We might expect the angel to invite someone who is able or strong enough to step forward to take the scroll and break its seals. The term “worthy” requires different qualities than simply strength. That’s because the scroll is in God’s hand, and from under God’s throne came flashes of lightning (Revelation 4:5) while around God’s throne were mighty guards (Revelation 4:6–7). It would take a very special someone to survive the lightning and to get past the guards of the Almighty so as to approach God and reach for the scroll—all actions required to break the seals and open the scroll.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”