Apocalipse 5

Apocalipse 5

Guzik adds that "Ancient scrolls were read horizontally, not vertically. The rolls of the scroll were on the left and the right, and the writing lay in narrow columns about three inches (8 centimeters) wide, written on a substance somewhat like brown paper. The scroll was held in the left hand, and unrolled with the right; as the reading went on, the previously read portion was re-rolled. On such a typical scroll, the Book of Revelation would fill a scroll 15 feet (4.5 meters) long." (ED: NOTE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THIS SCROLL WAS LITERALLY READ). R H Charles writes "“A will … in Roman law bore the seven seals of the seven witnesses on the threads that secured the tablets or parchment…. Such a Testament could not be carried into execution till all the seven seals were loosed.” John MacArthur on inside and out...seven seals - "This is typical of various kinds of contracts in the ancient world, including deeds, marriage contracts, rental and lease agreements, and wills. The inside of the scroll contained all the details of the contract, and the outside—or back—contained a summary of the document. In this case it almost certainly is a deed—the title deed to the earth (cf. Jer 32:7ff.) Romans sealed their wills 7 times—on the edge at each roll—to prevent unauthorized entry. Hebrew title deeds required a minimum of 3 witnesses and 3 separate seals, with more important transactions requiring more witnesses and seals." (BORROW The MacArthur Study Bible) Charles Swindoll on inside and on the back - On the outside of these legal documents, one could read a brief summary of its contents, like a modern book cover with the author and title on the front and a description of the contents on the back. Clearly, the scroll in Revelation 5 would reveal the events of the future Tribulation. The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel had a similar scroll presented to him, “written on the front and back,” in which were recorded “lamentations, mourning and woe” (Ezek. 2:9–10). In light of the allusion to the legal documents of the ancient world, we may conclude that the events of coming judgment were a means to a glorious end. As the scroll is opened, Jesus Christ receives His inheritance as the Son of God (Rom. 8:17; Jas. 2:5). Furthermore, the scroll suggests the image of a title deed, demonstrating Christ’s ownership of the world that was created by the Father through the Son (John 1:1–3). Taken together, Revelation 4 and 5 reveal both themes, the world’s ownership by the Father and Son and the saints’ inheritance and rule with Christ (Rev. 4:11; 5:9–14). (See Insights on Revelation) Becker adds that "It is a scroll written on both sides and sealed with 7 seals, presumably a deed and probably a will. Here too the book contains God’s eschatological plan. It is sealed, i.e. withdrawn from all human knowledge, and yet it is already there. The history of God’s dealings with the world is already decided." Warren