Revelation 5:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he came {G2064} and {G2532} took {G2983} the book {G975} out of {G1537} the right hand {G1188} of him that sat {G2521} upon {G1909} the throne {G2362}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.

Berean Standard Bible

And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne.

American Standard Version

And he came, and he taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 5:7 describes the pivotal moment in John's heavenly vision where the Lamb, identified as Jesus Christ, approaches the throne of God and takes the seven-sealed scroll from the right hand of the One seated upon it. This singular act signifies the Lamb's unique worthiness and supreme authority to execute God's sovereign plan for history, judgment, and redemption, setting in motion the unfolding of the end-time events.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 5:7 is the dramatic climax of a profound cosmic dilemma introduced in the preceding verses. In [Revelation 5:1](/revelation/5-1 "Revelation 5:1 - The Seven-Sealed Scroll"), John sees a scroll with seven seals in the right hand of God the Father, who is seated on the throne. A mighty angel then issues a challenge in [Revelation 5:2](/revelation/5-2 "Revelation 5:2 - The Challenge of Worthiness"): "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" The ensuing search reveals that no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is found worthy to even look at the scroll ([Revelation 5:3](/revelation/5-3 "Revelation 5:3 - No One Found Worthy")), prompting John to weep bitterly ([Revelation 5:4](/revelation/5-4 "Revelation 5:4 - John's Despair")). This despair is resolved by an elder who announces the triumph of the "Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David" ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah's Triumph")), who has "prevailed to open the book." Immediately after this declaration, John sees not a lion, but a "Lamb as it had been slain" standing in the midst of the throne ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb in the Midst of the Throne")). It is this Lamb, the very next figure to appear, who then steps forward in verse 7 to take the scroll, an act that validates His unique worthiness and sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive and judgmental purposes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in Revelation 5:7 draws heavily from ancient Near Eastern and Roman cultural practices and symbolic understanding. A "book" or "scroll" (`biblíon`) in this era was typically a rolled document, often sealed to signify its importance, privacy, or legal authority, such as a will, a title deed, or a decree. The breaking of seals would progressively reveal its contents. The "right hand" (`dexiós`) was universally recognized as the position of honor, power, authority, and strength. To be at someone's right hand or to receive something from their right hand signified immense favor, delegated authority, or rightful inheritance. Kings and emperors would hold scepters or important documents in their right hand, symbolizing their dominion. The "throne" (`thrónos`) itself was the quintessential symbol of sovereign rule, power, and judicial authority. Therefore, the act of the Lamb taking the scroll from the right hand of the One on the throne would have immediately conveyed to John's original audience a profound transfer of supreme authority and the initiation of a divine, legally binding process.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 5:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. First, it underscores **The Lamb's Unique Worthiness and Authority**, establishing Jesus Christ as the sole figure qualified to execute God's ultimate plan. His worthiness is not merely inherent divinity, but specifically derived from His sacrificial death and resurrection, through which He "purchased men for God with His blood" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb's Worthiness and Redemption")). Second, the scene highlights **Divine Sovereignty and the Unfolding of God's Plan**. The scroll represents God's eternal purposes, judgments, and redemptive blueprint for humanity, held securely in the hand of the Almighty. The transfer to the Lamb signifies that God's plan will indeed unfold, executed precisely by His chosen and worthy Son, assuring believers that despite earthly chaos, God remains firmly in control. Finally, this act marks the **Initiation of End-Time Events**. The taking of the scroll is the crucial trigger that sets in motion the breaking of the seven seals, which detail future events leading to the consummation of God's kingdom and the ultimate return of Christ. This transition from universal despair ([Revelation 5:4](/revelation/5-4 "Revelation 5:4 - John's Weeping")) to the Lamb's decisive action is a powerful declaration of hope and the certainty of God's redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies a purposeful, deliberate movement. It is not a passive reception but an active approach. The Lamb intentionally draws near to the throne, demonstrating His readiness and authority to undertake the monumental task.
* **took (Greek, _lambánō'_):** This word implies an active appropriation, a getting hold of, or a receiving with authority. It is not merely a passive acceptance but an authoritative grasp. The Lamb doesn't ask for the scroll; He takes it, indicating His inherent right and power to do so.
* **book (Greek, _biblíon'_):** A diminutive of `biblos`, referring to a small scroll or roll. In this context, it represents a document of immense significance, likely containing God's decrees, judgments, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan for history. Its sealed nature emphasizes its divine origin and the mystery of its contents until the proper time.
* **right hand (Greek, _dexiós'_):** This term refers to the right side or hand, consistently used in biblical and ancient cultures as a powerful symbol of authority, honor, strength, and divine favor. The scroll being in God's "right hand" underscores its ultimate importance and the supreme authority of the One holding it. The Lamb taking it from this position signifies a transfer of ultimate power and divine approval.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he came":** This refers to the Lamb, previously identified in [Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb as Slain") as "a Lamb as it had been slain." His coming is not hesitant but a confident, purposeful approach towards the throne, signifying His readiness and unique qualification to act.
* **"and took the book":** This action is the central event of the verse. The Lamb actively grasps and takes possession of the scroll. This "book" represents God's sovereign plan for the ages, including His judgments, His redemptive purposes, and the unfolding of history towards its consummation. The act of taking signifies the Lamb's authority to reveal and execute these divine decrees.
* **"out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne":** This specifies the source from which the scroll is taken: God the Father, the ultimate sovereign of the universe, whose authority is symbolized by His sitting upon the throne. The "right hand" is the place of supreme power, authority, and honor. The Lamb's taking the scroll from this position indicates a divinely sanctioned transfer of ultimate authority to Him for the execution of God's plan.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 5:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "Lamb" representing Jesus Christ's sacrificial atonement and His unique worthiness, contrasting with the "Lion of Judah" imagery to highlight both His power and His redemptive suffering. The "book" or scroll **symbolizes** God's sovereign plan, divine decrees, and the unfolding of history, while the "right hand" is a potent **symbol** of ultimate authority, power, and divine favor. The "throne" **symbolizes** God's universal dominion and judicial authority. The scene also utilizes **Dramatic Irony**, as the earlier despair over no one being worthy ([Revelation 5:4](/revelation/5-4 "Revelation 5:4 - John's Weeping")) is immediately resolved by the Lamb's decisive action, creating a powerful sense of relief and triumph. This act also serves as **Foreshadowing**, as the taking of the scroll directly precedes and initiates the breaking of its seals, which will unleash the judgments and events leading to the consummation of God's kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 5:7 is a theological cornerstone, profoundly articulating Christ's unique mediatorial role and His supreme authority in God's cosmic plan. The transfer of the scroll from the Father's hand to the Lamb's signifies that the execution of God's eternal purposes, including judgment and redemption, is entrusted entirely to Jesus Christ. This authority is not merely an inherent attribute of His divinity but is specifically earned through His atoning sacrifice as the "Lamb as it had been slain." His worthiness to open the scroll and unveil the future is a direct consequence of His triumph over sin and death, establishing Him as the sovereign Lord over all creation and history. This scene assures believers that God's plan will infallibly unfold under the perfect control of His Son, who is both fully God and fully man, our Redeemer and our King.

* [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - Son of Man Receiving Dominion")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Lordship")
* [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vision of the Lamb taking the scroll from the hand of God the Father offers profound comfort and challenges our perspectives on authority, power, and the unfolding of history. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this passage reminds us that ultimate control rests not with earthly powers, but securely in the hands of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain and is now exalted. His worthiness, established through His perfect life and atoning death, ensures that God's purposes will be perfectly accomplished, bringing about both righteous judgment and ultimate redemption. This should inspire unwavering trust and hope in believers, knowing that our future, and the future of the cosmos, is guided by the One who has already overcome the world. It calls us to worship Him, to submit to His sovereign will, and to live with confidence, participating in His mission even amidst suffering, because His victory is assured and His plan is unfolding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Lamb's unique worthiness, stemming from His sacrifice, challenge our human understanding of what truly constitutes power and authority?**
* **What comfort and assurance does it bring to know that God's ultimate plan for history and the consummation of all things is firmly in the hands of Jesus Christ?**
* **How should this vision of Christ's supreme authority and control over all events impact our prayers, our witness, and our response to current world challenges and uncertainties?**

### FAQ

**Why was no one else found worthy to open the scroll?**

Answer: The profound question posed in [Revelation 5:2](/revelation/5-2 "Revelation 5:2 - The Challenge of Worthiness") ("Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?") highlights the absolute moral and spiritual perfection required to execute God's ultimate plan. Neither humanity nor the angels were found worthy ([Revelation 5:3](/revelation/5-3 "Revelation 5:3 - No One Found Worthy")) because all creation, apart from Christ, is tainted by sin or lacks the unique redemptive qualification. Only Jesus Christ, as the sinless Lamb of God who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, possessed the unique righteousness and redemptive merit to approach God and unveil His purposes. His worthiness stems from His divine nature, His perfect human obedience, and His atoning death and resurrection, which conquered sin and death.

**What does the "book" or "scroll" symbolize in Revelation 5:7?**

Answer: The "book" or "scroll" ([Revelation 5:1](/revelation/5-1 "Revelation 5:1 - The Seven-Sealed Scroll")) is a powerful symbol representing God's sovereign plan for all of history, particularly the events leading to the consummation of His kingdom. It is often interpreted as God's divine decree, His will concerning judgment, redemption, and the ultimate destiny of creation. It can be likened to a title deed to the earth, a cosmic will, or a blueprint for the end times. Its sealed nature signifies that these divine purposes are hidden and can only be revealed and executed by the One who is truly worthy, which is the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 5:7 is a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, revealing Jesus as the ultimate Executor of God's redemptive and sovereign plan. The Lamb's act of taking the scroll is not merely a symbolic gesture but the direct consequence and culmination of His finished work on earth. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose single sacrifice "put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice to Put Away Sin")). His death on the cross disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), and His resurrection validated His victory and worthiness. Therefore, His ascension and exaltation to God's right hand ([Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20-22 "Ephesians 1:20-22 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")) granted Him "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). The scene in Revelation 5:7 visually portrays this divinely bestowed authority, demonstrating that because He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, God has "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Lordship")). The Lamb taking the scroll signifies that the future of the universe, its judgments, and its ultimate redemption are now definitively in the hands of the crucified and risen Christ, who will return as King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as King of Kings")).

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

Revelation 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.

Revelation 4:2

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.

Revelation 4:3

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.