Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - The Worthy One - Conclusion

 It is appropriate, indeed, that Jesus should open the scroll. Since 1914, he has been enthroned as King of God's Messianic Kingdom, and that scroll reveals so much concerning the Kingdom and what it will accomplish. Jesus faithfully bore witness to Kingdom truth while he was here on earth. (John 18:36, 37) He initiated the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom a the beginning of the Christian era and prophesied th culmination of that preaching work during the time of the end.  (Matthew 4:23; Mark 13:10) It is likewise appropriate that one of the 24 elders should reveal to John that Jesus is the one to open the seals. Why? Because these elders sit on thrones and wear crowns being joint heirs with Christ in his Kingdom. - ROMANS 8:17; REVELATION 4:4.

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - 'The Lamb That Was Slaughtered'

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - The Worthy One - Continue

John quickly recognizes the reference to "the root of David." The promised Messiah is prophetically called both "a twig out of the stump of Jesse [father of King David] . . . a sprout" and "the root" of Jesse that will be standing up as a signal for the peoples." (Isaiah 11:1, 10) Jesus was a twig of Jesse, being born into the royal line of David, son of Jesse, Further, as a root of Jesse, he was the One that caused the Davidic dynasty to sprout again, giving it life and sustenance forever. - 2 SAMUEL 7;16. 

Jesus preeminently is the one who, as a perfect human, served Jehovah in integrity and under excruciating trials. He supplied the complete answer to Satan's challenge. (Proverbs 27:11) Thus, he could say as he did on the night before his sacrificial death, "I have conquered the world." (John 16:33) For this reason, Jehovah entrusted the resurrected Jesus with "all authority . . . in the heaven and on the earth." He alone of all servants of God is qualified to receive the scroll, with a view to making known it momentous message. - MATTHEW 28:18.

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - The Worthy One - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" -The Worthy One

 Yes, there is someone one worthy to open the scroll! John relates: ""But one of the elder says to me: 'stop weeping. Look! The Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered so as to open the scroll and its seven seals.' " (Revelation 5:5) So John, dry those tears! The John class and their loyal companions today have also endured decades of severe trials while waiting patiently for enlightenment. What a comforting reward we now have in understanding vision, and what privilege to share in its fulfillment by proclaiming its message to others!

Ah, "The Lion that is of the tribe of Judah"! John is familiar with the prophecy that Jacob, ancestor of the Jewish race, pronounced concerning his fourth son, Judah: "A lion cub Judah is. From the prey, my son, you will certainly go up. He bowed down, he stretched himself out like a lion and, like a lion, who dares rouse him? The scepter will not turn aside from Judah, neither the commander's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him the obedience of the peoples he will belong." (Genesis 49:9, 10) The royal line of God's people stemmed from Judah. Starting with David, all the kings who ruled in Jerusalem until the Babylonians destroyed that city were Judah's descendants. But not one of them was the Shiloh prophesied by Jacob. Shiloh means "He Whose [Right] It is." Prophetically, this name pointed to Jesus, the one to whom the Davidic Kingdom now permanently belongs. -EZEKIEL 21:25-27; LUKE 1:32, 33; REVELATION 19:16. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - The Worthy One - Continue

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Fifteen/ "Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?"

 Jehovah himself, Sovereign Lord of all creation, is holding out that scroll. It must be full of vital information, for it has writing on the front and on the back. Our curiosity is aroused. What does the scroll contain? We recall Jehovah's invitation to John: "Come on up here, and I shall show you the things that must take place." (Revelation 4:1) With tingling expectation, we look forward to learning about these things. But alas the scroll is tightly closed, sealed shut with seven seals! 

Will the strong angel find something worthy to open the scroll? According to the Kingdom Interlinear, the scroll is located "upon the right hand" of Jehovah. This suggests that he holds it out on his open palm. But it appears that no one in heave or on earth is worthy to accept and open that scroll, not even underneath the earth, among faithful servants of God who have died, is anyone qualified for this high honor. No wonder John is visibly upset! Perhaps he is not going to learn "the things that must take place" after all. In our day, too, God's anointed people have anxiously waited for Jehovah to send forth his light and truth on Revelation. This he would do progressively at the appointed time for the prophecy's fulfillment, in order to lead his peole in the way of a "grand salvation." - PSALM 43:3, 5. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - The Worthy One

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Fifteen /"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?"

 SUBLIME! AWE INSPIRING! Such is the stirring vision Jehovah's throne in its setting amid the lamps of fire, the cherubs and the 24 elders, and the glassy sea. But John, what do you see next? John focuses on the very center of this heavenly scene, telling us: "And I saw in the right hand of the One seated upon the throne, a scroll written within and on the reverse side, sealed tight with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice: 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and loose its ends?' But neither in heaven nor upon earth nor underneath the earth was a there a single one able to open the scroll or look into it. And I gave way to a great deal of weeping because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it." - REVELATION 5:1-4. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worth to Open the Scroll?" -Continue

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out -

 Who can remain unmoved at reading John's account of this vision? It is splendorous, grand! But what must the reality be like? Jehovah's very majesty must enliven anyone with an appreciative heart to join the four living creatures and the 24 elders in praising Him, both in prayer and by publicly proclaiming His name. This is the God for whom Christians are privileged to be witnesses today. (Isaiah 43:10) Remember that John's vision applies to the Lord's day, where we are now. "The seven spirits" are ever at hand to guide and strengthen us. (Galatians 5:16-18) God's Word is available today to help us to be holy in serving a holy God. (1 Peter 1:14-16) Certainly, we are happy to read aloud the words of this prophecy. (Revelation 1:3) What an inducement they provide to be faithful to Jehovah and not allow the world to distract us from actively singing his praises! - 1 JOHN 2:15-17. 

So far, John has described what he sees when he is invited to approach through that opened door in heaven. Most outstandingly, he reports that Jehovah, in all the magnificence of his majesty and dignity, is seated on His celestial throne. He is surrounded by the mightiest of all organizations-radiant in its splendor and loyalty. The divine Court is in session. (Daniel 7:9, 10.18) The stage is set for something extraordinary to happen. What is it, and how does it affect us today? Let us watch as the scene unfolds!

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" 

From the jw.org publications

The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out - Continue

 The 24 elders have the same mental attituded that Jesus displays, even casting their crowns down before Jehovah. It is furthest from their minds to exalt themselves in the presence of God. They humbly recognize that the only purpose of their kingship is to bring honor and glory to him, just as Jesus always does. (Philippians 2:5. 6. 9-11) Submissively, they acknowledge their own inferiority and confess that their rulership is dependent on the sovereignty of Jehovah. Thus, they are in heartfelt harmony with the cherubs and the rest of faithful creation in giving praise and glory to the God who created all things. - PSALM 150:1-6. 

Next time: Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out - Continue

 Listen! Melodious, soul stirring is the song of praise that the cherubs render to Jehovah: "Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah God the Almighty, who was and who is and who is coming." Again, the threeness indicates intensity. The cherubs strongly affirm the holiness of Jehovah God. He is the Source and the ultimate Standard of holiness. He is also "the King of eternity, "always the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 22:13) The cherubs take no rest periods as they proclaim the matchless quality of Jehovah before all creation.  

The heaven of heavens resounds with praises to Jehovah! John's description continues: "And whenever the living creatures offer glory and honor and thanksgiving to the one seated upon the throne, the one that lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 'You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.' " (Revelation 4:9-11) In all Scripture, this one of the grandest declarations of homage to Jehovah our God and Sovereign Lord!

Next time: Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out - Continue

From the jw.org publications

 

Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out

 John continues his description: "And as for the four living creatures. each one of them respectively has six wings; round about and underneath they are full of eyes. And they have no rest day and night as they say: 'Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is coming. ' " (Revelation4:8) This fullness of eyes suggests complete and farsighted vision. The four living creatures exercise this unceasingly, as they have no need of sleep. They imitate the One of whom it is written: "As regards Jehovah, his eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those who heart is complete toward him."(2 Chronicles 16:9) Having so great a number if eyes, the cherubs can see everywhere. Nothing escapes their attention. Thus they are well-equipped to serve God in his work of judging. Of him, it is said: "The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, keeping watch upon the bad ones and the good ones." (Proverbs 15:3) And with three pairs   of wings-the number three being used in the Bible for emphasis-the cherubs can move with lightning swiftness to herald Jehovah's judgments and execute them. 

Next time: Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Behold "Four Living Creatures" -Conclusion

 The third living creature has a face like a man's. This must represent godlike love, since on earth man alone was created in God's image, with the superlative quality of love. (Genesis 1:26-28; Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 4:8, 16) Undoubtedly, the cherubs display this quality as they serve around Jehovah's throne. What now of the fourth living creature? This one is like a flying eagle in appearance. Jehovah himself calls attention to the eagle's great vision: "Far into the distance his eyes keep looking." (Job 39:29) Hence, the eagle well symbolizes farsighted wisdom. Jehovah is the Source of the wisdom. His cherubs exercise divine wisdom as they obey his commands. - PROVERBS 2:6; JAMES 3:17.

Next time: Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Praises Ring Out

From the jw.org publications