Revelation Chapter 5

Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

The throne and the scroll. The focus of chapter four was the throne; now the focus shifts to the scroll, and especially to the One who is worthy to open the scroll. On ancient scrolls, the writing was in narrow columns about three inches long, on a substance not unlike brown paper. A scroll was held in the left hand, and unrolled with the right, and as the reading went on, the previously read portion would be re-rolled. The book of Revelation would fill a scroll fifteen feet long. When a roll was finished, it was fastened with strings and the strings were sealed with wax at the knots. These are not seven writings, each separated by a seal; but seven seals all set upon one scroll (all the seals must be opened before any of the contents can be revealed). It was not normal, but not unusual, to write on both sides of a scroll when there was a great deal of material to write.

What is the scroll? Many theories have arisen. Some think the scroll is the Old Testament; or the Old and New Testaments together, or fulfilled prophecy; but this theory looks back, not forward, and John is speaking of things related to things which must take place after this (4:1) - and who would be unworthy to open that scroll (5:3-4)? Some think the scroll is God's claim of divorce against Israel; but there is little Scriptural evidence for this idea - and who would be unworthy to open that scroll (5:3-4)? Some think the scroll is God's sentence against the enemies of the church; perhaps this is true, but only in an indirect sense - and who would be unworthy to open that scroll (5:3-4)? Some think the scroll is the text of Revelation, or the next few chapters; but this is rather unlikely considering how the idea of the scroll is communicated - and who would be unworthy to open that scroll (5:3-4)? Some think the scroll is the title deed to planet earth. This is an attractive idea, especially because this period of coming tribulation will end with Jesus ruling on earth. But hard to demonstrate this with certainty; the best connection in this idea seems to be with Jeremiah 32:6-15, which describes Jewish title deeds as sealed.

But there is no doubt that the earth is the Lord's (Psalm 24:1), though the governments of this world belong to Satan (Luke 4:5-8); if God has to get the title deed back, when did God ever "lose" the title deed to planet earth? In fact, God holds this scroll - it isn't lost. But it must be opened, it must be revealed. The best solution is to see the scroll as "God's will, his final settlement of the affairs of the universe."; this is based on the idea that customarily, under Roman law, wills were sealed with seven seals, each from a witness to the validity of the will. "The seven sealed book therefore is the comprehensive program of God culminating in the second coming of Christ". The idea here is that God has a book in which the history of the universe is already written; He has written the history of the world in advance, He holds in His hand the history of the world in advance, and He initiates the consummation of all history - only God can hold this scroll. Remember the emphasis is not on the content of the scroll, but on its seals and the One who worthy to take it.

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Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Who is worthy to open the scroll? A strong angel (perhaps Gabriel?) issues a challenge to all creation; a challenge no creature can answer - because no creature is worthy to open this particular scroll. There is no answer because the creation is utterly incapable of deciding or effecting its own destiny; that must be determined by someone above the order of created beings - only God can unfold the plan of history. John weeps much; this is either because a previous promise to see the future may now be denied (4:1), or more likely, because the consummation of history is now indefinitely postponed. To look upon the scroll, one must have the right to open the scroll and possess it - and no creature was found worthy.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

The Lion/Lamb is worthy to open the scroll. One of the elders (not an angel) points to the great figure of Old Testament prophecy: the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Messiah of Israel (and of the Gentiles) - He is worthy to open the scroll. The idea of Jesus being the Lion of the tribe of Judah comes from Genesis 49:9-10, Isaiah 31:4, and Hosea 11:10.

John, because of the elder's announcement, expects to see a Lion, but sees a Lamb instead. The title of Lamb will be used for Jesus some 29 times in Revelation; it is a strongly used title. The Lamb is presented in a way both sympathetic and powerful; He is living (stood a Lamb), but He still has the marks of previous sacrifice upon Him (as though it had been slain). But the Lamb is not an object of pity; He bears the marks of omnipotence (seven horns) and omniscience (seven eyes). The Holy Spirit is not only the Spirit of God (in the sense of being the "Spirit of the Father"), but also the Spirit of Christ (Acts 16:7; Romans 8:9). The seven eyes of the Lord are a picture of omniscience drawn from Zechariah (4:10, 3:9).

Observations on this Lamb. When men want symbols of power they conjure up ferocious beasts and birds of prey (such as are used for nations and sports teams); but the kingdom of heaven represents itself in terms of humility, gentleness, and sacrificial love. What a figure! A slain Lamb, who has the marks of omniscience and omnipotence! The coming judgment that will begin in chapter six is dictated and administrated by a Lamb who has already offered an escape from judgment by taking judgment upon Himself. The judgment comes upon a world who hates the Lamb and all He stands for, and rejects His offer of escape.

The Lamb takes the scroll; His rank, character and ability to take the scroll and open it (and thus dictate the destiny of creation) has been permanently demonstrated by His work on the cross.

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The Worthy One is praised. The song of the elders and the cherubim. Here, the harp is "Properly, a zithern or kind of guitar, played either with the hand, or with a pick" Worship in heaven is accompanied by music. And, of course, this is where the idea of we all having harps in heaven comes from.

With their golden bowls full of incense, the elders symbolically present the prayers of the saints, but they are not interceding for the saints, functioning as mediators for God's people. We are reminded that there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5); these elders are not praying for the saints, and this in no wise justifies the Roman Catholic practice of praying to the saints, asking for their petitions on our behalf. "It is also possible that these prayers represent the long-standing prayer of God's people, 'Your kingdom come . . .'"  .We are shown the preciousness with which God regards the prayers of the saints - he regards them as a sweet smelling incense, as if set in precious bowls.

They sing a new song, for mercies that are forever new. "It is a new thing that the Son of God should become man. It is a new thing to ascend into the heavens with a body. It is a new thing to give remission of sins to men. It is a new thing for men to be sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is a new thing to receive the priesthood of sacred observance, and to look for a kingdom of unbounded promise."  Roman Emperors were celebrated upon their arrival with the Latin expression vere dignus, which is translated You are Worthy; here the true Ruler of the world is honored. In the praise of 4:11, the emphasis is on God's work of creation; here, the emphasis is on His work of redemption; with the understanding that God has not only saved us from deserved destruction, but glorified us beyond imagination - has made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.

Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Countless angels join in, declaring the worthiness of the Lamb because of the redemption He has accomplished. The angels are not (to the best of our knowledge) subjects of this redemption; but they are careful observers of it, and are therefore able to praise God because of it (1 Peter 1:12; Ephesians 3:10).

Rev 5:13 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Rev 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

All creation praises the Father and the Lamb. This combined worship of the Father and the Lamb is strong testimony to the deity of Jesus; "There cannot be the slightest doubt that the Lamb is to be reckoned with God and as God". The triune God reigns eternally; the Caesars come and go (even the persecuting ones); but God lives forever and ever.