Revelation Chapter 5

Revelation 5:1

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. (ESV)

There are several different theories on what could be written on this scroll in the right hand of the Father. There is no concrete way to prove or dispel these theories until we come into full knowledge, but we will talk about some of the more popular ideas. Some scholars say it is the book of life. This is an interesting concept that I used to dismiss all together but have found it may carry some validity, but may skew your opinions depending on which way your theology slants. As stated earlier the Lamb’s book of life has had the names written in them since the creation of the world, meaning everyone who will ever be saved has their name in it. The opening of the scroll might lead to the beginning of the blotting out of some of those names. This also lends well to the scriptures saying that many will turn away once the end times get rolling.

Another interesting concept is that it is the “book of remembrance” found in Malachi. It says those who feared the Lord wrote a book before Him and about them He stated, "They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” Immediately after that scripture begins speaking of the day of the Lord, so this book written by the righteous may very well be what is held in His hand.

The third and seemingly most popular theory is that this scroll is a sort of “Title Deed” to earth. It’s funny to me that these other theories are most readily dismissed even though we have scripture stating that these types of things were written but we find no scripture that a type of deed to earth was written; but that does not necessarily discredit it. According to scholars in ancient days a will of property or deed to a property was written on a scroll with the inside having the description of said land and the outside having the stipulation of the agreement (purchase from a relative redeemer and the like), and even had wax seals on it to separate the scroll. So when Adam sinned he handed over the rights to earth, which God had given him dominion over, to Satan who rules over the earth until the day Christ redeems it back unto Himself. There are two potential problems with this belief. First, even though Satan is said to be some sort of ruler, it is not made clear that God rescinded Adam’s authority over the earth. The second and should be most troublesome for some, is that if we stand with the belief that believers will be raptured, whether pre, mid, or post trib; and God’s people will be taken from the earth into heaven to be with God, who cares who holds the deed to earth? If we believe that then the deed to earth becomes useless, unless you think that God is bound from bringing terror upon the earth because it is Satan who owns it, which seems borderline blasphemous. That being said the scroll may very well be the deed to earth which would bring validity to Jesus’ words, “"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

ref: Exodus 32:32; Revelation 3:5; Matthew 24:3-14; Mark 13:3-23; Luke 21:5-19; Malachi 3:16-4:6; Matthew 5:5

Revelation 5:2-3

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, (ESV)

So far we have met four living creatures that come off as majestic, mysterious and probably a little frightening. We have seen the twenty-four elders, who have triumphed and sit in honor upon thrones around the throne of God. Now we see a mighty angel. All these things are done among the very glory of God and while they are incredible they do infact pale in comparison to the might and power of the Almighty.

The angel proclaimed, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" A call goes forth for the search of someone worthy to open the scroll and its seals. Scripture does not tell how long this search goes on. We don’t know if John caught a snapshot of the search or if it really happened as quickly as it seems in the text. This is an interesting scene because we have not reached judgement yet but a look upon everything that exists is underway. It would be easy to dismiss this as a general consensus among the heavenly beings to just assume that of course no one was worthy and scripture is speaking in generalities. I believe that this train of thought would be wrong. However long it might’ve taken for this to happen, I think every living thing that is or was, is scrutinized at this point and found to be lacking. In heaven we have all of the angels, including Gabriel and Michael who are mighty indeed. They have disputed with and have fought and defeated Satan, but neither one was found worthy to open the scroll. All the spirit filled Christians that are found on the earth, then and now are not worthy. Adam being dead and the first human who walked with God was not worthy. While Noah and Moses were found worthy to be kept saved, they are lacking. Jacob who struggled with God and prevailed is not good enough. While David’s very heart was after God it is not worthy. Even Abraham, who received the promise and is the father of the faithful; through whom ALL nations will be blessed, came up short. The angel of the Lord, who stands in the presence of the LORD; and when he speaks, his words are found to be the very words of God; and yet he cannot look inside. Even Lucifer, who used to be blameless in all his ways and was the seal of perfection, being full of wisdom and perfect in his beauty; lacks the power and greatness to handle and fulfill what is written in the scroll. No one was found to be worthy to open the scroll or even look into it.

ref: Jude 1:9; Daniel 10:12-13; Revelation 12:7; Genesis 32:28; Ezekiel 28:11-19

Revelation 5:4

and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. (ESV)

While John didn’t expound on what was actually contained in the scroll, he obviously knew or at least realized its importance and the fact that it had and needed to be opened. After an examination of everything, there lacked the worthiness needed to open the scroll. It seems crazy but by this point John has seen the seven golden lampstands and the One who walks among them. He knows who Jesus is and yet it seems that there is a connection that he has not yet made. We stand on the backs of great men of faith and think ourselves educated in the knowledge of God, but we would be mistaken if we think we comprehend the vastness of who Jesus is. We wonder how he could not make the correlation but only because we have read the next verse can we stand bold about knowing anything more about Jesus. John had not reached this point and fell down without hope, though suffering on Patmos because of the testimony of Jesus, did not realize the full display of God’s one and only Son. So he began to weep loudly, after all he had seen thus far, because one that would be found worthy had not come into play...yet.

Revelation 5:5

And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." (ESV)

One of elders speak. To me this adds to the intrigue of exactly who the elders might be. The elder speaks confidently about someone who is able to open the scroll; not that they shouldn’t know but John was weeping because there was no one found worthy. So the elders, whomever they may be have at least a little bit more confidence than John had at that moment.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is a reference attributed to Jesus and we often don’t sit and contemplate on what it means. When Jacob blessed his sons, to Judah he said, “Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?” And again in Hosea it states, “For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away; I will carry off, and no one shall rescue. I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.” So we might think that as a lion He will come to protect us and ultimately He will but in this context, absolutely not. In both places it states that He devours, even those that are called by His name from Israel. I like this particular reference in Revelation at this time because it is the first time we see Jesus in the throne room of heaven. The search has went forth for someone worthy, no one was found, John is found crying and yet here He is; coming when He is ready because as Jacob so eloquently put it, “who dares rouse Him?”

The root of David is a reference to Jesus coming to fulfill what was promised to David in that the house and kingship of David would last forever. In these two references to Jesus we see the fulfilment of the promises made to Abraham, Jacob and David. Isaiah also prophesies along that Hosea verse saying, “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” Though He is a lion and devours, He is also available once we acknowledge our guilt and brought into his glorious resting place.

One last aspect I want to bring to light is the fact that He “conquered so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." He was sent because God so loved the world; He conquered so that he can open the scroll. I love this because it shows that God, and Jesus being God, have no need of humans, to be God. In other words, if not a single soul that has ever lived receives salvation; His time would not be wasted because He conquered that He can open the scroll. Make no mistake, we receive every benefit from Jesus coming and conquering but He had a purpose that had nothing to do with you and I being saved...or did it? He is worthy to open the scroll and its seals.

ref: Genesis 49:9; Hosea 5:14-15; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Isaiah 11:10

Revelation 5:6

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (ESV)

John has been explaining the various things he has seen in his vision; elders, creatures, the throne and one seated on it, but has failed to mention until now a Lamb looking like it had been slain. The Lamb is seen between the throne and the living creatures and among the elders, so He has not been hiding. So what does Jesus look like? I don’t know but I do know some of what He does not look like. He is not the white, blue-eyed beauty you see in movies and tv. He most likely didn’t have flowing locks because nature tells us this is disgraceful. He was not someone you would see plastered all over facebook with selfies of you and Him. Today, girls would not swoon over Him like He’s a cute celebrity or a member of the newest boy band. So Jesus going unnoticed with the happenings around the throne should not surprise us but I think in part fulfills scripture saying, “he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” It would seem John was guilty of this very scripture, not noticing that a king, the King, was there among them.

And to make matters worse, this Lamb was looking as though it had been slain. Scripture doesn’t say we will, but I can’t help but wonder if we might, even for a moment of time, see the slain Lamb. To see the utter grotesqueness of what it is that my sin had done to my Savior. In the last lesson we had discussed Jesus being the lion of Judah and that His “job” as lion was to maul and walk away with no one to rescue and that reminded me of when Jesus said, “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." That being related in all things, the Father was that lion to Jesus, mauling and walking away. No one to save Him. This is what I’ve caused to happen, it had to happen and it’s my fault. My own sin has caused Jesus to have to learn what it is to be both Lamb and then later, Lion. As unassuming as He was, He was a Lamb without spot or blemish, suitable for sacrifice and will very soon be that Lion.

ref: Isaiah 53:2-3; 1 Corinthians 11:14; John 14:7

Revelation 5:7

And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. (ESV)

This verse is one that would be easy to scroll past, but especially when coupled with the verses surrounding it makes this one of the most powerful verses in all of Revelation and possibly the bible. When Jesus left the disciples on earth, he was raised from the dead but short of still having the holes in His hands and in His side scripture is largely silent on the physical condition of Jesus when He left earth. It gets even more interesting to think about when you get to Revelation because John had already seen Jesus in some sort of glory walking among the lampstands but now we see Jesus, looking as though He had been slain. In fact it almost seems like John had looked past Him, not noticing Him because of the awe of what was surrounding Him. While this is not Jesus’ permanent condition, the word is definitely trying to tell us something. Battered and bruised to the point that He is unrecognizable, standing between the throne and the creatures is where He is. Imagine Him going over in this state and taking the scroll from the hand of God Almighty. The scroll is not handed to Him and He is not forced under any type of obligation into having to take the scroll but here He stands because He has conquered to take the scroll. Don’t get me wrong, we don’t see Him doing this in any kind of smug way, but simply because He is worthy He is able to take something from the very hand of God. Nowhere in scripture do we see something like this. We never see Satan so bold and proud snatching anything away from God. Jesus himself spoke about those given to Him (being sheep oddly enough) saying, “no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." It’s an interesting distinction He gives His Father saying no one will snatch them out of my hand but no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. Not that they won’t but because He is greater than all no one is even able. Even earlier in verse 3 it said that no one in heaven or on the earth or under it was able to open it or look inside. If there was ever a time that the power and authority of Jesus was exemplified in scripture, it is in this verse. Think on all the great things He’s done. He exorcised countless demons, performed countless miracles such as healing someone born blind, a feat of which no one had ever heard of. He commanded and controlled nature, actually became sin, and then raised Himself from the dead; and yet this act is somehow greater. Jesus, because he has conquered and even in His weakest and most vulnerable state, looking like He had been slain; has so much power He is able to take the scroll out of the hand of the Father.

ref: John 10:25-30

Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty- four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (ESV)

Jesus, being at his weakest and most vulnerable point as the slain Lamb has been found worthy and has now taken the scroll from the Father’s hand. All of a sudden, everything that John had marveled at up to this point begins a brand new exaltation of that very Lamb that just moments before seemed so insignificant. The living creatures and all the elders fall prostrate before the Lord, for He alone is worthy. Now we see them, each with a harp ready to sing a song no doubt. There has been all sorts of worship going on up to this point; a lot of it is found with beings with their faces down before the Lord and I think this is a correct way to come with praise before God. Long before we experienced music in the heavenlies we saw created things bowed down. Don’t misunderstand me, He is worthy of any and all praise we can extend to Him but it is right that we acknowledge on our faces His Lordship before we allow the emotions of song to give us what is too often a false sense of who He is. Nevertheless they now hold these harps and bowls full of incense, being the prayers of the saints. So let’s sit and ponder this for a while. What exactly are the prayers of the saints doing in the hands of anyone besides God? Is that not who we pray to, so why do they now have them and for what purpose? We say cliched things like “sending prayers your way” and “we serve an on time God”, without really thinking about what any of that stuff might actually mean. Peter said in his epistle that a husband’s prayer may be hindered but do we really believe such a thing? We say God is always on time but does that really pertain to our prayers? I submit that these prayers in the golden bowls might very well be all the prayers of the righteous, past, present, and future that have called for justice among God’s saints. If Abraham or Moses or Aaron in their time had sent a prayer to God for the destruction of the wicked, do you think God simply ignored them? It is easy to believe that mercy was not very prevalent in the old testament but it is plain to see that many of those people needed and deserved destruction, including His chosen people, but were spared from that; but what of the prayers of the righteous in the land that cried out for justice for the oppressed? Were their prayers silenced? I think maybe their prayers along with ours in that regard lie within these bowls, waiting to be answered. He is indeed an on time God and the prayers of the righteous are indeed answered; sometimes with a “yes”, sometimes with a “no”, and sometimes with a “when I’m good and ready”. In Daniel when Gabriel came to talk to Daniel about the things that were to come he said, “At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God.” At that point he was answered concerning his sin and the sin of his people but do you not think that Daniel ever sent up prayers for vindication regarding those people? Those may be the types of prayers that are being held in this bowls until the time that that will be answered.

ref: 1 Peter 3:7

Revelation 5:9-10

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Here’s a paradox for us, they sang a new song. Even as John tells us what this song states at the time it will be sung (if it already hasn’t been) it will be a new song. Us knowing the words at this moment will not change the fact that it will be a brand new song whenever the host will sing it.

Once again the song reiterates that the reason Jesus had died was that He would be worthy to take and open the scroll. That very act made Him worthy but the song goes on to state the implications of being worthy of opening the scrolls allowed. His blood purchased people from every tribe, language, people and nation. This is what was prophesied by the Lord in Isaiah saying, “"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." The work and worthiness of Jesus is far too large to be held just for God’s chosen, Israel. I would argue it is too large even for those others that are called as well meaning that the act of His sacrifice is too big for all of creation and indeed makes Him worthy to reign over all things. In an earlier lesson we talked about what it means to be priests to our God and that it consists of bringing worthy offerings and serving before the Lord which would be our reasonable duty.

Once again, they shall reign on the earth. We’ve already spoken several times about this crazy notion that keeps being put before us that those followers of Christ will reign on the earth. Over and over and again and again we encounter this and its like we have to work hard to block out all those scriptures from our mind. Other than those martyred under the altar (which are probably those beheaded) and a select few, the activities of man take place entirely on earth (or under it). Those ransomed by Jesus of every tribe, language, people, and nation shall reign on the earth. It doesn’t get any more simple than that.

ref: Isaiah 49:6

Revelation 5:11

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, (ESV)

Once again John takes us by surprise with tens if not hundreds of thousands of angels that he has failed to mention until now. This may be because he had not been able to see them just yet, whether they had not made themselves known or his eyes might have been closed where he wasn’t allowed to see them. Another idea might be that he still has not seen them. Scripture never says he saw them, but only that he looked and then heard among the creatures and elders all these angels. For him to number them the way that he did the shear noise from them would almost be deafening. Even if they all spoke with a whisper, all of them speaking in one accord would still be extremely loud. Either way one thing seems very clear in all of this with the angels, creatures, elders and such exalting Jesus at this time: because His death made Him worthy to take and open the scrolls, what is written or held within the scrolls or it's seals not only has ramifications for humans but also for the heavenly host. If the events we are about to encounter are for humanity only it makes one wonder why they would act in this way since they would have no “dog in this race”. The entirety of the heavens and earth are about to be begin the process of being cleansed and judged and they are the first to know what is about to go down and begin to praise Jesus for His worthiness. We would do well to follow in their example.

Revelation 5:12

saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb to receive power. We talked a little bit about Jesus being worthy enough to take the scroll from the Father but haven't discussed in length about how he was able to do it. This power that He received is indeed a mighty power. Often in the gospels when this word was used it was in connection with His kingdom. It is the same word used when the Spirit came upon those new believers in Acts. It was this power that had gone out of Him when the lady had touched the edge of His garment. Again and again it was in this same power that Jesus would proclaim how He would return. And it is the same power that existed in the right hand of God, where Jesus was and is stationed until this scene plays out. All of the power of God is present in Him and He is worthy of it.

The Lamb is worthy to receive wealth. We have to pause on that one because it makes the hairs on our neck tingle, the fact that Jesus is worthy to receive wealth. We see no problem with power, wisdom and so on but why does He want our money. When He was on earth He had warned us that we would either love money and hate Him or love Him and hate money, and in a real way He is about to test the earth in this way. At the end it is prophesied that the kings of the earth will bring their glory to Him. He is worthy of wealth and He will receive everything He is worthy of.

The Lamb is worthy to receive wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing. It is difficult to comprehend that Jesus at one point in time was lacking in some of these and the longer His creation discusses on what Jesus might have lacked the greater chance of heresy, so I will try to keep it short. When Jesus was resurrected He Himself proclaimed, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This alludes to the notion that at one point He was not in possession of all that authority. He had received all of it through the crushing of Him by His Father, which He took. When we look at it in this regard, it ought to be nothing to proclaim that He is worthy to receive blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. Hallelujah!!

ref: Acts 1:8; Luke 8:46; Luke 21:27; Luke 22:69; Isaiah 53:10

Revelation 5:13-14

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped. (ESV)

Quite possibly the craziest and most question causing scenes in all the bible occurs right here. You’ve probably read or heard of the Philippians passage saying every knee will bow and every tongue confess. I’m not entirely convinced it is at this point that that scripture is fulfilled. Nevertheless we see something happen here that is difficult to explain at best. This almost seems to jump out of nowhere at us and we seem to skip over it I think due to the fact that not a lot has happened at this point. The seals or scroll haven’t been opened; not a single trumpet has sounded yet, and no bowls have been poured out. Jesus has not come down and the nations have not been brought together and judged yet. The only thing that’s happened is a slain Lamb has taken a scroll. Yet we find every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea speak blessings upon the Father and the Lamb. I contemplate how this will actually play out and I wonder why Jesus didn’t mark this as a sign of the end times. Unless John made it a habit of lying, he said he heard EVERY creature, alive and otherwise proclaim this so it would seem this would be a pretty significant event to mark on the timeline of the events to take place. I wonder if when animals and such cry out if it will be as in the day of Pentecost where we might understand as they are saying it along with us? What will be going on with me; will I just be walking around at work when all of a sudden I’ll feel compelled to utter these words aloud? Not to mention that I think I’d be shocked because this is a very distinct gathering of words. It’s not like John heard us all say, “We are blessed and highly favored”. I mean, I think myself somewhat pious but don’t often utter things like “blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever”; so will it be something I even know consciously that I’m saying? And what of the unbelievers on earth who try their best to refute the fact there is even One who sits on the throne much less that He has a Son who is the slain Lamb? What will be their thoughts on them speaking out, and even worse they do this before things really begin to kick off but scripture goes on to say that they still refuse to repent and turn to Him, even after they have proclaimed Him as having honor and glory and might. I tend to think it will be in an instant that this cry goes out, meaning that in a moment of time everything on earth stops and speaks unified that the Father and Son receive this blessing. And we have not even mentioned the dead yet, as the cry goes forth from Abraham’s bosom and Hades. The proclamation coming forth from both the man on the cross who got to be with Jesus in paradise on that day as well as from the man who denied His Lordship. An even crazier thought comes into play here as well. Imagine that prostitute Babylon, the false prophet, the antichrist and Satan Himself along with you speaking blessings upon Him who sits on the throne. They are about to be destroyed and yet cannot deny the power and honor that are due the Father and Son. And when all this goes down the living creatures utter an agreeable Amen and the 24 elders fall down and worship them. Hallelujah!

ref: Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10-11