Revelation 5:2 Commentary and Bible Study

The scroll can only be opened by one who is qualified to open it. The opening of the scroll is itself a symbolic act. Who is going to do it? There is a little drama here as the scene unfolds. ‘I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?’ It seems to be thrown open to all of heaven. Who can come forward? Which man can come forward and open this book? Perhaps a patriarch, perhaps Abraham. Perhaps, later on, Moses. Perhaps an apostle: Peter maybe. Or someone else, or the one born out of due time, the apostle Paul, or some great hero of Reformation or revival. Whoever opens it must be able to lay the foundation of the plan of God and must have authority and ability to carry out the things written in the scroll. Who in heaven can come and open the scroll, which will put into effect and accomplish all the purposes of God? It is as if a search is conducted though in fact no actual search is carried out. Yet a consideration is made of every possible candidate; every creature in heaven, on the earth, and even in hell, is considered to see whether any are viable. The widest conceivable search is made so that we become clear that no one in the whole of creation is qualified. The result is that a total blank is drawn. This failure prepares us for what happens next. The qualification for this task is not righteousness alone; even the angels are unable to open the scroll. To be worthy to open the scroll in context requires more. We can imagine that it is God who makes this search and yet it is not made for his benefit but for the benefit of his creatures and particularly to teach the church. But no one came forward. That is the drama of the revelation. The four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, the angels and John are all made party to this search and are forced to agree with the result that no one can be found. John, who momentarily seems to have lost his own life’s memories – after all, he has seen Calvary, he has seen the Lord rise from the dead; he has seen thousands of conversions in his earthly ministry; he has had thousands of answers to prayer; he has proved the power of God. He knows that Christ has opened the book in a sense, but somehow that knowledge seems to be removed from him, and he finds himself in the vision as an ignorant man. Who then will open the book?