03.10. Lesson 10
Lesson 10:Read Revelation 5:1-14 at least three times, without looking at notes or commentaries. Look again at Ezekiel 1:1-28, and read Ezekiel 2:1-10; Ezekiel 3:1-4.
(1) Look ahead into Revelation 6:1-17 enough to get a feel for the content of this scroll. What does "being worthy" have to do with being able to open this scroll? What happens when the seals are broken? What is it about Jesus that makes Him worthy to open the scroll? Consider John 8:7.
(2) Why does John weep in Revelation 5:4? Why does the lack of a worthy person produce such grief?
(3) In Revelation 5:5, we are told that the Lion of Judah, the Root of David has "overcome" or "triumphed;" what is the Greek word? How often is this same word used in Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-22? (Hint: the first occurrence Isaiah 2:7; note there it is a dative present participle, while in Revelation 5:1-14 it is 3rd person aorist). Look at all the occurrences in Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-22, especially Revelation 3:21. How did Jesus overcome or triumph in a way that makes Him worthy to open this scroll?
(4) Who is speaking in Revelation 5:5? See Isaiah 11:1-10 for Root, and Genesis 49:9. In Genesis, what is Jacob prophesying about Judah? How was that fulfilled? Why are these titles -- "Lion of Judah, Root of David" -- important?
(5) When John looks at the beginning of Revelation 5:6, what does he expect to see? What does he see? What is the purpose of this surprise?
(6) In Greek, the position of the Lamb is evn me,sw| tou/ qro,nou kai. tw/n tessa,rwn zw,|wn kai. evn me,sw| tw/n presbute,rwn avrni,on e`sthko.j. Can you think of any English words that begin with “meso”? How would you translate this Greek phrase literally? Consult the way me,so.j is used in Mark 3:3. So picture the throne, the lamb, the four living creatures, and the elders. Where is the Lamb? Why is this strange (and important)?
(7) Identify three characteristics of the lamb that John notes, and explain why each is important. See also Deuteronomy 33:17, Psalms 18:2, and Zechariah 3:1-10 and Zechariah 4:1-14. Also recall Revelation 1:4; Revelation 3:1.
(8) In Revelation 5:8, why do the elders and creatures fall down before the lamb? What is the implication of this action?
(9) Compare the songs sung to the Lamb in Revelation 5:9-10, Revelation 5:12-13 to the praise spoken to God the Father in Revelation 4:8 and Revelation 4:11. How are they similar? How are they different? Note who says the words, and how they are said, in addition to the words themselves.
(10) Compare Revelation 5:13 and Revelation 5:11 with Revelation 5:3. To whom was the angel with the loud voice speaking in Revelation 5:3? What is their eventual reaction?
Commentaries:
Read Wilcock pages 68-69, and Stedman chapter 11, then reconsider your answers.
Finally, reread Revelation 4:1-11 and Revelation 5:1-14, recalling the insights you have gained into these chapters. Spend some time in prayer, meditating on what you have learned about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In his great book, Religious Affections, Jonathan Edwards wrote:
If the great things of religion are rightly understood, they will affect the heart. The reason why men are not affected by such infinitely great, important, glorious, and wonderful things, as they often hear and read of, in the word of God, is undoubtedly because they are blind; if they were not so, it would be impossible, and utterly inconsistent with human nature, that their hearts should be otherwise than strongly impressed, and greatly moved by such things.
Let these infinitely great truths affect your heart, and be greatly moved.