(1) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. (2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (3) And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Perhaps there never was a subject, so admirably calculated to call up the attention, as the contents of this Chapter. Let the Reader recollect the state of John's mind. He tells us, that he was in the spirit. He relates, that a door was opened to his view in heaven. He describes, as far as he was able, some of the glorious objects which he saw. He heard thunderings and voices, with lightenings proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. And he heard the hymn of adoration, which was offered to the Lord, from the host before the throne, Such were the things related in the foregoing Chapter. The mind of the Apostle must have been wrapt up in the most sublime meditation, at the time when what is related in this Chapter began to take place. And John hath given the particulars in this chapter in the most striking manner.
First. He saw a Book in the hand of him that sat on the throne, sealed with seven seals. It's being so closely sealed, seemed to imply the secrecy of it. And there can be no doubt, what the contents were; for the secrecy of it, and the hand of him in whom it was, plainly shows, that it was the decree of God, respecting his Church. I think a beautiful light is thrown upon this scripture, in the second Psalm. For no sooner had God, as is there represented, set Christ upon his throne, as King in Zion, than he saith, I will declare the decree. Now as none but Christ could open the Book, and declare the decree, as this Chapter shows; it must follow, that it is Christ which is represented in this scripture, and none other. See Psalms 2:6-7
Secondly. The proclamation made upon this occasion appears to have been done, for the manifestation of the greater glory of Christ, All the creation is called upon to know, who is worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof. Not simply who was able, but who was worthy. The inability of Angels is implied, as well as their unworthiness, for a strong Angel made the proclamation, and consequently he knew no Angel, either able or worthy. Reader! do not overlook, while reading this scripture, what is said of Jesus, that verily he took not on him the nature of Angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham, Hebrews 2:16. What a Sweet thought to the soul. All creatures are nothing in a way of procuring salvation. And this blessed vision John saw, had evidently this great design, in showing the total inability of creatures to heighten the glory of Christ, Acts 4:12
Thirdly. It is evident, from the representation here made, that the opening this Book, and loosing the Seals thereof, implied the whole design of God's plan concerning the Church; and that in the opening and declaring the decree, was connected with it the fulfilling it, and of which, in the discovery of one worthy to this deed, everything in salvation is contained. Reader! before you proceed, pause over this view. Sweetly hath God taught here from in heaven, as Well as on earth, the personal and peculiar fitness of Christ, as the only Mediator, to raise up our nature from the ruins of the fall. None but Him was able. None but him worthy. None but that Almighty God-Man, who is made higher than the heavens, could be competent to this office! Oh! how doth it exalt the Son of God to our view! Oh! how ought it to endear him to our hearts.