Revelation 5

Chapter Overview

What happens in Revelation 5

A seven-sealed scroll is held in God's hand, and no one is found worthy to open it until the Lamb who was slain steps forward. All of heaven erupts in worship of the Lamb.

Scripture

The Sealed Scroll and the Search for One Worthy

Study note

John sees a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals, in the right hand of God. A mighty angel asks who is worthy to open it, but no one in all creation can. John weeps bitterly until an elder directs his attention to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who has triumphed and is worthy.

1 Then I noticed a scroll in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. It had writing on the front and back and was sealed shut with seven seals. 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.

2 A powerful angel called out in a booming voice, "Who has the right to open this scroll and break its seals?" And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 But no one anywhere -- in heaven, on earth, or under the earth -- could open the scroll or even peek inside it. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 I started crying hard because nobody was found who had the right to open the scroll or look inside. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5 Then one of the elders told me, "Stop crying! Look -- the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the victory. He has the right to open the scroll and break all seven seals." And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

Study note

Instead of a conquering lion, John sees a Lamb looking as though it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne. The Lamb, possessing seven horns and seven eyes representing complete power and knowledge, takes the scroll. The living creatures and elders fall before the Lamb with harps and golden bowls of incense, singing a new song declaring his worthiness because he redeemed people from every nation through his blood.

6 Then I saw a Lamb standing at the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb looked like it had been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes -- these are the seven Spirits of God sent out across the whole earth. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 The Lamb stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8 The moment he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one held a harp and golden bowls filled with incense -- those bowls are the prayers of God's people. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9 They sang a new song: "You have the right to take the scroll and open its seals. You were killed, and your blood bought people for God from every tribe, every language, every people group, and every nation." And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 "You made them into a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they will reign over the earth." And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Universal Worship of the Lamb

Study note

Countless angels join the worship, proclaiming the Lamb worthy to receive sevenfold praise. Then every creature in all creation joins in a chorus of blessing directed to both the one on the throne and the Lamb. The living creatures affirm with 'Amen' and the elders worship, completing this climactic scene of universal adoration.

11 Then I looked and heard the voices of millions and millions of angels. They were all around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 They all shouted, "The Lamb who was killed deserves to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!" Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 Then every living thing joined in. Those in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea -- all spoke. "Blessing, honor, glory, and power belong to the one on the throne. They belong to the Lamb too. They are his forever!" And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 The four living creatures responded, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell face down and worshiped. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Key Themes

Themes in Revelation 5

The worthiness of the LambRedemption through bloodThe Lion and the LambUniversal worshipThe new song of the redeemedGod's sovereign plan in the scroll

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Revelation 5:5 Genesis 49:9-10

The Lion of the tribe of Judah draws from Jacob's blessing over Judah, prophesying that the scepter would not depart from Judah until the one comes to whom it belongs.

Revelation 5:5 Isaiah 11:1-10

The Root of David connects to Isaiah's prophecy of a shoot from the stump of Jesse who will reign with righteousness and gather the nations to himself.

Revelation 5:6 Isaiah 53:7

The Lamb looking as though it had been slain echoes Isaiah's Suffering Servant who was led like a lamb to the slaughter, bearing the sins of many.

Revelation 5:9-10 Exodus 19:5-6

The new song declares that the Lamb has made the redeemed 'kings and priests unto our God,' fulfilling God's original intent at Sinai to make Israel 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' -- now extended to every tribe and tongue.

Apply This Today

Living Revelation 5

The image of the slain Lamb at the center of heaven's throne transforms our understanding of power and victory. God's plan is accomplished not through worldly might but through sacrificial love. When we feel insignificant or powerless, we can remember that the one who laid down his life is the very one entrusted with all authority. Our worship joins the song of the redeemed from every nation, reminding us that we belong to a family far greater than we can imagine.

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