‘Who’s in charge around here?' [Mike Writes]
The Revelation
The last book of the Bible, a vivid vision of the dynamics of the heavenly realms given to the Apostle John, is not an easy read! It is, however, worthy of our perseverance.
I would like to draw our attention to the following section in Revelation 5:1-8:
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. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 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.”
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. 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.
The scroll
The scroll represents the desired plans and purposes of God for the whole universe. It tells us that God, from before time, has desired a people for Himself. It tells us of the love He feels towards humanity, a love that moves Him to sacrifice His only Son to redeem and reconcile us to Himself. His desire to make anew this broken, sin-soaked world is motivated by a deep love for mankind who are made in His own image.
I wept and wept
Why such grief? It is the agony of realising that all the good plans and purposes of God for the world, as written on the scroll, cannot be revealed or carried out. Why? Because no one in all creation has the right to open the scroll, or the power to implement its contents. It's the feeling of lament giving rise to weeping. It’s the feeling that there is no hope. It’s the crushing reality that the wonderful things written on the scroll will never happen because there is no candidate suitable for the undertaking. No wonder John weeps and weeps. Have you ever felt like this about a situation in your life? Have you ever said that 'it's hopeless', or that 'no one can turn this matter around'? Have you ever entertained the idea that it’s impossible to find a cleansed conscience, or a peaceful heart? Does the following sound familiar, ‘the hopes I had are lost, what good can come from this?’ Many such laments are common to human experience. We need a Saviour!
An elder's encouragement
An elder, a person made of flesh and blood who has experienced redemption first hand, says, 'do not weep', and states that there is hope for John, for mankind, and for all of creation. There is a person who can get hold of this scroll and unlock the plans and purposes of God. Who? He points to Jesus and exclaims, 'see the Lion of the tribe of Judah has overcome'. The Lion can both reveal and carry out God’s purposes on earth. Jesus Christ can open the scroll, and from His triumphant position over sin and grave, He extends the process of bringing to completion every good intention and purpose in the heart of His Father.
Writing on both sides
All of history and all of God’s plans fill all the scroll! There is so much God intends to do, and so many lives He intends to redeem and save. Great moves of God in the past are listed, and so are millions of names of individuals who have received salvation. The name, 'Relational Mission', is recorded. And Look, there is your name, the names of your family, and your local church. See, it’s all there! All of it is written alongside the grand sweeps of world history that are being powerfully guided towards the great day of the Lord when Christ shall return. All things have worked together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! The ransomed, redeemed, and forgiven, now populate a new heavens and earth. It is no wonder that, in light of this, the weeping stops and is replaced by a new song glorifying Christ! You, Lord, are worthy to take the Scroll because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tongue, tribe, and nation.
What should we do in light of this?
Banish hopelessness. Jesus is alive and Lord of all. He can open the good purposes of God over your life.
The very theme of the book of Revelation is the victory of Christ. We know that the gospel of salvation through Christ, making disciples, empowering the poor, seeing the kingdom of God (the rule and reign of Christ) increase on the earth, reaching the nations, planting and strengthening churches, are all written on the scroll. This should give us faith and confidence as we each play our part in his purposes.
Even if we are hit with setbacks and Satan seeks to resist and outwit us, which he does try to do, we must remember that there is always a way through. We know this because Jesus has opened the scroll. He can bring all things fully and finally into being. Satan, the architect of all that is evil, the one who seeks to tear up and burn the scroll, will continually and then ultimately be defeated. Line by line the desires of God’s heart for creation will be brought into being through the power of Jesus.
Be persistent in faith-filled prayer. In the above passage we read of the ‘prayers of God’s people’ rising like incense. It is much easier to pray if we know that the one we are praying to can answer our prayers, and what’s more, wants to! Prayer somehow fuels the unfolding purposes of God that are being carried out by our risen King Jesus. Let’s keep adding fuel to the fires of His mighty acts.
We should stop trying in our own strength. Jesus said, 'without me you can do nothing.' If we know that only Jesus can accomplish these things, then it brings release and relief to us. It does not generate passivity, but rather helps us relax as we serve wholeheartedly. Who has the scroll in His hands? The answer should lead us to live a liberated life that is totally and prayerfully dependent on Jesus for everything we need.
Offer yourself to Him. Jesus knows what the will of God is and how to achieve it. He also invites us to play our part and work with Him. Jesus’ invite has always been and always will be, 'Follow me.' Remember it is not our skill or ability that advances God’s purposes, it is Jesus and our simple obedience to do what he has asked us. Sharing your story with your work colleague, teaching that Sunday school class, serving that community project, running your alpha table, being part of that church planting team, are just some of the ways that you can obey His call. Jesus does not leave us unequipped, He gives us the Holy Spirit to empower and guide us, and as Hebrews relays, God ‘equips you with everything good for doing his will’ (13:21).
Let us always remember that He holds the ‘scroll’. The fullness of all the plans and purposes of God are in the hands of Jesus. Let us look to Him with confidence and trust that there are so many good things written on God’s scroll for us as a family of churches. Christ can open every good purpose and plan in the heart of God – count on it!
Here are some commentaries on the book of Revelation (as recommended by my good friend, Goff Hope, who has studied and taught on the book Revelation over many years).
Revelation by by David Campbell and G.K. Beale, Eerdmans Publishing Company - (full commentary)
The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation by Vern S. PoythressVern S. Poythress, P&R Publishing - (shorter overview)
About ‘Mike Writes’
Mike Writes is a series of short posts by Mike Betts, one of the apostles serving our family of churches. They cover a mix of vision, biblical and prophetic themes, often reflecting on current issues that are relevant to the Church.