The Book of Revelation 5, which is sealed with seven seals, contains the prophecies of Daniel that relate to the last days. “The book that was sealed was not the book of Revelation, but that portion of Daniel which related to the last days.” {17MR 6.3} Since 1798 this Book has been unsealed in Revelation, which interprets and expands Daniel. “But since 1798 the book of Daniel has been unsealed…” {GC 356.2} “The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one. One is a prophecy, the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened.” {MS 59,1900. 7BC 971}
Revelation 4 gives the setting for chapter 5 and the Book as being the Most Holy Place, where the judgment and marriage occur. We can know this because, in Rev. 4:1, 2, a door was opened in heaven, and inside a throne was set up (as in Dan. 7:9, 10) signifying Christ’s move to the Most Holy Place and the beginning of the Investigative Judgment. Since the Judgment began in 1844, we can realize that the time period for the Book of chapter 5 is especially from the Advent movement (1840-1844) to the second coming of Christ (however it really begins in 1798, which marked the start of the time of the end). Christ’s return will mark the completion of the plan of redemption as God’s people are reunited with Him.
The Book is written within and on the backside. “Within” means it is in the heart. Since the Book is written in the heart, it must be experienced through the decisions we make for or against Christ. “Backside” is an adverb telling “when in time”. It means after or behind; thus some people will have this Book written in their hearts or will experience it after others. “Many who embraced the third message had not had an experience in the two former messages. Satan understood this, and his evil eye was upon them to overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the most holy place, and those who had had an experience in the past messages were pointing them the way to the heavenly sanctuary. Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels’ messages, and gladly received them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the people of God. Those who understand and receive them will be kept from being swept away by the many delusions of Satan.” {EW 256.2} “Many will honestly search the Word for Light as those in the past have searched it; and they see light in the Word. But they did not pass over the ground in their experience, when these messages of warning were first proclaimed. Not having had this experience, some do not appreciate the value of the truths that have been to us as waymarks, and that have made us as a peculiar people what we are.” {2SM 110.4} “Those who have not had a personal experience in this work, are to take the Word of God andbelieve on “their word” who have been led by the Lord in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These messages, received and acted upon, are doing their work to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. If we search the Scriptures to confirm the truth God has given His servants for the world, we shall be found proclaiming the first, second, and third angels’ messages.” {2SM 111.2}
The Book has four aspects, or represents four things. The first and second aspects are the prophecies of Daniel and the unsealing messages of Revelation (three angels’ messages). The third aspect is the heart or character, which are developed as we respond to the messages of Revelation. “The messages of Revelation 14 are those by which the world is to be tested; they are the everlasting gospel, and are to be sounded everywhere.” {2SM 111.3} And the fourth aspect is the heavenly record book, which is an exact picture of our characters. “In the book of God’s providence, the volume of life, we are each given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the head are numbered. God’s children are never absent from His mind.” {DA 313.3} “The past is contained in the book where all things are written down. We cannot blot out the record, but we can learn many things if we choose.” {TMK 89.2} “… The destiny of every nation was contained in that book…” {20MR 197.3}. The prophecies and messages of Dan. and Rev., the heart, and the record book in heaven are the four aspects of the Book.
The opening of the Book is connected with its four aspects. The prophecies of Daniel are opened or fulfilled with the beginning of the Investigative Judgment. The messages of Revelation are opened in that they can be understood and proclaimed at this time. Our heart books are opened as we make decisions about the messages and reveal our attitudes toward the truth. The record book is opened in the judgment so that the decisions and characters of professed Christians can be judged.
While the Book was sealed, the prophecies had not been fulfilled, and the corresponding messages could not be proclaimed. But since 1798, the Book is being unsealed; the prophecies are being fulfilled and the messages can be proclaimed.
Cara's Weblog 
A very good post, Cara. Thank you. Rubrics 6.