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Revelation 5

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The Sealed Scroll and the Search for the Worthy 1–4

1
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals. ​
2
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3
And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.
4
And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon: ​

The Lion of Judah Appears as the Lamb 5–7

5
and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof. ​
6
And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. ​
7
And he came, and he taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.

The Elders and Creatures Worship the Redeemer 8–10

8
And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ​
9
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, ​
10
and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth. ​

Universal Acclamation and Worship 11–14

11
And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and 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 great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing. ​
13
And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever. ​
14
And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Revelation 5

Verse 1

a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals — Biblion is a roll. Writing on both sides recalls Ezekiel's roll, 'written within and without' (Ezek 2:10), and the sealed book of Isa 29:11 and Dan 12:4. It lies in the right hand of the One on the throne, and the Lamb takes it in v.7.

Verse 4

I wept much — Klaio is to wail aloud, stronger than silent tears. The cause is stated: 'no man was found worthy' (axios) to open or read the book. The same worthiness is answered in v.5 by the elder's 'Weep not', and in v.9 by 'Thou art worthy'.

Verse 5

the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David — The first title draws on Jacob's blessing, 'Judah is a lion's whelp' (Gen 49:9); the second on 'a Branch shall grow out of his roots' (Isa 11:1). Christ claims it: 'I am the root and the offspring of David' (Rev 22:16). 'Prevailed' is nikao, to conquer.

Verse 6

a Lamb as it had been slain — The Lion of v.5 is seen as a Lamb (arnion) bearing the marks of slaughter (sphazo), the Baptist's 'Lamb of God' (John 1:29) after Isa 53:7. The seven eyes, 'which are the seven Spirits of God', recall 'the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth' (Zech 4:10).

Verse 8

golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints — Phiale is a broad shallow bowl; thymiama, incense. The text itself explains the incense as prayers, as in 'Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense' (Ps 141:2). It returns in Rev 8:3–4, where it rises 'before God out of the angel's hand'.

Verse 9

hast redeemed us to God by thy blood — Agorazo is to buy at a market, as in 'ye are bought with a price' (1 Cor 6:20). The purchase is 'out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation', a fourfold phrase for all mankind. The song is 'new' (kainos), fresh in kind, as in Ps 40:3.

Verse 10

kings and priests — The wording reaches back to 'a kingdom of priests' (Ex 19:6) and is applied to the church in 'a royal priesthood' (1 Pet 2:9); John opens with the same phrase (Rev 1:6). 'We shall reign' is basileuo, a future verb, and the place named is 'on the earth'.

Verse 11

ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands — Myrias is a ten-thousand. The figures are those of Daniel's vision, 'thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him' (Dan 7:10). The angels stand 'round about the throne and the beasts and the elders'.

Verse 12

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain — Seven things are ascribed to him: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, blessing. The elders gave the Father three of these in 4:11, 'glory and honour and power'. Here the same worthiness is given to the Lamb, and v.13 joins both in one doxology.

Verse 13

every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth — The three realms are those of 5:3, where none could open the book, and of Phil 2:10, where every knee bows. 'Creature' here is ktisma, a created thing. Blessing, honour, glory and power go 'unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb'.