The seven churches of Asia (representing all churches of all times and places) were weak and vulnerable. The question arose whether they could survive the trials and tribulations that would beset them till the day of Christ’s return. With this vision of the Lamb taking the scroll from God’s hand, John and his readers receive assurance that the Lord (who laid down his life for his people) will most certainly direct the events of history in such a way as to bring his own to glory (see John 17:24; Romans 8:32–39).
When the Lamb takes the scroll from God's hand, all creatures in all creation burst into songs of praise. In this action of the Lamb to take the scroll, all creation, groaning as it awaits deliverance from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:20–25), understands that there is progress in the anticipated deliverance. Creation does not wait for the Lamb to open the scroll and break its seals before offering praise, because all creation has full confidence that the Lamb who is worthy is most able to bring the desired and promised deliverance to fruition. John’s readers, including us, share that confidence and thus join in praising God and the Lamb.
The fitting response to the progress in redemptive history displayed by the Lamb taking the scroll from God’s hand is worshipful praise. Since every creature in all God’s creation joined in that praise, it is most fitting that we today join eagerly in similar praise, even in the midst of the groanings of this life. Work is in progress to bring an end to today’s trials!
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.