We can spend a bunch of time getting lost in all the symbology (you like that?), or we can blow past the linguistic minutia and get right into the meaty stuff, which is what I prefer. And since this is my blog after all, you aren't going to find much in the way of numerology and end time predictions.
5:4 - This verse comes across as powerful to me. John sees God holding this scroll and no one is found who is worthy to receive the scroll from God and open it. Romans tells us - there is no one righteous, not even one. I believe that John is weeping because the scroll contains (symbolically) the mystery of God...the opportunity for man to reconnect their creator for the first time since sin came into the world. Truly knowing God is right before John's eyes and he weeps because he believes no one can unleash the mystery. So close, yet so far. Kinda like the Patriots going undefeated for an entire season and losing the Super Bowl (That must have hurt). Now replace "football" (In the big scheme of things a meaningless game) with the very meaning of existence - replace "the Patriots" with John, and "losing the Super Bowl" with not being able to fully connect with the God you were made to worship - hopefully you can see why there is weeping going on. Is there no hope for humanity? (Jesus enters, center stage)
5:5-6 - This description is one of the most beautiful when it comes to Jesus. The elder tells John there is no need to worry, because the lion of Judah has shown up. The lion of Judah is such a great name - dripping with power...whoever carries this title is the master of his domain, a king. They rip back the curtain and what does John see? A little lamb. Not only a little lamb, but a lamb that has been slaughtered - some might say this isn't really a picture of power, but I will beg to differ. The lion of Judah is the creator of all things - the most powerful being in existence - he is God...yet he had the strength to put his strength aside and allow himself to die for rebellious created beings. If that is not power, ultimate power...I don't know what is.
Heaven rejoices, because the hero has arrived and there is hope...there is promise of a bright future.
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