The Book Of The Future
THE BOOK OF THE FUTURE
REVELATION 4:9–5:5
If Jesus’ victory is so great that he controls the future, cannot we trust him to direct our lives in the present?
From 4:9 it is clear that 4:8 is only a summary of the song of the living creatures. Since what follows primarily concerns the earth and the perfect working out of God’s purposes for it, the distinctive feature of their song is thanks, in contrast to the worship of the elders; they worship in admiration, the living creatures in gratitude.
As the sequel shows, the “scroll” (5:1) is the book of the future. It is in God’s “right hand” to show his control over it; it is written on both sides to show that no one can add to it, and it is sealed so that no one can bring it to pass before the time. We do not always sufficiently realize that Jesus Christ as the righteous and victorious Man has a special place in God’s purposes. It is as Man that he is humanity’s Savior and humanity’s judge (John 5:27). Equally humanity’s future history is entrusted into his hands. So, mysteriously, God allows the working out of his purposes to be linked with people. We are God’s fellow workers (1 Corinthians 3:9).
As early as Genesis 49:9, the lion is associated with the tribe of Judah, and traditionally the tribe used the lion on its standard. So when the conqueror is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (5:5), more than a contrast with the following “Lamb” (5:6) is intended. He is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Genesis 49:9 in a higher sense than Jacob can have foreseen. “The Root of David”: see 22:16, where its meaning is made clear; it is probably based on Isaiah 11:10, quoted in Romans 15:12. David was considered to be the great glory of Judah, with the Messiah no more than a second David. John affirms that not only is Jesus greater than his ancestor David, but also that David’s greatness was entirely due to the will, planning and strength of his “Son,” whom he nevertheless called “Lord” (Mark 12:35-37).