2. This assembly of the People of God sings a hymn to the Lord, exalting the "glory and honour and power" expressed in his act of creating the universe (cf. 4: 11). At this point, a particularly important symbol is introduced: biblíon in Greek, that is, a "scroll" [or book], but which is completely inaccessible: indeed, it has seven seals that prevent it from being read (cf. 5: 1).
Thus, we are dealing with a secret prophecy. That scroll contains the whole series of divine decrees that must be accomplished in human history to make perfect justice prevail. If the scroll remains sealed, these decrees can be neither known nor implemented, and wickedness will continue to spread and oppress believers. Hence, the need for an authoritative intervention: it would be made precisely by the slain and risen Lamb. He was able "to take the scroll and to open its seals" (cf. 5: 9).
Saint John Paul wisely teaches a few important concepts in regards to the Scroll and Seals of Revelation.
The Scroll is inaccessible to all. In Revelation it is clearly written that only the risen Jesus, (the Lamb) in Heaven alone has the authority to take initiative and open the seals. No one else has authority to initiate and officiate over the series of events decreed by God in the Scroll. NO ONE in Heaven or on Earth other than Jesus. This is clearly the work of Jesus. This will be HIS Tribulation. And I may speculate that because Jesus died on the Cross, and is Risen, because of the grace and power vested in Jesus, this Tribulation will perhaps be different than tribulations of the past. One could think of this Tribulation as not only an occasion of repentance, suffering and atoning for sins; but also an evolution, a progression, a redirection of the Church and world even the entire Earth, toward the Return of the very One who opens its seals. This series represents change, and leads to something new. Are you sick of this old man, this old, stodgy, and fossilic reign you are forced to live under??? Are you interested in partaking of victory??? Good then this series is for you.
Clearly, the show that the greedy few control freaks in the world are putting on, must not go on. Not if we believe that we are living in an era that is post Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The opening of the Scrolls will lead to justice, and will also heal a world that according to Pope Francis is already being "brutally punished. And behind all this pain, death and destruction there is the stench of what Basil of Caesarea called “the dung of the devil”. An unfettered pursuit of money rules. The service of the common good is left behind. Once capital becomes an idol and guides people’s decisions, once greed for money presides over the entire socioeconomic system, it ruins society, it condemns and enslaves men and women, it destroys human fraternity, it sets people against one another and, as we clearly see, it even puts at risk our common home. (Pope Francis, Address in Bolivia)
The elite have driven their claws deep across the Earth. We are clearly suffering and there seems no way out or end in sight. We need help.
The seals are interpreted by Saint John Paul as Divine Decrees that must happen for the intended end of making perfect justice prevail. This is a crucial understanding of the Seals. To those who thirst for justice, whether Christian, Muslim, Jew, non-believer: young or old, the little Tribulation and great Tribulation must happen, and Jesus must take the initiative to make it happen. Otherwise like Saint John Paul says wickedness will continue to spread indefinitely, snuffing out whatever light is left in us. No one on Earth has power to overcome this monster we have been led to become. To reach peace, it will literally take the miraculous intervention of Jesus and Mary. At least this much I am convinced of.
I will add that perhaps it would take forever for the Holy Father to fill up his house in Heaven which is clearly one of his goals. If left to itself, the human race could very well destroy itself or even go extinct before the Holy Father even fills his house. Jesus also has goals of his own. He wants his Bride to mature and reach a fullness of holiness, wisdom, completion and so on. Again without some irresistibly powerful interruption of today's status quo, this will clearly never happen.
To those of good will, this is good, in spite of any suffering we of the Earth must endure in the Tribulation. The breaking of the Seals is Good News. To those of evil disposition perhaps this is bad news. And perhaps events will unfold differently than most doomsday mongers imagine. They lack imagination. This is not your run of the mill tribulation. Jesus is risen! This is his Tribulation. He will officiate. He will lead with brilliance, mercy and a clear strategy. Mary, risen and assumed into Heaven will help him as first general. Maybe you think Jesus and Mary are some cold-harsh human leaders like our presidents, corporate leaders, and bankers, but I don't. No one else has authority over this, and perhaps very few have even correctly interpreted this secret plan. Traditionally, the Magisterium (teaching authority exercised by the Pope and Bishops) has been strangely silent in terms of an official interpretation of Revelation. Like Saint Jerome said of the Book of Revelation, "In it there are as many mysteries as words. But what am I saying? Every praise of this book will be beneath its worth."
Perhaps we are getting close to inception. We shall see.
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