Thursday 20 November 2008

Background

This is the point at which Revelation reaches its most dramaticmoment. John (the writer) has described his vision of heaven and inthe midst of overwhelming holiness reaches a moment of despair. Godholds a scroll that is sealed with seven seals which no one onearth is worthy to open.

Seven is a number that suggests perfection and in Jewish tradition,scrolls containing a person's will would be sealed seven times.Here in chapter 5 of the book of Revelation is the climax of John'svision, where the judgement and generosity of God come together.Yet who can act as 'executor' of this will? Who will share itscontents with the world? John's tears are unnecessary because theChristian reader already knows who is worthy but to admit this toosoon would be to rob the moment of its drama.

In the midst of the heavenly throne room there is a 'Lamb' withseven horns and seven eyes, showing the wounds of having beenslaughtered. Throughout Revelation the 'Lamb' refers to Jesus, whothrough his life and death is the one human being that John knowsto be holy enough to open the great scroll. The horns on Jesus aresymbolic, pointing to his and God's omnipotence (all powerfulnature) as in the Old Testament horns represent power and honour.The seven eyes represent God's omniscience (all seeing nature) andremind the reader that there is no place outside God's caringvision.

As the scroll is handed to the Lamb those around the throne sing anew song of praise, this time praising Jesus. Often in the Psalmsthe phrase "a new song" is used and this will have been animportant part of John's Jewish tradition. Revelation is a bookfull of new things - a new name, a new Jerusalem, a new song, a newheaven and a new earth and through God all things will be madenew.

The next few chapters in Revelation describe dreadful events thatfollow the opening of each of the seals on the scroll and showJohn's pessimism for the world. According to John, to be made new,the world must first experience enormous destruction.

To Ponder

How do you understand the idea that Jesus had tosuffer so that the world might recognise God's love?

What does the idea of an all-powerful andall-seeing God mean to you?