Studies In Revelation
Chapter Five
Revelation 5:1 “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.”
- Going back to chapter four, John looked and a door was opened in heaven and he was shown things (Revelation 4:1). This continues here in this chapter.
- He that is on the throne (Revelation 3:21 and Revelation 4:2-3) had a book with writing inside and on the backside that was sealed with seven seals. In chapter six, the opening of the seals begins.
- Later in Revelation, we see this book is not to be sealed (Revelation 22:10). Consider how Daniel’s prophesy was to be sealed (Daniel 12:4-9).
Revelation 5:2 “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?”
- Don’t infer anything by reading of a “strong [mighty] angel.” The angels of the Lord excel in strength (Psalms 103:20).
- Remember, the angels are not all-knowing (Matthew 24:35-36 and I Peter 1:9-12).
Revelation 5:3-5 “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..”
- John has a reaction of weeping because no one was able to open the book or look thereon. Prophets have had strong reactions to visions (Daniel 7:15, Daniel 7:28, Daniel 8:27, and Habakkuk 3:16). Later we will read (Revelation 10:9-10).
- A heavenly being seeking to comfort the weeping Apostle (cf. Daniel 9:20-23).
- The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10 and Hebrews 7:11-14).
- The Root of David (Revelation 22:16; cf. Isaiah 11:1-10, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Jeremiah 33:14-15, and Romans 1:3-4).
- Jesus prevailed [overcame] (John 16:33, Acts 2:22-36, and I Peter 3:18-22).
Revelation 5:6 “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”
- “I beheld” is the same as saying “I saw” (Revelation 5:1; 5:2).
- He saw a lamb that had been slain in a heavenly vision. That lamb that redeemed, was slain (Revelation 5:9 and Revelation 5:12). This is a clear image of Jesus (John 1:29, John 1:36, Colossians 1:12-13, Hebrews 9:11-12, and I Peter 1:18-19).
- The seven eyes are defined for us. They are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into the earth. This takes us back to what we learned in Revelation 1:4 and Revelation 3:1. God sent angels, which are spirits (Psalms 104:4), as messengers into the world (Luke 1:5-20 and Acts 8:26). The Holy Spirit was also sent (John 15:26).
Revelation 5:7 “And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.”
- He, the Lamb that had been slain, took the book out of the hand of the Father (Revelation 5:1) on the throne.
- The Lamb will open the seals (Revelation 6:1).
- Don’t read into that as though Jesus took something in a manner beyond His authority. Jesus was given all authority from the Father (Matthew 11:27, Matthew 28:18, John 3:35, and John 5:22-27). That authority is in place until the end (I Corinthians 15:24-28). Even with that authority, Jesus never had the mindset that suggests a power struggle or anything like that (John 5:30 and John 8:28).
Revelation 5:8 “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
- Those beings in this vision fell down before the Lamb (Ephesians 1:20-23 and I Peter 3:21-22).
- They had harps (Revelation 14:1-2).
- It is fascinating to see an image of golden bowls filled with prayers being in presented as a odor before the Lord (Psalms 141:1-2 and Hebrews 13:15-16).
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