Anticipating The Holy One, Part 1

I mentioned before in my 100th post that I teach the Sr. High girls Sunday School class. This past weeks lesson began an entire month in the book of Revelation. I must admit that when I saw that we were going to be in Revelation, I was a little worried! Some of Revelation can be difficult to understand. Thankfully there are men like John MacArthur, who God has gifted to help people like me! Once I began digging into Revelation 5, I was completely overjoyed! It was one of those moments where I read it and just couldn't hardly contain my excitement! I haven't been able to get it off my mind. I'm sure it will be a passage that I read time and time again. It is such an exciting book and an encouragement to those who are called by Him. I'd like to share a little bit of what I learned and I hope that maybe this will excite & encourage you as well... and if it doesn't... well, I've got some info for you as well.. you just have to keep on readin'!

Revelation 5 is the book that introduces the rightful ruler of the earth, Jesus Christ. Currently, we know, that Satan reigns and rules over the earth. The scene in chapter 5 takes place in the throne room of heaven. John amazingly got an eye witness account of the events to come. In vs. 1, John sees 'in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.' This scroll is kind of like the deed to creation. The chapter goes on to tell about a 'strong angel' who is searching for someone to open the scroll (vs. 2). All of heaven remains silent because no one there was able to open the scroll; there was none worthy (vs 3). Then on to verse 4, we see John begin to weep. He is overwhelmed with grief. We must understand where he is coming from though. He has just seen Jesus Christ executed on the cross, Jerusalem destroyed and the Jewish people scattered. He feels hopeless and now that no one can open the scrolls, he fears that Satan will reign forever and that sin did in fact win. We know the rest of the story but, at the time, John did not and he was devastated.

John was then told not to weep in verse 5. His weeping was inappropriate because, "Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." Someone was entering the room and it was the One and Only... the Holy One! Can you even imagine Christ stepping into the throne room of God at this moment in time?? Jesus Christ has prevailed! He is the victor and at this moment He has come to take back what has always been rightfully His. He came on earth as the sacrificial Lamb but here is is described as a mighty lion and that He will be. He has come to destroy His enemies and once and for all claim victory over sin, death and Satan. Now seriously, I can't begin to tell you how much that makes this pregnant lady want to just jump up and down.. Eli wouldn't appreciate that.. so I'll refrain!

I won't go into all of the imagery and symbolism of verse 6 but basically it speaks of Jesus' perfect strength and power & His perfect omniscience and complete knowledge. The end of verse 6 also mentions the Holy Spirit in His fullness being 'sent out into all the earth'. This is speaking of the Holy Spirit's fullness in relation to judgement. He will be sent out into the earth to avenge the enemies of God. Then lastly, verse 7, says that, 'He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne'. Jesus has arrived to take back what is His! From the beginning of time, anticipation has been building for this very moment to begin. The prophecy of all prophecies is about to be fulfilled.

Wow! There is not much more to say after that. I didn't realize that this was going to turn into such a long post.. so I'm going to finish this up tomorrow! I'm going to end with something I read today out of Isaiah 51. My journey in Isaiah is almost over.. These verses go so well with everything in Revelation 5 because it speaks of God's comfort & redemption for His chosen people at the end of time.

Isaiah 51:11-16~ So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. “ I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile hastens, that he may be loosed, that he should not die in the pit, And that his bread should not fail. But I am the LORD your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared— The LORD of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”

Dear child of God, let us continually wait in anticipation for the appearance of the Holy One.