Revelation 5 is a continuation of the heavenly throne room scene begun in Chapter 4. A dramatic ceremony unfolds in Chapter 5.
Verse 1
This scroll is a legal document. It is written on the front and back (Exodus 32:15) and sealed with 7 seals (Jeremiah 32:9,10). In the time of John, a scroll sealed with 7 seals was a will or testament.
In ancient times, a seal consisted of a string wrapped around the scroll with a blob of wax placed over the string. This would show if the document had been tampered with. Modern wills are also sealed, and can be opened only in the presence of the executor and a lawyer.
Notice that in Rev. 5:9,10, opening the scroll results in the redemption of the human race and their ruling as kings and priests. Therefore, the scroll in the right hand of the Father must be the will or testament for this world, the lost possession that the human race forfeited as a result of sin.
What is in the scroll? A will or testament reveals who will inherit and who will not. Therefore, this scroll contains a record of the decision of every member of the human race, whether or not they accepted salvation. Only those who accept God’s offer of salvation will inherit all things.
When speaking about the Jewish leaders who rejected and crucified Christ, Ellen G. White made a significant statement concerning the contents of this scroll. (See SOP 1)
Verse 2
A challenge is given before the universe – who is worthy to take the book and open the 7 seals?
Verses 3, 4
A tremendous crisis ensues. No one is found worthy to open the scroll, and John weeps bitterly. He knows that all will be lost for the human race if the scroll is not opened.
Apparently John was the only one in heaven who did not realize that this was only a ceremony. (For another heavenly ceremony that also took place at the ascension of Jesus, see Psalm 24:7-10.) This ceremony dramatizes the fact that Jesus is the only one qualified to claim the ownership of this world, the only one who is able to reveal who, among fallen humanity, will inherit and who will not.
Verse 5
The Lion of the tribe of Judah – A lion symbolizes kingship, and royalty.
The root of David – Jesus came from the line of David (Isaiah 11:1,10, Romans 15:12).
Prevailed – This word actually means “overcame.” (The same original word is translated in Rev. 3:21 as overcame.)
Verse 6
John looks, expecting to see a lion, but instead he sees a lamb as though it had been slain. This is the first time Jesus comes into view in this scene. It signifies His arrival at the throne, having overcome upon the earth. In the sign language of Revelation, He is pictured as having seven horns (all power, strength, Psalm 89:17) and seven eyes (filled with the Spirit: see also Isaiah 11:2-4). (SOP 2)
Verse 7
By giving Jesus the scroll, the Father is saying, “You are worthy. I approve of you.”
Verses 8-10
When Jesus takes the scroll, a grand celebration begins in heaven. The beings around the throne proclaim Jesus as worthy because He was slain and has redeemed mankind.
Note: In verses 9 and 10 of the KJV and NKJV, it appears that the living creatures and elders are praising Jesus for having redeemed them. But this is a problem, because the living creatures are angels who have never fallen and the elders are the representatives of other worlds who also have never fallen. The words “us” and “we” were supplied by the KJV translators and are not in the original Greek. Other translations use the words “men” and “them,” which seem to be more accurate.
Verses 11,12
The angels join the beings around the throne in praise to the Lamb.
Verses 13,14
The entire universe joins the heavenly beings in praise to the Father and the Son. The full fulfillment of this last scene is yet future.
Note: The scenes of Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 are described in symbolic language. Ellen G. White gives us a literal eyewitness account of this same scene in the book The Desire of Ages. (See SOP 3)
Spirit of Prophecy Quotations
1 “Thus the Jewish leaders made their choice. Their decision was registered in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, the book which no man could open. In all its vindictiveness this decision will appear before them in the day when this book is unsealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” -- Christ’s Object Lessons, page 294.
2 “The Saviour is presented before John under the symbols of the ‘Lion of the tribe of Judah,’ and of a ‘Lamb as it had been slain.’ These symbols represent the union of the omnipotent power and self-sacrificing love. The Lion of Judah, so terrible to the rejecters of His grace, will be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful.” – The Acts of the Apostles, page 589.
3 “There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. [Rev. 4:2,3] There are cherubim and seraphim. [Rev. 5:11] The commanders of the angel hosts [the four living creatures], the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds [the twenty-four elders], are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion, - all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.
“But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails [the Lamb as though it had been slain, Rev. 5:6]. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” John 19:30; 17:24.
“The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. [Jesus takes the scroll from the hand of the Father, Rev. 5:7] Satan is vanquished. Christ’s toiling, struggling ones on earth are “accepted in the Beloved.” Eph. 1:6. Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of the unfallen worlds, they are declared justified. Where He is, there His church shall be. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Ps. 85:10. The Father’s arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” Heb. 1:6. [the Lion of the tribe of Judah]
“With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of life. The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Rev. 5:12.
“Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found. Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13.” – The Desire of Ages, pages 834, 835.
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