"We're not worthy!"

"Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with 7 seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?' And no one win heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy..."

(Revelation 5:1-4)

Revelation is such a complex and difficult book to understand. There are so many symbols and veiled references that even the best of scholars can only somewhat comprehend its mysteries. But some of the imagery is fairly clear. Like this passage from chapter 5.

The Lord God Almighty, seated not the throne in heaven, has a scroll with 7 seals. The invitation is given for someone... anyone... to open it and read it. But no one is worthy. Not a single person on earth... or angelic being in heaven... or one who's "gone before" (ie. already died). None.

Most of us were raised to be a good person, a value to society. Most of us try to live that way, too. But no one is perfect. Even (especially?) those of us in the church have our sins and failures. Even the very best of all humankind is still human, and thus fallible.

The author of Revelation realizes this, and it tears him up that he can't find anyone worthy to open the scroll and bring about God's final chapter of life/history.

But then there is one... a Lamb of God... Jesus! "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah." His life, death, and resurrection has made him worthy to open the scroll. Praise God!

Try as we might, none of us is worthy of God's grace. But that's why Jesus is such a powerful gift. He's worthy, so we are forgiven and set free. Yah, that's all traditional Christian theology. But I believe it to be true. Praise God.