Revelation 5:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I saw {G1492} in {G1909} the right hand {G1188} of him that sat {G2521} on {G1909} the throne {G2362} a book {G975} written {G1125} within {G2081} and {G2532} on the backside {G3693}, sealed {G2696} with seven {G2033} seals {G4973}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next I saw in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals;

Berean Standard Bible

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 5:1 introduces a pivotal moment in John's heavenly vision, revealing a mysterious scroll held firmly in the right hand of God, who is seated on His glorious throne. This scroll, uniquely written on both sides and secured by seven seals, symbolizes God's comprehensive, unchangeable, and perfectly guarded plan for all of history, judgment, and redemption, setting the stage for the dramatic unfolding of His sovereign purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the breathtaking cosmic worship scene described in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - The Heavenly Throne Room"), where John is transported to the heavenly realm and witnesses the glorious adoration of God the Father, the Almighty Creator, who is enthroned in supreme majesty. [Revelation 4:2](/revelation/4-2 "Revelation 4:2 - God on the Throne") explicitly states John saw "a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." The transition from the worship of God as Creator to the introduction of the sealed scroll in His hand is crucial; it shifts the narrative focus from God's inherent worthiness to His active, unfolding plan for creation. This scroll becomes the central object of the subsequent chapters, initiating the dramatic quest for one worthy to open it and unleash its contents, thereby driving the eschatological narrative of judgment and salvation forward.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, documents of significant legal, administrative, or prophetic importance were often written on scrolls made of papyrus or parchment. These scrolls were typically written on one side only. The detail that this scroll was "written within and on the backside" (or "on the inside and on the back") is highly unusual and significant. It suggests an overflowing, complete, and exhaustive content, leaving no room for further additions, signifying the finality and comprehensiveness of God's decrees. Furthermore, seals were used in antiquity to authenticate documents, protect their contents from unauthorized access, and indicate ownership. The number of seals often correlated with the importance or secrecy of the document. Seven seals, a number signifying completeness and perfection in biblical symbolism, underscore the absolute security, divine authority, and profound mystery surrounding the scroll's contents, implying that only one with ultimate authority could legitimately open it.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 5:1 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, as the scroll rests securely in the hand of the Almighty God, symbolizing His ultimate authority and meticulous control over all history and the future, as seen in passages like [Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - The Alpha and the Omega"). Secondly, it introduces the theme of **The Unveiling of God's Plan**, as the sealed scroll represents God's comprehensive, pre-ordained purposes for the ages, including judgment, redemption, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Its sealed nature indicates that these divine purposes are hidden and can only be revealed by one with divine authorization, foreshadowing the crucial role of the Lamb. Thirdly, the scroll's dual-sided writing emphasizes the **Completeness and Finality** of God's decrees, implying that His plan is exhaustive and perfect, with nothing left out or unfinished, a concept echoed in the finality of God's word in [Revelation 22:18-19](/revelation/22-18-19 "Revelation 22:18-19 - Do Not Add or Take Away"). Lastly, the "seven seals" underscore the **Security and Authority** inherent in God's plan, signifying that His purposes are perfectly guarded and can only be executed by His divine will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Book (Greek, _biblíon'_):** (G975) While translated "book" in KJV, this term refers to a "roll" or "scroll." In the ancient world, a scroll was a long sheet of papyrus or parchment rolled up, typically written on one side. The use of "book" here should be understood as a scroll, which is critical for understanding the "written within and on the backside" detail.
* **Right hand (Greek, _dexiós'_):** (G1188) This word denotes the "right side or hand." In biblical and ancient cultures, the right hand was universally associated with power, authority, strength, and preeminence. For the scroll to be in the "right hand" of God signifies that it is held by supreme authority and power, indicating divine ownership and control over its contents and the events it represents.
* **Sealed (Greek, _katasphragízō'_):** (G2696) This verb, derived from _katá_ (down, intensifying) and _sphragízō_ (to seal), means "to seal closely" or "to seal up completely." It emphasizes the absolute and impenetrable security of the scroll. This is not merely a common seal but one that is thoroughly and definitively closed, ensuring its contents are protected from any unauthorized access or alteration, highlighting the divine protection and mystery surrounding God's plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I saw":** John, the visionary, continues to describe his experience in the heavenly throne room, indicating a new, significant object has come into his view, drawing the reader's attention to its importance.
* **"in the right hand of him that sat on the throne":** This specifies the location and the possessor of the scroll. "Him that sat on the throne" is God Almighty, the sovereign ruler of the universe, as established in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - The Heavenly Throne Room"). The scroll being in His "right hand" powerfully symbolizes His ultimate authority, power, and absolute control over its contents and the destiny it represents.
* **"a book written within and on the backside":** This describes the physical form and unusual nature of the scroll. As discussed, "book" here means "scroll." The detail that it was written on both the inside (the surface typically used) and the outside (the back, which was rarely used) signifies that its contents are utterly comprehensive, complete, and exhaustive. It implies a fullness that leaves no room for anything else, containing all of God's decrees and purposes.
* **"sealed with seven seals":** This indicates the scroll's security and the profound authority required to open it. Seals were used to authenticate and secure documents. The "seven seals" (the number seven denoting perfection or completeness) signify that the scroll is perfectly and divinely secured, impenetrable to anyone lacking the supreme authority necessary to break them. This emphasizes the sacred, unalterable nature of the scroll's contents.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 5:1 is rich in **Symbolism**. The "scroll" itself is a potent symbol, representing God's sovereign plan for history, judgment, and redemption—a divine blueprint for the ages. Its unique characteristic of being "written within and on the backside" symbolizes the exhaustive and complete nature of this plan, implying that God's purposes are fully formed and encompass all things. The "right hand of him that sat on the throne" powerfully symbolizes divine authority, power, and ultimate control, indicating that this plan is held securely and immutably by God Himself. Finally, the "seven seals" symbolize perfect security, divine authentication, and the profound mystery surrounding the scroll's contents, which can only be unveiled by one with ultimate divine authority. This verse also employs vivid **Imagery**, allowing the reader to visualize the solemnity and majesty of the scene, with the scroll as the focal point of divine intention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 5:1 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous control over all of creation and history. The scroll, held firmly in the hand of the Almighty, assures us that the unfolding of world events, even those that appear chaotic or tragic, are not random but are part of a divinely ordained and perfectly executed plan. This plan, sealed and complete, speaks to God's omniscience and omnipotence, confirming that His purposes will be fulfilled precisely as He intends, despite any earthly opposition or human understanding. It establishes the foundation for the subsequent drama of Revelation, where the worthiness to open this scroll becomes the central question, ultimately pointing to the unique qualifications of the Lamb.

* [Daniel 12:4](/daniel/12-4 "Daniel 12:4 - The Sealed Book of Prophecy")
* [Revelation 6:1](/revelation/6-1 "Revelation 6:1 - The Opening of the First Seal")
* [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - God's Worthiness as Creator")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 5:1 offers profound reassurance and a call to trust for believers. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, chaos, and a sense of events spiraling out of control, this vision reminds us that history is not arbitrary but is held firmly within the sovereign hand of God. The sealed scroll signifies that God has a comprehensive, perfect, and unalterable plan that He is meticulously bringing to pass. This should instill a deep sense of peace and confidence, knowing that ultimately, God's purposes for justice, redemption, and the establishment of His kingdom will prevail. It calls us to rest in His omnipotence and wisdom, even when we cannot see the full picture or understand the immediate circumstances, recognizing that the One who sits on the throne holds the entire destiny of creation in His right hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the image of God holding a sealed scroll in His right hand impact your understanding of His sovereignty over current world events?**
* **What comfort can you draw from knowing that God's plan is "written within and on the backside" and "sealed with seven seals," indicating its completeness and security?**
* **How might this verse encourage you to trust God's timing and wisdom, even when His purposes seem hidden or delayed?**

### FAQ
**What does the "book" or "scroll" in Revelation 5:1 represent?**

Answer: The "book" (more accurately, a scroll) represents God's complete and comprehensive plan for the ages. This includes His decrees concerning the unfolding of history, the judgments upon sin and evil, the redemption of His people, and the ultimate establishment of His eternal kingdom. Its unique characteristic of being "written within and on the backside" signifies that this plan is exhaustive, leaving nothing out, and is fully determined by God. It is the divine blueprint for all that is to come, held securely in the hands of the Almighty.

**Why is the scroll sealed with "seven seals"?**

Answer: The "seven seals" emphasize the absolute security, divine authority, and profound mystery surrounding the scroll's contents. In biblical symbolism, the number seven often signifies completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. Therefore, seven seals indicate that the scroll is perfectly and divinely secured, impenetrable to anyone lacking supreme authority. It signifies that God's plan is unalterable and can only be unveiled and executed by the One who possesses ultimate power and worthiness, which the subsequent verses in [Revelation 5:2-5](/revelation/5-2-5 "Revelation 5:2-5 - The Search for One Worthy") reveal to be the Lamb.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 5:1 focuses on God the Father holding the scroll, it immediately sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment that follows. The very next verses ([Revelation 5:2-4](/revelation/5-2-4 "Revelation 5:2-4 - The Cry for One Worthy")) introduce the desperate search for someone worthy to open this divinely secured scroll. This search culminates in the triumphant revelation of Jesus Christ as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David," who has "prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof" ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah")). He is then seen as the "Lamb as it had been slain" ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Takes the Scroll")), who steps forward to take the scroll from the right hand of God. This act profoundly demonstrates that Christ, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, is the sole mediator and executor of God's sovereign plan. He is the one through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")), and therefore, He alone possesses the authority and worthiness to unveil and bring to pass the Father's ultimate purposes for creation, judgment, and redemption. The entire unfolding of God's eschatological plan, symbolized by the opening of the seals, is thus centered on and accomplished through the crucified and resurrected Lamb of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 2:9

And when I looked, behold, an hand [was] sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book [was] therein;

Ezekiel 2:10

And he spread it before me; and it [was] written within and without: and [there was] written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

Isaiah 29:11

And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which [men] deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it [is] sealed:

Revelation 5:7

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Daniel 12:4

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Daniel 12:9

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Revelation 6:1

¶ And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.