Revelation: 8. Christ Receiving the Judgment Scroll.

[Marilyn C]

Christ Receiving the Judgment Scroll.

Before us now is a pictorial drama to help us understand this awesome event. God the Father is a Spirit, and has set up this visible throne for His Son. The throne is on the Father`s authority and He is shown giving the Judgment orders to His Son to execute.


So let`s look in detail as this drama unfolds.

Firstly we see the judgment scroll in the right hand of the Father. These judgments have been sealed since Daniel was told to seal up the scroll until the time of the end. (Dan. 12: 4) The seven seals indicate that these judgments are complete. (7 symbolizes complete)

And I saw .... a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with 7 seals. (Rev. 5: 1)


Then an angel proclaims,

Who is worthy to open and loose its seals? (Rev. 5: 2)



But, although all of heaven and earth and under the earth were searched, no one was found worthy to open the scroll, to execute the judgments.

And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. (Rev. 5: 3)


John wept as no one was found worthy.

I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. (Rev. 5: 4)



Had no one been found worthy to open the scroll, the judgments of the earth, all of humanity and the earth would be under the domination of Satan till God brought it to an end. Demonic rule and man`s rule must be brought under God.

But, praise the Lord, there is found One who is worthy. He became a man to claim back dominion of the earth. Man had forfeited his right to dominion when he disobeyed God and let Satan rule over him. Therefore Christ needed to become a man, then fulfill God`s law and not let Satan rule over Him.

Christ Jesus,....took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. (Phil. 2: 7)



It is the Lord Jesus Christ who receives the authority to execute the judgments written on the scroll.

The Father ....has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. (John 5: 27)

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ Fulfils the Legal Credentials.

We know that the Father gave Christ the authority to execute the judgments. However to do this Christ needed to fulfill the legal requirements to be ruler over the kings of the earth. Israel was promised that they would be the ruling nation over the other nations of the world.

Thus, Christ had to come from Israel and from the ruling house of David. Christ fulfilled these requirements and then prevailed against the enemy. He is worthy to open the judgment scroll.

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll... (Rev. 5: 5)


How then did Christ prevail against the enemy? Like the Apostle Peter we may think,with arms & force. Not by letting others kill Him, dying a cruel death. But this is exactly how Christ defeated the foe.

Christ`s sinless, perfect life, lived to do the Father`s will, was priceless. There is none other or will be in the whole universe and heavens beyond, that is like Him. Christ`s death overpaid the terrible debt of mankind and made the way for restoration of God`s purposes, His Covenant, through Jesus Christ.


The imagery of this sacrificial death is of a Lamb. The [I]7 horns[/I], indicate complete authority, and the 7 eyes, ` depict the full anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Behold,...a Lamb as though it had been slain, having 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the 7 (fold) Spirits of God... (Rev. 5: 6)



The Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, the heir of creation and of all things, steps forward and receives the scroll, the judgment scroll, (symbolically) out of the Father`s hand.

And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. (Rev. 5: 7)



God the Father prophesied of this event saying,

I will declare the decree; The Lord said to Me, You are My Son,.....Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for Your inheritance, the ends of the earth for Your possession.
(Ps. 2: 7 & 8)

 

[Marilyn C]

Worship.

Finally, there is a great anthem of praise and worship for what the Lord has done through His ministries, (King, sacrifice, man and deity, represented by the `living creatures.) The Body of Christ prostrate in honour and worship before the Lord.


`Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 Elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of the saints.` (Rev. 5: 8)


The new song, the song of the redeemed proclaim that the Lord is worthy for through His sacrifice they have been made kings and priests.

`And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood
out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign over the earth. (Rev. 5: 10)


What an immense choir of praise and worship giving Christ the 7 fold blessing.

`Then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, the Elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power & riches & wisdom, & strength & honour & glory & blessing.
(Rev. 5: 12)


One day, in eternity every creature will not only acknowledge Christ but worship the Father and the Son.


`And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honour and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5: 13)


Christ`s living ministries, which is His work as King, sacrifice, man and deity, bring Him honour. The Body of Christ, (24 Elders) who are in glory because of all Christ had done, are overcome and fall down at His feet and worship Him.

Then the four living creatures said “Amen!” And the 24 Elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever. (Rev. 5: 14)

 

[mattfivefour]

Christ Fulfils the Legal Credentials.

We know that the Father gave Christ the authority to execute the judgments. However to do this Christ needed to fulfill the legal requirements to be ruler over the kings of the earth. Israel was promised that they would be the ruling nation over the other nations of the world.

Thus, Christ had to come from Israel and from the ruling house of David. Christ fulfilled these requirements and then prevailed against the enemy. He is worthy to open the judgment scroll.

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll... (Rev. 5: 5)


How then did Christ prevail against the enemy? Like the Apostle Peter we may think,with arms & force. Not by letting others kill Him, dying a cruel death. But this is exactly how Christ defeated the foe.

Christ`s sinless, perfect life, lived to do the Father`s will, was priceless. There is none other or will be in the whole universe and heavens beyond, that is like Him. Christ`s death overpaid the terrible debt of mankind and made the way for restoration of God`s purposes, His Covenant, through Jesus Christ.


The imagery of this sacrificial death is of a Lamb. The [I]7 horns[/I], indicate complete authority, and the 7 eyes, ` depict the full anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Behold,...a Lamb as though it had been slain, having 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the 7 (fold) Spirits of God... (Rev. 5: 6)



The Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, the heir of creation and of all things, steps forward and receives the scroll, the judgment scroll, (symbolically) out of the Father`s hand.

And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. (Rev. 5: 7)



God the Father prophesied of this event saying,

I will declare the decree; The Lord said to Me, You are My Son,.....Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for Your inheritance, the ends of the earth for Your possession.
(Ps. 2: 7 & 8)

An excellent summary of Christ's legal standing as Savior of all creation. But I would offer one correction. You wrote:

"The 7 horns, indicate complete authority, and the 7 eyes, ` depict the full anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Behold,...a Lamb as though it had been slain, having 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the 7 (fold) Spirits of God... (Rev. 5: 6)"

I would suggest a more accurate wording would be the seven horns proclaim His omnipotence and the seven eyes His omniscience.

 

[Marilyn C]

An excellent summary of Christ's legal standing as Savior of all creation. But I would offer one correction. You wrote:



I would suggest a more accurate wording would be the seven horns proclaim His omnipotence and the seven eyes His omniscience.

That sounds good to me, matt. Thank you for your valuable input.