The Scroll and the Lamb
(Revelation Chapter 5)
Chapter 5 continues the glimpse into heaven begun in chapter 4.
REV 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"
3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
In John's day, books were written on scrolls--pieces of papyrus or vellum up to 30 feet long, rolled up and sealed with clay or wax. The scroll that John sees contains the full account of what God has in store for the world. The seven seals indicate the importance of its contents. The seals are located throughout the scroll so that as each one is broken, more of the scroll can be read to reveal another phase of God's plan for the end of the world. Only Christ is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll (5:3-5).
John adds some details regarding the One sitting upon the throne, who is said to hold in his right hand a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.
Another voice is heard, that of a strong angel, asking who is worthy to open this book (v. 2). The answer is that no one in the universe is worthy. Then one of the elders (v. 5) announces that the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:9), the Root of David (Isa 11:1,10) is worthy to open this book, for two reasons; first, he has overcome, which would seem to refer to his defeat, while on earth, of Satan and every evil power; and, secondly, by his redemptive work he has purchased us unto God, with his blood (Rev 5:9). Note the universality of the redeemed in (verse 9.)
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
John sees the Lamb "looking as if it had been slain;" the wounds inflicted on Jesus' body during his trial and crucifixion could still be seen (John 20:24-31). Jesus was called the Lamb of God by John the Baptist (John 1:29). In the Old Testament, lambs were sacrificed to atone for sins: the Lamb of God died as the final sacrifice for all sins (Isa 53:7; Heb 10:1-12, 18).
The horns symbolize strength and power (1Ki 22:11; Zec 1:18). Although Christ is a sacrificial lamb, he is in no way weak. He was killed, but now he lives in God's strength and power. In Zec 4:2-10, the eyes are equated with the seven lamps and the one Spirit.
7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, 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.
9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Rev 5:8-14
PRAYER, Worship
This section contains three songs of worth and praise--first by the dignitaries of heaven after the Lamb was declared worthy to open the scroll, then by the angels who echoed the song with attributions of glory, and finally by every living celestial and earthly creature. Most of the praise through the Bible is for God as Creator, for God's dealings with people, or for those of His attributes which are propitious toward man, such as mercy or grace. There is relatively little praise for what He is in Himself.
~The LORD Reigns
PSA 93:1 The LORD reigns, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
2 Your throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5 Your testimonies are very sure: holiness becomes tour house, O LORD, for ever.
Psa 93:1
GOD, Creator
By creating the world, God established His power and authority to rule it. This calls for our praise. See note on 86:9.
Psa 93:1-5
PRAYER, Praise
This psalm is unusual in that the praise is for God Himself. The majority of the praise psalms celebrate what He does or has done for people. This rare kind of praise also appears in Psa 96; 97; 100; 150. The universal reign of the Lord is an important basis of praise throughout the psalter. Psa 47 and 117 are a shout of joy over that reign; Psa 72 celebrates the reign of the universal King. Psa 93 begins a series of praise and prayers about the universality of God's reign in stability (Psa 93), justice (Psa 94; 98), supremacy (Psa 96), and exaltation in history (Psa 99). Psa 95 speaks of submission; 97, of awe; and 98 of singing in view of God's reign. Psa 100 is a climactic expression of thanksgiving.
This situation reverses in Revelation. After the great day of God's wrath has come and after Revelation 4, the praise may be said to be celestial in nature. God is praised for His own intrinsic worth. In v 8, the golden bowls of the elders were filled with incense, an age long symbol of prayer. The prayers of the saints are enormously valuable in heaven. The elders are mentioned as falling down repeatedly in this book (4:10; 5:8,14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4).
