The scroll in Revelation 5 is the seven-sealed mortgage that Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, alone is worthy to open and pay off.
In the passage, no one in heaven, earth, or under the earth is found worthy even to look at the scroll, and John weeps until the Lion of the tribe of Judah is named. Les Feldick teaches that the scroll, written within and on the backside, matches the Old Testament mortgage document, and that Christ takes it from the Father's right hand because He was slain and redeemed His people.
Revelation 5:1-7 — This is the immediate context of the scroll, its seven seals, and the search for one worthy to open it.
Revelation 5:9-10 — This new song explains why the Lamb is worthy: He was slain and redeemed people to reign on the earth.
In Revelation 5:1, John sees in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne 'a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.' A strong angel asks, 'Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?' Revelation 5:3 answers: 'And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.' John weeps much because no man is found worthy to open and read the book or look thereon (Revelation 5:4). One of the elders then says, 'Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof' (Revelation 5:5). The Lamb then comes and takes the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne (Revelation 5:7). The four beasts and twenty-four elders fall down before the Lamb and sing: 'Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation' (Revelation 5:9).
Les Feldick teaches that the King James word 'book' is an unfortunate translational error; people in John's day used scrolls, and the proper word is 'scroll' (Clips 3, 5). The scroll in Revelation 5:1 is 'written within and on the backside' and sealed with seven seals. According to Les, this matches the way Jewish mortgages were written in Old Testament times. God is therefore holding a mortgage, and no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth had the authority or capability to open it (Clips 1, 2, 3, 5). John's weeping is answered when the elder announces the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. Les identifies this Lion as Jesus the Christ, the Son, who is already in heaven and comes before the Father's throne. In Revelation 5:7, the Lamb takes the scroll from the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. The four creatures and twenty-four elders then sing a new song: 'Thou art worthy to take the scroll, and to open the seals thereof... for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God.' The reason for His worthiness is Calvary: He was crucified and He redeemed a people out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation (Clips 2, 6, 7). Les continues by explaining that when the Lamb opens the seals, He begins the process of paying off the mortgage. The seven seals take the events of Revelation up to the midpoint of the Tribulation, and the seven years of Tribulation are 'the whole reason' for Satan's final time, after which believers will reign on the earth. He begins His fuller explanation of the mortgage by going back to Genesis 1:28, where God gave Adam his instructions after creation (Clips 4, 6, 7).
In Revelation 5:1 the scroll is described as 'written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.' Les explains that the King James translation uses the word 'book,' but people in John's day used scrolls, so the correct term is scroll (Clips 3, 5). He then points to Old Testament Jewish practice: when a Jew mortgaged his land, the details were written within and on the backside. This is why Les identifies the scroll as a mortgage that God is holding (Clips 3, 5).
The strong angel proclaims with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?' Les notes that the expected question would be the other way around—who is worthy to take off the seals first—but the text says open the scroll and loose the seals. No one in heaven, earth, or under the earth is able; Les describes this as nowhere in God's creation having the authority or capability to open this mortgage. John weeps much because no one is found worthy even to read it or look on it (Clips 1, 2).
The elder tells John, 'Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.' Les identifies the Lion as Jesus the Christ, who comes before the throne and takes the scroll from God's right hand. The new song explains the basis for His worthiness: 'Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.' Les summarizes that He was slain, He was crucified, and He redeemed a people out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation (Clips 2, 6, 7).
Once Christ takes the mortgage, He begins to open the seven seals one by one. Les says these seals take the book of Revelation up to the midpoint of the Tribulation. He also says this is the whole reason for the seven years of the Tribulation—Satan is going to have his final time—and the song of the elders promises that believers shall reign on the earth. In other words, the opening of the scroll begins the process of paying off the mortgage (Clips 4, 6).
What Are the Signs of the End Times? Matthew 24 Explained
language all these, all these events, and all these various phenomena that are taking place on the earth are just the, what's the next word? Beginning. They're just the beginning. They're not the end, they're the beginning of sorrows, and a better word for that if you have another translation is travail, or earth pangs.
No One in Creation Is Worthy
Les reads Revelation 5:1-5 and explains that no man in heaven, on earth, or under the earth had the authority or capability to open this mortgage, which is why John wept.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Les points out that the Lion of the tribe of Judah is Jesus the Christ, who alone is worthy to take the scroll from the Father's throne.
The Scroll Is a Mortgage
Les explains that the correct term is scroll, not book, and that a scroll written within and on the backside matched the Old Testament mortgage documents, showing God holds a mortgage.
The Lamb Opens the Seals
Les teaches that after taking the mortgage, God the Son opens the seven seals one by one, and these seals lead up to the midpoint of the Tribulation.
Translational Error: Book vs Scroll
Les repeats that the King James 'book' should be translated 'scroll' because people in John's day used scrolls, and a scroll written within and on the backside is what a mortgage was.
The New Song of Redemption
Les shows that the elders fall down and sing 'Thou art worthy' because the Lamb was slain and redeemed people, and he connects this to the promise of reigning on the earth after the seven-year Tribulation.
The Lamb Takes the Scroll
Les identifies the Lamb as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus the Christ, who comes and takes the scroll from the right hand of the One on the throne, and he begins to trace the mortgage back to Genesis 1:28.
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.
This is the verse that describes the scroll itself, including its writing and seven seals.
Revelation 5:2: And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
This question sets up the search for the one who can open the scroll.
Revelation 5:3: And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
This is the answer that no created being can open the scroll.
Revelation 5:4: And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
John's tears show the tragedy that no one is worthy to open the scroll.
Revelation 5:5: And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
This verse reveals that the Lion of the tribe of Judah is the one who can prevail.
Revelation 5:7: And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
This shows the Lamb actually taking the scroll from the throne.
Revelation 5:9: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
This song explains that the Lamb's worthiness is based on His sacrificial death and redemption.
Revelation 5:10: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
This verse gives the outcome of redemption and the coming reign on the earth.
Genesis 1:28: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
This is the passage Les begins with when explaining why a mortgage must be paid off.
Yes, the KJV uses the word 'book' in Revelation 5:1, but Les Feldick teaches that the correct rendering is 'scroll.' He points out that people in John's day used scrolls, not bound books, and that calling it a book is an unfortunate translational error (Clips 3, 5).
John wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or even to look on it. No man in heaven, in earth, or under the earth was able to open it (Clips 1, 2).
The new song in Revelation 5:9 says, 'Thou art worthy... for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.' Les summarizes that He was slain and crucified, and that redemption is the basis for His worthiness to take the scroll and open its seals (Clip 6).
Les teaches that the seven seals take the events up to the midpoint of the Tribulation, and the seven-year Tribulation is the whole reason for Satan's final time, after which believers shall reign on the earth (Clips 4, 6).
Watch the Teaching: What Are the Signs of the End Times? Matthew 24 Explained