| Revelation Chapter 5 Who is worthy to open the Sealed Book? 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.� As we move into chapter 5, it is clear that John is still in the vision that was described in chapter 4. John sees, "Him that sat on the throne", indicating the Father, and we see this clearly because the Son is soon introduced as, "a Lamb as it had been slain". The Sealed Book. The book John see�s here in the �right hand of Him that sat on the throne�, contains a great revelation of scenes that the church will go through right to the very last day. Seeing that it is in the Father�s hand, and sealed, we can easily understand only God has a knowledge of the future, and will reveal it to others as He see�s fit. Books in use in that time period were not in the form of pages that were bound together with a spine but instead were made up of strips of parchment and other materials and then rolled up together like a scroll. I feel that the great evangelist John Wesley gives a great description of the �book�: "The usual books of the ancients were not like ours, but were volumes, or long pieces of parchment, rolled upon a long stick, as we frequently roll silks. Such was this represented, which was sealed with seven seals. Not as if the apostle saw all the seals at once: for there were seven volumes wrapped up on within another, each of which was sealed: so that upon opening and and unrolling the first, the second appeared to be sealed up till that was opened, and so on to the seventh." John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament, p. 697, comment on Revelation 5: 1. This description should help give a mental picture of how these seals were placed on the scroll that John saw. Revelation 5:2-4 �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)And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (4)And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.� The Challenge is Made. John see�s God the Father hold out this book for all present to see, and immediately a, �strong angel�, steps forward as the crier with, �a loud voice�, and challenges any creature of the universe to try and open this counsel of God. Would any be worthy of this great task and honor? "No man in heaven", was originally written in the Greek manuscript as, �oudeis�, translating �no one�, which signifies not merely that no man could open this book, but that no being in universe was able. John goes farther to say that none of them could even, �look thereon�. I recently heard a sermon where the Pastor reminded us that Moses and Elijah were in heaven, as the Scriptures state, and that even these two great men of God were not able to open, or look on, this book that lay in the right hand of God the Father. Think about that for a moment and realize what worthiness must be expected of the one that is about step forward. When the apostle saw that no one was coming forward to open this book he began to cry hard, fearing that this great counsel of God would never be opened to his people. John feared a great loss of knowledge that was surely contained in this book. John�s fear was sincere, suddenly overtaken by the realization that there may be no one who is able to understand and accomplish the divine counsels here and fearing that they would forever remain hidden from the Church. Joseph Benson makes a strong, but true, statement here: �The Revelation was not written without tears: neither without tears will it be understood." Joseph Benson, Commentary on the New Testament, Vol. II, p. 721, note on Revelation 5: 4. Revelation 5:5-7 �And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (6)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)And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.� The weeping stops. God does not wish to keep any knowledge, which can benefit His people, out of their hands, and as we are about to see, God has provided the means in which the book can be opened and understood. One of the 24 Elders from around the throne speaks to John and tells him, "Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof." Some have wondered why John was not comforted by one of the many angels nearby and there is no clear reason as to why an Elder was chosen for this task. What is safely speculated here is that, being redeemed from this world already, these Elders have a close relationship with Christ, and they are especially interested in the workings and welfare of the earthly church. These Elders know who is worthy, because they have come through their trials and have found the One who is able to redeem those in the sight of God. The Lion of Judah. Why did the Elder call Jesus the, �Lion of the tribe of Judah�? The Lion not only denotes strength but the Lion is known as the king of beasts and the sole monarch of the wilderness. This emblem of a lion is a fitting one to the kingly authority and power of our Lord. The Lion was also the emblem of the tribe of Judah in Israelite history. As for being, "of the tribe of Judah", we find a prophecy in Genesis 49: 9, 10, that speaks of this Lion. Also we find Paul speaking of Jesus and saying, Hebrews 7:14 �For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood�. The Root of David. The phrase �root of David� is better understood as the �shoot of David�, referring to a descendant rather than an ancestor of David. The usage in �root of David� is an ancient idiom. The Scriptures speak of how Christ will reign on, �the throne of His father David", (Luke 1: 32, 33). Christ is also called, "the offspring of David," (Isaiah 11:1,10) and "a rod out of the stem of Jesse.", (Revelation 22:16). For further information refer to (Matt1:1-20; John 7:24; Romans 1:3; 2Timothy 2:8) Hath Prevailed. The use of these words shows us that Christ obtained the right to open this book when he gained victory over sin at the cross. John now shows us Christ�s work as the Redeemer of the world, by the shedding of His blood for the remission of sin and the salvation of all mankind. Christ was subjected to the most vicious assaults of Satan, but He endured them, bearing the agony of death on the cross to rise victorious over death and the grave. Christ laid the path to redemption for us all, and came away triumphant. This is why there is no doubt on the part of the four living beings and twenty four elders as they sing, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by Thy blood." We also find John told to look for a �Lion� and instead he beholds a �Lamb� in the midst of the throne, and it appears as though it has been slain. Remember what John the Baptist said when he first saw Jesus at the riverside, John 1:29 �Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!�. As It Had Been Slain. I found something interesting here about the original Greek rendering and feel it should be shared. John C. Woodhouse, quoted here in the Comprehensive Commentary, says: "The Greek implies that the Lamb appeared with a wounded neck and throat, as if smitten at the altar as a victim." William Jenks, Comprehensive Commentary, Vol. V., p. 684, note on Revelation 5: 6 Also speaking on this particular phrase Adam Clarke wrote: "As if now in the act of being offered. This is very remarkable; so important is the sacrificial offering of Christ in the sight of God, that He is still represented as being in the very act of pouring out His blood for the offenses of man." Adam Clarke, Commentary on the New Testament, Vol. II, p. 991, note on Revelation 5: 6. John sees the Lamb, in what appears to be, the very act of offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Christ, our perfect Lamb, still bears the scars, and open wounds, of His sacrifice for our sake. Seven Horns and Seven Eyes. Horns are symbols used to indicate power, and eyes are symbolic with wisdom. We are shown they appear in the number of seven, which is used in Scripture to indicate a completeness and perfection. Putting these together we find that perfect power, and perfect wisdom are brought together here in the Lamb. Revelation 5:8-10 �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 odors, which are the prayers of saints. (9)And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10)and has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.� Vials Full of Odors. Every one of these living creatures, and the four and twenty elders have these golden vials (or vessels) full of odors (or incense) which are the prayers of the saints. These beings are conducting the work that is the equivalent to that of the priests in the earthly sanctuary. In the ancient services, the high priest had many assistants which carried out duties similar to those seen here around the throne of God. As we have found, John is looking into the heavenly sanctuary and this leads us to the only logical conclusion that these redeemed ones are assistants to our High Priest (Hebrews 7:25; 8:1-2), Jesus, above. Being redeemed by our Lord, what is more appropriate that to have them assist Christ in His priestly work for us (see description on Rev 4:4). There are many who teach that there is nothing tangible in heaven, but remember that though Revelation deals heavily in figures, it does not deal in fictions. Through correct interpretation we will gain an understanding of this books reality. We know for a fact that the One upon the throne is God, and we have no doubt that He is literally there on His throne. Another known fact is that the Lamb symbolizes Christ, and that He too is literally there now. We know that He ascended in a literal, tangible body and were told by the Angels present He would return in the same way: Acts 1:11 �...this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in a like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven�. After the resurrection Jesus went to the disciples and said, Luke 24:39 �Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have�. The Lord left in a tangible form and appears to retain it throughout His priestly duties. Being that our High Priest is a literal being, it can safely be ventured that He will be in a literal place conducting His ministry. John gave no indication that what He saw was in any type of spirit form. This same logic comes into play with the four and twenty elders as well as the 4 living creatures around the throne. In reference to the literal understanding of the book of Hebrews William Johnsson encourages faith in: �Real deity, real humanity, a real priest, a real covenant, a real sacrifice, real purification, real access [to God], and, in keeping with these, a real heavenly sanctuary.� Johnsson, �Heavenly Cultus,� pg. 399 They Sang a New Song. Being that these were the first of the redeemed they alone hold the right to sing this new song. They call themselves �kings and priests�, and it has already be seen how they fall into the roll of priests. In the same sense they are also kings as they sit in the very presence of God and seem to be connected with heaven in relation to this world. They sing about the promised inheritance of the eternal kingdom where God�s Saints will dwell forever with Him. (Psalm 37:11; Isaiah 65:17-25; Matthew 5:5; Romans 4:13, Galatians 3:29; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5.) Revelation 5:11-12 �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)saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. It may be hard to conceive what John was seeing as he continued to gaze into the Heavenly Sanctuary. John started this vision in Revelation chapter 4 and is still looking into the same place as we come to 5:11-12. He sees the throne where God is seated, then around it 4 living creatures, surrounded by the four and 20 Elders, and now this multitude of Angels. It gives the impression that John�s vision was suddenly widened to behold his total surroundings and he is almost incapable of describing how many Angels he sees. Imagine walking on the beach with a friend who suddenly turns and says, �How many grains of sand do you see?�. This is the problem John was faced with as he tried to describe the multitude that stretched out as far as the eye could see. And this was all inside the Temple itself, can you imagine the size we are talking about here? John said he saw, "Ten thousand times ten thousand", and in this alone you have the literal number of one hundred million (100,000,000) angels surrounding God�s throne. John doesn�t seem satisfied with this and adds, �and thousands of thousands� to the total, which in literal language is Millions of Millions. This may explain why the writer of Hebrews penned it as, Hebrews 12:22 "an innumerable company of angels". This was the scene in the true heavenly Temple of God. The focus of this was the, �Lamb that was slain�, who appears to be in the very act of shedding His blood to remove the stain of sin from the world. With this crowd in mind, imagine the sound as they all begin to sing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." Not a single voice went unheard as all lifted up their voices in praise to the one alone who is �worthy�. I have tried to imagine this picture in my mind as John saw it, and the sound of these heavenly voices raised in praise to our Lord. The picture this calls up in my mind is almost overpowering and I struggle to express the feelings that it brings up in me. I have heard a choir of 30 men and women sing strongly enough that I could feel it in my very bones, and they are not even a whisper compared to this Angelic choir�s praise. Oh to add my voice to that heavenly choir would be the greatest of all blessings, to be able to praise the Lord as He deserves to be praised, in the very presence of the throne. Revelation 5:13-14 �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 honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (14)And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever. The time John is speaking of finds every creature in heaven and earth raising up a blessing of praise to God, none are left out. This time period can not be applied to any period in the history of this earth, and must refer to the day when all is completed and the priestly work of our Lord Jesus is finished. On that day even the stones will rejoice in the coming of the Lord to take His people to be with Him forever (Luke 19:40). Can you imagine all the creatures of the earth (dogs, deer, birds) and all the creatures of the sea (dolphins, whales, fish) raising up in a song of praise and victory. I long for the day that I can hear, and lift my voice with them, in perfect harmony. The Lamb and the Father, sitting together upon the throne, receiving the praise of their creation because they are �worthy� of it. "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." And the four living creatures exclaim, as will all the people of God, �Amen!�. We have seen not only God�s throne, but the Lamb in the very act of shedding His blood for our sins. John tries as best as humanly possible to describe what worship is in its truest form, and from a multitude that he can not begin to count. If you take nothing else from this chapter, understand that there is only one that is �worthy�. �Worthy is the Lamb�, and they said, �AMEN�!!! Revelation Index Revelation Chapter 6 Back to Navigation Page |
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