A Vision of the Lamb, Part 1 (Revelation 5:1–4)

The provided text, based on John MacArthur’s sermon on Revelation 5, details an extraordinary scene in heaven centered on Almighty God’s throne, the commencement of final judgment, and the identity of the only individual worthy to execute that judgment and reclaim the universe.

The Universal Search for Sovereignty

Throughout history, many—including the devil (Satan/Lucifer) and powerful human rulers such as Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Hitler, and the future Antichrist—have desired to conquer the world and be the ultimate monarch. However, all have failed or will fail. Only one individual has both the right and the power to take the universe back from the curse, sin, and Satan’s usurping rebellion.

MacArthur stresses that no one is qualified for this task. Not Adam, Moses, David, the apostles, nor any evil or good person, committee, demon, or angel possesses the necessary authority. A strong angel proclaims throughout the entire universe, demanding to know who is worthy (possessing the innate character and privilege) and able (possessing the power) to break the seals, overthrow the intruders, and reverse the curse. No man, demon, or angel in heaven, on earth, or under the earth was found able or worthy.

The Mysterious Scroll (The Title Deed)

The scene remains at God’s throne, surrounded by the cherubim and twenty-four elders. God, who had been sitting, begins to stir. John witnesses God holding a scroll (biblion) in His right hand.

This scroll is interpreted as a title deed or contract of ownership. In ancient times, contracts or title deeds (like the one Jeremiah purchased in Jeremiah 32) were written, signed, sealed, and often placed in an earthenware jar to await a future restoration. Similarly, this scroll on God’s hand is the official document that grants the created universe to the Lord Himself, to be reclaimed from Satan and all usurpers.

Key Characteristics of the Scroll:

• Written Inside and on the Back: This was typical of ancient contracts, where the full content was written inside and briefly summarized on the outside. The summary of the similar scroll seen by Ezekiel was “lamentations, mourning and woe”.
• Sealed with Seven Seals: This sealing was culturally familiar for important documents, like wills, ensuring that the document could only be opened by authorized persons.
• Content of Judgment: Unlike a standard deed that describes what is owned or who the owner is, this infinite scroll describes how the rightful possession will be taken back. Its contents are not descriptions of the earth or God, but detailed accounts of God’s judgments, attacks, wrath, vengeance, and the repossession of what is His. It is a scroll of doom and the full account of the Lord Jesus Christ’s action and severe wrath.

The Timing of Unsealing

The material contained within this scroll (and the similar one shown to Daniel) was ordered to be sealed up “until the end of time”.

The scroll contains the full account of the Great Tribulation. The man dressed in linen (identified as the preincarnate Christ) revealed to Daniel that the scroll’s contents would be fully unleashed in a period of three-and-a-half years (“a time, times, and half a time”). This period begins after the Antichrist violates his peace pact with Israel (the “abomination of desolation”) and Israel is devastated. The devastation of Israel through suffering will lead to their conversion.

During this time, as judgments unfold, many people will search for answers to what is happening. The knowledge will increase, leading to a worldwide salvation movement and the greatest harvest of souls in history.

John’s Inappropriate Tears

John, witnessing the scene in heaven, became emotionally overwhelmed and began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll. His tears represented the suffering and longing of all God’s people throughout history who have witnessed the curse, death, and sin perpetuated by Satan.

MacArthur states that John’s weeping was inappropriate. Just as Jesus stopped the weeping at the funeral of the widow’s son in Nain and the lamenting over the synagogue official’s daughter, John’s tears were premature because the Lord Jesus Christ—the worthy One, the rightful heir by creation and crucifixion—was about to step forward and act. The contents of the sealed scroll are about to unfold.