God will surely answer the wishes of those who weep before the Lord. May our sighs be turned into supplications to the Lord. May our lamentations and grumblings be turned into supplications with tears to the Lord. In particular, let us remember that God always hears and answers requests to know the will of the Lord and to obey His will. The testimony of the elder is that “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome, and will open this book and its seven seals.” May we all be blessed to know the mystery of the book sealed in the Lord.