53 Revelation: Chapter 5 Rev 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. Throughout the New Testament "right hand" denotes authority given by the Father, a place of authority and also as a recognition of fellowship. Mat 20:22 Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will drink My cup, but to sit at My right hand and at My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." Act 2:34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, 35 until I make Your enemies Your footstool.' Gal 2:9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Here, God (the One on the throne) has the authority to hold the scroll and give it to whomever He deems worthy. The papyrus, made of connecting pages side to side and rolling the whole thing into a scroll, was usually written on one side. This vision shows the fullness of the message being written on front and back of each page. Each of the seven connected pages were sealed (usually with melted wax and then pressed with a signet ring before hardening). The seven (complete) seals meant that the visions were perfectly sealed. John was told of " the things that must soon take place" and of what must take place after this (1:1; 4:1). Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" strong angel- (10:1; 18:21) indicates a degree of authority among these heavenly beings. Strong and worthy are not synonymous. He may have been able but did not have the right to control what was to be revealed. Rev 5:3 And no one in Heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, No one in all of God's creation was worthy to bring the visions of the scroll to fruition, or even to peek into its content. (Heaven or earth or those under it, possibly referring to the Hadean realm.) (" neither under the earth" was not in the original manuscript according to Neil Lightfoot. How We Got The Bible, pages 21-23) Rev 5:4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
54 In disappointment John wept. The revealing was so close but, at this point, without a revealer. Rev 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." Lion- Gen 49:9 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? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Tribute (Heb.7886- Shiloh, an epithet for the Messiah.) comes to him; and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples. tribe of Judah- Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. Root of David- Read Isa 11:1-10. Rom 1:3 concerning His Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh has conquered- He defeated Satan (through His death, burial and resurrection- Heb 2:14-15) which was necessary to open the scroll. Rev 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. John was expecting to see a being of strength (lion) but saw this seemingly helpless creature Who was able (through His lion-like courage and strength) to open the scroll! Among those mentioned in this verse was a Lamb "standing" (indicating that He was alive) Who bore the marks of One Who had been slain. Isa 50:6 I gave My back to those who strike, and My cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not My face from disgrace and spitting. Isa 52:14 His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and His form beyond that of the children of mankind Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. Joh 1:36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" He as King (Lion) was a suffering Servant (Lamb). John witnessed the crucifixion...
55 Joh 19:26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your Son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.... so he knew what he saw was the crucified, yet risen, figure of Jesus. Joh 20:24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe." 26 Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28 Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Read Exo 12:3-13. 1Co 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. horns- symbol of strength. Deu 33:17 A firstborn bull--he has majesty, and his horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he shall gore the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh." 1Ki 22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, "Thus says the LORD, 'With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.'" seven- perfect strength. seven eyes- the all-seeing fullness of the Holy Spirit (1:4; 3:1; 4:5, Acts 2:38). Zec 4:10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth." Rev 5:7 And He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him Who was seated on the throne. Only Christ was able to reveal the mysterious events of The Revelation (1:1) or to approach the throne of God in this manner. Rev 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.
56 In Rev. 4:8-11 the creatures and elders are found worshiping God; upon retrieving the scroll Christ also becomes the object of their awe-filled reverence (making Him equal to God). harp- symbol of praise (not a literal instrument). Eph 5:19 addressing one another in psalms (Gk.5568-piece of music, sacred ode) and hymns (Gk.5215-to celebrate) and spiritual (Gk.4152-non-carnal) songs, singing and making melody (Gk.5567-to twitch or twang) to the Lord (Thus, the instrument we are to play to the Lord is the heart!) with your heart (Gk.2588-the thoughts or feelings/mind), incense- Lev 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar (of burnt sacrifice) before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil 13 and put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die. Psa 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Act 10:4 And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Luk 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. Exo 30:8 and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the LORD throughout your generations. prayers of the saints- (the royal priesthood- 1 Pet 2:9) rise to God just as did the incense of the Old Testament priests in the tabernacle. Here it indicates intercession. Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Rev 5:9 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, (14:1-3) A new song for a special occasion. At the opening of the seals God's judgment and victory over the oppressor are reason for celebration. The saints from all walks of life ( every tribe and language and people and nation ) had their souls purchased from Hell's fire with the ransom in blood paid at the cross of Christ.
57 1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God (Christ, Who is God, because the church was purchased with His blood when He came in the flesh- Heb 10:5), which He obtained with His own blood. 1Co 6:20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Rev 5:10 and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of kings on earth. To Him Who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ------ 1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Rev 2:27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I Myself have received authority from My Father. Because the church is (presently) this kingdom of priests (royal priesthood) on the earth she (as the bride of Christ) now reigns! Before Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead, the church didn t reign. The beatitudes were given with the understanding that the meek (Gk.4239- humble) would become heirs of the earth (as responsible stewards to go therefore and make disciples of all nations - Mat 28:19) once Christ returned to Heaven and His church was established. Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Rev 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, The voice here is singular-in one accord. They are without number! Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, Rev 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!" Dan 7:13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came One like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. 14 And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
58 Christ did not "take" what was/is rightfully His! Php 2:6 Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, He is here recognized as worthy to have received these seven (complete) attributes because of His sacrifice paid in blood. Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Joh 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Zep 1:7 Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice (the Lamb) and consecrated His guests (the saints). Heb 10:5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but a body have You prepared for Me; Heb 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. Rev 5:13 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!" Psa 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling His word! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and maidens together, old men and children! 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all His saints, for the people of Israel who are near to Him. Praise the LORD! Universal acknowledgement of Christ's power! He and His Father (along with Holy Spirit-Gen. 1:1) created all things (Rom 1:20) and are the worthy recipients of the praise here (4:11). Each aspect of Their Being is eternal. Rev 5:14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped. All is acknowledged by the four living creatures. The worship of the elders is their assent to the above recognition of the Godhead! Updated March 17, 2019 www.truthdiscovered.net