And I saw in the right hand of the One Who sat upon the throne a scroll written on the inside and outside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw an intrinsically strong messenger proclaiming in a great voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to look at its seals?” Revelation 5:1–2.
It is important to understand the Greek word ἄγγελος, which is transliterated into English as angel, is not a word that only relates to spirit beings. Its root meaning is a messenger. Whether the messenger refers to a human or a spirit being depends on the context (Luke 7:24; Matthew 16:27). In Revelation 5:2, the messenger described here possesses intrinsic strength. This description is never used for a spirit being.
The Messenger asks everyone in the heaven, on earth, and even under the earth whether anyone is worthy to open the scroll. Not only was no one found, but not even a single one could glance at the scroll (Revelation 5:4). He asks both the righteous, the unfallen, and the unrighteous. Since the Messenger Himself could see the scroll, and we ask whether anyone could open it, we understand that He is not a created being.
When no one could be found who was worthy to even look at the scroll, much less open it, John began to weep. One of the Elders then reveals to John that one can open the scroll with the seven seals. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David (Revelation 5:5). Now John sees a lamb, as though it had been slain as a sacrifice, standing before the throne with seven horns and seven eyes (Revelation 5:6). He took the scroll from God the Father, Who was sitting on the throne (Revelation 5:7).
The strong Messenger is the Son of God (Revelation 10:1). He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who was slain but now lives; the Lamb who was slain. The seven horns and eyes represent the Holy Spirit’s sevenfold ministry to the Church. He is the One who regenerated, immersed, indwelt, sealed, anointed, earnest, and firstfruits to the Church saints, who are now fully resurrected and seated with Christ.
The Lamb then takes the scroll from the Father’s hands, and when He opens it, the Tribulation begins. At this time, the Church has been raptured for about three months (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Immediately after the Church’s rapture, Israel is brought back into the land in God’s fury (Ezekiel 20:33–34). In addition, an ecumenical worldwide system arises, the ten kings rise who revive the Roman Empire, and the man of lawlessness is brought onto the scene to rule the world (Revelation 17:9). The man of lawlessness makes a peace treaty with Israel for seven years (Daniel 9:27). With all these players present, the Tribulation begins.
Christians should not fear the Tribulation Period or be deceived by those who claim prophecy is happening today or that the Church will face God’s wrath. The Church was given this revelation so that those who read it would be happy (Revelation 1:3). God is not dealing with Israel as a nation today. His people today are those of the Church in every nation (1 Peter 2:9). When God again addresses Israel, He will bring judgment upon them for their failure in the dispensation of the Law. The Church is not appointed unto wrath, but to obtain salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Therefore, our happy hope is the appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ at the rapture, before the Tribulation can begin (Titus 2:13).
