A Scroll with Seven Seals
Scripture Reading — Revelation 5:1-3
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.
God’s throne room is full of surprises. Having seen all the people and creatures surrounding God’s throne and giving constant praise, John is now drawn to focus on a scroll.
The scroll is in God’s right hand, which means it is important to God and all of creation. This scroll is also unusual in that it has writing on both sides. The words of God’s law on stone tablets were written that way too (Exodus 32:15).
Also surprising is the number of seals used to keep the scroll closed. One seal would have been enough to keep it closed from view. But this scroll has seven seals!
Most surprising is that it will require someone special—someone “worthy”—to “break the seals and open the scroll.” But the text says that no one in heaven, on earth, or anywhere in creation is worthy to open the scroll—or even to peek inside it.
God has a powerful, one-of-a-kind story to reveal. It will take someone unique, worthy, and special to open this book and tell its story.
The only One to be able to break the seals and reveal the story’s contents also sits on the throne of all thrones.
Your Word is full of amazing surprises, Lord. There is always more to your story than we might suppose. Thank you! Prepare our minds and hearts for what you have in store for us next. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Jim Poelman
Pastor Jim Poelman and his wife, Linda, served five churches in Ontario and British Columbia for thirty-nine years. They enjoy family gatherings with their extended household of children and grandchildren—29 members in all—often creating lots of happy noise.
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