Revelation 5:4-6

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Revelation 5:4-6

[Updated April 5, 2024]

Rev 5:4  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Rev 5:6  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.

Introduction

Let us remember that we are to “keep the things written therein” because “all things are ours… things present and things to come.”

1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

We must not forget that John is our “fellow servant… who bare record of all that he saw.”

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

John bare record of “all things that he saw…[and] all things are ours.” Add to those two statements this truth in this next verse, and we will know that it is each of us now, and eventually all of mankind, who must “weep much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Why does John “Weep much because no man was found worthy to open and read the book?”

Rev 5:4  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

John is “in the spirit on the Lord’s day,” and being “in the spirit” is just as real as this physical life. Being “in the spirit is actually a heightened awareness of what is at stake if “no man can open and read the book, or even look thereon.” John has just been admonished that it is imperative that he “keep the things written therein, for the time is at hand.”

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Now he is being told that this book which must be read and heard and kept and which we saw last week is the same book mentioned elsewhere in scripture as the Word of God, which is sealed and cannot be read by anyone, is again reaffirmed as being incapable of being ‘opened or read or even to be looked upon by any man.’

Is this not exactly what the Old  Testament is said to be for us all at our own time? Is not this prophecy just the last and crowning prophecy of scripture?

Isa 29:10  For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Isa 29:11  And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it [is] sealed:
Isa 29:12  And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Are not these the very words Christ quoted from this very prophet Isaiah as also being true and applicable for His words and His parables and His prophecies in the New Testament, including His words in this book of Revelation? Yes, it was Isaiah whom Christ quoted as the explanation for why He teaches in parables and signs.

Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

So the blindness and the inability to “open the book and loose the seals thereof” extends to all of God’s Word. None of God’s Words are understood by the natural man, therefore… “No man was found worthy to open the book and loose the seals… and read and keep the things written therein.” Unless otherwise qualified by scripture, with a phrase such as ‘a man of God’ or ‘the new man’, the Greek word for ‘man’ (anthropos) means “the natural man”, carnal-minded mankind. In many cases the word ‘man’ means that within us which is, by nature, opposed to God. It certainly does not mean men who are sent by God to minister to His church, which is His body. Christ could very easily have continued to speak to the apostle Paul via the “bright light” in which He appeared when he struck down “Saul of Tarsus” on the road to Damascus, but that is not how Christ has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Instead Christ spoke to Saul via the channel of “one of the elders” named Ananias.

Act 9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
Act 9:11  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

According to Christ’s own words, this was not a carnally-minded man coming to Saul of Tarsus. According to Christ, this is Christ Himself coming to Saul “that he might receive his sight.” Ananias was one of the very people Saul of Tarsus had come to Damascus to apprehend and take to Jerusalem to place on trial. Who does Christ tell Saul the people Saul was persecuting were? Here is who Christ tells Saul Ananias really is:

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

No ‘man’ could open the eyes of Saul of Tarsus, or your eyes or mine, but the Lion of the tribe of Judah. That is why “no man was found worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof.”  That is why John “wept much.” John had been told “the time is at hand”, and at the same time he is given by God to realize that there was no ‘man’ who could even look on the  word of God to open it up, read it and “keep the things written therein.”

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Is it really truly possible for anyone to “know the things of the spirit of God” as this verse claims? Can anyone “open this book and loose the seals thereof?” At the appointed time, John is reassured that there is someone who can open this book and loose the seals thereof and read and do what is written therein. Notice to whom it is given to make this wonderfully reassuring truth known to John, and notice also who it is who alone can open this book and loose its seals.

Rev 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

It is “one of the elders” who tells John the good news. Who are these elders? We have already seen that they claim to be those who are redeemed out of every nation on earth, and they claim that it is they who will reign on earth. According to Christ, these saints are “Jesus, whom you persecute.”

Rev 5:7  And he [the Lamb] came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
Rev 5:8  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 odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9  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;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

That is right. Christ uses His own elect as “His flesh and His bones” to show others of His elect what He is doing and how He is doing it. He makes this very clear to all to whom He gives eyes to see and ears to hear:

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment [in which we now live (1Pe 4:17)]: because as he is, so are we in this world.

With this commission in mind, let us consider how “even so send I you” squares with “no man  was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”

Rev 5:4  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

If John is told about the Lion of the tribe of Judah by “one of the elders” then what do verses 7-10 tell us about these elders who are redeemed to God out of every nation? What this all tells us is that Christ is in these elders, and it is through Christ being in those elders and being in these four beasts and in being in these seven angels (all being types of us) that “this book will be opened and these seals will be loosed.” It is only through Christ being in us that we will all learn to “compare spiritual with spiritual” and “understand the things of the spirit.”

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

In other words, Christ really is the head of “His body, of His flesh and His bones”, and He really does “send us as His Father sent Him”, and it really is “by the church” through the help of “one of the elders” that any of us, in any of the ages since Christ’s death and resurrection, have come to see and understand the struggles in the heavens and what is the outcome of those struggles:

Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

It  is “by Jesus Christ” and “by the church” that we learn what is “the fellowship of the mystery.” What we learn about this “fellowship of the mystery” is that it is “the fellowship of His sufferings, and it is “keep[ing] the things which are written therein… the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

So this entire prophecy is a chronicle of “the fellowship of the mystery” or “the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, and being made conformable to His death.”  It is all done “through the faith of Christ” who is come “in us” that this book can be “opened and the seals thereof  loosed” by the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.”

So where is this lion?

Only the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the stem of Jesse, can “open this book and loose the seals thereof.” So where is this Lion? Notice where this Lion is to be found:

Rev 5:6  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.

The only place the Lion of the tribe of Judah is to be found is “in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders.” You and I already know that these words are just another Biblical confirmation of this great Biblical “mystery” or Biblical secret:

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

“Whereunto I also labor” is not Paul alone, but it is all in whom Christ dwells. All of us “are His body and members in particular”, and it is through us that “every man will be presented perfect in Christ Jesus.” How can that be? Here is how that will be done:

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

There is also this revealing Truth:

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Christ was sent by His Father to teach us about His Father. So Christ was a teacher, and we are sent by Christ as Christ’s teachers.

Joh 3:1  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Christ has commissioned us to be teachers:

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

We “must be born again or we will not see the kingdom of God”, and we will be called great in that kingdom only if we do and teach others to do Christ’s commandments. Yet the whole world would have you believe that there are certain commandments and words which have proceeded out of the mouth of God which cannot and should not be kept or even known or even ‘looked upon’ as being achievable or as even being desirable. That is especially true of “knowing the truth.” To many it is the height of presumptuousness to claim to have the mind of Christ. Yet what do the scriptures say?

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Can we “know the Truth?”

There are those who teach that the Bible is a personal book that must be understood individually and applied individually. It is claimed that no one person can understand the Bible, and therefore no one should expect to understand the Bible or even claim to know the Truth. It is this spirit and doctrine which is the spiritual mother who has begotten the orthodox mantra of “agreement on essential doctrines and tolerance in non-essential doctrines.” It is this doctrine which has given us over 40,000 differing and conflicting orthodox Christian denominations, whose leaders will tell you what is and what is not the essential doctrines of Christianity. Being “of one mind” to those who adhere to this doctrine is absolute heresy, which is to be avoided at all cost. Anyone who teaches that the church should be of one mind is considered to be part of a cult. Such ‘eccumenical’ thinking is more than will to completely ignore these very clear Biblical words:

Joh 10:4  And when [Christ] putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice [“Ye shall know the truth…” (Joh 8:31-32)].
Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Joh 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Christ tells us that His sheep know His voice and have but “one shepherd… that they may be one.” Paul comes right out and tells us to “be of one mind.”

Rom 15:6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

2Co 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Php 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

1Pe 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Those who “tremble at God’s Words” will acknowledge that God’s Word teaches and admonishes His children to be of one mind, and that “one mind” is revealed in His Word. It is not the mind of any one man but “the man Jesus Christ” who is “the head of the body”, the head of “His body the church.”

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The beast within us all does not believe that Christ really is “the head of the body, the church.” The beast within us all truly believes that some man has to be the head of  the church, and it is for this reason that the beast within us says “I am of Paul… Apollos… Cephas…” Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Catholic and Protestant. Our beast thinks nothing of following a man, but he will not accept the fact that all those who have the mind of Christ are “of one mind.” We all, by nature, love the “freedom” we have to be different and to not be of one mind.

On the other hand, there are many others who teach that you have no need of any teacher, and they quote John as proof of their false doctrine.

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The point of the story of Ananias coming to Saul of Tarsus to give him his sight is wasted on these brothers. “The anointing which abides” on Christ’s true sheep, show us we “know His voice” when He says this:

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven

“The anointing which abides on” Christ’s sheep who know His voice hear His voice when they hear these words:

1Co 4:6  Now these things, brothers, I applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us ye might learn not to think above that which is written, so that ye may not be puffed up, one over the one against the other.

1Co 12:27  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Teachers are “set in the church” by God Himself. Why those who teach that you need no teachers bother to teach such a thing is truly contradictory and very confusing. These are those to whom the Bible is just “ink on paper… dead letters” which will hold you back and keep you from knowing God in His fullness. This is the “fullness now” false doctrine school of theology, which teaches that not only is it just fine to “think above what is written”, but they actually teach that you must think above what is written or else you are not ‘in the spirit.’ Spirit is no longer “the words that I have spoken”, but spirit is now only that which is “above that which is written.”

It is the strangest thing that these people continue to quote the very scriptures they so belittle as “Dead letters…[and] mere ink on paper.” All who subscribe to this school of thought are no better off than those who feel that it is impossible to “be of one mind,” and who do not think that Christ really is “the head of the body, the church.” The reason these are no better off than those is that both are nothing less than the healing of the deadly wound and the reinstitution of the beast upon the throne and the rejection of “that which is written”, which is the only thing any of us have by which to “try the spirits to see whether they are of God.” All who subscribe to either of these false doctrines are adrift without a rudder, and they are on a very dangerous sea of carnal flesh, where the man of sin himself is sitting on the throne within where Christ belongs.

1Co 4:6  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another [the words ‘of men’ are not in the Greek].

What are the seven horns and the seven eyes on the Lamb?

Rev 5:6  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.

John is told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed to open the book and to loose the seals thereof, but when he looks to see this “Lion”, what he sees is “a Lamb, as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes” which, we are told “are the seven spirits of God.” So the lion is a lamb, and the horns and eyes are really the spirit of God “sent forth into all the world.” If there is anything that should be clear about this book, it is the fact that it is a book of symbols.

Our concern is, “What do these two symbols of seven horns and seven eyes mean?” We have already discussed the symbolism of the number 7 and the symbolism of 7 spirits in depth in our discussion of Revelation 1:4.

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

We will not belabor this subject, but we will reiterate what we demonstrated in depth when we covered these symbols in our study of Revelation 1:4. The number seven means ‘complete’, and the ‘seven spirits’ is Bible-speak for the complete spirit of God which is the “one spirit” which completely governs all events that take place throughout the entire earth. That would be primarily the ‘earth’ within, but it certainly includes the ‘earth’ without. Speaking to His own people via His “one spirit” we are told:

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

That the ‘seven spirits’ and the ‘seven churches’ are the one complete spirit and the one complete “body, which is His church” is plainly stated in these verses:

1Co 6:17  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

That “one body” into which we are baptized is the “one church” which is symbolized by “the seven churches of Asia.”

Eph 4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

So what then are these “seven horns” upon this Lamb? The answer is that the word ‘horn,’ like the phrase ‘right hand’ throughout scripture, is the symbol of power and strength for either good or evil:

Exo 21:29  But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

Every farmer who has ever owned cattle knows that the cattle with horns dominate much larger cattle which have no horns.

1Sa 2:10  The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Psa 92:10  But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Jer 48:25  The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

Mic 4:13  Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

What is the meaning of seven eyes? The answer is that eyes symbolize understanding the things of the spirit. Here is what Christ had to say about eyes:

Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Joh 9:40  And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

What is the consequence of being spiritually blinded by Christ? Besides the fact that “your sin remains”, Christ also adds this:

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Paul makes the spiritual meaning of spiritual eyes and spiritual vision and sight very clear:

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

And finally:

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

So ‘eyes’ give us “understanding… that you may know.” ‘Seven eyes’, if Christ is within us, give us the complete ability to see and understand and know the word and mind of God.

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

We have the mind of Christ not to instruct Him, but to be instructed by Him in all things.

What does “sent forth into all the earth” mean?

When we know what the meaning of the word ‘earth’ is, then we know what is meant by “all the earth.” As we have shown above, the ‘earth’ is the symbol of God’s own people who do not hear His word or see the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

When the “seven spirits of God… are sent forth into all the earth,” then, and only then, are the seals of this book loosed, and only then can this book be looked upon and read and understood. Only then can we “understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God… within you.”

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Summary

So why did John “weep much?” We have seen that John, typifying the experience of all of God’s elect, was first led to believe that it was impossible to remove the seals which were upon this book. Like all of Babylon out of which we must all come, John first thought that it was impossible to have understanding of spiritual matters. “No man was found worthy to open the book or loose the seals thereof.” John “wept much” because like all of us at our appointed time, we all believe that no man can know the Truth with any certainty. Like all of us, John first thought it was impossible to be of one mind and actually claim, along with the apostle Paul, “we have the mind of Christ.” That is why John “wept much.” He knew that no man, without Christ and the spirit of God, could “open the book and loose the seals thereof.”

We also saw that God has “placed in the church… teachers,” and  we have seen that it was “one of the elders” to whom it was given to show to John “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David,” who could open the book and loose the seals of this book. It was given to this elder to show John that the Lion was “a lamb… having seven eyes”, and if those “seven eyes” on the Lamb are within you, then you will know and understand what is within this completely sealed book, and you will know who these elders are, and you will know that it is “by the church” that all men will be made to know “the manifold wisdom of God.” That certainly includes knowing that these twenty-four elders, four beasts, and the throne itself, are all Biblical symbols for the elect of God.

Rev 5:8  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 odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9  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;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Where is this entire throne scene? Where is this temple and throne of God?

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

We have seen that this Lion, which is ‘a Lamb as it had been slain’, is located only “in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, which are one and all types of God’s elect.

Rev 5:6  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.

We have seen that seven means complete, that horns mean strength and power, and we have seen that eyes mean understanding and knowledge of spiritual matters.

All of this is to be found only “in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders” who are all a type and shadow of Christ’s Christ, through whom all men will be brought to God, each at his appointed hour.

Next week, Lord willing, we will cover the following verses:

Rev 5:7  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
Rev 5:8  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 odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9  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;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

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