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I saw a strong angel heralding in a great voice:1 “Who is worthy to open and read the Little Bible and to break its Seals?”
| 1 | A strong angel heralding in a great voice: How does one recognize “a strong angel” as opposed to a normal one? Angels have degrees of strength. (Daniel chapter 10) The voice is powerful and must echo in the Throne-room chamber. It raises a question for a wide audience. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Revelation 5:2 as the theme verse of chapter five – A Worthy Lamb. John now notices a book in the right hand of God Almighty. [1-5] It is sealed closed with seven seals. A call goes out asking who is worthy to open and read this book. A search is made throughout the universe and no one is found. John is overcome in tears. The one of the elders tells John to stop weeping for there is one who is worthy to open the book. That person is called “the lion of the tribe of Judah” and he has conquered so as to be worthy to open the book and unlock its seven seals.
Now John beholds a recently slaughtered lamb in the midst of the throne-room. [6-10] The Lamb approached God Almighty and received the book with the seven seals. At that moment all in the throne-room break forth in a “new song” praising the worthiness of the Lamb. They sing that the Lamb has purchased with his blood certain persons from an international, global number. These have been made into a priestly Kingdom and reign on earth.
Heavenly praise of the Lamb breaks out. [11, 12] The lamb is declared worthy to receive a seven-fold declaration. Finally a universal anthem reaches a resounding climax. [13, 14] For all creatures living and dead sing praises to God and the Lamb. The four beasts end the praise assembly with “Amen!” and then the heavenly elders bow in worship.
Abba our Father bless those who deem the Lamb worthy.
[19 September 2002]
