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Revelation Study

Chapter 5

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

(Rev 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.

5:1-14 JESUS CHRIST, Lamb of God--God's sacrificed Lamb is the only Being able and worthy to open God's scroll and know divine plans for the future. The Lamb is worthy of worship and thus is divine.

Rev 5:1: The scroll had seven seals affixed to the top, each preventing the further unrolling of the scroll. The contents which lie hidden beneath the seven seals will be obvious as the seals are opened. Generally, the book contains the revelation of God's program and purpose for the Tribulation and may have some relationship to Ezekiel's scroll of woe in Ezek. 2:9, 10 or to Daniel's sealed prophecy in Dan. 12:4.

Verses 1-7. The apostle saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a roll of parchments in the form usual in those times, and sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed. The designs and methods of Divine Providence, toward the church and the world, are stated, fixed, and made a matter of record. The counsels of God are altogether hidden from the eye and understanding of the creature. The several parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but after each other, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct is finished in the world. The creatures cannot open it, nor read it; the Lord only can do so. Those who see most of God, are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his glory, desire to know his will. But even good men may be too eager and hasty to look into the mysteries of the Divine conduct. Such desires, if not soon answered, turn to grief and sorrow. If John wept much because he could not look into the book of God's decrees, what reason have many to shed floods of tears for their ignorance of the gospel of Christ! of that on which everlasting salvation depends! We need not weep that we cannot foresee future events respecting ourselves in this world; the eager expectation of future prospects, or the foresight of future calamities, would alike unfit us for present duties and conflicts, or render our prosperous days distressing. Yet we may desire to learn, from the promises and prophecies of Scripture, what will be the final event to believers and to the church; and the Incarnate Son has prevailed, that we should learn all that we need to know. Christ stands as Mediator between God and both ministers and people. He is called a Lion, but he appears as a Lamb slain. He appears with the marks of his sufferings, to show that he pleads for us in heaven, in virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes; perfect power to execute all the will of God, and perfect wisdom to understand it, and to do it in the most effectual manner. The Father put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ, and Christ readily and gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to make known the will of his Father; and the Holy Spirit is given by him to reveal the truth and will of God.

(Rev 5:2 KJV) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

I sometimes feel unworthy to open the bible; his great books much less try and preach. On those last days wouldn't it be nice to be able to stand and say, here am I lord. But it won't be so.

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isa 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
(Rev 5:3 KJV) And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

(Rev 5:4 KJV) And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

(Rev 5:5 KJV) 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.

I like the comparison of Jesus as a lion. It shows strength and cunnings. The word tells us to be wise and yet harmless, Yet the Loin devours it enemies and that is what Jesus does for us. I don't have to avenge my self because he will.

Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Rev 5:5: The "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (cf. Gen. 49:9, 10) refers to the chief or ultimate member of that tribe, namely, the Lord. Strangely, however, this ultimate One is also proclaimed to be the "Root of David" (cf. Isa. 11:1, 10). The former expresses His messiahship, the latter His preexistence and eternality.

(Rev 5:6 KJV) 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.

I see Jesus, he, who gave his life in sacrifice for us, a perfect lamb. And again the Seven Spirits of God which are with us today if we let them work in us. All of these Sprits work in Christ and with out him you have none. If we really want the manifestations of his Spirits all we need is him.

1 Cor 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1 Cor 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1 Cor 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1 Cor 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1 Cor 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1 Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1 Cor 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Cor 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
1 Cor 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
1 Pet 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Pet 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
1 Pet 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Now the reason for all these scriptures is that as I said earlier that the Spirits represent The Holy Spirits and the gifts of that Sprit. If you noticed the gifts as Given in 1 Cor. 12: are all of the same Spirit, the gifts of God are mentioned as eternal life, charity (love), Grace, etc. But the important note is, "every man hath his proper gift of God," so the Sprits are sent out to us to day that we may have the ability to do what God has chosen us to do. We are a lion when we need be and a lamb when it is appropriate but always a child of God, obeying his will for us while using his gifts to complete the task.

Expecting to behold a kingly and ferocious lion, John turns to observe a "Lamb" (arnion, Gk., used 29 times in Revelation but only once elsewhere, in John 21:15) which, while obviously alive, nevertheless exhibited the marks of sacrifice. He has been dead but is now alive. Horns are symbolic of power and authority. Eyes signify insight, watchfulness, and comprehension. That there are seven of each speaks of the fullness of power and thorough watchfulness. Thus, this verse symbolically illustrates the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence of the Lamb.

(Rev 5:7 KJV) And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Worthy is the Lamb

(Rev 5:8 KJV) 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.

God always hears our prayers and our praise, I think our calling on him should be music to his ears and that is why harps are used. All to often our call is one of complaining and grumbling, when it should be in thanksgiving and of love. We will see more on the prayers of the saints, but here is a good time to mention that it is the prays of the people of God that keeps him form coming and it is their prayers that will speed up his coming. It is our intercession on behalf of each other that causes God to keep sending his Spirit to the lost of the world.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Verses 8-14. It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Savior. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan. He has not only purchased liberty for them, but the highest honor and preferment; he made them kings and priests; kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he makes them priests; giving them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices. What words can more fully declare that Christ is, and ought to be worshipped, equally with the Father, by all creatures, to all eternity! Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven, and who shall for ever bless the Lamb, who delivered and set them apart for himself by his blood. How worthy art thou, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, of our highest praises! All creatures should proclaim thy greatness, and adore thy majesty.

5:8-14 PRAYER, Worship--This section contains three songs of worth and praise--first by the dignitaries of heaven after the Lamb was declared worthy to open the scroll, then by the angels who echoed the song with attributions of glory, and finally by every living celestial and earthly creature. Most of the praise through the Bible is for God as Creator, for God's dealings with people, or for those of His attributes which are propitious toward man, such as mercy or grace. There is relatively little praise for what He is in Himself. See note on Ps 93:1-5. This situation reverses in Revelation. After the great day of God's wrath has come and after Revelation 4, the praise may be said to be celestial in nature. God is praised for His own intrinsic worth. In v 8, the golden bowls of the elders were filled with incense, an age long symbol of prayer. The prayers of the saints are enormously valuable in heaven. The elders are mentioned as falling down repeatedly in this book (4:10; 5:8,14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4). See note on Ge 17:3,17.

(Rev 5:9 KJV) 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;

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

I believe we will sing a new song, for it will be a new praise one such as we cannot know in the flesh. It is also so wonderful to think that God sent his son to die for all of us. For every nation, it doesn't matter if we talk or how we look, he gave his blood to wash us from sin.
(Rev 5:10 KJV) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Here lies a good question, what earth the one we live in now or the new earth?

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Isa 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isa 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

2 Pet 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2 Pet 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

I think it is the new earth promised to us, for all that we are looking at here is the promises to the church and the grace of God.

5:10 THE CHURCH, People of God--The church serves as priests in God's kingdom waiting for the day God will fully establish the kingdom.

Rev 5:10: The concluding phrase of this verse concerning the earthly nature of the future reign of the 24 elders is only one of a mounting array of evidences for a millennial reign of Jesus on the earth in the company of His saints.

(Rev 5:11 KJV) 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;

How many of us are going to make it to heaven? As many that are born again and live according to his word with out spot or blemish.
(Rev 5:12 KJV) 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.

worthy = 514. axios, ax'-ee-os; prob. from G71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise):--due reward, meet, [un-] worthy.

power = 1411. dunamis, doo'-nam-is; from G1410; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

riches = 4149. ploutos, ploo'-tos; from the base of G4130; wealth (as fulness), i.e. (lit.) money, possessions, or (fig.) abundance, richness, (spec.) valuable bestowment:--riches. wisdom = 4678. sophia, sof-ee'-ah; from G4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):--wisdom.

strength = 2479. ischus, is-khoos'; from a der. of is (force; comp. eschon, a form of G2192); forcefulness (lit. or fig.):--ability, might ([-ily]), power, strength.

honour = 5092. time, tee-may'; from G5099; a value, i.e. money paid, or (concr. and collect.) valuables; by anal. esteem (espec. of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:--honour, precious, price, some.

glory = 1391. doxa, dox'-ah; from the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (lit. or fig., obj. or subj.):--dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship. blessing = 2129. eulogia, yoo-log-ee'-ah; from the same as G2127; fine speaking, i.e. elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e. (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by impl. consecration; by extens. benefit or largess:--blessing (a matter of) bounty (X -tifully), fair speech.

It is somewhat interesting that the Lamb is worthy to receive seven things. I again come back to the seven Spirits, could power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Be the root of the seven spirits, which would agree with the gifts as earlier given?
(Rev 5:13 KJV) 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.

(Rev 5:14 KJV) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

There are a lot of things we can do too much of, eating, sleeping, etc., but we cannot listen and worship to much. I notice that it is not our riches that are taken before the throne, but our praise.