Tears of Heaven
When John learns that there is no worthy one to open the Father’s book, he weeps greatly (Revelation 5:4). It seems a melodramatic touch, more at home in the Shepherd of Hermas or Pilgrim’s Progress than the Bible.
It is an essential moment in the scene, though. For starters, John weeps because history has come to a standstill. Among other things, the book represents unfulfilled prophesies, words spoken but sealed (Daniel 12). Unless the book is opened, what is prophesied will never happen.
And thus the sequence of the whole scene is from mourning to dancing, from lament to praise, from sackcloth to garments of praise, from darkness to light, from exile to the giddy laughter of return, from death to new life.
John’s tears are the “how long?” of the lament Psalms and the martyrs under the altar (Revelation 6). John’s are the tears that Revelation promises will be wiped away.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
In Medias Res
Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.