The Fifth Seal – Part Four

The Fifth Seal
and
The Sealed Book

(Continued from Part Three)

Years ago, while reading this account of John as he stood in the atmosphere and the unfolding of all that was transpiring before him, I was profoundly shocked by the turn of events presented in Revelation Chapter 5:

“Then I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne
a scroll (book) written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.”
Revelation 5:1

John’s visit was not a haphazard event. His arrival was precisely calculated in the eternal purposes of God!

The Sealed Book was held fast in the firm grip of the ONE of whom it is declared:

“…righteousness and judgment
are the habitation of His Throne”
Psalm 97:2

This Book of Life was sealed in righteousness because of the disobedience of the First Man and as we shall see it can only be unsealed by ONE; a MAN who in perfect obedience won the RIGHT to OPEN its sacred content.

The Book was presented to all the heavens with a solemn question: “Who IS WORTHY to OPEN the Scroll and to BREAK its seals?”!

“And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
Revelation 5:2

Let us pause here and allow this moment to fill our hearts with the hush of heaven. This Sealed Book contained the names of those who were ordained from the beginning to enjoy eternal life with The Christ in God. The loosening of its seals would culminate in the release of the LIFE of God Himself and bring an end to the chaos and reign of death on the earth. While the seals remained Creation itself would continue its subjection to the “vanity of Him who hath subjected it in hope…” (Romans 8:20).

“And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth,
was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.”
Revelation 5:3

A search was made throughout all creation and no man was found worthy! Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Paul (being there now), and Peter… all fell short of this Worthiness.

Even though John is standing in the center of heaven, surrounded by its surpassing glory, he finds himself weeping uncontrollably.

“And I wept much,
because no man was found worthy
to open and to read the book,
neither to look thereon.”
Revelation 5:4

John inwardly knew that the fate of all men rested upon this Sealed Book/scroll being opened by the breaking of the seals. John wept because his hopes would remain dashed unless One was found. John was interacting with the flow of truth that was gripping heaven. His revelation of these things brought him to weeping and his being was moved by his relationship to the living truth of God. This thing transpiring in the heavens was his truth, its burden was his burden. It was not a doctrine. it was a live truth coursing through his body and became his experiential reality because of his relationship with God.

Many in our day know many deep truths but there is no corresponding burden, no groaning of spirit that accompanies it. Truth to be truth must birth our involvement in Him. No woman ever gave birth without travail. Neither can those who carry His person within the depths of their being be excluded from the passion to see His life revealed.

“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Romans 8:23

Those to whom the first fruits of the Spirit have been given know of this groaning. You cannot teach this reality; it is one borne out of a relationship with Him.

In John’s consternation and anguish, he is interrupted by one of the nearby elders.

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
Revelation 5:5

Let us note here that it was not an angel nor some other heavenly creature that unveiled this truth to John. It was one of his brethren! The secrets of God for His Church are always bound up in His Church. The brother we despise may be the very means God has proposed for our enlargement. The pride and the offenses we hold may prevent us from receiving the truth and the healing we need. Until we comprehend this vital truth many of us will miss His full unveiling. Those who walk in the schisms and the division that characterize His Body in our day will NOT receive His revelation apart from repentance.

The New Wine Skin

The old order, the former things, must pass away and the pouring forth of the New Wine will only be into the New Wine Skin. In this New Wine Skin, the lives of those within are joined in the union and the power of His life with one another. It is not doctrinal. It will not carry a name. It will not be about some man or group of individuals. It will be HIS Body unified in the purity of His Love.

Within this Holy place of relationship, the iniquity of seemingly good things, such as Ananias’ and Sapphira’s treason, is judged, and the great fear of God fills every heart.

The royal law of His Body is that “not one bone of His Body is broken” (John 19:36), not one member left behind amongst those who are the Called, Chosen, and Faithful!

“But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.”
1 Corinthians 12:20-21

They who are intrinsically part of this Body cannot say to another “I have no need of thee” (1 Corinthians 12:21)! It is the carnal, the proud, and those unable to discern His people, that declare such things and as such will have no part in its inheritance!

(continued)

Part Five – Weep Not!

(This article is best read as one document but for the hope of maximum retention, it is broken down into shorter segments.)

The Fifth Seal Series:

The Fifth Seal – Part One

The Fifth Seal – Part Two

The Fifth Seal – Part Three

The Fifth Seal – Weep Not

The Fifth Seal – Part Six – The Sealed Book

Brian Troxel