The
Lion and the Lamb
Revelation
5:1-14
And I saw in
the right hand of Him who sat on the
throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals (5:1).
A scroll
written inside and on the back - This chapter introduces the earth’s rightful
ruler, Jesus Christ – the Son of God. He is the One who will redeem the world
from sin, Satan, death, and the curse. God is seated on the throne, and in His
right hand he has a scroll (βιβλίον biblíon, Gk) which was
a roll of papyrus, leather, or parchment on which an ancient document was
written, being rolled up on a stick. The scroll was sealed with seven seals (σφραγίς sphragís, Gk), fixed on the
edges of the scroll in such a way that the seals must be successively broken if
the scroll is to be unrolled and read. This is the title deed to the earth
which God will give to Christ (Jeremiah 32:10-14, Ezekiel 2:9-10).
Then I saw a
strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll
and to loose its seals?” (5:2).
A strong angel
– The
strong angel is not named, so he must remain anonymous. He spoke with a loud
voice so that this proclamation would penetrate to every corner of the
universe. The call went out “Who is worthy?” but there is only silence.
And no one in
heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to
look at it (5:3).
No one – A search of the
entire universe from hell to heaven, and everywhere in between turns up no one
worthy to open the scroll.
So
I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to
look at it (5:4).
I
wept much – Wept
(κλαίω klaíō, Gk) in this context means “to weep, wail, lament, implying not
only the shedding of tears, but also every external expression of grief. It is
a word that expresses strong, unrestrained emotion (Luke 19:41; 22:62).” This
is the only time in Scripture that tears are seen in heaven. John did not have
to weep, because God was about to take action
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not
weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed
to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals” (5:5).
The
Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David – “The Lion of the
Tribe of Judah” points to Jacob’s blessing given to the tribe of Judah in
Genesis 49:10. Out of the lion like tribe of Judah would come a strong and
fierce ruler – the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:14).
Jesus is also the “Root of
David.” This messianic title derives from Isaiah 11:1, 10. The genealogies of
Matthew 1 and Luke 3 reveal that Jesus was a descendant of David both on His
father’s and mother’s side (Romans 1:3).
Jesus is the only One worthy to
take the scroll because of who He is; the rightful King from the line of David,
and the Lion from Judah’s tribe. He has overcome!
And
I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living
creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been
slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God
sent out into all the earth (5:6).
A
lamb as though it had been slain – Christ was the Lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The word lamb (ἀρνίον arníon, Gk)
refers to the
Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:3-6; Leviticus 14:10), provided by God (Genesis 22:8).
The Lord Jesus is called the (ἀμνός amnós, Gk) of God because He sacrificed Himself at the time of the
Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). His deliverance of sinners is likened to the
deliverance of Israel out of Egypt. The lamb during the Exodus was the means of
sparing the people, and on account of it, destruction passed them by. In like
manner, Jesus is now the means of sparing those who are willing to apply His
blood in order that the judgment of God may bypass them. Amnós designates more often the Sacrificial Lamb (1 Peter
1:19), referring to the Paschal Lamb or a lamb given up to death in the service
of God. In Revelation Christ appears as the Lamb 31 times.
Seven
horns and seven eyes – Horns in
Scripture symbolize strength and power. Seven, being the number of perfection symbolizes the Lamb’s complete, absolute power (Psalm
22:12). The seven eyes speak of perfect
omniscience, complete understanding, and knowledge. They represent the
“seven Spirits of God” describing the Holy Spirit in all
His fullness (Revelation 4:5), sent “out into all the earth” in judgment of
guilty, unrepentant sinners (John 16:8).
Then
He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne
(5:7).
He
came and took the scroll – The ultimate
goal of redemption is about to be seen – paradise will be regained. Eden will
be restored.
This act will signal the end of man’s day. It is the same scene described by
Daniel in Daniel 7:13-14:
“I
was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One
like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then
to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an
everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the
one
Which shall not be destroyed.
In the Gospels four titles are given to Jesus:
1. As the Son of
David, He has title to the Throne of David.
2. As the Son of
Abraham, He has title to the Land of Palestine, and all included in the Royal
Grant to Abraham.
3. As the Son of
Man, He has title to the Earth and the World.
4. As the Son of
God, He is the Heir of All Things.
The Worthy One has arrived to take back what is rightfully
His!
Now
when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four
elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of
incense, which are the prayers of the saints (5:8).
When
he had taken the scroll – The appearance
of the Lamb as He moves to take the scroll causes praise to break out from
everywhere in the universe. Three more majestic doxologies are added here to the two in
chapter four. There are four things out of place in the universe:
1. The church,
which should be in heaven.
2. Israel, which
should be living in peace occupying all the land promised to her.
3. Satan, who
belongs in the lake of fire.
4. Christ, who
should be seated on His throne reigning.
All of these anomalies will be
set right when Christ takes the scroll from His Father’s hand.
A
harp – The
grammatical structure of the Greek text indicates that it was only the elders,
not the living creatures, who held these two items. Harps were frequently
associated in the Old Testament with worship; being also closely linked with
prophecy (1 Samuel 10:5; 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Chronicles 25:1-6). The harps held by the elders symbolize all of prophecy,
which culminates in the momentous events about to take place.
Golden
bowls full of incense – These were wide-mouthed bowls which were used in the
tabernacle and temple and were connected with the altar. They represent the
priestly work of intercession for the people (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:9-10). The incense in these bowls represents the prayers of
believers through the ages that God’s prophesied promised redemption of the
earth would come to pass.
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy
to take the scroll,
And to open its
seals;
For You were
slain,
And have redeemed
us to God by Your blood
Out of every
tribe and tongue and people and nation (5:9)
And they sang a
new song – The
only reference in the Bible that records angels singing is Job 38:7; so it is
best to view only the elders as singing here. The four living creatures and the
holy angels have no need to be redeemed. Throughout
Scripture, the new song is a song of redemption (Psalms 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1;
144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 14:3). The song is new not only in
magnitude but in words and music. Thus begins the third doxology of praise
to Jesus Christ.
You are worthy
– Christ is worthy because He is the Lamb, the Lion of the
Tribe of Judah, and the King of kings and Lord of lords. To break the
books seals means to enact the judgments written in it, which further
reinforces Christ’s worthiness.
You were slain
and have redeemed us to God by your blood – Christ’s
substitutionary and sacrificial death has purchased people out of every tribe,
tongue, and nation for God. The word redeemed in the Greek is ἀγοράζω agorázō, which
means “to
buy out, especially to purchase a slave for his freedom.” It is “The
consequence of something or someone having been bought is that the buyer has
the right of possession. In the redemptive work of Christ the idea is that
Christ, by offering Himself for us as due satisfaction, freed us from our
liability in paying it ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; Galatians
3:13; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9; 14:3, 4). He,
having paid the price, binds us to Himself.”
And
have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall
reign on the earth” (5:10).
Kings and
priests to our God – The redeemed are a part of God’s kingdom, a community of
believers under God’s sovereign rule. They are also priests to God, signifying
their complete access to God’s presence for worship and service (1 Peter 2:9);
they will offer up spiritual sacrifices, the sacrifice of praise continually (1
Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15). During the Millennial
Kingdom, believers will reign upon the earth with Christ (Revelation 20:6; 2
Timothy 2:12).
Then I looked,
and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures,
and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands (5:11).
Voice of many
angles – To
the voices of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders are now
added those of innumerable angels. Apparently, ten thousand is the highest
number for which the Greeks had a word. Hebrews 12:1 states that the number of
holy angels cannot be counted. According to Revelation 12:3-4, their number is at
least twice as many as the fallen angels.
Saying with a
loud voice:
“Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain
To receive
power and riches and wisdom,
And strength
and honor and glory and blessing!” (5:12)
Saying with a
loud voice - The fourth doxology of praise to Jesus Christ begins with a
loud voice.
Power, riches
wisdom – Jesus
Christ is worthy to receive recognition because of His power and omnipotence;
because of the spiritual and material riches he possesses (Psalm 50:10-12); and
because of His wisdom and omniscience.
Strength,
honor, glory, blessing – For all of those things, and all of His other absolute
perfections, Jesus Christ is worthy of all honor, glory, and blessing.
Parallel passages using the same Greek words:
1. Power (δύναμις dunamis, Gk.) Revelation
1:16 “…and His countenance was like
the sun shining in its strength.”
2. Riches (πλοῦτος ploútos, Gk.) Philippians
4:19. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches
in glory by Christ Jesus.”
3. Wisdom (σοφία sophía, Gk.) 1 Corinthians 3:19. “For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God.”
4. Strength (ἰσχύς ischús, Gk.) Mark 12:30. “And you shall love the Lord your God…… with all your strength.”
5. Honor (τιμή timḗ, Gk.) Hebrews 2:9.
“…crowned with glory and honor.”
6. Glory (δόξα doxa, Gk) 1 Peter 4:11.
“…to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.”
7. Blessing (εὐλογία eulogia, Gk) Romans 15:29.
“…the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”
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, I heard saying:
“Blessing and
honor and glory and power
Be to Him who
sits on the throne,
And to the
Lamb, forever and ever!” (5:13)
Every creature
– With
the fifth doxology of praise, this one is directed to God and Jesus Christ. It
reaches a crescendo of praise from every creature which is in heaven, on the
earth, under the earth, and those that are in the sea (Psalm 69:34).
Blessing,
honor, glory, power – To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb - Endless
blessing, honor, glory, and power belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ. The creation is unable to contain its joy over its imminent redemption
(Romans 8:18-22).
Then the four
living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and
worshiped Him who lives forever and ever (5:14).
Amen – Lost in wonder,
love, and praise, the four living creatures could only keep saying “Amen.” This
word is transliterated from the Greek word ἀμήν amḗn; which
means ““So be it.” It is also a word of affirmation that means “to be firm,
steady, and truthworthy.”
Worshipped Him who lives forever and ever – The twenty-four elders fell down once again and
worshipped. There
is considerable evidence that Psalms 146–150 refer to this scene. Each of the
psalms begins and ends with the exhortation: “Praise the Lord!” which is the
Hebrew phrase “Hallelujah.” In the New Testament, the word is used four times
in Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, and 6, all in connection with the praises of this
same heavenly assemblage.
The stage is set.
©2015 Kenute P. Curry.
All rights reserved.
