February 6, 2006
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Up in heaven John is weeping because he is wondering Who is worthy to open the scroll. Revelation 5:3
Notice again that it is who is WORTHY, not who is willing. Many of us might be willing to do so and tried to rule the earth, but only one is Worthy. I am sure it comes to no surprise that that one will be Jesus.
In verse 4 John wept much (in Greek it implies a sobbing, convulsing, agonized weeping.) But one of the elders comforted John. In our churches, given that what is on earth mirrors Heaven, our elders should also be in the role of comforting the brethren when they are upset. So often that is not the case, but in Revelation we see the elders asking provocative questions then using the questions as springboards for teaching, they comfort when upset, and they worship intensely.
In Verse 5 the elder says, “Do not weep, Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
That is an interesting description of Jesus,
Lion of the Tribe of Judah – takes us back to Genesis 49 with Jacob’s death and his blessings of the 12 sons. Genesis 49:9-12 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine and his teeth whiter than milk.
Shiloh is a reference to Christ. and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and often in Revelation and in the prophesies, the terms the winepress of God’s wrath is mentioned. Jesus took God’s wrath fully on the cross for us.
But there is a wonderful bit of history of the Jews that applies to this, and this teaching blew my socks off. In fact right now I am barefoot typing (am barefoot, but not because socks blew off).
The year is 12 A.D., Springtime in Jerusalem. The Romans made a law that decreed that the Jewish people could no longer commit capital punishment, that all criminals had to be brought before the Roman leaders if the punishment had to result in death.
Now once the ability to deal directly with criminals was taken away from the Jews, they mourned because it meant that the scepter had been removed from them, and in their minds the prophesy did not come true that Messiah would come and take the scepter. From the time of Noah, capital punishment was considered a key to government. It also meant that capital punishment would no longer be stoning (the Jewish way), but the Roman way, of being hung on a tree, crucifixion.
The interesting thing is that at that time in spring, during the Passover a family made their way to Jerusalem, celebrated and worshiped, and then left Jerusalem. Part way home they discovered that one of their members was left in Jerusalem. A mad and frantic search ensued until they found their 12 year old son standing in the temple and debating with the scribes and Pharisees. When asked why He was not with the family, He mentioned that He had to be about His Father’s business. That person was Jesus.
So the prophesy of Shiloh came true, and the scepter did not leave Israel, for the Messiah had come.
The other definition of the one worthy to take the scroll is the Root of David.
Jesus is descended from David, but He is also the root of David, for Jesus existed before creation. Genesis and John both begin with in the beginning was the Word. We know that Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus brought this up when he was being questioned by the Pharisees, Matthew 22:41-46 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The Son of David.” He said to them, ‘How then does David in the Spirit call Him “Lord” saying: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’ If David then calls Him ‘Lord’ How is He his Son? And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.
More tomorrow, the kids are home from school and the computer is in demand, sigh. Pray patience for me, as one of them is rather moody.
Have a blessed day!
Heather
Comments (10)
Guess it is that time of day where you are! I read the last few chapters of Genesis this weekend and the Judah/lion thing was interesting to see. The idea of the scepter passing with the change in governing ability was new to me. Interesting stuff! btw I have been thinking about your post of a week or week and a half ago. The idea of where was God when bad stuff was happening in your life. It has bugged me. I find it frustrating to not be able to come up with an answer. There are those who will look at those circumstances and say God doesn’t care, or He isn’t there at all. Even without an answer its good that you still place your trust in Him.
Tim
I have to agree. We are not worthy. (and i am not talking about nor using this phrase from the movie….)
We as humans reallt try to place ourselves on a pedestal to “show” our worthiness. My question is this: How many times does God need to humble us before we can aknowledge that we are truly not worthy? If we can ever truly accept that concept, then God’s saving grace is all the more wonderous to and for us. We are only worthy to humble ourselves before our God and gives him our thanks by prayer, worship , and submission to his will for us.
As always, I love reading your posts. they for one offer me food for thought during this time where all i seem to do is study and discect teh word to find follow and understand themes and doctrines. It means a lot to just read for pleasure and search out others ideas instead the continued muddling over in my own brain those that I am currently studying or wrestling…….
I have to say….Ain’t it glorious when God talks to us in such a way that we do indeed.. “get our socks blown off!”
Wow wonderful, powerful message/word! Your posts are so rewarding a blessing to read! Easy to read and understand thank you for that!
Have a bless day!
Really enjoying this one.
Hey Heather…
Sorry it took me so long to comment back. I had such a busy weekend and we just got home a little while ago. But we are rejoicing in the blessings of the Lord for all things. Thanks for the comments you left. I always appreciate it when the Lord speaks to others through what I write.. for it is not I, but the Holy Spirit who speaks. Have a blessed evening.
Phil
Thnaks for the study, I’ve studied Revelation a lot, it’s a special blessing.
Hey Heather. I’ve stopped by often but have’nt had the time to comment. Praying you are doing well.
I have cried many a tear over those verses in Revelation, if no one can opewn the book we have no redemption, and of all the kings,an princes priests and holy ones, angels in heaven Angels on the earth, or under the earth no one can break the seal. and ca’nt you see Jesus, mighty on Gods right side, OK I CAN OPEN THE SEAL.. It has to be a tender voice yet a voice spoken with such authority that the myriads and myriads can hear and understand and I fel each on as they hear there name they must fall on there knees in adoration and Glory to the Most high God->- -< pirit the trinity in all its glory and splendor, reading our name.
WOW
I hate when my son breathes down my neck for computer time, I guess they think we’re not worthy of needing the computer-he has xanga to update and friends to instant message! what could I possible need the computer for?
if Jesus existed before his creation, do you think we also existed before our creation?
And what are your oppinions on reincarnation?
Hope your day is going well.
Annette