Previous verse Next verse1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
Then I saw in the right hand of HIM who sat on the THRONEThe right hand is the place of honor. This position of honor was usually reserved for ceremonial occasions: Ephesians 1:18-20 and 1 Peter 3:21-22.
a scroll with writing on both sides and SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS.This parallels the Old Testament teaching on land redemption.
Previous verse Next verse2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
This angel was one with great authority like a Gabriel perhaps.
"Proclaim" means to broadcast forth; from the next verse
, it is implied that this proclamation was to the physical universe as
well as the spiritual universe.
Under Jewish law, to redeem "sold" property, it had to be a kinsmen and
a Redeemer. That is, one who was related and had the means (money) to
pay the price. Spiritually, it was One who was our brother (human) and paid the price .
Note: none of the Biblical saints or even present day church leaders or television preachers could open the scroll because they were/are NOT the owner. Recall the owner was written on the outside of the scroll.
If the scroll with these seals contains the judgment "of things to come" then according to John 5:21-27 , the Son is both kinsmen (becoming human) and owner. Removing the "squatters" from this earth comes with the rights of ownership, Psalm 2:7-9 .Previous verse Next verse3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
None of the redeemed in heaven could; they are part of the inheritance, Ephesians 1:7-8.
None of the unredeemed on earth could; they have sin and are not holy, Romans 3:10-12.
None under the earth could; they died in their SINS and are waiting for judgment (taking over the squatters), Romans 6:23.
Consider that if the book contains the judgments to come, it would be awful to look into. Releasing or removing the seven bands are symbolic of the processes by which the earth is purged of SIN and evil.
The heaven must have been silent under the weight of the question...this looks like a hopeless situation, so...........
Previous verse Next verse4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
I WEPT and WEPTImagine the alarm in heaven at the sounds of weeping! The normal sound in heaven, one would imagine, is the sound of worshipping, of praising, and of agreeing (AMENs) -- Revelation 4:8 and Revelation 4:10-11. But here John says he WEPT and WEPT. This isn't soft crying, this is gut wrenching loud sobs!
because no one was found who was WORTHY to open the SCROLL, or look inside.Note the subtle difference between this verse and the previous verse. Previously, no one was ABLE to open the seals; here, John realizes that even if anyone was ABLE, that one also had to be WORTHY to open the seals. If the redemption of the sin-riddled, devil-controlled world was to take place, ONLY someone Pure (Matthew 5:8), Truthful (John 14:1-7), Holy (Luke 4:31-37), and Righteous (Jeremiah 23:5-6) could open the scroll.
John was thinking only in human terms. Even after being with Jesus personally, John still had not fully grasped the position of Jesus, the Resurrected One. Now he sees the WORTHINESS of the One he loves.
The scroll must contain terrible things if one must be WORTHY to look into it. The process that Paul is referring to as "In Him.....the redemption of God's own possession" -- Ephesians 1:7-14 -- is soon to begin.
Consider what would be if the scroll is not opened:
Previous verse Next verse5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Then one of the elders said to me,This is IMPORTANT....it is not an angel talking to John but rather one of the elders, a redeemed one. Having been redeemed, the elder is able to admonish John,
"DO NOT WEEP. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,This is very ironic. The heaven was quieted by the question, "Who is worthy to open the seals?" And here we see John, who having been closest to the Christ in human form, crying as though there is no answer. This would indicate that while Christ was on earth, John just didn't really understand who Jesus was/is.
Or another viewpoint, John may just have realized WHY Christ came to earth, died, and was resurrected again. These may be tears of joy (and recognition). At any rate, the elder having been in heaven "longer" is the one to say to John, "It's OK, we have the One in our midst who can open the seals."
The Lion is representative of STRENGTH. The Jews had always felt or wanted to believe that their Messiah would be strong and a leader (King). Jacob, when he gave his blessing to his sons, foretold that the Lion would come out of son Judah (Genesis 49:1,8-12). During the wanderings in the wilderness, it was the tribe of Judah that led the way (Numbers 10:13-14). Ultimately, in taking the promised land, the Lord promised to Judah that "He had given the land into Judah's hand" (Judges 1:1-2). That the Christ is the Lion (LEADER), he says himself that `all authority was given to HIM in heaven and on earth' (Matthew 28:18).
the Root of David,The Jews have long considered that David was the ultimate leader. Thus it is appropriate that the Root (creator) of David is identified here. Not only the Root but also the Offspring (Revelation 22:16) too.
has TRIUMPHED. He is able to open the SCROLL and its seven seals."This "triumphed" is the same as the "overcome" used with the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3. Since Christ is all-knowing, He knew that his assignment when he came to earth was to `triumph' by dying and by coming back to life again. He said as much in John 10:14-18 .
Previous verse Next verse6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
What a shock! In the previous verse , the elder
tells John of a LION, a RULER after David, and an "overcomer". But here
He appears as a LAMB. Overwhelmed by the throne, the 4 living
creatures, the 24 elders, lightning and thunder, and a greenish halo
rainbow, John almost
didn't see the LAMB! How unobtrusive He is!
The fact that the LAMB is standing denotes action. Isaiah indicates that the earth will tremble in that day when He arises (Isaiah 2:17-19). At the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-56), when he looked into heaven he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
The Redeemer is a LAMB who gave all to purchase the precious. Jesus himself describes it is the Kingdom parable, Matthew 13:36-43 . How clearly this refers to what we see in Revelation chapter 5.
Jesus will always carry the marks of the redemption price,
Luke 24:36-40 .
Seven is the number of completion. Horns denote power; in contrast,
"the beast" had 10 horns (Revelation 13:1).
Either this is "I am greater than you" or a show of force on the
part of "the beast". Another beast had two horns "like a lamb" (Revelation 13:11). This one tries to be
the great imitator. But it falls short of completion (7 horns) .
We have seen this before in Revelation 1:4
and Revelation 4:5 . There also is a
relationship between the redeemed and the seven Spirits. In
Zechariah 3 , Joshua is accused by satan (not unlike the Revelation
indicates the devil does) and a prophesy is given about a stone with
seven eyes (complete understanding of the removal of iniquity). Later
in
Zechariah 4:9-10 , the seven lamps and fires are equivalent to the
eyes (seven Spirits). And they are going back and forth throughout the
earth watching. In fact, even as you are reading this, you are being
watched by these seven eyes. You
can't hide from the Spirit of God!
In general the "LAMB" = the Lord Jesus Christ. The LAMB is referred to:
Previous verse Next verse7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
He CAMEJohn is totally fascinated that the Lamb, his transfigured close friend, was WORTHY to take the book. Note that "He CAME" denotes a form of presentation. Perhaps this is what Daniel is describing in Daniel 7:13-14 .
and TOOK the SCROLL from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.If the Lamb was asked under what claim He could take the scroll, He could reply
Previous verse Next verse8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
The first hymn is sung by these 28 .... later hymns are sung by all
creation.
This shows equivalence between the LAMB and deity. The 24 elders
representing redeemed saints along with the 4 mightiest heavenly
creatures/angels give
due homage.
The inheritance is about to be fulfilled. This implies the 28 must have some idea of the awesome contents of the book and seals.
* a HARP, and they were holding
God loves beautiful music. It was part of temple worship, Ezra 3:10-11 . The harps are part of the music before the Lamb on Mount Zion, Revelation 14:2 The victorious ones in Revelation 15:2 are holding harps of God.
* golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
We see these prayers of the saints again at the breaking of the seventh seal and at the preparation for the blowing of the seven trumpets, Revelation 8:3-4 . These prayers may also be the "avengence prayers" of the martyrs, Revelation 6:10 .Previous verse Next verse9And they sang a new song:
And they (the 28) sang a NEW SONG saying:Remember that the inheritance scroll could only be opened by the owner when payment/redemption was made.
"YOU ARE WORTHY to take the scroll
and to open ITS SEALS, because
Previous verse Next verse10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our god,
You have made them to be a KINGDOM and PRIESTS to serve our god,
Three times in Revelation (1:6 ; 5:10; 20:6 ) we, the believers, are to be made priests. The sense of this phrase indicates this is in the future -- perhaps, the millennial reign. Scripture is clear, though, we believers are being built up into a spiritual house - 1 Peter 2:5 . Part of our priestly function is described in Hebrews 13:12-16 .And they will reign on (over) the earth."This can only happen in a limited sense before the devil is bound. After the "ruler of this earth" (John 12:27-32) is cast out, then this really can take place. How this "reigning" happens is a mystery. Whether the redeemed "commute" from the heavenly "new Jerusalem" to the earth is not clear. What is clear, though, the martyrs from the tribulation will come to life and WILL REIGN with Christ -- Revelation 20:4-6
Previous verse Next verse11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
Then I looked and heard the VOICE of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.It almost looks as if there is one voice in which angels sing. Perhaps we would call it "singing in unison".
They encircled the throne and the LIVING CREATURES,God's special angels participate too.
and the ELDERS.We, the redeemed, are represented there too (as a royal priesthood).
Previous verse Next verse12In a loud voice they sang:
In a loud voice they sang:
"WORTHY IS THE LAMB, who was SLAIN,
to receive
Previous verse Next verse13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
Then I heard every creature in heaven andAll creation -- Psalms 103:19-22 .
on earth and under the earth and on the sea,Originally, all living creatures were placed under Adam's dominion (Genesis 1:28); were confirmed with Noah (Genesis 9:8-11); BUT because of sin, Romans 8:18-22 , we all wait for this moment of redemption (taking the book in chapter 5 ).
and all that are is in them, singing:
It is interesting to note that this confession is coming from
"creatures". Today, we have little understanding how ALL of God's
creation is waiting to make this confession. For example, how will a
reptile give Him glory? how
will a blob of ooze bestow honor? how will we do this?
The sound comes from everywhere, even as the whole creation was implored to praise Him -- Psalms 148:7-13 .
In this verse, we see how beautifully John blends together the worship of the Father (Chapter 4) and the worship of the Son, Lamb (verses 8 -12 this chapter).Previous verse Next verse14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The four living creatures said, "AMEN,"This is acknowledgment by the hightest ranking angels, 'created beings', that the LAMB is absolutely WORTHY!
Why the acknowledgment of creation that the LAMB is worthy of all power, all wisdom, all strength, all honor, all glory, and all blessing? It :