Les Feldick Bible Study

What does the sealed scroll in Revelation 5 allude to?

The sealed scroll alludes to the Old Testament economy of Israel, where property could be mortgaged and a next of kin could redeem it. It pictures a sealed legal document, reflecting the rights and redemption requirements of that ancient system, not a modern book.

Les explains that John sees the one on the throne holding a scroll written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. He says “book” is an unfortunate translation, since they had scrolls rolled up and sealed. Les teaches this scene is an allusion to the Old Testament economy of Israel. In those days, Israelites had the right and privilege to mortgage their property. If the mortgage came due and they could not pay, they could either lose their property or go to a next of kin. That kinsman needed three things: he had to be the next of kin, he had to have the funds and wealth, and he had to be willing.

Revelation 5:1

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.

More Questions

What Old Testament practice is the scroll in Revelation 5 alluding to?

The seven-sealed scroll scene in Revelation 5 is an allusion to the Old Testament Israelite economy, specifically the practice of mortgaging and redeeming property.

What did the scroll in Revelation 5 look like?

The scroll John saw in Revelation 5 was written on the inside and on the back/outside, and it was sealed with seven seals.

What is the scroll in Revelation 5?

The scroll sealed with seven seals in Revelation 5 is a mortgage document, similar to the kind of mortgage a Jew would use for his land.

What did the scroll in Revelation 5 represent according to Jewish history?

Using Old Testament and Jewish history, Les identifies the scroll in Revelation 5 as a mortgage document.