The Open Book

O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling- Daniel 10:11

Daniel was a fascinating prophet on many levels. His strength of character and personal devotion clearly captured heaven’s attention. He became a spokesman to his generation and to ours.

Daniel is a prophetic model for today’s leadership and the generation he foresaw. His life typifies many leaders maturing in this end-time generation. Like this notable prophet, men and women of high esteem who will not yield to the fear of man are poised to emerge. As with Daniel and his three friends, these have discovered the Lord in the “fiery furnace” and the “lions den” and surfaced as overcomers.

As in his day, many of God’s people have been residing in spiritual Babylon. Great confusion has permeated the faith. Nevertheless, we await God’s promised restoration. In fact, this process has already been set in motion and greatly advanced during the Latter Rain outpouring of 1946-65 and continues today.

The plumb-line is in the Lord’s hand by which all truth will be measured. (Zechariah 4:10) This can only be produced through the written Word being mightily anointed to bring forth the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. It is the full revelation of Jesus Christ to be delivered to the end-time generation by those who eat the now unsealed book brought by the hands of a strong angel;

We first discover this mysterious book in Daniel 12:3-4 when the prophet was instructed that,

Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.

It is our prophetic directive to arise and shine brightly during days of great darkness. We are living in the “end-of-time” era. We have the scriptural assurance that this wonderful promise must be fulfilled. A secret to that reality is found in the words concealed in this incredible book of destiny. Many will go “back and forth” in this day to apprehend its truth and delegate it to this generation.

In the Father’s Right Hand

We first discover this book as it is sealed in Daniel’s day. We then find it in Revelations 5 held in the Father’s right hand as He sits upon His throne of ultimate power and authority. It had to be preserved in heaven to keep the revelation a secret from man and our adversary.

If man had discovered at the inappropriate time the mysteries of God’s consummation, then we would clearly have perverted them as we have most all of our inheritance throughout history. If our enemy were to realize the contents of this book, he would surely counterfeit them as he has the things delegated to us from God. It was preserved by the Father until Someone was found worthy to take it from His hand and reveal it at the appointed time.

Only the Lord Jesus overcame and qualified to take the book and break its seals. What an incredible day we live in! So great was this act that all of heaven worshiped the Lord for His worthiness. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell on their faces before the Lord in this magnificent prophetic fulfillment.

He opened the book of redemption and the full revelation of who He is. The mysteries of God’s kingdom are delayed no longer! Many patriarchs and prophets throughout history longed to understand what will freely be given to this generation of those who overcome.

The apprehension of the truth contained in this veiled book will cause us to be illumined with the brightness of His presence and the strength of great understanding. Then we will lead many to righteousness in a great harvest of souls.

A New Song

This book is a key to the harvest. The song that is sung in heaven at the breaking of its seals emphasizes its role in the great harvest and the calling of many to righteousness. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang,

Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth – Revelations 5:9-10

Daniel stressed that the words of this book are concealed and reserved for the latter-day generation. We are there! At the breaking of its seals heaven’s host acknowledges the Lord’s great sacrifice and the relationship between the unveiling of this book and the harvest of souls purchased with His own blood.

Furthermore, there is also an emphasis on the full measure of power, wisdom, might and glory that is to be revealed on this side of eternity. The opening of this book conveys those virtues in its complete revelation to mankind.

The Strong Angel

In Revelations 10 we next discover this opened book in the hand of a strong angel coming down from Heaven. He has a rainbow around His head and feet like pillars of fire that He places on the land and sea. Who is this strong angel? It can be none other than the Angel of the covenant who led Israel as a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day. He now brings the complete revelation of His covenant to present the bridal company without spot or wrinkle. He is introduced to Israel saying,

Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him.

But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries…But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst – Exodus 23:20-23 & 25

This Angel represented God’s manifest Presence among His people. Likewise, the Spirit of the Lord visited this nation with the manifestation of His presence during the last generation. The Latter Rain outpouring was much more than just a healing revival; it was the sowing of seeds for the great harvest. More notable things were accomplished than most presently comprehend.

Great end-time pledges were set in motion. It was the opening of the mysterious book foretold by Daniel; but to the 21st century generation, He returns with the now open book in His hand and offers it to be consumed.

Passing of the Torch

The strong angel was introduced in the previous generation through a “Moses” anointing that brought people out of captivity. He now returns to this generation through a “Joshua” anointing to carry people in to the promise of the open book. The Lord walked with Joshua as He did with Moses. Even so, His presence with Joshua revealed an entirely different aspect of His virtue. (See our article “As I Was with Moses.”)

We are promised the same manifestation of His Spirit as He beckons those who overcome to take the now opened book and eat it. It will not be enough to merely read this book, it must be devoured. When we do, it will cause us to see the scriptures in an entirely new light. Our understanding of His Word will increase substantially while seemingly veiled passages scarcely understood will be clearly illumined.

The mysteries of God’s kingdom will be made evident. This mystery is more about becoming something than doing something. It is about becoming God’s mature sons and daughters; the Word becoming flesh once again. Then we will do all that is ordained for this day.

The open book will be offered to those who are hungry for His presence and are passionate to know Him as fully as He may be known. That is the bridal calling; to consume it and make it a part of who they are by consolidating the Word with the Spirit.

It will not be enough to merely intellectually analyze the truth of the open book. It must be mingled with the spirit of revelation to give it life and substance. This experience will fully form Christ in us and bring us to maturity. The Lord’s desire is to fully redeem and sanctify our spirit, soul and body by preserving us complete and without blame at His coming. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

There is a supernatural element in this destiny that cannot be denied. Like Paul, these mysteries will come by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12) Though the open book will be sweet in our mouths, it will become bitter in our stomachs. It will not be enough to be satisfied with the mere consumption of this book; but we must also prophesy this revelation to many nations, peoples, and kingdoms. That is the day we have now transitioned into.