God Can Open Our Scrolls

God Can Open Our Scrolls

Rev 5:1-6 NIV - 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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 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." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5 gives us a symbolic image of God’s plan of redemption. John expresses that only “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” could “open the scroll and its seven seals.” The Scripture implies that only Christ had the power to redeem mankind from sin. Why? Because the Lamb “[had] seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” It is important to stress Revelation is a work composed of symbols used to illustrate important theological truths and events concerning God’s Church throughout history. So when we read this text, we do not see a literal beast, but a symbolic representation of a God who encompasses omnipotent attributes necessary for salvation to occur. The Lamb’s seven horns represent “complete power.” This is a reference to Psalm 18.2, which proclaims that “The Lord is [the Psalmist’s] rock ... and the horn of [his] salvation." The seven eyes “convey the thought of complete insight and all knowledge” (L. S. McCutcheon, The Symbols Speak).

There is great spiritual significance in this passage of Scripture. Through it we are reassured that “[t]he LORD is [our] strength and [our] song; He has become [our] salvation” (Psalm 118.14). We can extend these properties of salvation to not only include the salvation of Mankind itself, but to every event in our lives: the Lord saves us each day. There are, no doubt, seals to the scrolls in our lives that are locked up and that we cannot unbind. Indeed, no one can unbind them but Christ Himself. There is no material wealth or pleasure, no drug or thrill, no relationship that can open the seals to our situations in life except for Jesus Himself.

Because He is perfect(as we are reminded by the repetitive usage of the number seven in the Lamb’s description), we ought to have no doubt that He can open our scrolls. His perfect power, represented by the seven horns, is enough to open the scrolls. It is enough to change the most stubborn of hearts; it is enough to unbind the chains of addiction and sexual immorality; it is enough to free the depressed man’s sorrow; it is enough to save the lost. Similarly, His all-seeing seven eyes represent perfect vision. He sees our sorrows, and He sees the future. His eyes can see well beyond ours, and thus He knows what we need. We must simply trust Him.

Allow God to open your scrolls today. If He could save us from sin through His blood, then He can save us from the scenarios we face in our daily lives. Just trust in Him. Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich