Now, I want you to get your Bible
today and turn to the book of Revelation. I'd like to bring
you a message from Revelation chapter 5. Now, here's the title
of the message. I call this message the book,
just the book. And I'm going to go verse by
verse here in Revelation chapter 5, beginning with verse 1. Now, this chapter contains three
divisions. First of all, you'll see the
sealed book in the hand of God. And then you'll see the opening
of the book by our Lord Jesus Christ. And then thirdly, you'll
see the great universal joy that the opening of the book brought
among the people in the kingdom of God. Now, there's the book,
and there's the opening of the book by the Lord Jesus Christ,
and there's the great universal joy that the opening of the book
brought to the people of God. Now, let's look at verse 1. If
you'll listen, I believe we'll learn something today. In Revelation
chapter 5, verse 1, And I saw in the right hand of him that
sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, and
sealed with seven seals. Now, the first thing I notice
is the place where the book is. It's in the hand of him who sat
on the throne. Now, this is God the Father. Not to the exclusion of the Son
and the Holy Spirit, for there are three that by record in heaven.
There's the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these
three are one. But John, back in the preceding chapter, wrote
immediately, I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne was set
in heaven, and one sat upon that throne. I believe this is God
the Father, and I'm sure you will as we go along and look
at the rest of this chapter. Now there was a book, a book
in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, and that book
was written within and on the backside. Now, the manner of
writing back in those days, back when John was on the Isle of
Patmos writing this testimony, the manner of writing was on
sheets of parchment, which were rolled into a cylinder. You've
seen that in pictures. And a book was called a volume,
or a book was called a roll or a scroll. Now, Ezekiel will help
us on that in Ezekiel chapter 2. Verse 9, Ezekiel wrote, When
I looked, behold, a hand was set before me, and lo, a roll
of a book was therein, and he spread it before me. He spread
the roll, the scroll, the book before me, and it was written
within and without. So very similar here. There's
one on the throne, in his right hand is a book, and it's written
within and on the back side, and it says the book was sealed
with seven seals. Now what's written in this awesome
book in the right hand of the Father? Some say it contains
all the types and the pictures and the prophecies of the Old
Testament, but I don't believe that's what the book contains
because men like David and Moses, they were familiar with the book.
of the Old Testament and the prophecies and the pictures and
the types. Moses wrote much of the Old Testament. David wrote
nearly all of the book of the Psalms. And these people saw
the things written therein. So that wouldn't be a book closed
to everybody, the Old Testament pictures and types. And then
some people say that the book contains the New Testament Gospels,
which is sealed as far as the natural man is concerned. The
natural man The Scripture says, Receiveth not the things that
are written because of foolishness to him. But God's people see
them and understand them. And the apostles and those who
followed after them actually taught men the New Testament. And God gave men the understanding
of the New Testament. So, this book, written with Ian
and on the backside, in the hand of God, on the throne, is not
the Old Testament. And it's not the New Testament.
If you listen, I'll tell you what this book is. This book
and its contents are known only to God. Only to God. Nobody else knows what's in this
book but God at this time. And this book in the hand of
Him who sits on the throne is the book of God's own decrees. It's the book of God's purpose. This is the book of God's eternal
kingdom. all the future, all events, all
that God will do concerning the new heavens and the new earth
and the kingdom of His dear Son. This book, written within and
on the backside, sealed with seven seals in the hand of God
on His throne, is the book of God's decrees, God's purpose,
and God's kingdom. It's written long before it's
opened and revealed. It's written before the foundation
of the world. In Isaiah chapter 46, verse 9,
he says, I am God. There's none else. I'm God. There's
none like me. I declare the end from the beginning. And from ancient times, the things
that are not yet done, saying my counsel, my decrees, my purpose
shall stand. I will do all my pleasure. I
have spoken. I'll bring it to pass. I have
purposed it. I will do it. And then in Acts
chapter 15, verse 18, the apostle said, Known unto God are all
his works from the beginning, decreed, designed, purposed,
spoken, declared, all of God's purposes from the beginning of
the world, all future events, kingdom of Christ, eternal life,
heaven, new earth. In Romans 4, 17, it says, God
quickens the dead and calls those things which be not as though
they were. That's what this book is. John
said, I saw a book in the right hand of him that sat on the throne,
written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And this book,
its contents known only to God. is a revelation of God's eternal
covenant of grace. You've read in the scriptures
about the everlasting covenant, and Christ is the shepherd of
the sheep, of the blood, of the everlasting covenant. It's God's
covenant of grace, mercy, and glory for sinners. And this book
contains the whole of God's decrees, His mercy, His grace, and His
glory. As John said, the things that
were, the things that are, and the things that shall be according
to his divine purpose. But the book is sealed. It's
sealed with seven seals which carry several meanings. Now listen
to me carefully. The book is sealed. Why is it
sealed? Well, it's sealed because it's
complete. It's a completed plan. It's a
completed purpose. It's a completed covenant. Known
unto God are all his works from the beginning. So all of them
are in this book. All of God's works concerning
all events and all creatures and their future is in his book. It's sealed secondly because
it's unchangeable. Nothing can be added and nothing
taken away. What God does is forever. So
it's unchangeable. And then it's sealed because
it's perfect. How many seals? Seven seals. What's the number seven? It's
the number of perfection. Eye hath not seen, ear hath not
heard, neither hath it entered the heart of man the things God
has prepared for them that love him. But he knows. He has purposed
it. He has sealed the book. It's
complete. It's unchangeable. It's perfect. And listen now
carefully. It is sealed because it's waiting. This book is waiting. The revelation of the only one
who can open it. The only one who can open this
book. The only one who can fulfill
what's written in this book. The only one who can bring to
pass every promise, every purpose, every decree, and every mercy
for every sinner. This book is sealed. It's in
the hand of God. Not only to God are all His works,
but He knows them. And it's perfect. It's unchangeable. It's complete. And this book
is sealed, waiting for the only one who can open it. For look
at verse 2 now. That's what verse 1 says. Now
verse 2, And I saw, John said, a strong angel proclaiming with
a loud voice, Who's worthy? to open this book and to loose
the seals thereof. Who's worthy? Who is of such
holiness that he can approach God's throne? Tell me, who is
of such holiness that he can come and take this book and open
it? Who is of such equality with
God, such power and worth that he can take the book out of the
hand of God? He's got to take it out of the
hand of God to open it. Who by his knowledge and wisdom
can unseal the book, bring its purposes to pass, bring its promises
into effect, and then explain it, the mysteries of this book,
to you and me? Who can obey every precept? Who
can pay every debt? Who can defeat every enemy? There
are a lot of enemies to the accomplishment of God's purpose. Who can remove
every obstacle of the law and justice? Who can find every sheep? Who can bring back every prodigal
son? Who can enable a just God to
be righteous, holy, and yet merciful? And embrace sinners and accept
them, each one. Who's worthy? That's the question. There's the book. All of the
purposes, the new heaven, new earth, salvation, eternal life,
eternal glory, happiness, no pain, no tears, no death, no
sorrow, eternal life, it's in the hands of the creed, it's
in the hands of God, and it's sealed. Who can open it? That's what the angel asked.
Well, verse 3, the question is answered. And no man, no man
in heaven or in earth neither under the earth was able to open
the book or even look thereon. No one in heaven, not an angel,
not a seraphim, not a cherubim, not a departed spirit, nobody. No one on earth, none of the
so-called wise and prudent and religious and pious, none of
them can approach the throne. No one under the earth, that's
all creatures, no one, no one was found worthy. Well, shall
the book of God's purpose remain sealed? Shall the book of God's
promises and God's covenant and mercy remain closed? Well, I'll
tell you if it's left up to you or left up to me or to anyone
in heaven, earth, or hell, it'll stay closed. In verse 4, John
said, and I wept. I wept much. because no man was
found worthy to open the book, to reveal the contents of the
book, or to take away the seals. No one was found worthy. Look
at verse 5. Here comes the good news. Here
comes the gospel. Here comes the one whose very
person and work this book is built upon and around. One of
the elders said to me, as I wept. He said, Weep not. Weep not. Weep not. There's one worthy. Why is God doing this to John? Why is God showing this to John? Well, I believe I know the reason.
I believe there are three things that need to be rehearsed over
and over again here and here. Three things that need to be
rehearsed over and over again. And this is what God's doing
to John here on the Isle of Patmos. Number one, the book. It's God's
book. The book is God's great purpose
and glory in his kingdom, which he has prepared for his people
through his son, Jesus Christ. This book truly exists. The covenant
of mercy truly exists. Secondly, we need to have rehearsed
over and over again to us that the total spiritual impotence
and depravity of every creature prevents any man from opening
the book. or approaching the throne. No
man's worthy. Never has been, is not, now never
will be. That needs to be rehearsed over
and over again. No man's worthy. And thirdly,
thirdly, it is the excellency and glory and power of the Son
who is worthy. And here it comes. Listen. Weep
not, weep not, the elder said. A ransom has been found. Weep
not, for the Lion of the tribe of Judah." Who is this, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah? It's the Lord Jesus Christ who
came from the tribe of Judah. When Jacob was blessing his sons
in Genesis 49, this was his prophecy. He said, Judah is a lion's whelp. Judah is an old lion, and the
scepter shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh comes. And here He is, the Lion of the
tribe of Judah. Our Lord is called a Lamb for
His humility and for His obedience and for His sacrifice. But He's
called a Lion for His power and strength and authority. Here
He comes, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He's worthy. And then
it says, further identifying Him, He's the Root of David.
The line of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed
to open the book and loose the seals thereof." He's the seed
of Abraham. He's the line of Judah. He's
the family of Jesse. He's the son of David. He's the
son of God. Now watch verse 6. And John said,
I beheld. I beheld, and lo, in the midst
of the throne stood a lamb, as it had been slain. You see, Christ,
our Redeemer, is in the midst of the throne. He is God. He is with God, and by Him all
things were made. That's where John started his
gospel book. He said, In the beginning was
the Word, the Word was with God, the Word was God, and all things
were made by Him. So he's revealed to John as the
Lamb in the midst of the throne. Secondly, he's revealed as the
Lamb A lamb stood in the midst of the throne, the Passover lamb,
the sacrificial lamb. And then he appears as the lamb
slain. How did John know he's the lamb
slain? Because he bears the marks of
the cross. Even in heaven, our Lord bears
the marks of the cross. You know, when he rose from the
tomb and his disciples, he came to the upper room where they
were assembled and they were afraid. They thought they'd seen
a ghost. Our Lord said, it is I, myself. He said, behold my
hands, behold my feet. Well, you know, anybody could
say behold my hands and feet, but our Lord Jesus held forth
hands that had scars, nail prints, and feet that had nail prints.
And he bears the scars of the cross. So John said, I saw a
lamb as it had been slain in the midst of the throne. And
heaven, what's this now? Seven horns, seven eyes, and
the seven spirits of God. I told you that word seven, that
number seven's perfection. And this Lamb, who's worthy to
open the book, the book's written about Him and His person, His
work. This book is sealed, awaiting His coming to open the book.
But He's the Lamb in the midst of the throne. He is God and
was with God. and he bears the marks of the
cross, and he has seven horns in the Old Testament. Well, a
lamb doesn't have horns, but it's figurative language. For
in the Old Testament, horns means power. When it talks about the
horn of the king, that's the power of the king. And this lamb,
seven horns, perfect power, all power, almighty power, omnipotence. And he has seven eyes. Eyes are
knowledge. Eyes are understanding. Eyes
are being able to see the thoughts of men and all things. Our Lord
has seven eyes. He's omniscient. He knows everything. This lamb. And then He has seven
spirits, the seven spirits of God. That's eternal presence,
omnipresence. Our Lord is everywhere and with
you always, even to the end of the earth. I saw an angel. He said, Who's
worthy to open the book? No man was found worthy. And
I wept much. And the elder said, Don't weep,
John. And I looked, and in the midst of the throne was a lamb,
as it had been slain, with seven eyes, seven horns, and seven
spirits. And he came, now watch this,
he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that
sat on the throne. He came willingly. deliberately,
boldly, this lion of the tribe of Judah, this lamb as it had
been slain, this seed of David, this son of David, came and took
that book willingly, just like he took our nature on himself. Not the nature of angels, but
the nature of the seed of Abraham. Like he took our sins in his
body on the tree, and like he took our place and gave us his,
numbered with the transgressors, and gave us life everlasting.
Well, He came, and He took the book out of the right hand of
the Father, the book of purpose, the book of the covenant, the
book of the kingdom, the book of all of God's eternal plans. He didn't ask for it. He took
it. He didn't ask for it. Because
as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, this book is written
of Him. All of these decrees has to do
with Him and His person and His work and all these purposes of
God and the victory and the glory and the eternal life is accomplished
by Him. Without Him, there is no book. You see what I'm saying? Without
Him, there is no book. It's all about Him. He chose
us in Christ before the foundation of the world. He redeemed us
in Christ. He accepted us in the Beloved.
It's all in Christ. That's right. Do you see this?
The Lamb came and took the book from the hand of the Father.
And verse 5 says, watch this, He hath prevailed. He hath prevailed. He hath travailed to open this
book. Let me tell you something. To
loose these seals, He hath prevailed. If you just go back over his
life, he was made of a woman, born of a woman. The scripture
said, God in the fullness of time sent his son, made of a
woman, nine months in the womb, then born among poor people,
laid in a manger in the straw, no room for him in the inn. He
grew up in a carpenter's shop. He was circumcised. He's eight
days old. He fulfilled all the laws that
are written. perfectly obeyed every law. He grew up in a carpenter
shop. He was despised and rejected
of men. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief. He was tempted at all points
like as we are, and yet without sin. He walked this earth in
the flesh. He hungered. He thirsted. He
was weary. He was tried, tempted at all
points. He obeyed every prophecy. He
prevailed. Where you and I failed, he prevailed. where every man and every creature
has failed, our Lord prevailed. He obeyed the law of holiness
perfectly. He went to the cross of Calvary,
and there he suffered and bled and died, and he was buried,
buried in a tomb, and he rose again. And then he ascended to
the right hand of the Father as our great high priest. But
Christ being come," listen to Hebrews 9, But Christ being come,
a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more
perfect tabernacle, that is, his own body, neither by the
blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered
once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for
us. He arose, he ascended to heaven,
and there at the right hand of God he ever lives to make intercession
for you and me." Now, watch verse 8. through 12. That's the book,
the decrees of God, the covenant of God, the eternal purpose of
God, all that will be in the kingdom of God. And the only
one able to take the book and open it prevails to open the
book and accomplish all that God required of us perfectly,
perfection. He satisfied the law He honored
the law. He satisfied the justice of God.
He bore our sins in his own body on the tree. And when he had
taken the book, listen, when he had taken the book, verse
8, everybody fell down before the Lamb. Everybody in heaven
fell down before the Lamb. And they sang, they sung a new
song saying, thou art worthy, thou art worthy. No one else
is worthy, but Thou art worthy to take the book and open the
seals. For Thou was slain, and Thou
hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood. Watch it now, out of every
kindred, every tongue, every people, and every nation. And
Thou hast made us unto our God, both kings and priests, and we
shall reign on the new earth. shall reign in heaven and on
the new earth." Because He opened the book. He prevailed to open
the book. So they said, where is the Lamb
that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom, strength,
honor and glory? Here's the conclusion. Verse
13, and every creature which is in heaven, the new heaven,
there'll be a new heaven, new earth. every creature in the
new heaven, and on the new earth, and under the earth, and such
as are in the seas, and all that are therein. I heard them singing
one song. I heard them declaring one glorious
truth, for he must have all preeminence, all hail the power of Jesus'
name, that angels prostrate fall, bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all. God hath given him a name greater,
higher than every name, that is the name of Jesus. Every knee
should bow in heaven, earth, and under the earth, and every
voice shall proclaim, every tongue shall declare that he is Lord
to the glory of God the Father. And here is the song, blessing,
honor, glory, power, be unto him that sitteth on the throne,
and to the Lamb, forever and forever. Worthy is the Lamb. The book, God decrees. The only one worthy to open it,
the Lord Jesus Christ. And when he opened it, prevailed
to open it, and prevailed to accomplish everything written
therein. A great song was sung in heaven and earth. Worthy is
the Lamb. You want this message? It's called
the book. The book. Write for it, send
$2, and we'll mail it to you. Till we meet again, may God bless
you, everyone.