Revelation 5
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1-4 5-10 11-14
1-4 5-10 11-14
1-4
1-4
This is a continuation of the vision from chapter 4. Chapter 4 was revealing God the Father in his throne room ruling over all of creation and being praised, this chapter is all about the deity, authority, and glory of Christ Jesus as he is about to judge the world.
The scroll in the right hand of God is the deed to the world. In both Roman and Hebrew culture a legal documents were made from papyrus or parchment and on one side all the details and provisions for the document are made and it is rolled up at both ends or folded and on the outside of the document is written a summary of what the document is. The more important the document the more witnesses and seals it would require.
That the scroll was completely filled on every available surface shows that it is filled with the complete counsel of God on the matter, and that is sealed with 7 seals shows the completes of its contents also.
The deed is not like a regular deed to property but this deed is how Christ will regain His rightful inheritance and redeem the world from Satan and all those who have collaborated with him.
The angel who asks who is worthy has been speculated to be Michal or Gabriel, but the Bible does not tell us for sure so this is just speculation. The angel announces to all in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth, this is not three separate decrees it is meaning that this challenge or announcement is for all of creation, who is worthy to take the scroll and regain all of creation back from sin and death. All the righteous dead of all the ages, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, Solomon etc. and all the Apostles and John the Baptist, the greatest man to live in all history up to Jesus remain silent and say nothing.
When there is no answer to the question John begins to weep. This is the only time in Scripture that tears are seen in heaven. The Greek word used for his weeping is the same that was used to describe Jesus’ weeping over Jerusalem in Luke and Peter’s bitter weeping after betraying Jesus, also in Luke. It expresses a strong, unrestrained emotional outpouring of tears. John is weeping because the scroll and its contents are the redemption of the world, the end to sin and death. It must be opened and fulfilled to bring creation back to the state it was in Eden, John not seeing anyone able to open it fills him with despair that sin will never end.
5-10
5-10
An unnamed elder one of the 24 described in chapter 4, tells John to stop weeping, his tears are not needed and inappropriate. He tells him to look, behold, the Lion of Judah, a royal descendant of David that has overcome, defeated sin and death so He can break the seals and open the scroll.
Jesus was the foretold descendant of David, from Mary and Joseph, of the lion like tribe of Judah, promised by God to David. The angel describes Jesus using powerful words but when John looks and sees Jesus he sees the Lamb of God, sent to take away the sins of the world. Standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures, standing but as if slain, or slaughter, still visible are the wounds from his crucifixion. But this is not a meed and gentle lamb like the ones used for the passover sacrifice, Jesus has seven horns, animal horns are the representation of power and strength, seven horns shoeing his full and complete power, His omnipotence. Seven eyes showing His fullness of knowledge, seeing and knowing everything, also representing the Holy Spirit in all His fullness.
Jesus comes and takes the book, scroll from the right hand of God, Jesus is worthy to take the scroll and look upon it and he does, he claims the world and is ready to deliver the judgement upon it.
When Jesus has the scroll/book all that are around fall down and begin to worship Him. Each one of the elders holding a harp, which was used all through the Old Testament in association with worship, and golden bowls, like the bowls used in the the tabernacle and the temple at the alter. These bowls are full of incense representing all of the prayers of the believers for the redemption of the earth and the return of Jesus.
The grammatical structure of the text indicates that only the elders were the ones with the harps and the bowls and they are the ones that start a new song. They sing Revelation 5:9-10 “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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.””
11-14
11-14
The song is continued and taken up by all the host of heaven. Myriad means ten thousand and is the highest number that, at the time the Greeks had a word for so a myriad of myriad describes and uncountable amount and not 10,000 times 10,000.
All of them, all of the redeemed human inhabitants of heaven and all of the angels in heaven now shout with a loud voice that Jesus is the Lamb of God that was slain and He has the power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and the blessings. How loud and glorious that must be, all of heaven shouting the praises of Jesus Christ.
John then hears all of creation, not just heaven but all on earth as well give honor and praise to Jesus.
The four living creatures end the singing and shouting with a resounding AMEN as the elders fall down and worship the Lord Jesus Christ.