You say with disgust, "What the Sam Hill is going on here anyway?" That is the question this scroll answers. They seem to be without meaning or reason. One of the writers of our day, Annie Dillard, asks what she calls "the chief theological question of all time," "What the Sam Hill is going on here anyway?" Do you ever feel that way? Things happen in your life and you cannot understand them. Why can't we get a handle on these? Why can't we solve such problems? This scroll offers to answer that question. They are with us just as they were at the very beginning. As far back in history as you can go, no one has made any advance in solving them. Why can't we solve the great problems of mankind? We hear much these days of the progress that humans have made - tremendous technological advances, the wonders that science has produced - and we pat ourselves on the back and say, "We are right on the verge of perfection." But when we look back on history we find that the truly great problems, the ones we wrestle with every day, are the same that men and women were wrestling with since the very dawn of time - the problem of war, of conflict between human beings, the problems of crime, evil and prejudice - these have always been with us. It answers questions that men have been asking for generations which no one has been able to answer. There John is told:īut in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. In Chapter 10, verse 7, a clue is given to us as to what this scroll signifies. It ends with the sounding of seven trumpets which are revealed when the seventh seal is broken. As it unrolls, we are carried on from Chapter 6 through Chapters 7, 8, and 9, and it is not until Chapter 10 that we find the scroll completely unrolled. Then we will know exactly what this scroll signifies. When we come to Chapter 6, next week, the opening of these seals and unrolling of this scroll will reveal certain momentous events which begin to occur upon the earth. Questions naturally arise when we read that: What does this scroll represent? Why is it sealed? Why is it written on the front and on the back? Who can be found to open it? What is required in order to open the scroll? This is not a book but a scroll, a rolled up paper or parchment with seven seals on the end so that as the seals are broken the scroll is unrolled and the writings upon it can be read. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. In Chapter 5, John's gaze returns to the throne of God and he sees a strange sight which he describes in these opening verses: But the greater theme in the Scriptures is redemptive love, and we ought frequently to reflect that as well: It is both our duty and privilege to worship the Creator because all that we have - life, talents, all ability - comes from his creative power. One of my favorites praises God for his creative wisdom: Both of these themes are often reflected in Christian hymns. Though the scene in Chapter 5 is still in heaven, the theme changes from the worship of the Creator to the worship of the Redeemer. There he saw the throne of God and the court of heaven. In Chapter 4 of Revelation, John the Apostle was caught up into the presence of God in heaven.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |