ord "overcome" suggests that this one has been in some great
conflict and has gotten the victory and overcome all opposition. And
this qualifies Him to take and open the document. He is the only one
among untold numbers so qualified.

And now John sees this One. He is standing in the very midst of the
throne surrounded by creatures and elders. We easily recognize this as
our Lord Jesus. He is a lion in leadership and strength. He is a lamb in
gentleness of character, and in the sacrificial experience He has been
through. The marks of death are plainly seen on His person.

As He comes forward He reaches and takes the book out of the hand of the
One on the throne. He is allowed to take it. His qualification to take
the document and break its seals is acceptable to the One on the throne.

And as He takes the book there is a remarkable burst of praise and
adoration that must have made all heaven ring. And those on earth in
touch of spirit with the scene and its purpose and the Chief Actor would
surely feel some thrill in the spirit currents of earth.

The outburst of worship is led by the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders who fall down before the Lamb and sing a song. What
music that must be when the untold thousands sing as only redeemed ones
can sing. Then countless hosts of angels join in and lift the chorus.
And then there is the creation chorus, every created thing in heaven and
earth, under the earth, in the sea, absolutely everything seems to join
in this indescribable music. And the four living creatures say, "Amen."
And again the elders fall down and worship.

John's distress at the beginning, and now this indescribable outburst of
praise, tell us that this is something thrilling and significant beyond
expression. What does this mean, our Lord Jesus taking the sealed
document preparatory to breaking its seals?

It has been said in a previous talk that every thread woven into the
fabric of the Old Testament can be found in the fabric of this
Revelation book. So that if one goes to work patiently he can trace
every allusion here to something back in these older leaves. This gives
us the clue to the significance of this remarkable scene.

That clue seems in this case to be found in the book of Jeremiah,
chapter thirty-two. There is found an allusion to a simple primitive
custom of the Hebrew people in the exchange of real estate and in taking
possession of property to which one is entitled.

The