Chapter 137
1 The things, then, sealed up of old are now all opened to the saints through the grace of the Lord; for he himself was the perfect seal and the key from David, who opens and none shuts, and shuts and none opens.
2 As John also says: “And I saw in the right hand of him who sat upon the throne a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And I saw an angel proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book and to loose its seals? And no one in heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth was able to open the book or to look upon it. And many wept, because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look upon it. And one of the elders says to me: Do not weep; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the root and the offspring of David, has prevailed to open the book and to loose its seven seals. And I saw in the midst of the throne and in the midst of the elders a Lamb standing as though slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him who sat upon the throne; and when he took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints, and they sing a new song, saying: Worthy are you to take the book and to open its seals, for you were slain and have purchased us for God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us a kingdom and priests for our God, and they shall reign upon the earth.”
3 He took the book, then, and loosed it, so that the things spoken of old concerning him in secret might now be proclaimed with boldness upon the housetops.
4 And for this reason the angel said to Daniel: “Seal up these words, for the vision is for the end of the appointed time”; but to Christ it was not said “Seal up,” but “Loose the things bound of old,” so that through his grace we might recognize the will of the Father and believe in the one whom he sent, Jesus Christ our Lord, for the salvation of mankind.