1 And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
The one on the throne, God, is holding the plan for all of time. Nothing that has ever happened has caught God by surprise. He knew before He made this universe exactly what was going to happen in every, single life. Only He can know what is in the book unless He chooses to reveal it someone else.
Seven is the number of completeness. All of history is complete. God did not leave out one detail. And all His plans are completely hidden from mankind until He chooses to reveal them.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?”
No one is worthy to see God’s plans. However, He occasionally chooses to allow us fallible humans a glimpse.
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
No one is capable of opening this book. No one is smart enough, strong enough, spiritual enough or wise enough.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
John wanted to see what was in the book so badly that he cried in frustration.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
One of the elders- a church member- comforted John. Notice it wasn’t a minister. We all can learn from each other, not just from the ministry.
Only Christ could open the book. He is both the Lion (powerful ruler) of Judah and the Root of David (the One prophesied about throughout the Bible.)
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
John sees a Lamb which has been killed. This Lamb is, of course, Jesus Christ. He is in the middle of the throne and the four beasts (the ministry) and the elders (the church) all at the same time. Christ is everywhere. He is God who sits on the throne and dwells in His ministry as well as His church. No one has a corner on God.
He is slain to pay the price for our sins.
The “horns” represents power, so He has perfect and complete power.
The eyes represent wisdom and knowledge, so He has perfect and complete wisdom and knowledge.
All seven Spirits of God dwell in Him. He is completely God; all of God dwells in Him.
7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.
We were told in verse five that only the Lion of Judah can open the book. Here the Lamb takes it. He is both a Lion (the powerful Judge of the world bringing judgment on all who sin) and a Lamb (a perfect sacrifice for our sins; One who is meek and mild).
He didn’t take the book by force. He had a right to see what was in it that no one else had.
8 And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
The Lamb is worthy of the greatest praise; and the prayers of believers always reach Him.
Note that the “golden vials full of odors” is symbolic and John provides the meaning- “which are the prayers of the saints.”
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
This song is for the New Age that Christ ushered in with His crucifixion. Only Christ is worthy to take the book because He is God and He died for our sins.
He is no respecter of persons; He has saved people of every type from every corner of the planet.
10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
We do not deserve to be kings and priests. Christ’s sacrifice washed away our sins, giving us the right to these offices. We rule the world and worship our God in heaven because of what Jesus did for us.
Yes, Christians should be involved in politics. Proverbs 29:2 "When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan." (New Living Translation) The godly are supposed to be in charge. That is God's perfect will
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
The number of those who will worship God is uncountable.
12 Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
Christ is worthy of everything that we could possibly give Him. He is worthy to have all the riches and power in the whole world; He has all wisdom and strength. We should be giving Him all honor and glory and blessings. There is nothing He does not deserve to have.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
All of creation praises God, the One who rules and who was sacrificed for our sins.
14 And the four beasts said, “Amen.” And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever.
The church will worship Christ forever. That will be our job and entertainment for all of eternity.