The sealed book.
The homily must be based upon the interpretation. For our guidance we take the view which regards this sealed book as a title deed, the background of the figure being found in Jeremiah 32:6-16. It is the title deed of the purchased possession—the redeemed inheritance—which noone has a right to touch or open but him to whom it belongs; concerning whom it may be said, "The right of redemption is thine to buy it." Concerning "the Lamb," this is recognized by the song of "the elders:" "Thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation." The redemption of men is therefore the ground of the worthiness, the ability, the right to open the book, to loose the seals, to look thereon. "The Lamb that was slain" alone may take the book "out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne."
I. THE BOOK.
1. Not the book of "the Revelation."
2. But the roll of the covenant—the title deed.
3. A sealed document. Not representing the hidden nature of its contents. The breaking of the seals not a disclosure. The breaking of the seals coincident with stages in the process of taking possession of the purchased inheritance.
4. The book pertains to the Lamb. To him who is the Lamb—the Redeemer—belongs the possession. To him belongs the title deed. He takes possession of his own.
II. THE REDEEMER.
1. The Lamb. "The Lion of the tribe of Judah" is also the Lamb. The latter symbolically representing his sacrificial character. He is the Lamb, as he is the Offering and a Sacrifice.
2. The Lamb appeared "as though it had been slain." "We have redemption in his blood." Whatever the Lamb of sacrifice represented he was in the utmost degree—a means and a pledge of salvation, an Offering, a Propitiation.
3. But the Lamb liveth again. Thus is presented to the eye of the seer the most cheering of all objects—the crucified and slain but risen Lord, the Conqueror of death, then of sin and of all that side with sin.
4. He has perfect power: "seven horns."
5. Perfect, sevenfold, spiritual grace: "seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God." He is perfect as a Redeemer. The price of his own blood he has paid: "With thy blood;" "A death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first" and second "covenants;" "How much more shall the blood of Christ!" "Having obtained eternal redemption."
III. THE REDEEMED INHERITANCE.
1. Men "of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation."
2. Redeemed from alienation, from sin and dispersion.
3. To be a kingdom.
4. Also a priesthood.
5. Exalted to honour: "they shall reign," even on the earth.
This the one work of him who goeth forth conquering and to conquer. The true Redeemer by price of his blood, by power of his Spirit. Of this redeemed possession he holds the title deed. He only is worthy. He is the rightful heir.—R.G.