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Poole on Revelation 5:4: John's Weeping over the Sealed Book

Verse 4:[1] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.



[I wept much, etc.] Thinking that certain great things are here contained and altogether worthy of close consideration (Ribera, Menochius, similarly Pareus), and that the Church was to be deprived of such a benefit (Forbes, similarly Cluverus), and that her calling to the knowledge of future things was going to be frustrated (Cluverus). This weeping shows a vehement desire for the knowledge of this book (Durham, similarly Pareus); and at the same time, a despairing of it, in which he also reveals his infirmity, for he was not looking unto Christ, etc. (Durham, similarly Forbes). John had learned that among the Hebrews the decrees of God are said to be sealed, which were certainly going to happen, if not in the case of individual men, certainly in the case of the races of men. Now, here are signified the decrees of God pertaining to the Jews, which Christ predicted summarily, Matthew 24; Luke 21; but here at much greater length (Grotius).


And I wept, etc.:As it is the nature of man to desire to know secret and hidden things, especially such as we apprehend of concernment to ourselves, or those whom we love, or are interested in it; and to be troubled, if we know they may be known, and are at a loss for due means whereby to come to the knowledge of them.

[1] Greek: καὶ ἐγὼ ἔκλαιον πολλά, ὅτι οὐδεὶς ἄξιος εὑρέθη ἀνοῖξαι καὶ ἀναγνῶναι τὸ βιβλίον, οὔτε βλέπειν αὐτό.

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Dr. Dilday
Dr. Dilday
Sep 29, 2020

Dr. Dilday's Sermon: "Properly Valuing Prophecy"

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=72411193473


1) Introduction

2) Analysis

a) Context

b) Verse 2

c) Verse 3

d) Verse 4

3) Doctrine: The contents of the Book of Revelation are valuable.

a) Proofs of doctrine

b) Reasons for the great value

c) A balanced perspective on John’s Apocalypse

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Dr. Dilday
Dr. Dilday
Sep 29, 2020

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: '"Understandest thou what thou readest?"—Acts 8:30


We should be abler teachers of others, and less liable to be carried about by every wind of doctrine, [Ephesians 4:14] if we sought to have a more intelligent understanding of the Word of God. As the Holy Ghost, the Author of the Scriptures is he who alone can enlighten us rightly to understand them, we should constantly ask his teaching, and his guidance into all truth. When the prophet Daniel would interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream, what did he do? He set himself to earnest prayer that God would open up the vision. [Daniel 2:17-18] The apostle John, in his vision at Patmos, saw a book sealed with seven seals which…

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Dr. Dilday
Dr. Dilday
Sep 29, 2020

William Gurnall's Christian in Complete Armour: 'Bless God for the translation of the Scriptures. The word is our sword. By being translated, this sword is drawn out of its scabbard. What use, alas! could a poor Christian, that hath but one tongue in his head—that understands but one language, I mean, which his mother taught him—make of this sword when presented to him as it is sheathed in Greek and Hebrew? Truly, he might even fall a weeping with John at the sight of the sealed book, because he could not read in it, Revelation 5:4. O bless God that hath sent not angels, but men, furnished by the blessing of God on their indefatigable labours and studies, with abilit…

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Dr. Dilday
Dr. Dilday
Sep 29, 2020


William Tong (for Matthew Henry): 'He felt a great concern in himself about this matter: the apostle wept much; it was a great disappointment to him. By what he had seen in him who sat upon the throne, he was very desirous to see and know more of his mind and will: this desire, when not presently gratified, filled him with sorrow, and fetched many tears from his eyes. Here observe, 1. Those who have seen most of God in this world are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his glory desire to know his will. 2. Good men may be too eager and to hasty to look into the mysteries of divine conduct. 3. Suc…

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Dr. Dilday
Dr. Dilday
Sep 29, 2020

Study the Book of Revelation! www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/revelation

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