What Makes You Cry?

In Revelation 5 we read of a striking scene. A strong angel is making an exhaustive search and summons for anyone who is eligible to come and open ‘the book’ that is in the hand of the one who is sitting upon the throne.

Well what is in the book?

Based upon what we see happen in this chapter and the subsequent chapters I understand this scroll to be the impending judgment of all wickedness that is ready to be poured out upon the earth. What we read in the successive chapters is of the unleashing of the wrath of the Lamb. With the opening of this scroll the process whereby the planet is purged of its wickedness and the full inauguration of the Kingdom of Christ is realized. Once this scroll is unloosed and accomplished, this sin stained planet will be restored; creation’s groaning will subside and the rightful owner will be clear. The contents of this scroll are unfathomable.

The angel has sent out the thorough call to all in heaven, on earth, and under the earth and none were found ‘worthy’ that is sufficiently qualified to open the book. Nobody.

Well John has a strong reaction to this…look at verse 4: “Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it” “

John begins to cry; he is overcome with emotion. Why? Look again at the text—because no one was worthy to open the book and look into it.

What does this mean?

Well if the book contains the subsequent judgment of God upon all ungodliness and the catalyst to bring about the final restoration of all things and it can’t be opened then…we are stuck. It cannot happen. John knows that there is no one among men or even angels who can come and take this scroll and execute its contents….and he is distressed; he is emotionally torn up. The purposes of God appear to be thwarted.

This is the same construction used of Peter’s response to his denials (Matt. 26.75)…it is a loud cry.

Let me ask you, what makes you cry?

John is emotionally distraught over the prospect of sin not being dealt with, the glory of God not being vindicated and the restoration of the redeemed not being realized.

Have you found yourself teary eyed for the glory of God?

Think of all of the gallons of tears that have been shed by the saints throughout the ages crying for the vindication of God’s name, the rescue of God’s people, and the punishment of God’s enemies…From all of the Psalms like Psalm 13 that cry to the heavens, “how long O Lord” to the followers of Jesus crying “thy kingdom come…” There have been ages and ages of cries for restoration.

But all of these cries were attached to time and hope. Here John comes to the end of time and appears out of hope; the end of the road if you will. He sees the throne, he sees the scroll that contains the battle plan for bringing about the consummation of the ages, and he witness the exhaustive search throughout the universe and the ages for anyone to come and take the scroll and enact its contents…BUT THERE IS NO ONE FOUND!!

John is crying for judgment. But this judgment is not isolated; it is connected to the purging of the planet of sin and the reign of King Jesus. I think we pray through the backdoor for Christ and his kingdom to come, we forget judgment, however John (and the saints in Revelation) pray through the front door, thy kingdom come, via judgment, bringing restoration, and ultimately exaltation.

We may cry and anguish over things that bring sorrow to us personally. In this John is both with us and different from us. John’s sorrow does not ultimately terminate upon himself but rather upon the glory and vindication of God. O’ how we need a taste of this heavenly priority! May Christians get choked up, fired up, and prayed up chiefly for the things which serve to magnify God in Christ.

Possibly Related posts:

1. How the Super Bowl makes me pray: “Your Kingdom Come!”
2. How a trip to the zoo makes you long for the Kingdom
3. A Snapshot of Christ Singing that Makes Me Sing
4. Why I don’t Evangelize
5. The conversation of Jesus

2 Responses to “What Makes You Cry?”

1. NP says:

   July 11, 2008 at 6:19 pm

   Hey Just discovered your blog…. My fondest memory is when at 25 I was moved by song at church which talked about God’s majesty and love. I cried so much I had to leave the church. I wasn’t a Christian (in fact it was like my 3rd time in a church for my whole life). Soon after that I trusted Christ… Praise God for tears of joy…
2. Jacob Allee says:

   July 12, 2008 at 9:05 am

   Hey Erik!

   Haven’t visited in a while but I see that you’re still being faithful to make your brother’s and sisters in Christ think deeply about the word. Keep it up!