Rev 5. Inheritance
The scroll ampldquowith writing on both sides and sealed with seven sealsamprdquo (1) is typical of deeds in Roman times indicating a very important document like a will or the deed to property. Jesus can take the scroll from the Father because he earned the right through his sacrifice. He has the titles to prove his right of inheritance.
When my father died, I had the right to speak at his funeral, which I did, and the right to bury him, which I also did. If he had a will, I never saw it. As far as I know, his widow inherited everything.
My mother is still alive but she is already giving to her children and grandchildren little things as inheritance. If she dies before her husband, he will inherit their joint savings and their house. Only if she and her husband die together will there be a reading of the will open to those named in the document, which is actually sealed like the scroll in todayamprsquos reading.
In the context of my faith, what have I inherited? Through Adamamprsquos sin, I have inherited my fallen nature, my sinfulness, which I confirm every day by sinning. Through my faith in Jesus, I inherit the payment of my sins and my place in heaven with God, my name written in the Book of Life. These are great indeed for there is nothing greater in the world.
If I die before my wife, she will inherit what worldly goods we share. If she dies before me, then I will inherit them. If we die together, then what do my children inherit? Not much. Like me, they have already inherited their sinfulness from Adam. I pray they will inherit Godamprsquos great gift of eternal life through accepting, by faith, his sacrifice on the cross to pay for their sins.
That prayer I will write in my will and, should my children be believers by the time I die, I will write my gratitude and my praise to God. That would, I think, be worth reading.
Application: write my prayer and my praise in my will.
Lord, let me not be caught and tangled in the scroll of worldly goods of inheritance, but look to you only as my inheritance, to the sufficiency of your love and mercy.
