Chapter 5
The Seven-Sealed Scroll and Jesus
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
John sees that God is holding a unique scroll in His right hand. It has writing on the back (outside) as well as inside, and it was sealed with seven seals. As mentioned in the Overview in the Introduction, writing on the outside, besides identifying the scroll’s content, was often employed in the Roman Empire for legal documents[1] (such as a title deed) that specified who was qualified or authorized to open and read.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
A mighty angel loudly asks if there is anyone that is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals. The search was extensive, no one qualified in heaven, on earth, or under the earth (Hades).[2] The quest searched everywhere where a human, alive or dead, could be located, but no one qualified was found. John doesn’t offer any reason why he calls this angel, “mighty,” (Greek ‘ischyron’,[3] strong, mighty, powerful). In the Bible the word can be found applying to a wide variety of things including physical strength, political power and influence, strong faith, being honorable, etc. In this book it is used three times by John to describe three angels (see also Revelation 10:1; 18:21). What is unique about these three angels? Each one is seemingly different and will be examined in the exposition of those verses. Here, this mighty angel has a prominent role and would definitely be an important angel. Many believe that it is the angel Gabriel as he was the angel that helped Daniel during his visions of the future (see Daniel 8:16; 9:20-23) and proclaimed the coming Messiah to Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father, see Luke 1:5-25) and to Mary, Jesus’ mother (see Luke 1:26-38).
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
John apparently understood the importance of the scroll, as he began to weep because all of mankind, including those from the past, were disqualified. What were the qualifications? We are not told directly, but we learn as this event unfolds, that the person needed to be a human (a kinsman redeemer, see below), be without sin, and had successfully conquered death. Does that sound familiar?
5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
An elder came over to comfort John, telling him that the Lion of the tribe of Judah (see Genesis 49:8-10), the Root of David (see Isaiah 11:1, 10; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 1:1; Romans 15:12; Revelation 22:16), had successfully conquered (death). Therefore, Jesus is the one and only person qualified to open the scroll and break each of the seals.
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
John then sees Jesus between the throne and the four living creatures standing among the elders. John identifies Him as a ‘Lamb’ as He had been slain, referring to being the ultimate Passover Lamb, the one that was put to death for the redemption of all mankind (after being tortured, flogged, and crucified, Jesus was essentially unrecognizable, see Luke 24:13-35; John 20:14; 21:1-14, see also Isaiah 50:6; 52:14). Besides seeing Jesus as He had been slain, John also noted that He had seven horns with seven eyes, which he identifies as the seven spirits of God. This description startles many readers as this doesn’t sound like the Jesus from the gospels, having seven horns and seven eyes. In the Old Testament we read that horns are symbolic of power (see Deuteronomy 22:17; 1 Kings 22:11; Psalm 75:4; Zechariah 1:18) and honor (see 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Psalm 89:17, 24; 112:9; 148:14), the seven eyes are the seven Spirits of God, not His eyes (see Zechariah 3:8-9; 4:10). Some point out that this text can read that the horns and eyes were ‘with’ Him not necessarily ‘on’ or part of Him.
We are watching the beginning of a transition, Jesus as the Lamb that was slain on the cross represents His first coming (John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God, see John 1:29, 36, see also Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19), as He had to die for our sins. But the elder also proclaimed Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David (see verse five), now entering the time to finalize this period, by judging and conquering those that oppose Him in this second coming of His. Both are Jewish titles for the Messiah, who we know is Jesus.
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
Jesus went over to His Father and took the seven-sealed scroll out of His right hand. We need to remember that Jesus was not only victorious over sin and death, He was also given all authority over heaven and earth (see Matthew 9:6; 11:27; John 3:35; 5:27; 13:3; 17:2; Acts 2:36; Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:10, 20–22; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 2:10; Hebrews 1:2; 2:8; 1 Peter 3:22, see also Daniel 7:13-14), that includes this ‘land deed’ for the entire earth and its occupants. Jesus has been granted full authority over all things, which is another reason to obey the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
When Jesus took hold of the scroll, the four living creatures and each elder fell down before Him. John notes that they were holding onto a harp and golden bowls that were filled with incense. We are told that the incense are the prayers of the saints. The imagery is that of prayers being a pleasant odor of incense rising up to God (see Psalm 141:2, see also Revelation 8:3-4). It is important to remember that prayers are a vital part of every believer’s life. Prayer is more than a form of communication, it is also God’s way of enlisting us in what He is doing (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4). Prayer is an effective tool to help others find Jesus, so don’t let it rust! Remember, prayer was God’s idea and He wants you to pray (see Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-4; 18:1).
9 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, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders then began to sing a “new song” about the worthiness of Jesus to open the scroll. They point out that He was killed and that by His blood He paid the price for the people of God from every tribe, nation, and language, making them a kingdom where they will be God’s priests that will reign on the earth. The song states that by the blood of Jesus, He ransomed people for God. The Greek word ‘ēgorasas’,[4] translated here as ‘ransomed’ means to be in the market place to buy something. Here it is used to convey the fact that Jesus bought every believer with a price and that He has right of possession. The song continues by saying that Jesus made for them a kingdom where they get to be His priests and share in reigning on earth during His millennial kingdom (see Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:28-29; 2 Timothy 2:12). It is important to note that there are only three groups or people in Scripture that are both royalty and priests: 1) Jesus; 2) Melchizedek (see Genesis 14:17-24; Hebrews 7:1-28); and 3) all those who believe in Jesus (see 1 Peter 2:19; Revelation 1:6; 20:6). As Christians we are royal priests.
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Suddenly the room fills with angels, too many to count! The living creatures, the elders, and the angels join together in saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive” (Greek ‘lamein,[5] to take in) “power” (Greek ‘dynamin’,[6] being able, having power), “wealth” (Greek ‘plouton’,[7] riches, material goods, possibly metonymically as a source of power), “wisdom” (Greek ’sophian’,[8] wisdom, skill, expertise), “might” (Greek ‘ischyn’,[9] to have strength), “honor” (Greek ’timēn’,[10] honor, respect), “glory” (Greek ‘doxan’,[11] the meaning is complex, primarily refers to an opinion, man’s opinion would be unreliable and unworthy, but God’s opinion is absolutely true and changeless, to receive glory refers to receiving all praise and honor that is due), “and blessing” (Greek ‘eulogian’,[12] to bless, commendation, speak well of the person). Many question, “Did Jesus obtain these attributes at this time?” Some believe that since Jesus stated concerning His return, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36), that there may have some things (besides the knowledge of the date and time of His return) that He did not possess during His ministry, but this is not founded in the text here, nor anywhere else in Scripture. This ’song’ of praise is an acknowledgment of who He is and His worthiness to be praised.
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The praise got louder as every creature on earth, under the earth, and in the sea (likely those buried in the sea) joined in acknowledging and praising God the Father and His Son Jesus by saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” The four living creatures acknowledged the truth of the statement by saying “Amen!” at which point the elders fell prostrate and worshiped God. Everyone will respond as Paul wrote, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11, see also Isaiah 45:23)
Considerations
This chapter may be difficult to understand regarding the qualifications of the person allowed to open the scroll. In the Old Testament we are taught about kinsman redeemers, those people who are responsible from everything from rendering aid, to avenging the deaths of family members. In the book of Ruth we see that Boaz was the ‘gō·’ǎlē’[13] or kinsman redeemer, who redeemed the land for Naomi (see Jeremiah 25:11; 32:6-27) and redeemed Ruth by marrying her (the law of Levirate Marriage, see Leviticus 25:23-25). Thus, becoming a model (or type) pointing to the Messiah who is now in this chapter redeeming mankind. The qualifications? First, he had to be human, the law required fulfillment by a ‘kinsman’ of Adam, an heir. Then he had to be without guilt, having committed no sin, Jesus was, and will always remain, righteous. Something impossible for any other human.
Throughout the Bible many songs were composed (and later written) and sung. Some for thanksgiving in times of triumph (for example, see Exodus 15:1-21), calling out to God (for example, see Numbers 21:17-18), to chronicle an event (for examples, see Deuteronomy 31:30-32:43; Judges 5:1-31), to express lament (for examples, see 2 Samuel 1:17-27; 2 Chronicles 35:25), for special occasions and festivals (for examples, see Psalm 68:24-26; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14), and for praising God (for examples, see 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Psalm 68:1-35; Luke 1:46-55; Revelation 15:3-4). But we also find something special when we come across what is referred in Scripture as a “new song.” It seems to signify a ‘higher’ level of praise to God (see Psalm 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9; 14:3). Does that mean the song was never sung before? Waiting for a special occasion to sing it? Perhaps, but it is likely a song that not only encapsulates the praise worthiness of an event, it also engages the singer in a new and fresh way, one of a pure heart praising God. Does that mean only new songs should be sung to praise God? No, but we do need to be careful not to sing from rote, mechanical praise from our lips doesn’t reflect a praising heart.
The Hebrew word for ‘blessing’ is ‘bā·rûḵ’[14] (or ‘bāruch’), meaning “to bend at the knees,” and the Greek 'eulogía' as mentioned above, refers to speaking well of a person, it is where we get the English word 'eulogy' from. To many it is a request for a favor or prosperity, especially from God. Christians often request God to bless them, other people, situations, and on occasion, things. There is nothing wrong in asking God for a blessing, however, we can get to the point that we only see blessings going one way, from God to us. The truth is that we are to also bless God. Some of you might ask, “How can we possibly bless God? What could we give Him?” The word ‘blessing’ also encompasses the concepts of adoration and celebration, which lead to desire, obedience, value, and priority. We can bless God by recognizing who He is and respond with a heart that desires to serve Him, not out of compulsion, but out of love.
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[1] Walvoord, J. F. (2008). The Revelation of Jesus Christ (p. 113). Galaxie Software.
[2] See “Hell By Any Other Name is Still Hell or Is it?” in the Appendix.
[3] Strong’s Greek 2478.
[4] Strong’s Greek 59.
[5] Strong’s Greek 2983.
[6] Strong’s Greek 1411.
[7] Strong’s Greek 4149.
[8] Strong’s Greek 4678.
[9] Strong’s Greek 2479.
[10] Strong’s Greek 5092.
[11] Strong’s Greek 1391.
[12] Strong’s Greek 2129.
[13] Strong’s Hebrew 1350.
[14] Strong’s Hebrew 1288.