In our latest episode, we explore the powerful imagery and messages embedded within the scroll that holds the future of the world. As John witnesses heaven’s anticipation for the seal to be opened, we learn about the spiritual implications of this moment in biblical prophecy. We also discuss the idea of judgment, redemption, and what this means for believers and the wider world. This episode provides profound insights into the book of Revelation and its significance for today’s listeners.
00:00:00 Introduction to the Scroll with Seven Seals
Exactly what is this scroll with the seven seals? I think one of the best things to say to you is that whatever Revelation talks about is in the seven-sealed book from here on out. When you break each of the seals, you have a little bit more information about the coming judgments of the tribulation.
SPEAKER 02 :
This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking. And today we’re stepping into the throne room of heaven where a sealed scroll in God’s hand brings everything to a halt. No one, no one is worthy to break its seal. Not in heaven, not on earth, not under the earth. And John… begins to weep until a voice says the lion of judah has prevailed but when he looks he sees a lamb slain yet standing this is the moment all of heaven holds its breath and the lamb steps forward we’ll open your bible to revelation chapter 5 verses 1 through 7 for day one of worthy is the lamb First, I want to update folks on the financial need of Hope for Today because this ministry historically is a listener-sponsored broadcast. It is our listening family that comes alongside of us, co-laboring with us in the ministry that makes this possible, and our need is ongoing, is it not?
SPEAKER 01 :
Yep, no sponsors of any kind. And we also want to thank our longtime listeners who have supported this ministry. And embrace your dad’s vision of the Bible, the whole Bible, nothing but the Bible, sharing the gospel.
SPEAKER 02 :
And building up the body of Christ. And that ministry does require two things. Prayer. Do we appreciate prayer, Matt? Amen, yes. And then going forward, we need support, one-time gifts, and also people who give monthly, as long as God provides, to make this ministry possible. Hope for today, the Bible teaching ministry of David Hawking.
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And Matt, how do they get in touch? You can reach us at 1-800-75-BIBLE, 24253, or in Canada, 1-888-75-BIBLE. Or you can go online at davidhawking.org.
SPEAKER 02 :
And we’ll tell you later in the program how to reach us via letter. Right now, here’s David.
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In chapter 4, the focus is on God the Father on the throne of God in heaven. In chapter 5, the focus shifts to the one who has been seated at the right hand of the throne of God, the blessed Son of God, God the Son, God who became flesh and dwelt among us, our risen, ascended Savior, who did sit down at the right hand of God. Priests in the Old Testament never sat down. But he sat down, having purged our sins. It was done. As he said on the cross, it’s finished. But he stands up in Revelation 5. Chapter 5, I saw on the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within, and on the backside sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book into lucid seals? And no man in heaven nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look on it. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the scroll of the book, neither to look on it. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not. Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to loose its seven seals. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, or the living creatures, the cherubim, and in the midst of the elders… 24 of them stood a lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and 20 elders fell down before the lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials or bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts of the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. and every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and such as are in the sea and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever. And the four beasts or living creatures said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever. And all God’s people said, Amen. That is one wonderful passage. Let’s pray. Lord, as we enter the glory of our future, as we, with John, stand before your throne and observe these glorious things, Lord, help us to understand that this is what we’re going to do in the future. We’re going to praise you like we have never praised you before. All of heaven and earth, all of the demonic world, every creature you have ever made, We’ll sound forth your praise. From the rising of the sun till it’s going down, you tell us, let the name of the Lord be praised. You tell us to exalt you, to magnify you, to bless you, to sing praise to you. Lord, we’ve been designed to praise you. And one day soon, everything’s going to be different. We’re going to have a brand new body, fashioned like into the glorious body of Christ. It’s all going to be changed. And we’re going to rejoice as we have never known joy before. Joy unspeakable and full of glory. Eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither has entered in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him. Thank you, Lord, for what you’re going to do through your word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. You can divide chapter 5 into two sections. The first seven verses, you have the scroll with its seven seals. And in verses 8 to 14, you have the new song. Let’s focus on the scroll with seven seals. We are told that this is in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, the Father himself that was presented to us in chapter 4. As verse 8 said, holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come. The The elders cast their crowns before him and say, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. You’ve created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. The next thing John sees is that scroll in the right hand, the hand of authority, sovereignty, control, and it’s in the right hand of him who sits on the throne. A very unusual scroll, some say, but not so if you know history of scrolls. They were written often on both sides. It says written within and on the backside and sealed with seven seals. This is not unusual. This is very common in ancient times, but it’s perhaps unusual to us having been removed for 1900 years or longer. Turn back to Jeremiah chapter 32. Jeremiah chapter 32. Exactly what is this scroll with the seven seals? I think one of the best things to say to you is that Whatever Revelation talks about is in the seven-sealed book from here on out. When you break each of the seals, you have a little bit more information about the coming judgments of the tribulation. When you break the seventh seal, that’s the longest part of the scroll. And the part that’s behind the seventh seal has seven trumpet announcements in it. And when you come to the seventh trumpet, it announces the seven last plagues. All of this within the seventh seal. When you look at Revelation, there are judgments called seals, trumpets, and bowls of wrath. But many people make a mistake by not understanding the seven-sealed scroll, that these are not three separate divisions. They’re all a part of the seven-sealed scroll, that the trumpets are the messages that are in the seventh seal message. that the bowls of wrath are the announcement of that seventh trumpet within the seventh seal that is broken. The whole picture of Revelation in the future is found in this scroll with seven seals that’s written on both sides. Now in Jeremiah 32, you have an example of this in verse 6. Start your reading there. Follow along with me. Jeremiah said, The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Behold, Hanamel, the son of Shalom, thine uncle, shall come unto thee, saying, Buy my field that is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is thine to buy it. So Hanamel, mine uncle’s son, came to me in the court of the prison, according to the word of the Lord, and said unto me, By my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin, for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine. Buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.” And I bought the field of Hanamel, mine uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even 17 shekels of silver, and I subscribed the evidence, or signed the deed, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money and the balances.” So I took the evidence or the deed of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom and that which was open. And I gave the evidence or deed of the purchase unto Baruch, the son of Neriah, the son of Masaiah, in the sight of Hanamel, mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that… subscribe the book, or sign the deed of the purchase before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison. And I charged Baruch before them, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Take these evidences, or deeds, this deed of the purchase which is sealed, and this deed which is open, and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again.” Wonderful prayer, but we’re not going to read that. Now this is the same kind of thing that we have in the book of Revelation, chapter 5. In all the commentaries that deal with this subject, trying to explain to us the seven-sealed scroll and Jeremiah chapter 22, the best one on this particular subject I’m holding in my hand, written by Pastor Chuck Smith. It is the best thing I have read on this scroll out of all the commentaries I have, and I’m not just snowing you on that. It’s excellent, and I want to read it. Just a few paragraphs here, and I think you’ll get the idea. Whenever a Jew sold a parcel of land or lost it through forfeit, the transaction always included a redemption clause. The seller of the land had a right to buy it back within a specified period of time, provided he could fulfill the terms and requirements that were written into the deed. When property changed hands in this way, two deeds were drawn up. One was sealed and put away in a safe deposit box. The other remained open and was retained by the person who sold the property. Later on, if the person who had sold the property decided to buy it back, both deeds would be brought to the table. The one who wanted to redeem the property would use the open deed to prove that he had the authority to do so. Then he would break the seals of the other deed, fulfill the requirements listed therein, and the property would revert to his ownership. If he was unable to fulfill the requirements necessary to redeem his property, one of his relatives could do it. If he couldn’t do it, and none of his relatives could do it, the land was lost to him forever. In Jeremiah 32, there’s a recounting of an incident in which the prophet was thrown into prison by an angry king because he had prophesied that Jerusalem was going to fall to the Babylonians. In the meantime, the Babylonian army had come against the city, and it must have been obvious to nearly everyone that Jeremiah was going to be right. In the middle of this situation, Jeremiah’s cousin, Hanamel, asked Jeremiah to redeem a field for which he, as a kin, had the right of redemption. Jeremiah might have said, what are you talking about? Don’t you know we’re about to be conquered by the Babylonians, and they’re going to carry us off into 70 years of captivity? What would I possibly want with your land? He could have said that, but he didn’t. Instead, he redeemed the land, had the two deeds put into a jar and buried so he could use the property. He redeemed the land as a symbol of faith in God that he would bring them back to the land. In effect, he’s saying to the people, we will lose this land of ours for a while, but we will come back someday. It’s not gone forever. So what is the scroll in the right hand of God? It is a title deed, a title deed to the earth. Well said, for that’s exactly what it is. It explains that God is going to take over. When the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal message is broken and announced, the seventh trumpet says, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. When God created this wonderful planet we call Earth, God gave the dominion of it to man. Be fruitful, multiply, and he told him have dominion over it all. Through man’s fall and sin, he lost that dominion. The question is, who is in control? Well, God certainly is ultimately in control. But who has he allowed to be in control? And the Bible teaches it’s the God of this world who blinds our minds. It’s Satan himself. But my friends, 1,900 years ago, a redemption price was paid for the earth and all of its inhabitants. And one day… we are going to see that person who redeemed it, who alone is worthy to break the seals and to demonstrate, goodbye Satan, I am taking over. And that day is coming. Amen? Wonderful day. Now just to add to your understanding, giving a little history from the times, Roman law… required that a will be sealed seven times. Now, I know you’re all wondering how this works. A scroll, you know, is rolled up. Sometimes you pull both ends open. But let’s suppose it’s just a normal one. You just roll it all the way up. They can be very long, like the Isaiah scroll and the Dead Sea scrolls that’s in the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem. It’s very long, about 45 feet long. But let’s say you’ve got it all rolled up. The seals are put on the edge. They’re sealed so that when you break one, you unravel it. And then it’s sealed on another ledge. You break it, and you unravel a little bit more. You read another message. So you’re going through breaking all the seals. Now, a Roman will has seven seals on it. In fact, we have in Discovery the wills of Caesar Augustus and Emperor Vespasian, and they are both sealed in the exact same way that’s described here in Revelation 5. Now, just to deal with a few things here about this scroll, let’s look at the place of the scroll one more time. It’s in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, says verse 1 of Revelation 5. Now that’s a place of sovereignty, control, authority, power. Take your Bibles and go to the book of Psalms, and let me give you just a quick glimpse at what the Bible says about the right hand of God himself. For the scroll, the title deed of the earth, is sitting in the right hand. Is there anyone worthy to open its seals? And as was the custom, only the one who is a kinsman redeemer has the right to do it, to pay the price, a relative to open it. And he is our elder brother, the Bible says. He is our kinsman redeemer. And the price to redeem the whole earth was paid for when he died on the cross and shed his precious blood. The very word worthy in the text is is often implanted on those ancient wills on the backside, and on the backside it lists the requirements of the one who is worthy. And it lists several things. He must pay such, he must do this, and so forth. So here we have a scroll that no one in all of heaven is worthy to open, but the requirements of his worthiness are listed under it. And those requirements, of course, are that he must be the lamb that shed his blood to redeem us, purchase us, all of the inhabitants of the earth. It’s quite a spectacular illustration. But in Psalm 16, just a quick study about the right hand of him who sits on the throne. We read in 1611, Thou wilt show me the path of life. In thy presence is fullness of joy. At thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. But here, it’s a seven-sealed scroll. But as it’s unraveled, there’s judgment and tragedy for planet Earth. But my friends, the final message of the scroll is indeed delightful. For we read in Revelation 21 and 22 of a heavenly city, a new Jerusalem that’s been prepared for the bride. And we’re going to be there forever. So it’s a wonderful thing. At his right hand, there are pleasures forevermore. Look at chapter 17, verse 7. Show thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou who savest by thy right hand, those who put their trust in thee from those who rise up against them. And if there ever was a document in his right hand to demonstrate that difference, it is certainly the seven-sealed scroll of Revelation. where we learn not only the blessing for the believer, but we learn about the judgment for the unbeliever, for those who rise up against the believer. Turn to chapter 18, look at verse 35. This is all the way through the Psalms. We’re just hitting some of the high points. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy right hand hath held me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. You talk about a powerful right hand, the scroll, the title deed of the universe is in his hand, but he also holds us up in his hand.
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David will be back in just a moment to close out our time in God’s Word for today, so do stay right there. First, Matt’s here, and we’re going to share a powerful resource with you.
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Matt? Proverbs 14.34, Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. 1 Timothy 1.8 adds, But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.” We need a moral and spiritual revival in the U.S., Canada, and more today, Jim. Well, this month we’re featuring your dad’s book, Whatever Happened to Morality?
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The Future Survival of America. Whatever Happened to Morality?
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What does David, what does your dad tackle inside this book? But we start with how did our respect for life erode and what does God’s word say on the topic? Wow. The sanctity of marriage. Does scripture require that marriage is only between a man and woman? The value of children? How have modern societies sought to abandon but also corrupt kids? And restrict the role of parents. Right. Yeah. And a big one, pornography, the rapid proliferation of this scourge and its devastation. Homosexuality, is it a genetic result? Sexual disease and human survival? The death penalty? Alcohol and drug abuse.
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God’s word has warnings and wisdom for us. And then the last topic there. Religion and politics. Should they be kept apart? And certainly with today’s moral decay, is it too late for America?
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Yeah, and how do we stay focused and hopeful?
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Well, this month we have your dad’s book, Whatever Happened to Morality? It’s our way to say thanks for your most generous donation of $20 or more. With your contribution, you become a part of hope for today’s ministry. Yes, pray first and give as God moves your heart. And you can make your most generous donation of $20 or more and get a copy of David’s book, Whatever Happened to Morality, at davidhawking.org. Or by calling us at 800-75-BIBLE in the U.S. or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Bible, by the numbers, 24253. And you know, as we close out the month of July, let me ask you a quick question here. If someone you’ve never met… turned on a radio or clicked a link and heard a message that lit a fire in their heart. Would you want to be a part of that? I mean, if a marriage was saved or if a prodigal came home or maybe a believer who is about to give up found strength to stand, strengthen her walk with the Lord Jesus as they heard the Word of God taught. Would you want to be a part of that? That’s what your giving makes possible every single day when you support Hope for Today. You’re not just funding broadcast time. You’re investing in real lives being transformed by the clear, powerful, uncompromised teaching of God’s Word. Every dollar you give is a tool God can use to break through darkness, to comfort the broken, and to call people back to truth. So as we finish the month, would you pray about what God might have you do in partnership with Hope for Today. To give online, visit davidhawking.org. Again, davidhawking.org. To give by phone, call 800-75-BIBLE. That’s in the U.S. Or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. And again, Bible by the numbers 24253. To give by mail, write to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 8P1. And thank you for being a vital part of this ministry and for helping us finish the month strong. Your partnership in ministry, we sure appreciate it. And thank you. Well, once again, here’s David.
SPEAKER 03 :
Revelation 5 on the subject, Worthy is the Lamb, and we’re going to be here for a number of broadcasts, and I hope your heart will be greatly blessed. It’s Revelation chapter 5. Wow, I hope you’re having as much fun as I am. I tell you, my heart is lifted in praise to the Lord. Worthy is the Lamb. Who’s worthy to open the book? and no man in heaven or earth was able to open the book. But immediately we are introduced to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, and here is the Lamb of God, the one who will open the book. Praise the Lord. I hope you are excited about it and that you are enjoying our study of Revelation 5. thanks for listening God bless you
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, Trent, if you missed any part of today’s program or a recent broadcast, catching up is as easy as clicking on davidhonking.org. You’ll find the latest broadcast waiting there for you for a limited time under the radio tab. That way you don’t miss any part of this amazing series in Revelation. And be sure to share our webpage in this broadcast with a friend. You know, the gospel is just too good to keep to ourselves. Amen? On tomorrow’s program, the Lamb steps forward and takes the scroll from the hand of God. What happens? Well, all of heaven erupts. Angels, elders, and living creatures fall down in worship because someone finally is worthy. Join us for day two of Worthy is the Lamb from Revelation chapter 5, a moment that shakes the universe. That’s tomorrow, right here on Hope for Today.
