Revelation 5 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Revelation 5

The Scroll and the Lamb

5:1 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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 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.”

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. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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. 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,
10   and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.”

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, 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!”

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!”

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Commentary

v1-3: The scroll, God's plan for creation, to be fulfilled in Christ. God shows a scroll to Ezekiel (Ezek 2.9-10), and it is implied in Dan 10.21. The seal shows that the scroll is authentic, truly the plans of God. Yet the seal keeps the plans secret until opened. ‘The scroll contains the secrets of life, the mysteries of the ages, the plan of redemption.’ (R C Sproul, Mighty Christ)

John reports, "no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth..." Christ is the only solution, the only Saviour. (1 Cor 15.12-19). There is no alternative Saviour.

v4: To open the scroll demands not strength nor even wisdom, but worthiness. The many citizens of Heaven, in all their perfection and blamelessness, could not provide one worthy. John wept much, knowing that the opening of the scroll was important.

v5-7: The Lion is the Lamb, He has prevailed, although He was slain. Here are paradoxes in the Lord Jesus. Yet here too is His uniqueness; these words can describe no one else. The various aspects of John's vision declare the glory, uniqueness and perfection of Christ.

The seven horns speak of His strength, contrasting with John's observation that the Lamb has been slain. The seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. They are sent from the Lamb, taking His character. They also show that He is all-knowing.

v8: The four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, to worship Him, just as they worshipped God the Father in chapter 4. They brought the prayers of the saints, which are accepted in Christ. In Ps 141.2 the prayers of the worshipper are as incense.

v9: Christians are His blood-bought, redeemed people, joined to God by the blood of the Lamb. The elders recognised that they were in Heaven because Jesus Christ shed His blood for them. It is by this that He is declared to be worthy.

This is a new song; through the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, everything has changed. Through Him, many are freed to become the people of God. The kingdom of God is now gaining ground; His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven.

v10: Our God is His God (1.6); we have the privilege of adoption. We are kings and priests (1.6). God had promised this to Israel in Ex 19.6, but Israel has never fully embraced this calling, preferring instead a life of law.

v11-12: The myriad of angelic beings join in the praise of Christ, using words similar to those addressed to God (4.11).

v13: Every creature in Heaven joined in the corporate praise of Father and Son. In v8, 24 sing to the Lamb; that grows to multi-millions in v11, and here to all created things.

v14: The four living creatures cried out "Amen!" For all were in agreement.

Chapters 4 and 5 of the book of Revelation paint a big picture:

Heaven is the focus, giving us a proper perspective of events on the earth.
The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb of God are supreme, demanding our attention.
The Lamb who was slain, Jesus Christ is worthy to open the scroll & is worthy to occupy the throne.
Our response is worship & adoration. (Let’s lay aside our natural tendency to speculation.)