Revelation 5:1-5 -- On Being Worthy of the Future

"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.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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."
Revelation 5:1-5


In the book of Revelation, it is hard sometimes to tell what is symbolic and what is real, although of course as I mentioned in a different commentary, even God's fiction is intended to teach truth, so that question is probably not as important as it would be if we had to worry about deception.

Here, the central idea is being worthy to read a book... and assuming the person on the throne is God, it is the idea of who is worthy to read God's book, or in other words to know God's thoughts and intentions and detailed plan? I am guessing that the worthiness comes in because God needs someone to read it in order to fulfil his will and carry out his plan... not just reading for entertainment. :) The seals are likely symbolic of this being the ultimate difficult job... no one else is talented or worthy enough to do this one. Only God himself, or... Christ, who is the one who ends up being able to read it and fulfil the word of the Lord.

That idea of being worthy to know God's intentions made me think about Prophets and knowing the future, and specifically General Conference which is this weekend. God doesn't give anyone glimpses of the future just for kicks. He does it, always, for a reason, so that his plan can be brought to pass... and if we want more clarity and knowledge and revelation in our lives, that is the way to work for it--to be committed to doing God's will and fulfiling his plan. If he can trust us with it, then he will share it with us.

The first step in that is to be committed to the change necessary to become our best selves. God wants that, and if we are really willing to put in the work, he will help us with hints and opportunities and pushes in the right direction. Sometimes even a glimpse inside the book, of what is coming for us. Today, let's be committed to being the best people we can be, and from there, God can help us change the world for the better.