This is a big matter. Taking this earth and the entire realm, which he has invaded, back from Satan is at the heart of this Book of Revelation. The Word says, “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” (Revelation 5:2).
There is only one person that is fully capable of opening the book that contains the full redemption of this earth. That book is in the Heavenly Father’s hand as Revelation chapter five begins. This seven-sealed book cannot be opened unless someone of blood kin to God is willing and has paid the sacrifice of that blood. When John the Revelator views this book, he begins to weep. The spirit of the prophet in him discerns the overwhelming results that will occur if this great book remains sealed.
John knew that the created earth was in the throes of filth and demonic forces. He had witnessed as these dark powers took the spotless Son of God and emaciated Him before, finally, hanging Him on a cross. He was spending his days — ninety years of age or older — busting rocks for his Roman captors. He had watched as demonic men and women fed Christians to wild dogs or lions in the Roman coliseums. He had, also, spent many hours interceding and praying for the kingdom of God to come to his world.
He knew that this sealed book in the Father’s possession was written within its locked pages with a divine plan for the total redemption of the earth. His dream for this new world of righteousness was in this seven-sealed document. He weeps because God’s messenger is stressing that no one on this earth has an answer or the right to unlock the manuscript. For a brief moment, John is left with a helpless feeling. We all have experienced this kind of hopeless emotion.
But, God’s messenger has the answer. One of the Elders — a Glorified saint —says to John, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to lose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5b). Then, one of the grandest scenes of this revelation materializes before him, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints” (Revelation 5:6-8).
This great manuscript had been held in the archives of Heavenly Jerusalem since the loss of this earth in the Garden of Eden. Never had our Father been without a plan. Enoch must have known the secret. No doubt Noah carried it in his heart in the ark. Abraham came from Ur to be the Father of Faith in the unpossessed Promise Land. From him all the way to Calvary, it was like a hidden dream in the hearts of faithful Jews. Now, John must become the writer to share its future fulfillment.
Someone may suggest that the present world will disappear and a totally new world will replace it. This is not God’s plan. His Son did not just redeem mankind; His Son redeemed this present earth. The entire manuscript that John viewed and Jesus, as a Lamb, received from the Father is the prescribed outline until the New Jerusalem descends and is fixed upon this purified world. Our new world will be the total and final defeat of Satan. He will be delivered to the Lake of Fire just before the new city appears above the earth.
Jesus Christ is never called by any of His beautiful names during the seven years of cleansing this earth. He is called the Lamb or the Lamb of God. The process of Revelation chapter six to Revelation chapter nineteen, verse ten are so gruesome and profound that every action of redemption must proceed from the smitten Lamb. This incredible period is not too dissimilar from His earthly pilgrimage. He was the Son of man without ceasing to be the Son of God. During these seven years, He will be the Lamb of God without ceasing to be Alpha and Omega. His Majestic Being will be hidden in His purging manifestation. Ripping sin out of this entire cosmos is not a pretty task.
As this powerful picture unfolds, the raptured saints will be fully prepared for the events to follow. Heaven is quickly filled with an explosion of worship. Now, we will see those twenty-four elders in their full multitude, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:9-11). Surely, no one can doubt that this raptured host has arrived in Heaven to share the cleansing of the earth from the dark reign of Satan and his deceived multitude.
Even now, the book of seven seals must be unsealed. John said, “And I saw it.” He did not just hear it, he saw it when the Lamb opened each of the seals, “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:1-2).Someone just wrote me a very confused e-mail calling the Book of Revelation a book of symbols. This man is living under delusion because Satan hates this final picture of his demise.
This seven-sealed book is our hope of a beautiful earth perfectly redeemed and joined with a new heaven. The New Jerusalem cannot descend until there is a perfect earth to welcome perfect holiness. The earth is the Lord’s and He has promised it to His saints.
Joseph R. Chambers
jrc@pawcreek.org