And I saw at the right hand of the One sitting on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Revelation 5: 1

There are some who describe this scene as Jesus’ coronation in which He was crowned and sat down at the Father’s right side. But I disagree, for Jesus would have already received that honor approximately 60 years earlier when He ascended to heaven after His resurrection.

This scene is a continuation of chap. 4. It has the same setting. Thrones are in place. The Ancient of Days is seated, and the 24 Elders too as witnesses. This scene is focused on judgment; judgment that has to take place before Jesus returns to earth. Moreover, this is the same courtroom scene depicted in Daniel 7: 9, 10.

In Daniel, however, “books” were opened. These books, for judgment to be rendered, would have to be comprehensive, as every person, nation, and tongue, from the beginning of time to Jesus’ return would be brought before the court. That would include all thoughts and actions – good and bad; and, of course those covered under the blood of Jesus.

Also, as evidence, there would have to be in the books a showing of God’s authority, utterances, His laws and the fate of nations and the history of the church would also be addressed in those books. And being comprehensive, that means nothing could be added nor taken away from the books..

Here in Rev., John only sees one scroll. It too then would have to be comprehensive – nothing added nor subtracted – for proper judgment to take place. As such, this one scroll, I’m suggesting, contains the same info as the Books in Dan.

At the end of Dan. (12: 4, 9), Daniel is ordered to seal up the words of the books, that they be opened in one book at the end of time. What this Rev.. courtroom scene is showing is how the books were opened back in the Dan. courtroom scene.

The judgment, about to begin in this scene, can be called the Investigative Judgment, and it is based upon the records within the scroll. The records are that of all that ever lived and will live upon this earth.

Actually, the judgment is currently underway. It began with those who have died from the beginning of time. And as those records are viewed, the fates of the dead are being sealed.

When judgment turns to those of us who are living, we will be sealed too: some with the seal of God; some with the mark of the beast.