Songs In The Night

² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” – Revelation 5:2

Banished

Perhaps no human has ever penned words that match those of the Apostle John.  In my opinion, the Gospel that bears his name is without equal.  As John writes about his Savior, the sincerity of his love is so transparent.

For three years John had the privilege of living daily with his Master.  Every day he heard His teachings and witnessed His holiness.  Despite the confusion and chaos that surrounded Jesus, John was always certain of one thing.  Jesus loved him.  Accordingly, John would refer to himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.”

On the night Jesus was betrayed, John rested his head on his Saviors bosom (John 13:23).  But that was years ago.  Now an old man roughly ninety years of age, John finds himself on the rocky little island called Patmos.  On account of the gospel.  Presumably banished there by the Roman emperor Domitian who did not “appreciate” John or his Christian influence.

Transported

Being on Patmos must have afforded the sensitive Apostle time to reflect.  When Jesus was still alive, John was part of His inner circle.  Along with Peter and James, he was privy to three major events that the other disciples were not.

John was in the room with Jesus when He raised Jairus’ daughter back to life, he was on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured, and he was in the Garden when Jesus travailed in prayer.

As John reflected on these events and others, one memory must have dominated all others.  The crucifixion of his beloved Savior.  When his fellow disciples ran for cover, John stood at the foot of the cross.  As Jesus hung between two criminals, John watched His blood flow from His wounds.  As John pondered his future without His beloved Jesus, Jesus committed His beloved mother to John.  The disciple whom Jesus loved.

While John’s memories may be fresh, his beloved Jesus is gone.  And so are Peter, James, Mary and the others.  Many of whom were martyred for their faith.  The same faith that “sent” John to Patmos.

John may have been an old man on a little island, but he was never alone and never forgotten.  The ever faithful disciple whom Jesus loved had more words to pen, hence his Heavenly Father transported him to Heaven.

Scroll

As John is transported before the Heavenly throne, he sees God holding a scroll in His right hand (Revelation 5:1).  A scroll sealed with seven seals.  John doesn’t record what is in the scroll, but the writing on the back may have given him a clue as to what was written on the inside.

Was the scroll that the Father held in His hand a Title Deed to the Universe?  Was it a judgment lien? A lien issued by a court where a debtor (you/me) is unable to satisfy a debt (caused by our sin).  Accordingly, this scroll would authorize that the debtor’s assets (our very souls) be forfeit in judgment.

Obviously, since the scroll is held in the right hand of God Almighty, it’s importance can’t be overstated.  But its contents couldn’t be definitively known until the seven seals were broken.  But there seemed to be one problem.

Who was worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?

Who?

John senses the seriousness of the scroll and hears the loud Angelic proclamation:

“Who is worthy to open it?”

And then the Angel’s proclamation is followed by John’s devastation.  It appeared no one was able to open the scroll.  No one was worthy.  “³ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it” (Revelation 5:3).  

John’s sensitive heart was crushed.  His aged frame began to quake, and his tired eyes succumbed to tears.  Because no one was found worthy, John began to “weep loudly”.  And why not?

Did Jesus die in vain?  Did John and his fellow disciples “throw away” their lives?  What was the ultimate meaning of Jesus’ teachings?  Is it possible the resurrection was just a cruel trick?  If so, are those of us who place our faith in it most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19)?  If our Savior’s death was in vain then by implication won’t ours be also?

Fear not John.  Your eyes did not fail you, and neither has your mind.  And your Savior never can or will.  Weep no more!

Worthy

Like a fog gives way to sunshine, John’s grief gives way to hope.  Through his tears John is encouraged by one of Heaven’s elders to “behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, (who) has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5).

The lion of the tribe of Judah left Heaven’s throne.  As a babe He put on flesh and blood.  When it was time for Jesus to “begin” His ministry, The Baptist proclaimed Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  And so He would. 

That chest that John leaned against at the last supper was home to the heart of God.  The only heart that ever contained perfect love.  A love that was willing to still Jesus’ heart.  At least for a time.  The love that John so beautifully wrote about. 

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

The Root of David was born to rule.  He was born to break the seals and open the scroll.  But first He had to conquer.  And He did so with His blood.  The blood that John beheld as he stood at the foot of the cross.  Take heart fellow believer, it was not spilled in vain!!

Worship

Because of Jesus’ worthiness, John’s worries were turned to worship.  As the slain Lamb took the scroll from His Father’s hand, heaven was filled with a new song.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,