Revelation 5 shows Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, retrieving the seven-sealed scroll from God's right hand. There is much biblical background which we must understand in order to interpret the meaning of this strange vision of John's. Since the four beasts and twenty-four elders cried, "Thou hast redeemed us by thy blood," upon the retrieval of the sealed book by Christ, we know that redemption certainly has all to the with that event. Therefore, let us examine the issue of Redemption in the Bible.

Redemption was allowed in Israel in order to buy back that which was lost. There is a Law in Deut. called a "Levirate law," in which a woman whose husband had died without a son could see that her husband's name would continue on in Israel. Since he had no son by her, and he died, his name would normally be lost and his lineage would cease with his own death.

The Levirate law allowed the husband's closest of kin to marry the woman. The firstborn son of the marriage would be named after the deceased husband so that this son might continue his lineage and not see his name lost in the land.

The story of Ruth revolves around this law. Ruth's husband died while they lived in Moab. Ruth was a Gentile, being a Moabitess, and having no Israelite husband left to her, she could not take part of the Israelite blessing from God and enjoy a life above poverty. Her husband was a worker and provided her with a home and food. Being dead, her husband left her without provision to live. She would have to work like a pauper.

She decided to return to Israel with her mother-in-law, whose husband also had died. Normally her mother-in-law's other sons would be viable husbands for Ruth. But Naomi had no other sons. Both ladies were left without husbands.

Upon returning to Israel, Ruth began gleaning the fields of Boaz, since the corners of the fields were left for the poor and for gentiles. Ruth lived the life of a pauper. However, Boaz was a kin of her husband's! If she could marry him, then she would not only be free from a life of poverty, but she would see her husband's name carried on and his house not lost!

Boaz soon loved Ruth and came to redeem her husband's name and house. That name was lost until redemption would occur and someone would marry her being kin to her husband. And that which was lost was redeemed and bought back!

This speaks of Jesus Christ. Adam was humanity's head, and compares to the husband of Ruth who died, since the husband is said to be the head of the family.

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.
Gen 1:28

Adam ruled the world. What wealth he owned!

His authority was manifested when he named all cattle, beasts and fowl.

And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;...
Gen 2:20

However, like Ruth's husband, Adam died. He died not physically at first, but spiritually. He lost the power and dominion that was his the day he ate of the forbidden fruit.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Gen 2:17

Mankind was left like a widow without her headship. She was left as a pauper to glean fields and not enjoy the depths of the riches of God's heritage. She was thrust from the Garden and outside the land that was formerly her's.

If she could only be redeemed. Naomi speaks of the Older wife who was also a widow, Israel. Ruth speaks of the Gentiles. Both Widows. Naomi had been in the land with her husband until famine came much like Israel knew God, but famine of the Word came and God spoke to no man for four hundred years due to Israel's sin. Naomi was forced to live in Gentile territory - outside of God as much as the Gentiles were.

And when Naomi sought to return, Ruth wanted to go, too. In Bethlehem, Naomi was simply too old to have a relationship with a new husband who may be kin to her. Israel's ways were too entrenched within her to accept new birth.

Naomi had been in Israel and lost that blessing with the rest of the people there due to sin. Ruth, though, had never been in Israel. The gentiles never knew God's blessings. And when she entered the land, Boaz looked upon her and loved her. She went to Boaz and desired to marry him to see someone redeem her husband's name and house. Naomi recommended what she do, as the Old Testament has taught us Gentiles much about redemption.

We have applied that Old Testament law of the Levirate to our soul's salvation, as Noami recommended to Ruth that she marry Boaz for he is kin.

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
Ruth 3:1-2

Boaz soon redeemed Ruth's husband's name and married her.

Christ was God become a man so Adam's power and dominion might be redeemed for humanity's children, that they might enjoy the wealth Adam once held to pass on to his children. Little hope seemed apparent during the time between Adam's death and the redemption of his name. Man lived in abject poverty of sinfulness. Suffering needlessly and below that place of spiritual and soulful wealth where Adam once lived.

But God became a kin to humanity. God became a man! Only a near kinsman could redeem mankind's name and glory. And that is why God became a man.

The manger scene in Bethlehem was the inception of the greatest use of the Levirate Law ever effected! God became our kin!

A price had to be paid by all Kinsman redeemers to effect that redemption. Something the kinsman owned had to be paid. Christ paid the price of His own life. He gave His life!

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:20

He gave Himself!

What love! Talk about a romance!!!

We find that Ruth's lineage included David! Boaz' great grandson was David, king of Israel.

Jeremiah gives another side to the story of the law of redemption in chapter 32.

And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it. So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open: And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison. And I charged Baruch before them, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
Jer 32:6-15

Notice that the evidence, or deed, of the property was redeemed by Jeremiah and was a sealed scroll.

Jesus' redemption by death on the cross was pictured to John the Revelator as a lamb taking a sealed book from the hand of God on the throne. Adam's deed went back to the original owner who gave it to him, God, when he sinned and spiritually died. And God held it until a Kinsman Redeemer would come to claim it and redeem Adam's name and dominion for mankind's children.

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.
Rev 5:1-4

No "man" lived who was worthy and wealthy enough. It had to be a "man" since a human would be the KIN required to redeem the property. Jeremiah was kin to his cousin. So Jeremiah could redeem the property.

However, no man lived without sin who could redeem mankind from poverty of sinful slavery. Mankind was to be left without hope. The glory of Adam's dominion would never be bought back! And all creation heard John weep. What a sad plight man was in!

But...

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. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Rev 5:5-7

At one time there was no man. God became a man, Himself, though, later in time. And then there was a man! A kinsman Redeemer to buy Adam's dominion back again!! He took the sealed "evidence" and all of heaven shouted and praised God. Even the beasts who were portrayed as the very creatures which Adam named in Genesis 2:20 rejoiced, for their existence was wonderful under Adam's dominion. When Adam reigned, all creation was free in liberty. However, Adam's sin threw all creation into bondage and creation groaned underneath the load.

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:20-22

Creatures were in bondage rather than dominion. Notice that the eagle, lion and ox of Revelation 4:7 are the respective kings of the fowl, beasts and cattle? But they were thrown out of dominion and put into bondage instead. From kings to slaves. And worst of all, Adam was king of the world and became a gardener! He was left to till the soil and work by sweat to live..

Those cherubimic beasts represent the dominion Adam had dominion over creation before he fell. When the Cherubims blocked the Garden after Adam's fall, Adam seen a constant, tormenting reminder that he was thrust out of the place of dominion he once held. He named those very creatures whom the beasts represented while in that Garden. And all creation was put into bondage due to his sin.

Now that we see how the sealed "evidence" was put into the hands of the Redeemer, we realize that it was His to open.

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:1

The "evidence" was redeemed. The deed was bought back! What did the title deed symbolize and represent?

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 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; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Rev 5:8-10

The 24 elders and 4 beasts thanked the lamb for redeeming them to God by His blood. And due to that redemption, they were to return to their former and rightful position of dominion as Adam's children should have enjoyed. Kings and priests.

As Adam was thrust out of the Garden and lost his dominion of kingship to become a gardener, Ruth was likewise left to glean the fields to survive. However, Boaz redeemed her deceased husband's name. And Jesus Christ redeemed Adam's name and dominion. Mankind's children would once again rule!

So the title deed, or the evidence in the form of the seven sealed scroll represents us! We are redeemed! That title deed represented the property which was bought back. Since we were bought back, we know that the seven-sealed scroll must represent us!

The 24 elders and cherubims are the scroll. They were redeemed. All creation was bought back! And mankind was once again its head! Jesus Christ was the last man Adam! The Son of God.

In Revelation 10, we see a mighty angel descend and stand on the land and sea holding the opened title deed in His hand! The scroll was totally unsealed between the time He first took it and the time He descended to stand on the possession. This is a picture of Christ having "unsealed" us and opened us. (More about this later.) The "evidence" was opened by the Lord. We are the redeemed! He redeemed us from sin. Since sin brought death, He could only redeem us by paying death (Ro. 5:12).

As a lamb, we can see two aspects in relation to the redemptive law of God. Only a true kinsman could redeem us. Adam's race had been redeemed by Christ. The name of humanity was restored. The thought of sacrifice is pictured by the Lamb, since lambs were given in sacrifice by shedding their blood in OT times. This teaches us that the redemptive price for our souls was the life of the kinsman.

The message of redemption must told far and wide.

And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Rev 10:9-11

Every nation must hear of this redemption.

When John ate the book, it tasted like honey. This describes how one receives revelation of the means of redeeming mankind.

When the lamb went to take the book, He was already slain. This connects with the thought that Christ ascended to the Father after His death and resurrection to present His blood.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
John 20:16-17

Later He appeared to the disciples having already ascended. We know He ascended because Mary could not touch Him before He ascended, and He allowed Thomas to touch Him later.

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:27-28

Jesus told Mary the words which comfort every soul who longs to know if there has been a way made to be reconciled to God after having living in sin for so long.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
John 20:17

He told Mary that God was her God and was Her Father now! And whereas man was at war with God, and was enemy to God, Jesus said...:

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
John 20:19-21

PEACE be unto you! No more war!!! Reconciliation! Redemption!

Between John 20:17 and 20:19, when Jesus said, Peace be unto you," Jesus had gone to the throne and took the book and redeemed the possession! Rev. The events of 5:6-9 fill in the gap between John 20:17 and verse 19!!

And since He bought back Adam's power and dominion for mankind, Jesus said...

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
John 20:21-23

He gave them POWER. Adam's former power! The Holy Ghost is power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8

Jesus foreshadowed the Spirit baptism of power when He breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Ghost. We know this was mere foreshadowing, for He breathed on them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." He then told them in Acts 1:8 that they would later receive power when they would receive the Holy Ghost. His breath foreshadowed the mighty rushing wind of Acts 2:1-4!

And Jesus descended from Heaven and gave them revelation of the message they must preach to all the world, as portrayed by giving John the book to eat. Notice what events occurred when Jesus opened their understanding as He opened the seals to show John, and then gave the book to John to eat.

And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luke 24:40-45

Jesus indeed did show them that He was not a Spirit when He ate the food, but we see another thought here, too. As John tasted the Word and found it to be as honey, Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples and symbolized it by eating honeycomb! Revelation is an opening of understanding concerning a spiritual truth. And receiving it is like eating honey!

And the revelation Jesus opened to them that day regarded the following truth:

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Luke 24:45-49

1. Repentance
2. Remission of sins in Jesus' name
3. sending of the promise of the Father.

This was the message regarding redemption! Redemption of an individual occurs when they apply the Gospel of Christ's death, burial and resurrection to their lives by repenting, experiencing remission of sins and receiving the Promise of the Father.

And He told them to preach it to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. This is precisely what He told John to do when He gave Him the book to eat.

And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. Rev 10:10-11

When the disciples experienced Jesus' opening their understanding, some said,

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Luke 24:31-32

John's belly represents the human spirit. The spirit of a person is often called the belly.

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Prov 20:27

And John's "belly" burned. His belly became bitter. The disciples "hearts" burned.

Ezekiel experienced an identical thing, and ate a roll. It , too, tasted like honey, but it BURNED in his spirit.

And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. Ezek 3:3-4

So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.
Ezek 3:14

When the disciples were told they would receive the Holy Ghost, Jesus showed them that the Holy Ghost was what He referred to as "the promise of the Father".

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:4-5

They received it, and Peter preached the message Jesus told the disciples to preach to all nations. This was the redemption message.

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Acts 2:23-24

Peter preached the death, burial and resurrection.

Jesus' death accomplished redemption. That was His part. The listeners realized they had a part to play, too.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:36-37

Peter then proceeded to tell them how to apply that redemption to their own lives. He told them the words of Luke 24:47-49.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 2:38

These words and many others explained to them how to be saved.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:40

These words SAVE us. Nothing less.

When Adam lost his title deed to power and a great name, God thrust him out of the Garden and placed Cherubims and a flaming sword to block the way. A similar picture of blocking man from such a place of power is seen in the temple. God told Moses to make a veil and embroider cherubims on it. This veil would block the way into the Holiest of Holies in the Tabernacle and temple. Thus, the Holiest represents the garden and man's former home of power and dominion.

When the Lamb redeemed the title, the four beasts, which were the cherubims (see the faces of Rev. 4:7 on the beasts and the faces of the cherubims in Ezekiel 1:10), rejoiced and thanked the Lamb for redeeming them!

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 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;
Rev 5:8-9

God's presence was once with Adam in the Garden. And God's voice spoke to man there.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:Gen 2:15-16

Man lost this wonderful fellowship. God had to have man erect a tabernacle to dwell as closely as was possible with sinful mankind. It was as close to the Garden as was possible, without being the Garden.

The Cherubims were pictured on the mercy seat in the Holiest place, where God's voice would be heard! This holiest place truly represents the Garden.

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Exo 25:22

So we see a picture of man returning to the Garden where He once again communed with God when we see the Cherubims on the Mercy Seat where God's voice communed with man.

Jesus was in the Garden while mankind was not. Though He physically walked with man, He was in another plain which man was not.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:24

They were not where He was. Only the cross could put them into the place He was. Redemption alone would restore Adam's glory back to them again. Jesus was referring to Redemption when He prayed for man to be where He was.

This redemption would remove the cherubimic guardians from blocking the way into the Garden. And when Jesus died on the cross the veil, depicting cherubims blocking the holiest, was rent and removed!

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Mat 27:50-51

The veil covering man's heart is removed by the redemption in Christ!

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
2 Cor 3:15-16

When we believe in Christ, and turn our hearts to Him in faith, we experience the removal of a veil from our hearts.

Notice the reason Christ prayed for us to be with Him.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:24

He wanted us with Him so that we could behold His glory. Why would He want us to behold His glory? Is not being in the Garden with Him enough?

2 Corinthians 3 gives us the answer.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Cor 3:18

Here is the pattern of progress. First we have our hearts unveiled and opened. Christ is also unveiled, in contrast to Moses (verse 15). And when we are with Him and behold His unveiled glory, we experience another wonderful work! This work happens AFTER we are redeemed. After being with Him we then experience a second work of being changed into His image from glory to glory, or changed to be like Him in steps. Faith in Christ (our hearts turning to Him) initially removes the veil. Then we must behold His glory after the veil is removed. Let us not simply be with Him, but let us be with Him so that we will behold His glory!

We change into His image from glory to glory as we behold His glory. With this in mind, consider that we are the sealed scroll shown in Revelation chapter 5. We are the redeemed and are in His hand, but now we must see the seven seals broken in our lives to open us up. Paul said we are epistles of Christ. When we were redeemed, Christ put His laws into our hearts.

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.
2 Cor 3:2

Our hearts are where the Laws of God are written as opposed to tablets of stone upon which God wrote the Ten Commandments. The writing of God's laws into our hearts is a prized treasure!

We come into this garden cleansed from sin, but yet in the state of still having flesh to deal with. We are in need of that flesh being broken and opened up so that we are changed into His image. Much fleshliness must be dealt with now that sin has been dealt with. The fleshly seals must be broken. That which prohibits the scroll from being opened is the seals. This is fleshliness. Fleshliness must be broken. Fleshliness hides the glory of God's Law within. We are unveiled to be able to openly gaze upon Christ's glory so that we can be changed into His image.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 4:6

This is what Jesus said was the reason that He desired us to be with Him. We need to behold His glory. It alone changes us into His image.

Our hearts are turned to Him and He has shined forth for the purpose of giving us the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ's face. This light in Christ's face is metaphorical talk describing the glory of Christ's victory and exercise of dominion. His glory is a glory of dominion. We read of Moses' face being veiled in 2 Corinthians 3:7-15. That typified the glory which Moses experienced while looking at God. It was so glorious that the people had to veil Moses' face for they could not stand the intensity. Paul compared that type to the picture of Christ being unveiled and having shone His greater glory to us (See Matt. 17:2).

Notice that it is the light of knowledge. Knowledge in biblical terms involves intimate love. And when Jesus spoke about the disciples need to be where He was, He mentioned that the reason He desired us with Him was so that we would behold His glory. And the reason we need to behold His glory is due to the fact that God loved Him from the foundation of the world. In other words, we need to experience that fellowship with the Father as Christ did.

John's first epistle speaks much about this light of knowledge and fellowship with Christ and the Father in chapter 1.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

When we are where He is and we behold His light, we fellowship with Him. We know Him. And He continually cleans us. Cleanseth implies continual cleansing. It implies constant changing into His image from glory to glory.

After we are redeemed, we are to be cleansed and changed into His image.

In Genesis One we have seen how the earth renovation truly refers to our renovation. It begins by water and Spirit (Gen 1:2-3). Then God's Word shines forth LIGHT. This was in Paul's mind in 2 Cor. 4:6) when He described our need of being changed into Christ's image. We being our relationships with God by water and Spirit, too (John 3:5-6). And then after we are redeemed, He begins to restore our lives into His image.

The seals of fleshliness must come off. The image was hidden and sealed up while the title deed was lost. But thanks be to God that He held us in His right hand until the time appointed that a Redeemer come along! By reading of how God held us in His had, as He held the scroll in Revelation 5:1, we know that there was a time coming when A Kinsman Redeemer would take the Scroll. Otherwise God would have thrown us away for loss.

Since it has been redeemed, the book was then put in an "earthen vessel". We have this treasure in Earthen vessels!

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Cor 4:6-7

Jeremiah said, "Put it in an earthen vessel that it may last long."

So long as Babylon ruled the land of Anathoth, where Jeremiah's purchased possession lay, it was as though Jeremiah could not truly enjoy the land yet. It was his since he redeemed it, but Babylon yet held it. And he wanted the scroll deed put in an earthen vessel to keep it for reason that Babylon held the land. As long as Babylon held the land, the deed would be in an earthen vessel, though Jeremiah owned it.

This speaks to us the truth that we are redeemed, but many of us are still in confusion to a degree, due to the fleshliness of our earthen vessels.

Paul spoke about this light and plan of redemption restoring deep fellowship with God to man as he continued writing about the light of the knowledge of God's glory.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Cor 4:6-7

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
Jer 32:14

Notice that Paul then mentions the need of being broken in our fleshliness. This treasure of a heart with God's light upon it is a wonderful thing. But it remains in an earthen vessel. Flesh. As much fleshliness as we still carry, that is as much influence that "Babylon" can have over us. Therefore, our flesh must break and we must arise to the true place of power. It is already our's. But we must see fleshliness broken so that this power within our hearts might shine forth and defeat Babylon!!!

Paul mentions seven points of trial which break the flesh as he continues his writing in 2 Cor. 4.

1. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; ... (2 Cor 4:8a)

2. we are perplexed, but not in despair; (2 Cor 4:8b)

3. Persecuted, but not forsaken; (2 Cor 4:9a)

4. cast down, but not destroyed; (2 Cor 4:9b)

5. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2 Cor 4:10)

6. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:11)

7. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. (2 Cor 4:12)

Paul mentions breaking seven times. This breaking is necessary so that the treasure in the earthen vessels can be exposed.

John saw that the title deed that was redeemed still had Seven seals binding it shut. By comparative study between Jeremiah 32, Revelation 5 and 2 Corinthians 4, we see that Paul is depicting the need for the seven seals of fleshliness to be broken through the experience of the hardships of Revelation 6's seven seals. They try us. They purge us. They separate the wheat from the tares. They break away the earthen vessel.

In Summary, the treasure is the heart endued with light from Christ. But this treasure is in earthen vessels. Our hearts are locked within fleshliness when we are first saved. That fleshliness is the source of all our problems and weaknesses after we are saved. We are indeed saved from sin, but we have the flesh to contend with now. And that flesh prohibits the godliness from shining forth.

Compared to Jeremiah's statement regarding the earthen vessel, we must realize that such containment in an earthen jar was necessary due to the fact that Babylon held the land. Though Jeremiah redeemed the land, Babylon still held sway over it, too.

 So the containment of the deed in an earthen vessel signifies the complications of the property of our glorified hearts that are held within the fleshly vessels of carnality. Paul said this changed heart is a treasure. Then he said, "But..." He implied a complication yet exists. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels."

So long as Babylon rules, the earthen vessel holds the treasure. So long as fleshliness holds us in what we can certainly describe as "confusion" (Interpretation of the name BABYLON), the treasure cannot be fully exposed in outward victory.

Notice that the breaking of fleshliness is the rising into the victory for which Christ redeemed us to rise back into. As the seals break Babylon is threatened. Fleshliness is Babylon.

After God's people were freed from Egypt and entered the land, their disobedience captivated them into Babylon.

In Revelation, we see mention of Babylon! We see fleshliness ruling! Babylon depicts the rule of fleshliness. Nebuchadnezzar cried forth his boast of dominion and was cursed to learn that God sets up thrones.

They erected the tower of Babel with "earthen" bricks made from slime and mud in Genesis 10. Rather than from rocks depicting God's foundation, man built a kingdom for his own name based upon sand from which man was made.

Revelation's mention of Babylon and the harlot represents the fleshliness within all of us upon salvation. We all must COME OUT OF BABYLON.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Rev 18:4-5

The flesh will sin. We must see the treasure of our redeemed hearts brought out of the earthen vessels of fleshliness. We must come out of her. The earthen vessels must break. Babylon must fall.

When Gideon defeated the Midianites with 300 men, it was through lamps being put within earthen vessels. These jars were cracked and the light shone forth defeating the enemy of God's people. This is the sword of the Lord and of Gideon. The combined union of God in the heart of a believer and man's agreement to break the earthen vessel, make a weapon in God's hand to defeat the enemy.

Paul continues speaking about the needful breaking of the fleshly vessel which houses the treasure.

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
2 Cor 4:14

We shall be presented holy and unblameable in His sight if we continue in the faith, and are fully opened. We are reconciled to God, and are with Christ for a distinct purpose. Jesus said we are to behold His glory. And Paul adds to that thought and expounds upon it by saying:

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Col 1:21-23

We are redeemed for the purpose of being presented holy and unblameable in His sight. Paul mentioned this in 2 Cor 4:14. We will presented with him.

That which is broken is the outward man that perishes.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2 Cor 4:16

It occurs day by day. Genesis 1 saw the earth of man's devastation renewed day by day in six days. This typifies the believer being renewed . Redemption opens the way for renewal. The earthen vessel must break. The seals must come off. We must undergo persecutions and troubles. If we are true we will not be forsaken or in despair. We will come forth as pure gold - His image!

The cherubim on the mercy seat were solid gold. They depict redeemed and renewed man in the Garden, the holiest. We are redeemed, but now we must be renewed. They rule and reign with Christ on the throne, for they are seated together with Christ above all principalities and powers (Eph 1:20-21; 2:5-6). They have the restored and redeemed authority of Adam's name and house!

The outward man perishes. Babylon falls. The seals are outward, but they bind. And they are removed. And though the light affliction of this breaking causes us to suffer, nevertheless the inward treasure being exposed in glory is the far more exceeding and eternal benefit.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2 Cor 4:17

There is a glory in redemption, but we are changed from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18). A greater degree and weight of glory awaits those broken.

We must not be concerned with the outward, the earthen vessel, the preservation of the seals. We must be concerned with the heart - the inward. That which is unseen. The inward man is not visible, and hence many do not concern themselves over it as they do the outward visible man.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Cor 4:18

Our bodies and outward men will vanish away one day. But the heart of a person is eternal.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
2 Cor 5:1-3

The above verses prove that Paul spoke about the heart as opposed to the flesh when he spoke about that which is unseen. Too many glory in appearance (that which is seen - fleshliness) and not in heart. Such glory is the spirit of Babylon. They value the seals and the outward man. Many believers care less for their further and necessary renewal. This is Babylon the great. The fleshliness of the unbroken child of God. It is a threat to God's people and must fall.

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
2 Cor 5:12

Seek the heart's renewal. A greater weight of glory exists than that which is in appearance. There is glory in appearance, but it is temporal and not eternal. That which is unseen is eternal, therefore the glory in the heart must be regarded at the expense of the outward glory which must perish.

Look at unseen things. God's love even constrains us to realize that Christ died for us so that we might not live for ourselves (continue in Babylon). If He died for us, then we are supposed to be dead. Let us behave like we are dead to ourselves, and refuse to live for ourselves in preserving the outward man and the seals of fleshliness. His glory is made known by opened books. But if we continue to live for ourselves, and glory in our goodness as Nebuchandnezzar gloried in his kingdom, that glory will be short lived and never eternal. Such self-glory, Babylon, is binding. If we please the flesh, we will not be able to do the things that we would.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:16-17

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:6-7

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
2 Cor 4:14

Both of the above passages refer to the thought that we are changed to the end that the praise of His glory is made known. It moves heaven to praise God for such wonderful mercy upon us!

Jesus died for us so that we may be changed into His image and see renewal of the authority and dominion which Adam lost. We are to live for Christ, since He died for us.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2 Cor 5:14-15

Preserving self pleasure and the seals and earthen pottery of carnality only bars away from ourselves Christ's purpose in dying for us. It keep our hearts bound in the Babylon of self glory. Let us seek the inward man's exposure where the treasure is! Bring Babylon down! Elsewise, the ministries in reconciling us to God through men like Paul are wasted and are rendered to have been given to us in vain. Without the seals being broken, what good is it to be redeemed?

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 Cor 6:1

The world is seen under heavy trouble during the seven seals. Throughout Revelation and the breaking of the Seals, the earth is in troublesome times. This depicts the "worlds" of our lives being troubled so that we come forth in His image. The flesh must be burned. The cherubim were solid gold. God wishes to render us golden.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Cor 3:12-15

That which is organic, of the flesh, such as wood, hay and stubble, must be burned away. The trial and tribulation is merely God's means of breaking the seals. Our flesh is the Babylon that must fall.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Pet 4:12-14

His glory is within us. And it must be revealed. This requires trial.

After the sixth day man was made in God's image. After the sixth seal, the 144,000 have their father's name stamped on their foreheads.

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Rev 7:3-4

Ruth came back to her land! Israel! We are the Israel of God! (Gal 6:16). We are on Mount Zion - unshakeable - (Rev 14:1; He 12:22).

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. Rev 10:1-3

Jesus has opened the book of the believer's life. He depicts this success as being conqueror and Lord of Lords. Truly He is our Lord when we live for Him and allow the outward man of fleshly seals to perish and be broken. He stands on the earth - land and sea - as conqueror of it. The believer is that earth. By showing the book opened and in His hand as well as Him standing on the land and sea roaring in victory we see a double stress of the thought that an opened believer is what gives Him glory and honour!! He is fully Lord when He has fully opened us up and removed all fleshliness. Seven seals depict all fleshliness.

He has seven eyes (Rev 5:6). He sees all that is inside us. We are closed and sealed, but He is our high priest who ascended to the throne to redeem us, and knows the thoughts of our hearts.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:13-14

His seven eyes see all. He knows what hinders us. But in the process of breaking the seals, we must be shown what is happening, for He will not impose Himself upon us. He will show us the procedure and await our go-ahead.

Renewal is part and parcel with Redemption. God paid the price by becoming a man, and bought back humanity. We are His. He bought us. However, we must now allow Him to open us and break our seals of fleshliness. Now that we are following Him, we must take up the cross and deny ourselves. This means breaking. The owner has right to unseal the "evidence", yet He awaits our consent. Should we say no and live for ourselves, He will open nothing, and we will remain carnal. But we are supposed to be dead to ourselves!

Let us allow Him to show us the process, and purpose in having purchased us in redemption. We are to live unto Him.

Watch how God is praised before Jeremiah for the redemption that He accomplished.

Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying, Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Thou showest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men [SEVEN EYES]: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day; And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror; [REDEMPTION BY BLOOD] And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; [BACK TO THE GARDEN]
Jer 32:16

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Jer 32:27

God meant to allow Babylon to rule the land, but promised to bring the people out of captivity after a time.

And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Jer 32:36-43

It is worthless while in captivity, but when Babylon is removed, and the seals of fleshliness are gone, what treasure is then exposed for all to see, and for us to enjoy!!

Let us understand what it is that God is doing. John, come and see!