Revelation 5 – The Seven Sealed Scroll

Revelation 5:1

(1) I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book (2) written inside and on the back, (3) sealed up with seven seals.

  1. The scroll represents the Kingdom of God.  No one else was worthy to receive it, for all had sinned and fallen short.  Hence, Jesus receives the deed to the Kingdom of God, the throne of David, and the promises.
  2. Reminds us of the tablets of stone of Moses, also written on front and back.
  3. A seven sealed scroll of that time period would have been a will, historians tell us. These seals keep the whole of the scroll sealed until all of them are opened.

Revelation 5:2-4

(1) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” (2) And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. (3)Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;

  1. The heavenly government is again in view here.  Only those worthy to get in are allowed in, and only the one worthy to open the seals can open them.  The strong angel proclaims the question, asking who would be worthy to receive the Kingdom.  God’s plan was that we all would, that Adam would, but we had all become corrupt.  Thus, Christ had to come, and whoever believes on Him will not perish.
  2. No one is found worthy, for all have sinned.
  3. The sorrow from this statement grips John.  We know, now, in retrospect, that Christ has conquered.  But, let us never forget the cry of God’s heart that no one was worthy, and so He sent His Son to make us whole.  This is the cry of all creation, the cry of all the heavens, for no one else is worthy, only the Lamb.

Revelation 5:5

and (1) one of the elders said to me, (2) “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, (3) has overcome (4) so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

  1. One of the twenty-four.
  2. John is told not to weep, and describes Jesus as the Lion of Judah and the Root of David.
  3. Jesus overcame at the cross, as witnessed in the resurrection.
  4. This makes Jesus worthy to receive all honor, power, dominion, and glory.

Revelation 5:6-7

(1) And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders (2) a Lamb standing, as if slain, (3) having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. (4) And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

  1. The Lamb, Christ Jesus, is before the throne.
  2. Jesus is the Passover lamb.  He is above every name that can be given, in this age and in the next.
  3. The seven spirits of God, the eyes, refer back to the seven fold spirit of God of chapter 4.
  4. Jesus takes this book, whereas John takes the one in Revelation 10.  Jesus opens this scroll with the seals that follow, whereas John ate his.

Revelation 5:8-10

(1) When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, (2) each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, (3) which are the prayers of the saints. (4) And they sang a new song, saying,”Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. (5) You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; (6) and they will reign upon the earth.”

  1. Taking the book initiates worship on behalf of the elders.
  2. They each have a “harp and bowl”.
  3. Incense, then, is specifically identified as the saint’s prayers.  The fervent effect prayers of the righteous availeth much.
  4. They praise Him for His worth, for in His worthiness, He is able to open the book and has saved many.  This again, directly identifies the cross, if that was in any way in question.
  5. Those who are bought are made to be a Kingdom, that is the church.  The Church is directly identified as a Kingdom.  Since God only has one Kingdom, this is “the” Kingdom.
  6. The saints of the church are called to reign.

Revelation 5:11-14

(1) Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; (2) and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, (2) “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” (4) And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” (5) And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

  1. Praise begets praise, and many angels join in.
  2. A great, great multitude is in agreement.
  3. They praise the Lamb for His worthiness.
  4. Even the creation itself joins in praise to the Lamb.  Surely, every knee will bow.
  5. And, lastly, the living creatures and the elders are listed as bowing in worship.