5:1And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

And I saw in the right hand of HIM who sat on the THRONE

The right hand is the place of honor. This position of honor was usually reserved for ceremonial occasions: Ephesians 1:18-20 and 1 Peter 3:21-22.

a book (scroll) written inside and on the back, SEALED UP WITH SEVEN SEALS.

This parallels the Old Testament teaching on land redemption.

  1. The earth is the Lord's, He created it. Psalm 24:1-2
  2. The land should not be sold. Leviticus 25:23-24
  3. If need arose, an Israelite could "sell" his land or "lose" it for a time. In like manner, Adam lost control over the earth to Satan "God of this world" 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
  4. Old Testament Jews view earth as temporarily "sold" to Satan. Psalm 115:16-18
  5. A "lost" estate could be redeemed by any kinsman (rightful owner). The earth is ONLY redeemable by the Creator.
  6. Redemption price was not mere money 1 Peter 1:17-21
  7. Even after redemption was made, sometimes it was necessary to kick the current occupant off the land. John 1:29 indicates Christ paid the redemption price.
  8. Evidence of an original Title of Deed was written on two scrolls if written on one side only or one scroll if written on both sides. On the outside, the rightful owner was identified. Jeremiah purchased a tract, which he had a right to redeem as kinsman even though he knew Babylon would invade and hold it for 70 years. The transaction is recorded in Jeremiah 32:9-15.
  9. The redeemed saints someday will come back with the Rightful owner (Creator) to kick the "squatter" off the land (earth). In Romans 8:18-22, our redemption is seem as part of the earth (Genesis 3:17-19).