REVELATION 5
A VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION
REVELATION 5
Chapter 5 begins by describing a scroll in
the right hand of God. This scroll is sealed
seven times over, and written on both sides.
This scroll seems to symbolize the judgment
of God on sin and wickedness.
(Revelation 5:1–2).
VERSE 1
Then I saw in the right hand of him
who was seated on the throne a
scroll written within and on the
back, sealed with seven seals.
VERSE 1
Then I saw in the right hand of him
who was seated on the throne a
scroll written within and on the
back, sealed with seven seals.
SCROLL SEALED WITH 7
SEALS
The scroll was
likely wound
around a staff
and fastened to
the staff by
seven seals.
VERSE 2
And I saw a mighty angel
proclaiming with a loud voice,
“Who is worthy to open the scroll
and break its seals?”
Mighty Angel
In Daniel 9:20–23
Angel Gabriel
appeared to Daniel
with information
about the end
times.
Mighty Angel
After delivering this
information to Daniel,
Gabriel commanded
Daniel to seal the book
of prophecy "until the
time of the end" (Daniel
12:4).
Mighty Angel
Gabriel means
“strength of God”
VERSE 2
And I saw a mighty angel
proclaiming with a loud voice,
“Who is worthy to open the scroll
and break its seals?”
VERSE 2
The word "worthy" used here is the
Greek axios, which signifies
something "morally and legally
entitled."
VERSE 2
John 1:27
He it is, who coming after me is
preferred before me, whose shoe's
latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
VERSE 2
The angel's question called for heart
searching. All who heard the angel's
question would have to do honest
self-analysis.
VERSE 2
This would include all beings, not just
humans. For example, the four living
creatures described in chapter 4
(Revelation 4:6–8) had never sinned,
but they were not legally entitled to
open the scroll and break its seals.
VERSE 3
And no one in heaven or on earth or
under the earth was able to open the
scroll or to look into it,
VERSE 3
The lack of response to the mighty
angel's challenge makes us keenly
aware that we do not have the moral
or legal right to take vengeance on
evildoers.
VERSE 4
and I began to weep loudly because
no one was found worthy to open
the scroll or to look into it.
VERSE 5
And one of the elders said to me,
“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of
the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
has conquered, so that he can open
the scroll and its seven seals.”
Jesus identified in two ways:
First, he identified him as the Lion of
the tribe of Judah. When the
patriarch Jacob blessed his sons, he
called his son Judah a lion's cub and
predicted that the scepter would not
depart from him.
Jesus identified in two ways:
Genesis 49:9-10 (ESV)
Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you
have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as
a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The
scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the
ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute
comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience
of the peoples.
Jesus identified in two ways:
Revelation 5:5 also identifies this person as
the Root of David, meaning the source of
King David's power and kingdom. Only
Jesus, David's rightful descendant and heir
to the throne if Israel, was legally entitled to
open the scroll and launch the judgments it
contained. (Matthew 1:6-16)
VERSE 6
And between the throne and the four
living creatures and among the elders I
saw a Lamb standing, as though it had
been slain, with seven horns and with
seven eyes, which are the seven spirits
of God sent out into all the earth.
VERSE 6
The word "slain" is from the Greek
root word sphazō, which may also
be translated as "slaughtered or
butchered."
VERSE 6
It describes the violent death Jesus endured
on the cross to take away our sin. In Old
Testament times lambs served as sacrifices
for sin, but these only foreshadowed Jesus,
God's Lamb, who shed His blood as the
perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin.
(Hebrews 9:11–12)
VERSE 6
And between the throne and the four
living creatures and among the elders I
saw a Lamb standing, as though it had
been slain, with seven horns and with
seven eyes, which are the seven spirits
of God sent out into all the earth.
VERSE 6
In heaven, the Lamb's seven horns
represent his perfect power, and the
seven eyes represent the Holy
Spirit's perfect vision of all that
transpires on earth.
VERSE 7
And he went and took the scroll
from the right hand of him who was
seated on the throne.
VERSE 7
Jesus had the legal right to receive
the scroll. As the Lamb, He had the
moral right to receive it. As Israel's
lawful King, Jesus will return to
earth after God unleashes His
judgments on sin.
VERSE 8
And when he had taken the scroll,
the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders fell down before
the Lamb, each holding a harp, and
golden bowls full of incense, which
are the prayers of the saints.
HARP
An ancient stringed instruments not only
accompanied the songs of God’s people (1
Chron. 25:6; Ps. 33:2), but also accompanied
prophecy (cf. 1 Sam. 10:5). The 24 elders,
representative of the redeemed church,
played their harps in praise and in a
symbolic indication that all the prophets
had said was about to be fulfilled.
VERSE 8
And when he had taken the scroll,
the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders fell down before
the Lamb, each holding a harp, and
golden bowls full of incense, which
are the prayers of the saints.
GOLDEN BOWLS WITN
INCENSE
Incense was a normal part of the
OT ritual. Priests stood twice
daily before the inner veil of the
temple and burned incense so
that the smoke would carry into
the Most Holy Place and be
swept into the nostrils of God.
VERSE 9
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and
to open its seals, for you were slain,
and by your blood you ransomed
people for God from every tribe and
language and people and nation,
VERSE 9
The OT is filled with references to
a new song that flows from a heart
that has experienced God’s
redemption or deliverance (cf. Rev.
14:3; Ps. 33:3; Ps. 96:1; Ps. 144:9).
VERSE 9
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and
to open its seals, for you were slain,
and by your blood you ransomed
people for God from every tribe and
language and people and nation,
VERSE 9
The sacrificial death of Christ on
behalf of sinners made him worthy
to take the scroll.
VERSE 9
"You were ransomed from the futile
ways inherited from your forefathers,
not with perishable things such as silver
or gold, but with the precious blood of
Christ, like that of a lamb without
blemish or spot" (1 Peter 1:18–19)
VERSE 10
and you have made them a kingdom
and priests to our God, and they
shall reign on the earth.”
VERSE 10
We see confirmation of what John
said in Revelation 1:6: that verse
teaches that Jesus has made all the
redeemed a kingdom and priests.
VERSE 10
Kings have a responsibility to provide
leadership for others. Jesus promise the we
will share His throne (Revelation 3:21). This
will happen after the tribulation, when Jesus
returns to earth and establishes His kingdom
(Revelation 20:4–6).
Revelation 3:21 (ESV)
The one who conquers, I will grant
him to sit with me on my throne, as I
also conquered and sat down with
my Father on his throne.
Revelation 20:4-6 (ESV)
Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the
authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and
those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received
its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned
with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life
until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over
such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and
of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
"But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his
own possession, that you may proclaim
the excellencies of him who called you
out of darkness into his marvelous light"
VERSE 11
Then I looked, and I heard around the
throne and the living creatures and the
elders the voice of many angels,
numbering myriads of myriads and
thousands of thousands,
VERSE 11
The Greek phrases used here are myriades myriadōn
and chiliades chiliadōn. The first phrase uses the root
word myrias, which is sometimes used to mean
"many" or "multitudes," but is also used to mean a
literal figure of 10,000. At least according to the
words used, then, one "myriad of myriads" would be
100 million angels!
VERSE 12
saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain, to receive power and
wealth and wisdom and might and honor
and glory and blessing!”
VERSE 12
As earth's perfect king, Jesus will
receive honor or deep respect from
His loyal subjects. The glory of His
holiness will blanket the earth, and
His subjects will bless His holy name.
VERSE 13
And I heard every creature in heaven and
on earth and under the earth and in the
sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him
who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be
blessing and honor and glory and might
forever and ever!”
VERSE 13
This verse records the ultimate
adoration Jesus and God the Father
will receive when the whole earth is
restored to its original sin-free
condition.
VERSE 14
And the four living creatures said,
“Amen!” and the elders fell down and
worshiped.
VERSE 14
The response of the living creatures and the
elders, to the worthiness of the Lamb, is a
lesson which can enhance our worship. We
can acknowledge the Lord's right to receive
our worship and we can humble ourselves
before Him in awe and adoration.
TO GOD BE THE
GLORY!
PREPARE THE WAY, REAP A HARVEST
