Read Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creaturesand the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harpand they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earthand on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Go Deeper
In Revelation 5, we see John’s focus shift from the throne to the scroll. On the throne, there is a scroll with seven seals that none can open. As the mighty angel proclaims, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”, it appears that no one on heaven or earth can open the scroll. The scroll contains God’s judgment so if the scroll cannot be opened, wickedness would not be judged. Johns’s only response is to weep. One of the elders present stops John in his weeping and says, “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.” There is a glimpse of hope beginning to arise.
Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10) and the Root of Davis (Isaiah 11:10). He conquered sin and death on the cross and rose victorious proclaiming victory for His people. John looks up and sees a Lamb standing as though it had been slain. Make no mistake: the Lamb of God is alive but He was sacrificed and paid for our sins. Our freedom was through the cross, not around it (Psalm 77:19). The Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes which throughout scripture signify wisdom and power. Our risen Lord had no rival and He has no equal.
As Jesus took the scroll, the only response was to worship. The 24 elders, the angels, the four living creatures–every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them. Why was Jesus worthy to open the scroll? He was slain, and by His blood, He ransomed people for God. He is worthy of blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. Jesus is eternal and is worthy of our praise forever and ever.
Questions
Who/what in your life are you worshiping apart from Jesus?
How does the worship scene that John sees inspire you to worship God?
How does Jesus as the Lion and Lamb give you hope?
Keep Digging
Read this article from GotQuestions.org to learn more about the seven seals.
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6 thoughts on “Revelation 5”
The word “worthy” captures my attention as it references the Messiah, Jesus Christ, pictured as both a lion with authority and power, and a lamb who submitted to God’s will to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind, defeating the forces of evil. All are invited to accept in faith this ultimate sacrifice regardless of “tribe, language, people or nation.” Because of this truth, a glorious future awaits us regardless of present struggles, God wins! Let’s not wait until eternity to join with the hosts of angels but everyday give him praise and glory with every fiber of our being. He is WORTHY!
What a scene John is describing, WOW. Sorrow at first but then comfort with knowledge. Then an unimaginable scene of Christ as the Lamb. “By Your blood” He purchased every persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. The bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Those are precious sweet smelling incense before God. He has a special place for our prayers. Voices were heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, (The term 60 ריבוא (“60 ribo”), which literally stands for 600,000 is used several times in the bible to denote “a very large undefinitive number”.) What a beautiful sound it must have been. WOOHOO!!!!! And then he 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!” Amen and Amen so be it. WOOHOO!!!
God thank You for the picture words can paint. Thank You for giving me a taste of what things are going to be like. Your are an Omnipotence God who is all-powerful. Which means You, God have supreme power and have no limitations. You are also an Omniscience God who is all-knowing. Which means You, God You know everything, including the past and future. Thank You God for being able to praise You!!! Thank You for my mind and understanding as much as my brain can hold. God I give You blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://youtu.be/IkHgxKemCRk?si=lBaGRrRFI6UVvCg8
Forever grateful for the gift of music. This song is inspired by Revelation 4&5.
John describes a scene that would have Jesus be praised as the only one worthy to open the scroll of God’s judgement. Imagine being seated in Heaven as an angel proclaims our Savior as the only one worthy. As He sacrificed Himself for us, no one else can touch Him.
When I think of what I worship outside of God, the worldly idol of people-pleasing/fear of man comes to mind. Have I put more effort into pleasing man?! After everything Jesus gave up for me, how can I continue on this way? Just as written in Rev. 4:11, “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created”. WOW!
Q: Who is worthy?
A: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.