Revelation 5
HindsRevelation 5:1-7
SECTION TWO
VISION OF THE SEALED BOOK
- THE LAMB WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.–As the vision of chapter 4 shows God’s power as Creator to bring to pass the things to be revealed, so the vision of chapter 5 shows Christ’s power as Redeemer to reveal what things would come to pass. What John saw was God sitting upon the throne with a book in or lying upon his right hand. This changed view was for the purpose of giving proper praise to Christ as the only one able to make the revelation. This was in harmony with the statement already made. (See 1:1.) This book was not printed as ours are today, for there were no such books then, but it was a manuscript rolled as a scroll. (Jeremiah 36:2; Hebrews 10:7.) “Written within and on the back” probably means that it was written on both sides. “Close sealed” means that the edge of the roll was fastened down with a seal. Being rolled together and sealed indicates that the contents written could not be known till the seals were broken. Since the seals were opened in succession, and a vision appeared at the opening of each seal, the natural conclusion is that the roll was made up of sheets and when a seal was broken that sheet was unrolled and its writing seen.
The book contained symbolic visions of what was to come to pass hence, revealed the destiny of the church and its enemies from that time till the end of the world. There is nothing said about the writing being read by the Lord when the seals were opened; in fact, it may have been only the symbols that were written.
This may account for the fact that when a seal was opened there appeared before John the vision–living picture–not the reading of words. What John did was to put in words a description of the picture which he saw. Occasionally he tells what some feature of a vision means, but aside from that the visions are left without explanation. How their meaning may be determined will be discussed later. Seven sheets rolled together and sealed with seven seals probably indicate that the book contains a full revelation of the future history of the church.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?–The angel appeared as strong to harmonize with the fact that he proclaimed with a “great voice,” as indicating perhaps that his question was to be heard by all intelligent creatures. This would put in bold relief the one who alone was worthy to open the seals. This means one whose rank and authority was such that God would grant him the privilege of revealing the future.
3 And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.–The angel’s question was a challenge to all creation. No one possessed either the ability or the moral worthiness to disclose the future hidden things. This inability belonged to all realms ; none of the angelic hosts in heaven, none of the nations of men on earth and none of the righteous dead in the intermediate state was able. This means that no creature in all God’s universe could perform this solemn task.
4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon:–To open the book meant to break the seals and to look thereon meant to see and describe the symbols that were written in it. When no one came forward to open the book, John was so affected that he wept much. Apparently the promise made in 4:1 that he was to be shown. things “which must come to pass hereafter” would fail. Being in exile and deeply concerned about the future of the churches, he was moved to tears because no one was ready to make the coveted disclosures. His sorrow and distress are no surprise, when we consider his love and sacrifices for the churches. Men and women yet claim to reveal the secrets written in the book of the future by some mysterious power or by communicating with the dead, but this vision is proof that the future belongs to God. All the revelations he wants us to have are now recorded in the Bible.
5 and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.–Regarding the elders, see notes on Revelation 4:4. The text gives no reason why one of the elders rather than some other heavenly being spoke this message to John. This instructing the apostle by one of the elders shows that they were a class of heavenly worshipers. Christ’s overcoming Satan and death is the reason for his exaltation to God’s right hand (Philippians 2:7-11), and for “angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Peter 3:22.) The elders here mentioned being in heaven would know of his exaltation and power; hence, could appropriately speak the comforting words to John. That this language refers to Christ is unquestionable, and the descriptions used show in a vivid way his worthiness to open the book. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14), and calling him a Lion is probably in reference to Genesis 49:9.
The lion, as king of the forests, was a fitting symbol of Christ endowed with royal authority–a ruler exercising over angels in heaven, men on earth, and the spirits of the departed in Hades. The Root of David means a descendant of David–one whose lineage gave him, the right to exercise this royal authority. Being endowed with this authority because of his victory, he was the only one worthy and able to show John the future struggles and triumphs of the church.
6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.–Here a change is made in the scene–a Lamb appears in the midst of the group composed of God, the living creatures, the twenty-four elders, and the strong angel. The Lamb was standing, which indicated it was alive, though it bore marks of having been slain. Since John had probably heard John the Baptist declare Jesus to be the “Lamb of God” (John 1:36), and had witnessed his crucifixion, he knew, of course, that what he saw in heaven was a symbol of Christ. The lamb was a type of innocence and sacrifice; Jesus was both manifested in highest form.
The further description of the Lamb shows Jesus to be the proper one to open the book. He had “seven horns, and seven eyes.” It is generally understood that the number “seven” signifies perfection. John explains that the seven eyes represent the “seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.” The “seven Spirits” probably refers to the Holy Spirit. See notes on l:4. As the eyes see all natural objects that come within the range of vision, they are appropriate symbols to represent the Holy Spirit’s power to see and know what facts should be revealed. The disclosures therefore to be made would be perfect.
The use of the word “horn” in the Bible indicates that it is a symbol of power, as the following passages show Deuteronomy 33:17; 1 Kings 22:1 Jeremiah 48:25; Zechariah 1:18; Luke 1:69. Seven horns mean perfect power to do what was necessary. In this part of the vision John was shown that whatsoever things that would appear in the symbols to follow were sure to come. to pass; for there would be sufficient power to accomplish what was predicted. This must have been great encouragement to the then suffering congregations to be faithful to God in spite of any trial.
7 And he came, and he taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.—The one here called “a Lamb” is represented as taking the book out of the hand of the one who sat upon the throne. This means that Christ received the authority of the Father to open the book–make the revelations it contained. But scholars have asked this puzzling question Did John see the form of a lamb? If so, how could a real lamb be represented as taking a book out of the hand of the one on the throne? Some answer by supposing that the vision may have been changed just at this point from the image of a lamb to that of a man. The text does not so indicate.
Others suggest that the word “Lamb” may be used figuratively, as in John 1:29, to describe the characteristics of Christ, but the real appearance was of some heavenly being in the form of man. When we speak of the “Lamb of God” now, we never visualize a real lamb, but only transfer the lamb characteristics to Christ. Then we should remember that human beings are probably unable to understand fully heavenly representations. The essential point here made is that Christ only was able to make the revelations of future events.
Revelation 5:8-14
- THE WORSHIP
8 And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb,–In Revelation 4:8-11 the living creatures and elders are represented as worshiping God upon his throne; in this verse they are seen worshiping Christ by bowing before the being called the Lamb. Since he was able to break the seals and open the book of the future, naturally he was worthy of receiving their adoration. The manner in which their worship vras rendered is described in the following expressions.
having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.–Whatever the different features of this vision may signify, we should not forget that John was seeing things in heaven, not on earth. There is no question about the language indicating that the four living creatures and twenty-four elders all fell down to worship the Lamb. The words also seem to mean that each of the twenty-eight had a harp and a bowl of incense; certainly the twenty-four elders did. The text clearly indicates the individual worship of each for each is represented as having a harp. To understand a material harp in a purely spiritual realm, played by spirit beings, is, of course, incongruous. It will be necessary to find what they, as symbols, represent if any application is made to things on earth, just as is necessary in other features of the vision.
If all is to be taken as strictly literal and applied to the church, then each Christian would have to use a harp individually in worshiping. This would require as many harps as individuals in the congregation, which is quite enough to show the absurdity of any such interpretation.
John declares that the incense represents the “prayers of the saints.” Just as incense arose when the priests offered it in the tabernacle and temple, so the prayers of those in the church ascend to God. This symbolic sense of the word “incense” is in harmony with the following texts: Leviticus 16:12-13; Psalms 141:2; Acts 10:4. When John explains the application to be made of this word as being figurative, why conclude that “harp” is to be taken literally. The natural and reasonable application of the word here is that it represents praise. Since Paul tells us to make melody “with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19), we know that the human heart is represented as the spiritual instrument that should vibrate (make the melody) in harmony with the sentiments of the song we sing. Each saint has one of these spiritual “harps” which can be used in perfect unison with all other singers. From any view-point the passage absolutely excludes the mechanical instrument.
9 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou hast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,–This part of their song of praise states that Christ’s worthiness to open the seals of the book is shown by the fact that he shed his blood as the price sufficient to purchase men of every class and nation. In Acts 20:28 he is represented as purchasing the church. In this passage the church is looked upon as a body ; in our text it is viewed as being composed of individuals. This and similar passages furnish the unquestioned proof that Gentiles are included in the purchase price paid. Incidentally it also shows that men are saved by entering the church; for none can be saved without Christ’s blood, and none can be saved by it, if responsible for conduct, outside of the institution purchased by the blood. If saved out of the church, then saved without his blood.
10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.–In verses 9 and 10 here the heavenly host repeats in very similar words the same thoughts which John uttered in 1:5, 6. “Didst purchase” and “madest” are coordinated terms in the same grammatical construction. They express a completed past act, which must of necessity be true regarding his purchase of the church with his blood. Then the church purchased with his blood he made a kingdom. As certainly as the church existed at the time John was writing, just that certain had it been made a kingdom. The kingdom was in existence; hence, the premillennial theory that Christ must come in person to establish a kingdom is of necessity false. The saved in the church had also been made priests.
Since the church is described as a tabernacle or temple, those who render service in it are called priests. That relationship was in existence then. (1 Peter 2:5.) This is not denied. Since establishing the Christian priesthood and the purchase of the church are conceded as past events, there can be no reason assigned for denying that the kingdom had been established.
The King James Version says “shall reign,” but the Revised says “they reign” which is present tense. The distinction is not especially important, for if they were then reigning, they would still reign. But as they were then a kingdom the present tense is evidently the correct expression, especially since the present tense often means continued or repeated action. The reign “upon the earth” is perfectly natural, for the church (kingdom) is upon the earth. Just as the priesthood must be spiritual, so the reign must be. The saints on earth, but under Christ, reign through the teaching and living of Christ’s law; they exercise a leading, directing and restraining influence.
11 And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; –Surrounding the company that was worshiping the Lamb, John saw a host of angels of too many thousands to be numbered.
12 saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.–The myriads of angels join with the group about the throne in ascribing praise to Christ. Like the preceding song, they base his worthiness upon the fact that he was slain. Being worthy to receive all these things showed he was not only the one to open the seals but to reign. That he had the honors here mentioned at that time is unquestionably a fact. Their words probably mean that he was worthy to possess them as he then did, because he had been made worthy by his death to receive them.
13 And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying,–By a figure of personification even animals and inanimate nature are represented as praising God. (Psalms 148:7-10.) Hearing voices from created things in every realm showed John that all creation in its proper manner must honor God and Christ. Adding this song to the two previous ones of the heavenly beings made the praise universal.
Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.–The same thought is expressed here as in the preceding verse, except that God is also praised.
14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.–When the hymn of praise closed the four living creatures pronounced the Amen, and the twenty-four elders bowing in worship gave their assent. All of these ascribing to Christ authority and power was a most solemn and impressive way of showing him to be able to break the seals and reveal the future. This feature John introduces in the next chapter.
LESSON 11.
THE SEALED BOOK
Read Rev. 5
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Describe the book in the hand of him who sat on the throne. Ans. Revelation 5:1.
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What question was asked by the “strong angel”? Ans. Revelation 5:2.
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Who was not able to open the book, nor to look thereon? Ans. Revelation 5:3.
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What caused John to weep? Ans. Revelation 5:4.
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What did one of the elders say to John? Ans. Revelation 5:5.
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Which of Jacob’s sons was compared to a lion? Ans. Genesis 49:9.
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Give Jacob’s prophecy regarding the reign of Judah. Ans. Genesis 49:10.
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To which of the tribes of Israel did Jesus belong? Ans. Hebrews 7:14.
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Who is the “Root of David”? Ans. Revelation 22:16.
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Describe the Lamb that John saw. Ans. Revelation 5:6.
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Who is the Lamb of God? Ans. Jno. 1: 29, 36.
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What do the seven eyes represent? Ans. Revelation 5:6.
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From whom did he receive the book? Ans. Revelation 5:7.
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What then was done by the four living creatures and the twentyfour elders? Ans. Revelation 5:8.
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What did each have in his hand? Ans. Revelation 5:8.
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What do the bowls of incense represent? Ans. Revelation 5:8.
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Give the words of the “new song.” Ans. Revelation 5:9-10.
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What did the Lamb of God purchase with his blood? Ans. Revelation 5:9; Acts 20:28.
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What were his people, or his church, made to be? Ans. Revelation 5:10; Luke 22:29-30.
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Where do they reign? Ans. Revelation 5:10; Romans 5:17.
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Whose voice did John hear next? Ans. Revelation 5:11.
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What were they saying? Ans. Revelation 5:12.
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What then did all created things in every place do? Ans. Revelation 5:13.
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What did the four living creatures say, and what did the elders do? Ans. Revelation 5:14.