Revelation 5:1-8 / The Scroll w/ Seven Seals

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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. (Re 5:1–4)

John’s eruption of emotion when the question is a representation of the general feeling that these Christians shared. They felt weak, they felt like failures, and in view of the power of the empire, they felt helpless to take the scroll and carry out the plans of God.

Two things about John and his audience:

They were Israelites
The Jews have always seen themselves as the ones who would bring about the plan of God for the world. But Israel was not powerful, and their history is not a tale of growth and success. They spent much of their history enslaved and imprisoned by various nations, from Egypt to Babylon. Where was their great victory? When would it unfold?

They were Christians
The church consisted of pockets of people gathering throughout the empire around tables that included those with low status, outsiders, immigrants, women, and slaves; basically, all those whom Rome despised and did not want to make visible, let alone welcome. To associate with either the church or Jesus was considered a shameful thing. Would they ever find relief from the mocking, the marginalization, the exclusion, and the persecution?

In verses 1-4, I see John’s anxiety for them. He is their pastor, and he is worried about them.

5 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.”
6 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. … 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. (Re 5:5-7)

There is a pastoral message from John here. There is none worthy among us, but that is a part of what makes us the church. There is no judgment over those who fail, those who carry guilt and shame, those of low status, or the marginalized; there is only the body of Christ (the church) poured out and broken for their healing and salvation.

Discussion Questions:

1)   Are there times when you have felt unworthy to receive the ministry of reconciliation from God?

2) Have there been times when other Christians have communicated that you aren’t worthy of the mission of God?

3)   Is there anyone you believe is unworthy to be used by God to do his work?

4) What can we do as a community to push back against our propensity to elevate the pious as God's chosen ones and welcome everyone into the work of restoration and reconciliation?

5)   What does it mean to you that the Lion was a Lamb that had been slain?