John is speaking…
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. Revelation 5:1
This takes place in the same throne room but it is a new scene, one which immediately follows the previous chapter. In other words, it is a continuation of Revelation 4.
The book is actually a scroll (the Gutenberg Press had not yet been invented). The scroll had been written on both inside and on the back. On this rolled up scroll were seven seals. The seals did just that—they sealed the scroll so that it could not be opened to reveal what was written in it. Why? Because what it contained were the judgments of God which would only be sent in His perfect timing and opening the scroll would “detonate” the onset of God’s wrath.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Revelation 5:2-3
Not just anyone could open the book and break its seals—the opener must be worthy. When the angel proclaimed the announcement of a search for the Worthy One, no one was found, either in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth. No one was able to open it or even to look into it.
Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:4-5
John was devastated and began to weep greatly when no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it. Why? Remember, he was on the isle of Patmos because of persecution for his testimony of Christ and the Word of God. He wanted God to take up His throne and rule and reign over the world. He wanted God to have His Glory; he wanted the world to see who God really is. Isn’t that what all Christians want? Don’t you want justice? Don’t you want God to take up His throne and reign with His rod of iron? I know I do.
Who responded to John’s weeping? One of the elders (remember the elders from the throne room scene in Revelation 4?) told John to stop weeping because someone had been found who was worthy to open the book. Who was it? The Lion from the tribe of Judah! The Root of David! Jesus! He has overcome and is worthy to open the book and its seven seals! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Revelation 5:6-7
When John looked he saw a Lamb standing between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. This Lamb, Jesus, came and took the book out of the right hand of Him Who sat on the throne, God, the Father. God’s right hand is the hand of strength and power—Jesus took the scroll of judgments from God in order to execute them.
Jesus is the Lamb that was slain. Here He is described as a Lamb standing, one that had been slain. In Philippians 2, it tells us that even though He was equal with God, Jesus did not require that He have all the benefits of Divinity. Instead, He humbled Himself and took on the appearance of man. But that was not just for thirty plus some years. Jesus stayed in a “Son of Man” body, although after His resurrection it was a glorified one. Jesus, in heaven, now stands as a Lamb slain. He has the scars of the crucifixion on His glorified body. To understand that Divinity, God Himself, would take on our form and keep that form for the rest of eternity is most amazing—most incomprehensible.
When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8
In Revelation 4 the 24 elders fell down before the One Who was on the throne, God, the Father. In Revelation 5 the four living creatures and the 24 elders both fall down before the Lamb. Each one was holding both a harp and golden bowls full of incense.
The incense is the prayers of the saints. You may recognize this from the temple and its rituals and see the significance. Have you prayed for righteousness? Have you prayed for holiness in your city, in your nation, in your church? Have you prayed, “Thy kingdom come! Now! Soon!” But He hasn't answered? Don't despair. Your prayers are being kept. They are in bowls. The incense are the prayers of the saints that are offered and every last one of them will be answered!
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. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
Those around the throne will then sing a new song. They praise the Lamb because He is worthy to take the book and to break its seals. They declare why He was worthy to do so—because He had been slain, offered as a sacrifice, and thereby purchased men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation for God. His blood was the purchase price. The Lamb made those people, the ones He purchased, to be a kingdom and priests to God, the Father. Those same people will reign on the earth someday. (Remember the overcomers from the churches in Revelation 2 and 3? They, alongside the Lamb, will rule with a rod of iron.)
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice… Revelation 5:11-12
John looked and he heard the voice of many angels, the living creatures, and the elders. There were myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, all around the throne, and they were all saying (not singing) in a loud voice…
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Revelation 5:12
The Lamb was slain. The Lamb is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. From whom and from what? From every created thing which is in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, or on the sea—and everything in them.
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.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” Revelation 5:13-14
Who and what did John hear? He heard God’s entire creation saying and doing the exact thing the angels, the living creatures, and the elders said. All of creation was saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” Who will receive this praise and worship? Both God, the One Who sits on the throne, and the Lamb.
What was the reaction of the four living creatures? They kept saying, “Amen.” I say it, too! Amen! It is true! It is true! Blessing and honor and glory and dominion be forever and ever to the One Who sits on the throne! Blessing and honor and glory and dominion be to the Lamb forever and ever!
And the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:14
Will you fall down and worship Him now? Don’t wait. Worship the One Who sits on the throne now. Worship the Lamb now. Bless God, the Father, and God, the Son. Honor them. Bring glory to them. Obey them. And do it forever and ever…
There are things which are about to take place. The time is near for them to begin…
