Ok, here's my question. What do you think the writing on both sides may contain? and, why is it written on both sides?
Rev. 5:1 - Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
Ez. 2:9-10 - Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
I'll start with, "why both sides?" I believe one side contains the " OT Law" including the judgments that comes with man's lack of ability to abide by the law and the other side contains, the "law of grace" including the judgments that comes with man's trampling His grace underfoot.
Jesus is the only one worthy to open the scroll because He was the only perfect man to obey the whole law, which resulted in Him being pure enough to become our sacrificial Lamb. By His obedience and perfect life He paved the way for us to receive the free gift of grace, by fulfilling and completing the Law. Because He was the Perfect Man on earth, He is the only one worthy to meter out judgment and wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth.
Consider the sealed scroll! What is inside the scroll can not be read until the 7th and final seal is opened. Some folks believe the seals of Rev. 6 to be part of God's judgment and wrath and I offer this as additional proof that this can't be. A scroll is like a roll of paper towels. If you were to seal the open end with seven pieces of tape, the roll of paper towels will not operate correctly until the last (7th) piece of tape is removed. If you try to unroll it without removing all the tape you will only end up tearing the paper towel and not getting a complete sheet. Seven is the number of perfection and completeness.
When Jesus opens each seal, He is not unleashing His wrath upon the earth. That can't occur until the scroll is completely open. What He is doing, in my opinion is heralding the seven signs of His return that we as believers are to watch for. The seals of Rev. 6 parallels the signs in Matt. 24.
False Christs: Matt. 24:4-5 Mark 13:5-6 Luke 21:8 Rev. 6:1-2
This is the first seal. The rider on the white horse signifies the false religion personified by the Anti-Christ who conquers by deception. Dan. 7:20 in various translations describe him as one "whose look was more stout" and possessing a "fierce countenance". In all he will be an imposing figure. Definitely not someone you would want to cross, but cross him we shall. There is one area in which he will differ from Christ. His spokesman, the false prophet, will come after him and will build him up, much like an athlete‘s/actor’s agent does. A type of John the Baptist but after the fact and not before.
Wars/rumors of wars: Matt. 24:6-7a Mark 13:7-8a Luke 21:9-10 Rev. 6:3-4
This is the second seal. The rider on the red horse signifies the power to conquer with a sword and to take peace from the earth.
Famines: Matt. 24:7b Mark 13:8b Luke 21:11a Rev. 6:5-6
This is the third seal. The rider on the black horse brings famine.
Pestilence & earthquakes: Matt. 24:7c Mark 13:8c Luke 21:11 Rev.6:7-8
This is the fourth seal. The rider on pale horse signifies death and pestilence. This probably signifies Satan when he is cast out of heaven in Rev. 12:9. He is followed closely by Hades/Hell which could be considered the home for the destruction of the soul. And who brings destruction, the Destroyer which is what the names Abaddon & Apollyon mean in Rev. 9:11. All these things are the beginning of sorrows, and the birth pangs but not the wrath of God. This most likely occurs at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70[sup]th[/sup] week and is the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Other events occurring around this time are the arrival of the two witnesses (Rev.11), the sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8), the A/C sitting on the throne and demanding to be worshiped as well as the erection of his image found "standing" in the holy place. This is pictured in Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14, and Rev. 12:13, 13: 6 & 14-15. But wait, the comparison doesn’t end here as a lot of folks would like it to.
Martyrdom: Matt. 24:9-28 Mark 13:9-23 Luke 21:12-13-24 Rev. 6:9-11
The fifth seal portrays the partial results of the time known as the Great Tribulation where believers will be martyred because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained. This is also shown in Rev. 12:11 & 17, 13:7-10 & 15 and 14:12-13. The martyrs are told that judgment won’t begin until the appointed number of martyred dead has been reached. If a pre-trib rapture had occurred, this would be considered part of God‘s wrath but this scripture clearly shows that this is a separate time from judgment. In verse 10, the phrase "the inhabitants of the earth" is used ("those who dwell on the earth" in the KJV). This phrase is used consistently throughout Revelations to signify those that support Satan/a/c and oppose God and his elect who are still on earth at this time.
Cosmic Disturbances: Matt. 24:29 Mark 13:24-25 Luke 21:25 Rev. 6: 12-13
The sixth seal is evidenced by much cosmic disturbance and signs in the sun, moon and stars. This is the sign spoken of back in Matt. 24:3. When we see these signs in the heavens, Luke 21:28, tells us to, ..."stand up and lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near." Not before!
Now it is just after this point in time where a couple of events happen almost at once at the opening of the seventh seal. In Rev. 6:17 it says, "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand." This should utilize the aorist tense. The literal translation of "has come" is "the day of their wrath began to come." Also known as the Day of the Lord, the arrival is described in Joel 2:28-32, Is. 13:6-10 and Zep. 1:14-18.
The most important event occurring at this time is the rapture of the saints as pictured in: Matt. 24:30-31, Mark 13:26-27, Luke 21:27-28, Rev. 7:9, 14:14-16 and 19:6-8. They all show our gathering/arrival in heaven. The rapture might occur somewhere before or just after the 5[sup]th[/sup] year of Daniel’s 70[sup]th[/sup] week. We see in Rev. 7:9, "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count..." This is the rapture, not a separate set of "tribulations saints" as the pre-trib believers like to think of them. A group by the way that is nowhere alluded to in scripture. This group is so large they can#‘t be counted, but John was able to number thousands and thousands and ten thousand upon ten thousand angels in Rev. 5:11 and the 144,000 of Rev. 7.
According to the pre-trib theory, these so-called trib saints will be trickling into heaven one at a time or in small groups as they are killed. Obviously this verse doesn’t show that. They all appear suddenly, at the same time. They are called Tribulation saints because that is what was occurring on the earth just prior to the rapture.
Rev. 8 begins with the opening of the 7[sup]th[/sup] seal. There is silence in heaven for about half an hour. This happens to fulfill the scripture found in Zeph. 1:7. "Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited." Now the scroll can be read.
We already know about the law and grace, but now the one worthy to meter out judgment to mankind is prepared to do so. The act of God starting His trumpet judgments culminating in His bowls of wrath is the beginning of the end for history as we know it. When everything is said and done, He will issue in the new millennial age.
Some christians may say that the lamentations and mourning and woe of Ez. 2:10 are just for the unbelievers. I disagree with that. I believe the "woe" will be for the unbelievers but I also believe that we will partake of the "lamentations and mourning". 1 Peter 4:17 tells us that "judgment will begin with the house of God". I believe we will lament the lost opportunities and the times we wasted in our life. I believe we will mourn for those of our loved ones who didn't make it and for the world in general. Our tears won't be dried until after our arrival in heaven after the great trib of satan's wrath, Rev. 7:16-17.
Anyway, that's my opinion.
Rev. 5:1 - Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
Ez. 2:9-10 - Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
I'll start with, "why both sides?" I believe one side contains the " OT Law" including the judgments that comes with man's lack of ability to abide by the law and the other side contains, the "law of grace" including the judgments that comes with man's trampling His grace underfoot.
Jesus is the only one worthy to open the scroll because He was the only perfect man to obey the whole law, which resulted in Him being pure enough to become our sacrificial Lamb. By His obedience and perfect life He paved the way for us to receive the free gift of grace, by fulfilling and completing the Law. Because He was the Perfect Man on earth, He is the only one worthy to meter out judgment and wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth.
Consider the sealed scroll! What is inside the scroll can not be read until the 7th and final seal is opened. Some folks believe the seals of Rev. 6 to be part of God's judgment and wrath and I offer this as additional proof that this can't be. A scroll is like a roll of paper towels. If you were to seal the open end with seven pieces of tape, the roll of paper towels will not operate correctly until the last (7th) piece of tape is removed. If you try to unroll it without removing all the tape you will only end up tearing the paper towel and not getting a complete sheet. Seven is the number of perfection and completeness.
When Jesus opens each seal, He is not unleashing His wrath upon the earth. That can't occur until the scroll is completely open. What He is doing, in my opinion is heralding the seven signs of His return that we as believers are to watch for. The seals of Rev. 6 parallels the signs in Matt. 24.
False Christs: Matt. 24:4-5 Mark 13:5-6 Luke 21:8 Rev. 6:1-2
This is the first seal. The rider on the white horse signifies the false religion personified by the Anti-Christ who conquers by deception. Dan. 7:20 in various translations describe him as one "whose look was more stout" and possessing a "fierce countenance". In all he will be an imposing figure. Definitely not someone you would want to cross, but cross him we shall. There is one area in which he will differ from Christ. His spokesman, the false prophet, will come after him and will build him up, much like an athlete‘s/actor’s agent does. A type of John the Baptist but after the fact and not before.
Wars/rumors of wars: Matt. 24:6-7a Mark 13:7-8a Luke 21:9-10 Rev. 6:3-4
This is the second seal. The rider on the red horse signifies the power to conquer with a sword and to take peace from the earth.
Famines: Matt. 24:7b Mark 13:8b Luke 21:11a Rev. 6:5-6
This is the third seal. The rider on the black horse brings famine.
Pestilence & earthquakes: Matt. 24:7c Mark 13:8c Luke 21:11 Rev.6:7-8
This is the fourth seal. The rider on pale horse signifies death and pestilence. This probably signifies Satan when he is cast out of heaven in Rev. 12:9. He is followed closely by Hades/Hell which could be considered the home for the destruction of the soul. And who brings destruction, the Destroyer which is what the names Abaddon & Apollyon mean in Rev. 9:11. All these things are the beginning of sorrows, and the birth pangs but not the wrath of God. This most likely occurs at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70[sup]th[/sup] week and is the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Other events occurring around this time are the arrival of the two witnesses (Rev.11), the sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8), the A/C sitting on the throne and demanding to be worshiped as well as the erection of his image found "standing" in the holy place. This is pictured in Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14, and Rev. 12:13, 13: 6 & 14-15. But wait, the comparison doesn’t end here as a lot of folks would like it to.
Martyrdom: Matt. 24:9-28 Mark 13:9-23 Luke 21:12-13-24 Rev. 6:9-11
The fifth seal portrays the partial results of the time known as the Great Tribulation where believers will be martyred because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained. This is also shown in Rev. 12:11 & 17, 13:7-10 & 15 and 14:12-13. The martyrs are told that judgment won’t begin until the appointed number of martyred dead has been reached. If a pre-trib rapture had occurred, this would be considered part of God‘s wrath but this scripture clearly shows that this is a separate time from judgment. In verse 10, the phrase "the inhabitants of the earth" is used ("those who dwell on the earth" in the KJV). This phrase is used consistently throughout Revelations to signify those that support Satan/a/c and oppose God and his elect who are still on earth at this time.
Cosmic Disturbances: Matt. 24:29 Mark 13:24-25 Luke 21:25 Rev. 6: 12-13
The sixth seal is evidenced by much cosmic disturbance and signs in the sun, moon and stars. This is the sign spoken of back in Matt. 24:3. When we see these signs in the heavens, Luke 21:28, tells us to, ..."stand up and lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near." Not before!
Now it is just after this point in time where a couple of events happen almost at once at the opening of the seventh seal. In Rev. 6:17 it says, "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand." This should utilize the aorist tense. The literal translation of "has come" is "the day of their wrath began to come." Also known as the Day of the Lord, the arrival is described in Joel 2:28-32, Is. 13:6-10 and Zep. 1:14-18.
The most important event occurring at this time is the rapture of the saints as pictured in: Matt. 24:30-31, Mark 13:26-27, Luke 21:27-28, Rev. 7:9, 14:14-16 and 19:6-8. They all show our gathering/arrival in heaven. The rapture might occur somewhere before or just after the 5[sup]th[/sup] year of Daniel’s 70[sup]th[/sup] week. We see in Rev. 7:9, "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count..." This is the rapture, not a separate set of "tribulations saints" as the pre-trib believers like to think of them. A group by the way that is nowhere alluded to in scripture. This group is so large they can#‘t be counted, but John was able to number thousands and thousands and ten thousand upon ten thousand angels in Rev. 5:11 and the 144,000 of Rev. 7.
According to the pre-trib theory, these so-called trib saints will be trickling into heaven one at a time or in small groups as they are killed. Obviously this verse doesn’t show that. They all appear suddenly, at the same time. They are called Tribulation saints because that is what was occurring on the earth just prior to the rapture.
Rev. 8 begins with the opening of the 7[sup]th[/sup] seal. There is silence in heaven for about half an hour. This happens to fulfill the scripture found in Zeph. 1:7. "Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited." Now the scroll can be read.
We already know about the law and grace, but now the one worthy to meter out judgment to mankind is prepared to do so. The act of God starting His trumpet judgments culminating in His bowls of wrath is the beginning of the end for history as we know it. When everything is said and done, He will issue in the new millennial age.
Some christians may say that the lamentations and mourning and woe of Ez. 2:10 are just for the unbelievers. I disagree with that. I believe the "woe" will be for the unbelievers but I also believe that we will partake of the "lamentations and mourning". 1 Peter 4:17 tells us that "judgment will begin with the house of God". I believe we will lament the lost opportunities and the times we wasted in our life. I believe we will mourn for those of our loved ones who didn't make it and for the world in general. Our tears won't be dried until after our arrival in heaven after the great trib of satan's wrath, Rev. 7:16-17.
Anyway, that's my opinion.
