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And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5
SCROLL
The scroll, of course, is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Its contents are sealed to the natural, unsaved man, for he cannot discern or understand its truth (1 Cor 2:14). But since Christ died and rose again, the gospel scroll, even in its sealed condition, has power to influence the hardened hearts of men. John Bunyan described this in The Pilgrim’s Progress when Evangelist gave the man in rags a scroll; and the only truth readable and discernible in it was, “Fly from the wrath to come.” John wept (Rev 5:4) in unworthy, godly sorrow over the hidden mysteries of the gospel scroll (2 Cor 7:10). Yet, comfort came to him through the truth of the God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. His righteous life was worthy “to take the scroll and to open its seals” (Rev 5:9a). Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who has conquered, for He was “slain, and by [His] blood [He] ransomed people for God” (Rev 5:9b). After Bunyan’s man in rags encountered Christ and His cross, the gospel truths from the parchment scroll gradually became more evident to him. It was a comfort to him on the Hill Difficulty. Like the Ephesians’ “first love” (Rev 2:4, KJV), it could be lost on the same hill. It was a key to unlock the dungeon door of Giant Despair’s doubting castle. The gospel is a scroll, easy enough to carry in the bosom, close to the heart; and condensed enough from the whole of Scripture to be read and understood by the newest babe in Christ. It grows in detail because it is alive and powerful (Heb 4:12); yet, it must be loved, cherished, and protected within the holy garments by which Christ has clothed us— because cavilers, worldlings, and enemies of the cross desire to rip up its delicate, gospel truth. “Weep no more,” declares a wise church elder, for the Root of David has conquered at the cross, and indeed, is worthy! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
To Him who sits upon the throne,
And to His Son, the Lamb,
Be honor and glory forever
’Cause of Christ’s nail-pierc’d hands.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
12/14 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 16; Revelation 5; Zechariah 1; John 4
