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Revelation
5 The Lamb Opens the Scroll
“Then I saw a
scroll*
in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing
on the inside, and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven
seals. And I saw a strong angel who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy
to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” But no one in heaven or on
earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. Then I began
to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read
it. But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,* has won the
victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals” Revelation
5:1-5 (NLT).[1]
THE SCROLL AND THE LAMB / 5:1–14
Revelation 5 continues the glimpse into heaven begun in chapter 4. The scene in Revelation 5 shows that only the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is worthy to open the scroll, which reveals the events of future history. Jesus, not Satan, holds the future. Jesus Christ is in control; He alone is worthy to set into motion the events of the last days of history. Verses 9, 12, and 13 contain three hymns. The first two worship the Lamb; the third one worships God and the Lamb.
5:1 And I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside, and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. NLT The phrase “the one who was sitting on the throne” refers to 4:2–3, where John had been taken “in the Spirit” to the throne room of heaven. This one on the throne is God himself. In His right hand, God is holding a scroll. In John’s day, some books were written on scrolls—pieces of papyrus or vellum up to thirty feet long, rolled up and sealed with clay or wax. Other books were written in codex form—much like our modern book. The seven seals indicate the importance of the scroll’s contents, and they guarantee the secrecy of the document. The book had writing on both sides. John does not tell us the exact contents of the book, but it seems that, from what follows in chapters 5–8, it is none other than the content of the rest of the book of Revelation. As each seal is broken, another part of the book is revealed. The final seal, the seventh one, opens the way to the seven trumpets and so on through the rest of Revelation.
5:2–3 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. NIV As God was holding the scroll, a mighty angel asked, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” The identity of this angel is unknown. Some suggest Gabriel because Gabriel’s name means “strength of God” (Daniel 8:16; see also Revelation 10:1; 18:2). The question, proclaimed in a loud voice, went out across all of creation to find someone worthy to bring history to its appointed end. But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could be found who had the authority and purity to open the scroll or even look inside it. This emphasizes the sovereignty and centrality of Christ. He alone was able to open the scroll.
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THE ONE |
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John
recorded his vision of God holding a scroll containing all that would happen
to the world (Rev. 5:1). Such a vision pictures God in complete control. He
is the one with authority over all rulers, historical events, and hostile
forces. Those who trust in God’s power and love have nothing to fear in the
future. We will never know enough about the future to predict our own
personal future or to manipulate God in any way. But we can trust Him for the
outcome. If you have believed in Christ, you can rejoice that God knows you
and loves you. Trust Him to guide you and protect your soul forever. |
5:4–5 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.” NRSV John wept bitterly that no one could be found who was worthy to open or look into the scroll. John wept because he knew that the unopened scroll would mean that the closing scene of history could not begin; thus, evil would continue unabated on the earth, and there would be no future for God’s people. But one of the elders (Rev. 4:4, 10) told John not to weep any longer, because someone was worthy to open the scroll—the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. This phrase, “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” comes from the prophecy that Jacob gave to his Son Judah in Genesis 49:9–10; Judah was described as “a young lion” (NLT). The prophecy said, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of The One to whom it belongs, The One whom all nations will obey” (NLT). This is considered to be a prophecy of the Messiah, born in the line of Judah, who would be The Only One whom all nations would one day obey. From Judah’s line had been born King David, hence the phrase, “the Root of David,” which alludes to Isaiah, chapter 11.
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay. He will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the wicked and destroy them with the breath of His mouth. He will be clothed with fairness and truth. (Isaiah 11:1–5 NLT)
Isaiah predicted that Judah (the royal line of David) would be like a tree chopped down to a stump, but from that stump, a new shoot would grow—the Messiah. He would be greater than the original tree and would bear much fruit. Christ, the Messiah, is the fulfillment of God’s promise that a descendant of David would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:16; see also Romans 15:12).
The Messiah,
Jesus Christ, has conquered so that He
can open the scroll and its seven seals. Christ proved Himself worthy by
living a perfect life of obedience to God, dying on the cross to pay the
penalty for the sins of the world, and rising from the dead to demonstrate his
power and authority over evil and death. Only Christ conquered sin, death,
hell, and Satan himself, so only He can set in motion the forces that will
bring about the final destruction of all evil.
I should be ashamed to acknowledge Him as my Savior if I could comprehend Him—He would be no greater than I. Such is my sense of sin and consciousness of my inability to save myself that I feel I need a superhuman Savior.
Noah Webster[2]
Revelation
5
This chapter
continues the introduction to the last section of the book of Revelation
which chapter 4 began. Revelation 5 can be divided into
three major parts as follows:
A. The Literature (Revelation 5:1–4)
B. The Lamb (Revelation 5:5–7)
C. The Laudation (Revelation 5:8–14)
A. THE LITERATURE
Revelation
5:1–4
The
Lamb Takes the Scroll
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to lose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll or to look at it” Revelation 5:5–4 (NKJV) [3]
The next stage
of the Revelation will be revealed to John through a book. Divine Revelation
is still revealed primarily through a book, namely, the Bible.
1. The Place of the Literature (Revelation 5:1)
“I saw in the right hand of him that sat on
the throne a book [scroll]” (Revelation 5:1). Of course “book” speaks of a scroll, for there
were no books then as we know books today.
• The
Person in the place. The book was held by “Him that sat on the throne.” God held the book. It is His book.
• The
prominence of the place. “In the
right hand.” This is the place of prominence. As an example, Jesus is now
seated “on the right hand of the Majesty
on high” (Hebrews 1:3). With the book speaking of the Word of God. The
lesson is that we should put the book in a prominent place in our individual
lives and in a prominent place in our church. Unfortunately, the book is often
relegated to the back burner or even ignored altogether.
2. The Printing of the Literature (Revelation 5:1)
“A book written within and on the backside”
(Revelation
5:1). Both sides of the scroll had printing on them.
• The
fullness of the printing. “Written
within and on the backside.” This speaks of the completeness of the Revelation.
It was not a partial book.
• The
future in the printing. As the succeeding chapters of Revelation
inform us, this book had to do with the future. It was filled with judgment
upon wickedness. And the book will honor and vindicate Jesus Christ and
believers.
3. The Problem With the Literature (Revelation 5:1–4)
A serious
problem with the book was immediately evident.
• The
sealing in the problem. “Sealed
with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1). Seals secured the
book. It was not opened but shut and sealed. Therefore, before the book could
be opened and read, and examined to reveal its contents, the seals on the book
had to be broken.
• The
speaking of the problem. “A
strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and
to lose the seals thereof” (Revelation 5:2). The problem about
the book was announced in heaven. First,
the source of the speaking. A “strong”
angel spoke of the problem. The fact that the angel was “strong” emphasized that the need for strength to open the book was
very great. Second, the stipulation
in the speaking. “Who is worthy to open
the book and to lose the seals thereof.” The word “worthy” indicates that the stipulation for opening the book was
worthiness. This was worthiness, especially in spiritual character which would
give the extra-ordinary strength needed to open the book.
• The
seeking in the problem. “No man
in heaven, nor in the earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the
book, neither to look thereon” (Revelation 5:3). The word “man” in the text is not limited to man
but means “no one.” No human, no angel, no creature of any kind was “found” (Revelation 5:4) who could
open the book or examine it (“look
thereon” means to perceive its contents, not just physically see the book).
• The sobbing over the problem. “I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon” (Revelation 5:4). John was upset that the book would apparently remain closed. First, the character of the sobbing. “Wept much.” The concern of John was very great. This spoke of his spiritual condition. Most professing Christians today are not very interested in what the Bible says or what it reveals. They are more concerned about the headlines of the newspaper and the contents of the sports pages. But John wanted spiritual Revelation. He wanted to know God’s message. If people were this way in our churches, our preaching services would be jam-packed. Second, the cause of the sobbing. “No man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither look thereon.” No one was qualified (“worthy”) to open the book and understand it (“read”) or to perceive it (“look therein”).[4]
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Chapter 5
“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. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to lose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 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” Revelation 5:1-5 (KJV). [5]
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Chapter 5 B. The Book of Destiny Is Sealed: The Future
of the World, Revelation 5:1–4 |
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1. The book or scroll itself a. Was in God’s right hand b. Was written on the front &
the back c. Was sealed 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. |
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2. The search for one worthy to open the
Book of Destiny a. The search proclaimed by an angel |
2 And I
saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the
book, and to lose the seals thereof? |
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b. The search failed: No one was found
worthy, neither in heaven nor on earth |
3 And no
man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the
book, neither to look thereon. |
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c. The prophet wept d. The contents of the book were sealed |
4 And I
wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book,
neither to look thereon. |
(Revelation 5:1–4) Introduction: there should be no break between chapters four and five. The same scene of God’s throne is being covered. God is seen sitting upon His throne and holding a sealed book in His right hand. Note again: the book is sealed. It has never been opened. The importance of the sealed book cannot be over-emphasized. The book is the key to understanding the rest of Revelation. The book or scroll is the official document of the last days of human history, the climactic events of the universe. The world’s future is about to unfold before one’s very eyes (see Re. 1:1)
1. The book or scroll itself (v.1).
2. The search for one worthy to open the Book of Destiny (vv.2–4).
1 (5:1) Destiny, Book of: There is The Book Itself.
1. John sees
God holding the book in the palm of His right hand. The picture is this: God is
extending the book outward, poised to hand it to someone if a person can be
found worthy enough to open it. The fact that God Himself is holding the book
in His right-hand shows us several things:
⇒ God is the supreme Authority over the
end of the world. He governs all the events of history both upon the earth and
throughout the universe. God holds the future in His hands, the destiny of the
world.
V
“Now unto
the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory
forever and ever” (1 Ti. 1:17).
V
“And I
heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many
waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth” (Re. 19:6).
V
“The Lord
shall reign forever and ever” (Ex. 15:18).
⇒ God is ready to carry out and execute the events. He is ready for the end time to begin, ready for the end of the world to be launched. It is simply a matter of finding someone worthy to carry out and oversee the events for God.
2. The book is
written on both the front and back of the pages. The book was actually a roll
or a scroll. Remember: there were no printing presses or books as we know them
back then. They wrote on small sheets of paper (papyrus) about 8 by 10 inches,
close to the size of our 8½-by-11-inch sheets. If a large amount of writing was
to be done, they joined or taped sheets together. When the writing was
completed, they rolled the sheets up and tied some thread or ribbon around the
roll. This is what is meant by the book being sealed. They seldom wrote on the
back side, for whatever was written on the back side would be exposed when the
last sheet was rolled up and tied.
Again, note
that the book or scroll held by God was
written on both the front and back. This shows us …
• that the events of the end time are
many and that it will take some time, a great deal of time, for all of them to
take place
• that God is going to reveal a great deal about the end time to man. When? As soon as He can find someone worthy enough to open the book
3. The book is
sealed with seven seals. This shows us three things.
a. The seven seals show us that the book
is the last will and testament of God. In the Roman world a man’s will had to
be witnessed by seven persons, and each attached his own personal seal to one
of the threads of the document. The will could be opened only when the
recipient came to claim the will. This book in God’s right hand may mean that
it is His last will for the earth; the book contains what He wills for those
who have rejected and cursed Him and what He wills for those who have accepted
and worshipped Him. The book is His last will and testament for the
consummation of the world.
b. The seven seals show us that the book
is significant; it has a great deal of material in it. It has so much that
seven seals are required to bind and hold it together. Again, this means …
• that there are a lot of events that
are included in the end time; that many events are to take place
• that God is going to reveal much to
man as soon as someone is found worthy enough to open this book
c. The seven seals also show us the
secrecy of the book. God has sealed the book with seven seals in order to keep
the events of the end time from being known. They are not to be known by man
until God Himself is ready to reveal them. Man can never figure out the events,
not by his own intellect.
V “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Ro. 11:33).
2 (5:2–4) Destiny, Book of: there is the search for one worthy to open the book. Note four significant facts.
1. John saw a strong angel—an angel so strong that he could shout throughout the universe and be heard by all in both heaven and earth. He shouted out the most penetrating question of human history: “Who is worthy to open the book and to lose the seals thereof?” This shows us how supreme and majestic God really is. He is so far above all creatures—even the creatures in heaven as well as those on earth—that a search has to be conducted to find someone who is worthy to approach Him and carry out His will.
2. The search
fails. There just is no being in any place that is worthy to approach God and execute
His will throughout the universe.
a. No person in heaven was found worthy to
open the book. Imagine! The glorious angels, the seraphim and cherubim, the
four living creatures privileged to surround the throne of God, the twenty-four
elders, all the redeemed—no being in heaven was worthy enough to approach God
and open the book.
b. No person on earth was found worthy to
open the book: no statesman, no educator, no scientist, no minister, no
prophet, no astrologer, no magician.
c. No person under the earth: no person
from among the dead—as great as some have been in past history—no person from
the past was found worthy to open the book.
V
“But we
speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God
ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this
world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory” (1 Co. 2:7–8).
V
“But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned” (1 Co. 2:14).
V
“In whom
the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should
shine unto them” (2 Co. 4:4).
V “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ep. 4:18).
3. The search
fails, and John breaks down and cries bitterly. Why? There were two reasons.
Because John saw something that he had never seen before:
⇒ John saw the greatness of God, the
supreme majesty and glory of God, and how far superior God is to all living
creatures.
There was not
a single person or being in any place that could be found worthy to approach
God and, open the book and carry out the events of human history. All creatures
were too short of God’s glory—all creatures, both of heaven and earth—were so
far short of God’s glory and majesty that they just could not approach God, not
apart from His glorious mercy and grace. As stated, John saw as never before
the greatness of God, the glory and majesty, the dominion and power of God, how
high and how far superior God is to all creatures. God broke John in humility
and with a sense of his own unworthiness. John wept bitterly at his own
unworthiness before God, who is so high and lifted up.
V
“I indeed
baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier
than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost, and with fire” (Mt. 3:11).
V
“The
centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come
under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed” (Mt.
8:8).
V
“And he
that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me” (Mt.
10:38).
V
“Bring
forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within
yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able
of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Lu. 3:8).
V
“And am
no more worthy to be called thy Son: make me as one of thy hired servants.… And
the Son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight,
and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (Lu. 15:19, 21).
V
“And He
said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than
they all” (Lu. 21:3).
But John wept
for another reason as well: he was not going to be able to see the future of
the world, the events of the end time. The promise had been made to him that he
would see these things which “must be hereafter,” but now he was not going to
see them. And why? Because there was no person worthy to approach God and open
the book. He and all the other beings of heaven and earth were too far short of
God to understand and execute the will of God for the end time.
V
“Watch ye
therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these
things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Lu.
21:36).
V
“Jesus
answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know
hereafter” (Jn. 13:7).
V
“I have
yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (Jn. 16:12).
V “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Co. 13:12).
4. The reason
no person is worthy to open this book is because of its contents. The book is
the destiny of the world—what is to happen in the end time at the end of the
world. Chapters 6–21 show this clearly. It is the book of redemption (see Lu.
21:28; Ro. 8:22–23; Ep. 1:13–14). God’s people are to be redeemed, and the evil
and corrupt people are to be overthrown and judged. Human history and all
matter throughout the universe—all that is corrupt, deteriorating, decaying,
and dying—is to be overthrown and consumed. And a new earth and a new heaven
are to be created. All the redeemed are to inherit and inhabit the new earth
and heavens. This is both the fate and the redemption of the world. This is
history written before it happens. Therefore, the Person who opens this book
must be a person who can grasp precisely what the book is saying, and then He
must be able to carry out God’s will and execute the events. The Person must
have the very mind and power of God. Who can execute and rule over the events
of the end time? There is only one such Person: the Son of God Himself, the
Lord Jesus Christ. Christ and Christ alone is worthy to open the book. This is
the book of redemption, the book of historical optimism. The same book is
referred to in Daniel 12:8–9 and Ezekiel 2:9–10. The message of this book is
now prophesied as the seals are broken and the events of the last days are
seen. Note the size and thickness of this particular scroll. It takes seven
seals to bind it. All that is in the rest of Revelation is contained
therein.
Note also the
book is in God’s hand. History is in God’s hands. He is in charge. He has a
plan and a purpose for the universe. Who is worthy to carry out this plan, this
purpose? Who can rule and reign over these events? The idea is that Christ and
Christ alone is worthy.
Thought 1. Note that the same book is
referred to by Ezekiel and Daniel.
V
“And when
I looked, behold, a hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was
therein; and He spread it before me, and it was written within and without: and
there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe” (Eze. 2:9–10).
V
“And I
heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of
these things? And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and
sealed till the time of the end” (Da. 12:8–9).
Thought 2. Note three significant lessons for us.
1) The book is in God’s hand. He is in
charge of human history, and He has a definite plan and purpose for the
universe. The fear of the bomb, an unstable economy, the environment, the drugs, the criminal society,
and the other massive problems of the
world seem to have no answer. But God does: He is going to bring history to a
climax and establish righteousness throughout all the earth. The believer is to
be the most optimistic person on earth.
V
“In My
Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”
(Jn. 14:2–3).
V
“Teaching
us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit.
2:12–13).
V “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2).
2) We should all bow in utter humility and
dependency upon God, for He is higher above us than even the outer reaches of
space. His glory is set above the heavens. We are nothing before Him;
consequently, we should live in the reverence and fear and worship of Him,
praising Him day and night while we have breath.
V
“O come,
let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord, our maker” (Ps.
95:6).
V
“O
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth”
(Ps. 96:9).
V
“Then
saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Mt. 4:10).
V
“God is a
Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (Jn.
4:24).
V
“Saying
with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His
judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and
the fountains of waters” (Re. 14:7).
V “Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Re. 22:9).
3) We should pay close attention to the
book of Revelation study and live in its message. It is the Revelation
of God’s will for the end time, the events that are yet to take place
throughout the universe.
V
“[The
mystery of God] which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ep.
3:5).
V
“Study to
show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Ti. 2:15).
V
“All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Ti. 3:16).
V
“As
newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pe. 2:2–3).
V
“These
were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so” (Ac. 17:11).
V “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Ac. 20:32).[6]
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Continuation of Vision
The New Song—of Redemption. Creation being effected, what is to be done with it? Of what events is earth to be the scene and the witness? And what are the developments that Providence has in store? See. In the right hand of Him who sits upon the throne, there is a book—a roll, written within and without (a rare thing, except through pressure of matter, to write on the back of a roll). Written—by whom? Indeed we are left to infer that the writing was that of Jehovah; that the book was His; that in the writing were indicated the things which were to come hereafter, yea, what was to take place on this globe! But this book, with the writing of Jehovah in it as to what shall come to pass, is fast sealed. Seven seals. They must be opened ere the mystery of the future can be told. As yet, it is fast-wrapped and folded up. Who shall open that book and interpret what is there? The apostle (Rev. 5:2) saw a mighty angel and heard him proclaim, “With a loud voice, Who is worthy,” etc.? And no one was worthy—for no one was able, either in heaven or on the earth, neither under the earth—to open it or to look into it. No one in all creation! The task is too great for a man or an angel. Must the roll be ever closed? Is the secret will of God expressed therein to be forever an insoluble riddle? No one responds. There is awful silence; till later on, it is broken, but only by the sobs of the weeping John! At length, one of the elders comes. The tears of an apostle are a magnet to him. He can tell more of trials and triumphs than even he who had leaned on Jesus’ breast. “Weep not! The Lion … hath prevailed.” Hath conquered? Has there, then, been a conflict ere the book could be opened? At this point a new form, before unnamed, appears. “And … a Lamb, standing, as it had been slain” (ver. 6). This John had long before heard another point Him out, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God!” Since then, that Lamb of God had been made an offering for sin; and now the traces of that self-offering are seen in heaven. He, the offered Lamb, comes, full of strength, with authority all His own. He approaches right up to the throne, nearer than all created ones, and takes the book, etc. (ver. 7). When He in majesty and might takes the book into His own hands, then the apostle’s tears are dried, and heaven’s silence gives place to the song. In the hands of Jesus, the seals will give way, and under His mediatorial reign will the will of God be disclosed; i.e., in the hands of Jesus, the developments of Providence become disclosures of redemption. And lo! At this stage, new music is heard. “They are singing a new song” (ver. 9). New, for it celebrates a new revelation of God, a new work of God, and a new unfolding of the plans of God. New—ever new. It can never become old. It is a song of praise from the living creatures and the redeemed ones47 to Him who was slain for them.48 Such a song is this as creation could not inspire. Still, there is more to follow.
The “Assenting Chorus Of The Host Of Angels”49 To The Lamb That Was Slain (vers. 11, 12). We are taught clearly enough, in the fifteenth chapter of Luke, that angels sympathize in the redeeming work of our Lord, and witness His joy when one sinner is saved. How fully in accord with this it is to find them joining with the ransomed and taking up the song, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”—although from angel-voices we miss the most tender, the most touching feature of the heavenly song! Their praise may be more sublime; their love cannot be like ours. Still, the song swells in grandeur.
The Song of All Creation To God And The Lamb. (Ver. 13.) “Every creature … heard I saying, … unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” All intelligent and holy beings, everywhere, join in a grand concert of praise, alike to the Father and the Son. The love of the Father devised all. The love of the Son undertook, effected, and administered all; and to Him, with the Father, shall endless honour be given by an admiring and adoring universe. One burst of harmony fills the courts of heaven. We cannot but feel that we are in the presence of the sublimest scenes that can ever in this state be unfolded to mortal view. In fact, we could not bear more. A fuller disclosure would overwhelm us. As it is, there is enough concealed to quicken our eager expectations; enough revealed to give us several practical principles to work with in the light thereof.50
What may we
learn from this sublime vision? Or rather, What are the truths concerning the
Divine Being and His plans that lie couched therein? There are many.
1. We see that
gathering around the throne, hymning like songs, interested in like themes, are
the inhabitants of heaven and the redeemed on and from the earth. There is an
oneness of sympathy between them, and all are in full sympathy with God. This
is the thought of the fifteenth chapter of Luke.
2. We see that
the first and foremost Object of their adoring song is the Triune Jehovah, the
Thrice-Holy One. He who sitteth upon the throne is the adorable Centre in whom
all holy beings find their everlasting home. God is adored for what He is, as
well as praised for what He does. He Himself is infinitely greater than all his
works.
3. By the
highest orders of beings, there is seen in creation matter for adoring praise.
It is a revelation of God. It is a witness for Him. His perfections are written
there.
“He formed the
seas, He formed the hills,
Made every
drop and every dust,
Nature and
time, with all their wheels,
And pushed
them into motion first.”
And whether,
in our theories of how things came to be as they are, we are evolutionists or
non-evolutionists, whether we side with convulsionists or anti-convulsionists,
either way, we see matter for jubilation and song. “thou hast,” etc. There is
no atheism in beings higher than we are. The best men on earth are not to
be found in the atheists’ camp. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for
they will see God” everywhere.
4. Creation
expresses only in part the Divine mind. There is a book written, in which are
recorded both purpose and plan; and where the earth is looked on as the
dwelling place of man, where man is known to have sinned against God, it cannot
but be a question of absorbing, interest—How will God deal with man? What will
be the Divine treatment of sin?
5. It is in
our Lord Jesus Christ alone that we are furnished with a key to the workings of
Providence. He alone can take the book and open its seals. He has accomplished
a vast redemptive work. He has undertaken a trust. He has all power in heaven
and on earth. In the administration of His work, He unfolds and carries out the
plan of God. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath put all things into His
hand.”
6. Through
Christ’s prevailing to open the seals, the history of this globe comes to be
the history of redemption. Our Lord Jesus Christ presides over all governments,
empires, kingdoms, and thrones. He is “Head over all things to His Church” and
subordinates all to the inbringing of His everlasting kingdom to the
regeneration of the earth, to “making all things new.” Thus, creation is but
the platform on which redemption stands, and it is destined to witness its
crowning glory in the re-creation of men
in the image of their God! “We, according to his promise, look for new heavens
and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Finally, owing to
redemption’s work, a new song of praise is heard in heaven, in which angels and
men and “every creature” join. Redemption is the new song for them all.
“The highest
angel never saw
So much of God
before.”
In creation
there is seen the work of His hands. In providential government, the wisdom
that controls. In redemption, the grace that saves and the out-gushing fulness
of a mighty heart that loves! “That was not first which was spiritual, but that
which was natural, and after that which was spiritual.” The first creation animated
earth; the second recreated man. And not only so, but the song will be ever
new. Its theme will never tire. Its strains will never weary the ear. So long
as saved men love to recall how much they owe unto their Lord, so long as they
love to contrast what they receive with what they deserve, the song will be
ever new to them. And as long as holy beings in all worlds delight to celebrate
the noblest disclosures of the heart of God, so long will redemption’s song be
new to them all! Note: We need not, we ought not to wait till we get to heaven
ere we begin that song. Nay, we cannot. We cannot help singing it now.
“E’er since by
faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing
wounds supply,
Redeeming love
has been my theme,
And shall be till I die!”[7]
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Revelation 5: 1-5 The Lamb Who Was Slain Opens the Scroll For He is Worthy
* 5:1 Or book; also in 5:2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9.
* 5:5 Greek the root of David. See Isa 11:10.
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. 2015. Holy Bible: New
Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
NLT
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All
rights reserved.
NIV
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
NRSV
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard
Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of
America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation.
Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL:
Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The New King James
Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[4] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical Bible
Expositor: Revelation. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
[5] The Holy Bible:
King James Version. 1995. Electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of
the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
& and
[6] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation.
The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership
Ministries Worldwide.
47 “The
twenty-four elders, representing as they do the whole Church of God, are
represented as offering the praises and prayers of the whole Church—the harps
representing the former, the censers the latter”
48
Tregelles retains “us” in ver. 9.
50 There
are many valuable remarks as to the bearing of the grand contents of this and
other Apocalyptic chapters upon the question of the date of the book, by Principal Dr. David Brown, in the Expositor, October, 1889, p.281.
[7] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1909. Revelation.
The Pulpit Commentary. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
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