Revelation 5:1–5 (ESV)
The Scroll and the Lamb
5Then
I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open
the scroll and break its seals?” 3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4and I began to weep loudly
because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he
can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
I remember back in 1993, there was the government standoff
with David Koresh and his followers (the Branch Davidians), outside of Waco, TX. It was a large standoff that lasted 51 days. The Branch Davidians were burned alive in their compound, 80 of them died. During the siege, David Koresh claimed
he could open the seven seals. Today’s reading makes it very clear that only Jesus can open the scroll and the seven seals. David Koresh also said he would die and rise again in three days. That didn’t happen either. How
do 80 people get misled? By not knowing the Bible.
I pray: O Lord, help me to study your Word
and I pray for understanding. Help me to dwell on your Word and keep my eyes focus on you, the only one who can open the scroll and the seven seals. Amen.