- Chapter 6: "Worthy Is the Lamb"

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE actual ownership of the planet Earth? It has always been a valuable property, and through the centuries men and nations have tried to stake out their diverse claims to it. I invite you to spend a little time with me in the fifth chapter of the Revelation as we seek to answer the question, “Who really owns this world, after all?” and as we consider some implications of that answer.

John is still gazing through the door standing open in heaven. He is being shown important scenes and mighty deeds—cosmic events that will affect the entire created universe.
John sees an important document in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne: a scroll securely sealed with seven seals. Then he hears the voice of a “mighty angel” asking the entire universe, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

Bible commentators have had differing opinions about this written, sealed document. Some have said it might be the Old Testament. Others have countered that it probably was the New Testament. Some scholars have held that it was God’s book of judgment. One imaginative person suggested that it was “the statement of God’s hidden purposes.”
A number of other godly students of the Word hold that this scroll was the actual title deed to the created earth. That is what I believe, too, and I think there is scriptural reason for such an opinion. Our inclination is to say that God owns and controls all things, but Satan and his hosts have long challenged God’s right and God’s control. Remember the temptation of our Lord and the daring proposition of the devil:

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ (Matthew 4:8-10)

We note that our Lord did not challenge the implied claim Satan made concerning the kingdoms of this world. His reply to the devil was: “I will not worship you. God alone deserves worship!”