A study in the book of Revelation.
In Chapter 5 we read a continuation of John’s vision in God’s throne room. His attention is now turned to two additional important and prominent items, the seven-sealed scroll and the lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. Chapter 5 is divided into five parts, the first begins with the words “I saw” which are found in the first two verses. In verses 6 and 11 we see two parts that begin with “I beheld.” In order of appearance the main themes of this chapter are the book, the question which causes John to weep (Revelation 5:2–4), the answer which brings rejoicing (Revelation 5:5–10), and the song (Revelation 5:9–14). John saw a book lying on the right hand of our Eternal God. The words “right hand” occurs 166 times in the Bible so it is no accident that the words “right hand” has significant meaning. God inspired Isaiah to write “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you” (Isaiah 41:13). The right hand signifies authority and strength. The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool” (Luke 20:42-43) which, being at the right hand, is the place of authority to whoever sits on the throne, and in this case, it was about God the Father.
The other unique aspect of the scroll is that it has writing on both sides. Usually a scroll had writing on only one side. The simple meaning of the image presents itself to us. A scroll with writing on both sides pictures a complete message. The whole scroll has writing, even on both sides. Therefore, God’s complete message is ready to be revealed. In Ezekiel 2:9-10 “And when I looked, behold a hand was sent unto me, and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without; and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.” Thus, we read that in Ezekiel’s vision he is given a scroll that has writing on both sides. Ezekiel also notices that the scroll is full of words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. I think we have an indication of the things we are going to read in the Revelation scroll when we are told that it has writing on both sides. It is a scroll of judgments and woes. The seals are successively opened, giving final access to its contents being read as a perfect whole.
