‘And no one in Heaven or earth or under the earth was able to open the book or read it.'
This is the great surprise. Having considered all the virtues, all the powers, all the authority of these heavenly beings they are found not to be able to open the scroll. And why is this? It is because it contains the future destiny of Heaven and earth, and only One Who has the right qualifications can fulfil that destiny, and with all their glory they do not have those specific qualifications.