THE SCROLL

Several scholarly proposals have been made as to the exact significance of the scroll taken by the Lamb (i.e. Christ) from the hand of “the One seated on the throne” (i.e. God)(5:7). The most meaningful of these theories states that the scroll represents God’s redemptive plan, foreshadowed in the Old Testament, by which God asserts sovereignty over the sinful world and thus achieves the purpose of creation. The symbol of the scroll itself was taken from Ezekiel 2:9-3:3 where it represents divine judgment on Israel for rebellion against God.

The figure of the Lamb occurs no less than twenty-nine times in the book. There can be no mistaking the symbol for 1st century Christians and universally in Christian art since then. The Lamb is Jesus, the Messiah/Christ, as in the Baptist's cry in John 1:29. The imagery comes from the Old Testament, unquestionably the messianic interpretation of Isaiah 53:7 as in Acts 8:32 and 1 Peter 1:19. He alone is worthy to open the scroll because Christ has already won the victory over sin and death by his death and resurrection.

Until the scroll is opened the divine purpose remains unknown and unattainable by humanity. Thus the self-sacrificing and redemptive love of Jesus Christ becomes the means by which God does overcome all that is evil.

The resounding praise of the four living creatures and twenty-four assembled elders together with the great heavenly host and all of creation also has great meaning. It celebrates the victory of Christ extended to the whole universe. In Christ God has already reconciled the whole universe to himself. The task of the church as the representative of Christ on earth to make known to all who will hear what is already anticipated by the heavenly chorus.

This is designed to encourage the faithful in the seven churches struggling in oppressive circumstances, assuring them that the final outcome has been decided.