This is in the form of a roll. John first sees it in the right-hand of God when a challenge goes forth, "Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?" No one accepts the challenge. No one of heaven, earth or hades is able. The matter is important.The connection shows; this book to be vitally connected with redemption, a redemption that embraces the earth as man's inheritance. John's preaching, the prophets' testimony, in fact, all the promises of God as to their integrity seem to be involved and to depend upon there being one worthy and able to loose the seals of this roll. John's inheritance, our inheritance, Israel's inheritance is at stake. So vital is it that John is all broken up. He weeps and weeps much. Let no one consider John's weeping "a part of the play"; no, those are real tears,

      But "weep not," John, "Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof." John looks and sees a Lamb, who comes and takes the book to loose its seals. John ceases to weep and the four living ones and the four and twenty elders fall down before the Lamb and worship Him in the blessed words of verses 9 and 10 and to which all should commit.

      This roll is a legal document after the ancient form and custom (See Jer. 32:6-15). It is written within and without, hence no room for any additions. Its seven seals show that it is completely sealed. Jesus has the part of the near kinsman (Lev. 25:49) and ours is the part of the one having lost his inheritance. The Redeemer must be both worthy and able to loose the seals, reveal the contents, clear the title and restore the inheritance to its lawful heirs. This is a work of judgment. Jesus is qualified and competent. He is worthy because He is the Lamb once slain. He is able being the Lion of Judah.

      Angels are not the heirs, but they are seen to the end as ministering to those who are heirs. "For not unto angels did he subject the world (inhabited earth, Margin) to come, whereof we [13] speak" (Heb. 2:5), but the testimony quoted shows the dominion is yet for man for whom it was intended in the beginning, and will be restored to him by Jesus in bringing to nought the power of the devil. (Read the rest of Heb. 2.)

      Man was created to have dominion over the earth, but sold out to the devil, sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, and thus brought ruin upon himself and the earth. The devil is in possession as "the god of this world," "the prince of the powers of the air, of the Spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2). Usurper though he is, for he has no title, his possession is so complete that he had the effrontery to propose to the Son of God that a for one act of homage he would deliver to Him the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them. Jesus well knew Satan to be the usurper and that the title deeds when forfeited by man reverted to God and that in spite of the devil's usurpation the "earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." With disdain he put Satan behind Him and chose the way of the cross that He might, as man's true representative, fully champion his cause, and restore to him his lost estate. In so doing, though He was slain He overcame and is both able and worthy to receive the roll (our title deeds?) and to open its seals, which involves the mighty work of wresting the estate from the hands of the usurper and bringing the kingdoms of this world to be His. This He will do, and John is now showing us the process by which it will be accomplished. Chapter 5 shows the preliminary preparations as they will be made for this future judgment process and Chapter 6 shows not some past historical event, but the beginning of the very time and process which the earth is to be purged, when the Lord shall arise "to shake mightily the earth" (Isa. 2:19, 21). It is the time so often spoken of as "that day" by Isaiah (2:11, et al.), Jeremiah (30:7), and by Jesus (Luke 21:34). It is that "hour of trial coming upon the whole world to try them which dwell upon the earth" which the faithful are promised they shall escape (Rev. 3:10), and stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:34).

      Get the point, dear reader? It Is one of the Lord's sweet promises to His bride. He will present her "unto himself a glorious church" just when "the hour of trial" begins to strike and she will escape it. Oh, Brother, Sister, this is our happy privilege if our feet are not fastened to this earth. Let us lay claim to that promise made to Philadelphia. Read I Thes. 4:13-18 for [14] the manner of our escape. As Lot was snatched out of doomed Sodom, so will the Lord snatch His bride away from this doomed world (See Luke 17:25-37). Now, this thing has been accomplished between Chapters 3 and 6; in fact, at the beginning of Chapter 4 at the juncture where the door is opened in heaven and John is called up and immediately experiences the rapture and beholds the scenes of Chapters 4 and 5, else why should John be given the vision of things that now are from the earth viewpoint and then called to heaven for the vision of things hereafter. Let us view the things described from now on as from above, looking down, and we will comprehend the more and appreciate it the more. If you are God's child do not place yourself in the midst of earth's distresses from Chapter 6 on; you are no more intended there than Lot was in the conflagration of Sodom.

      1. What process begins in Chapter 6? Who are the actors? What part does each perform?

      2. How many seals are opened in this chapter?

      3. What does John see at the opening of each seal?

      4. Where does all movement begin and what is affected each time?

      5. What is the effect of each? Something to be desired or dreaded?

      6. Which creates the greatest consternation? Why?

      1. Re-read Chapter 6.

      2. Describe each of the four horses. Of what is horse a symbol? For what was the horse almost exclusively used in Bible times? Note such passages as II Kings 6:15-18; 7:6; Zech. 1:8-11; 6:1-8; also, read description of the horse (Job 39:19-25). Is it at all surprising that the horse should here symbolize these judgments coming upon the earth?

      3. Of what is white an emblem? Red? Black? Pale?

      4. For what is the bow used? The sword? What is measured in the balances of the third rider? Is the price high or low? In what times is bread delivered by weight? (See Lev. 26:26; II Kings 7:1, 16). [15]

      5. As a result of these earth plagues, including the fourth seal, how many perish?

      6. What is seen at opening of fifth seal? Where? Why there? How long to be in that condition?

      7. What occurs at opening of sixth seal? Compare this with the language of Haggai 2:6-7, and Heb. 12:26.

      8. Who are they who would hide from the face of God?

      9. What is their interpretation of the time come upon them?

      1. Study Chapter 7.

      2. What does John see first in this chapter?

      3. How and for what purpose are the judgments stayed for a little while?

      4. Who are sealed? Of what race? Why are they sealed? (See Chapter 9:4.)

      5. What does Paul show we may expect concerning the Jews when "the fulness of Gentiles be come in"? (Rom. 11:25.)

      1. After the vision of last lesson what does John see?

      2. How are these distinguished from the company described above? Of what races?

      3. Whence came they? Why could not John answer this question?

      4. When God's judgments are in the earth will men learn righteousness? (See Isa. 26:9.)

      5. Commit verses 9-17.

["Studies in Revelation: The Book of Seven Seals." Word and Work 8 (April 1915): 13-16.]

      The electronic version of Stanford Chambers' "Studies in Revelation: The Book of Seven Seals" (Chapters 6-7. Lessons XIII-XVI.) has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1915.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 14:     the fullness thereof. [ the fullness thereof."
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 13 February 2002.
Updated 28 June 2003.