Verse 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.
This chapter’s events, like chapter four, has already happened. Remember that books were not square with bindings and covers. Books in the Apostle John’s day were scrolls that rolled up and unrolled like a roll of paper towel, and so they were written on both sides of the roll and, if they were important or not meant to be tampered with, they would have a seal or seals along the roll on the loose edge of the roll so that it could not be unrolled without someone knowing. This book had seven seals which is simply indicating the divine perfection of God. The book being in the right hand is a picture of power and authority.
Verses 2-3 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
The Greek word translated as “strong” is “ischuros” and it means mighty, powerful and valiant. The Apostle John is making a difference between this angel and other angels he has seen in his visions. No other verses in Scripture refer to an angel as strong.
This book is holy and not for mortal man to handle as indicated by verse three. Notice that the Apostle John is stating that men are in three places: in heaven as a righteous believer, in the Earth as a living person, and under the Earth which can only mean the dead that have not gone to Heaven. Interesting thought?
Application: Jesus established His spiritual kingdom when He came to Earth as the final sacrifice for mankind’s sin. There are things in that kingdom which are not for people living in fleshly bodies to know. The Apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” The book or scroll that the Apostle John was seeing was of God and therefore holy and special.
Verses 4-5 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 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.
The Apostle John was not a weak man or a man to loose his composure. He had withstood persecution and cruelty at the hands of the Jews and the enemies of the LORD. He was living in an extremely difficult place, and yet this vision brought tears to his eyes. He wanted to know what was written in this book. The only One who was worthy to handle this book was Jesus. Isaiah 14:5 states, “The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.” Hebrews 1:8 states, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” A lion is representative of a brave and mighty hero. Jesus Christ is consistently associated with the tribe of Judah and with the throne of King David in Scripture. The Greek word translated as “root” is “rhiza” and it is metaphor for offspring or progeny, the capitalization indicating the LORD Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated as “prevailed” is “nikao” and it means to conquer, to be victorious. Jesus Christ was victorious over all His enemies and rose from the dead to take the throne of God in Heaven. He was/is the only One to live on this Earth and never sin and to die a physical death and be raised bodily from the grave to live forever.
Verse 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.
The Lamb is metaphor for the LORD Jesus Christ. The entire Old Testament books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy contain hundreds of verses regarding sacrifices that were all pointing to the final sacrifice of the Son of God on the cross for the sins of mankind.
The Greek word translated as “horn” is “keras” and it refers to both the horn of an animal in the physical realm and symbolically to strength and courage. A horn indicates ruler-ship of some kind. The Greek word translated as “eyes” is “ophthalmos” and metaphorically means the faculty of knowing. This Lamb represents a victorious Jesus who is ruling and reigning and who is all powerful and all knowing.
Application: Again, the writings in the book of Revelation are metaphor. There is not a bloody lamb standing in the throne room of Heaven with a bunch or horns and eyes in its head. A literal understanding of these word pictures will lead to no understanding at all.
Verses 7-8 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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.
This vision of the Apostle John is a picture or a victorious Jesus returning to Heaven with full power and authority and who is controlling the affairs of mankind, who is fully God and who is worthy of all praise and worship, both by the saints and righteous angels in Heaven and by His elect here on Earth.
Harps are representative of praises to God being sung in Heaven. The odours are representative of sweet smelling incense and associated with the prayers of God’s people. A review of Exodus 30:1, 7 and 8 are just a few references to the altar of incense that was to be used to burn incense in the Tabernacle in the wilderness and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The incense was made according to a special formula as commanded by the LORD and it represented the prayers of God’s people then, as it does now. The Apostle John would have been familiar with the burning of incense by the Levitical priests.
Verses 9-10 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
What is meant by a new song? After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, a new Covenant was instituted and the Old Covenant made with the Hebrews or Jews was passed away. Gentile believers and Hebrews who converted to a trust and belief in Jesus were now able to access directly the throne of God through prayer, thanksgiving and His word. Under the Old Covenant, Gentiles were not allowed in the Jewish Temple unless they converted to Judaism, a religious system that Jesus condemned. So perhaps the new song is representative of the New Covenant and the Church age that all believers are living in today. The verse above seems to confirm this as the song says that redemption is for every kindred (tribe), every tongue (those that share a common language), and every people and nation (Gentiles from all over the Earth).
Verses 11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
The Apostle John states that he heard the voice (singular) of the angels and the elders (church believers) and beasts but he does not say he saw them. The Greek word translated as “voice” is “phone” (from which we get the English word phone) and it means a sound, a tone, speech, or the sound of uttered words. The number represents an innumerable number. Notice that the Lamb (Jesus) WAS SLAIN and verifies that this portion of the vision has already happened.
Verses 13-14 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5)
The Greek word translated as “creature” is “ktisma” and it means a created thing. So it seems that all of God’s creation (not just mankind), which includes the animals, are praising the LORD Jesus Christ as He is seated on His throne. This writer over the years has had lots of critters that have been rescued from abusive and negligent owners. This writer takes the command to go and preach the Gospel to every creature seriously and has always shared Biblical truths with all of the critters; birds, cats, dog, chickens, turkeys, snakes, rabbits, horses and so on. What has always been astounding is that they always listen. They stop what they are doing and watch this writer when presenting Scriptural truths. If you, the reader, have a house pet, share the Bible stories with them and see for yourself.