II. The Seven Sealed Book (verse 1) -- (Later, as these seals are broken and the scroll is unrolled, a specific event of God's judgment occurs on earth (chapter 6).
This book or scroll, rolled tightly and sealed like a legal paper is the title deed to this earth. God gave this deed to man (Adam) in the Garden of Eden but Adam forfeited it to Satan (Genesis 2:7-9; 15; 3:24; I Timothy 2:13-15; Romans 5:12-14).
On the cross, Jesus Christ conquered Satan and earned the right to rule over the earth and possess it. However, He has never actually exercised that right and He will not until after the Rapture. Satan, until then, is the prince --the ruler of this world.
Our Lord's act on Calvary and what He accomplished in obtaining the ownership of the earth was pre-pictured to us in the Law of Redemption given to Israel.
If a man lost his farm or property because of his inability to pay a debt, a kinsman of his could demand the opportunity to pay the debt for him and have his farm returned to the original owner. This was the law of redemption of land (Leviticus 25:23-25).
If a man fell into debt, in order for him to lose his farm, he was taken before the judges and a document was prepared which stated the land had passed from the debtor into the possession of the one to whom he owed the debt. The legal papers were written on two scrolls and on both of these were written the terms of the redemption of the lost possession. One scroll was put in the Court of the Temple for all to see and the other was sealed with seven seals and placed in the Temple and was only brought out when a kinsman redeemer gave evidence he was willing and able to redeem it. When he paid the redemption terms, he was given the sealed scroll. Then he would tear open the seven seals; thus, invalidating the mortgage and the previous owner could take back his redeemed farm or property.
There was also a similar law for the redemption of a slave or of one who had to work for another until his debt was paid. A kinsman redeemer could pay his debt and set him free.
Thus, this is what Jesus did for us on Calvary. He was our kinsman (he was flesh), He was able (He never sinned), He was willing.
After the Rapture, He will take the Book of the Title Deed to earth which was forfeited to Satan. He will tear open the seals, invalidating Satan's claims and bringing judgment upon the earth. At the close of the judgments, King Jesus will rule and reign over His purchased possession. The earth which was cursed in Genesis 3:17,18 will no longer be cursed (Isaiah 11).
