May 29: WHO IS WORTHY?
Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. Revelation 5:2-3
The glory of a ‘regular’ angel can be quite overwhelming (Matthew 28:2-4). John saw a strong angel; one who was particularly mighty. The loud voice that he used was spoken—and recorded by John—to gain our attention! The question, “Who is worthy…” calls for clarification in the use of the word worthy. In Bible times, there was a vivid attachment of past secular, political, and/or military achievements connected to its use. Through the progression of time, and particularly in the days of Jesus’s ministry and the early church, this word made its way into religious usage, especially in the area of personal character.* Character development and testing of character are themes found in God’s word. Positive character traits must be claimed by faith, and then be tested and proven in one’s life. True achievements in character development have lasting, eternal value.
“Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” This is an incredibly pressing question that pierces the charged atmosphere of the pending ceremony…. It seems that, in that moment, everyone fell silent. And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. The words no one could be translated as no man or created being. This heavenly assembly gazes back in time across the great controversy that began as the rebellion of Lucifer in heaven, spreading to a third of the angels, and then continuing upon the earth, wreaking destruction and devastation in every country, in every city, in every house. Not even the most obedient saint who had ever lived could qualify.
We all know, love, and admire those who have “stepped up to the plate” of the most demanding jobs. Immediately, health care workers, military personnel, pastors, police, firefighters, farmers, and the list goes on, come to mind. But these cannot compare to the hardest job description that ever came onto the scene of this rebellion. It is the job of Savior of mankind.
Do you know anyone in the entire universe who would sign up for such a job? The kind of worthiness spoken of here, is the unique qualification that is possessed by no one but God. And, having been maligned among men, He came to earth—as a man—to show us what He is really like. No created being could ever qualify to undertake the assignment of opening the scroll. Let us revisit the previous chapter before continuing…
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! . . . You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power: For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” 4:8b,11
*Matthew 22:8, Luke 3:8, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 1:27, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12