REVELATION 5

As this chapter begins, John sees a scroll in the hand of God and hears an angel asking who is worthy to break the seven seals, to open the scroll and to read its contents. We are never told exactly what is written on the scroll, or what its purpose is. But we are told that John wept bitterly when no one was found at first in heaven, on earth or under the earth who was worthy to break the seven seals and open the scroll. So it seems apparent that it is necessary for someone to open the scroll in order for God's redemptive plan for mankind to be fulfilled and completed. We also will learn in subsequent chapters that the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments are executed by God upon the unrepentant among men, and that those judgments are on behalf of the saints who are being persecuted and martyred for their faith.

John is then told by an angel that Christ has triumphed over sin, and he is worthy to open the scroll. The language about Jesus here is clearly symbolic, not literal. The angel calls him the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David. When John sees Jesus standing between the throne of God and the four living creatures, he refers to him as a Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes. Referring to Jesus as the Lamb reminds us that John the Baptist said, "This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29, John 1:36)." It reminds us that Jesus is the Lamb Abraham promised Isaac God would provide (Genesis 22:27-28, Isaiah 53:7). It is also interesting that John refers to Jesus as a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, which probably means that even in his glorified and resurrected body, Jesus carries the nail prints of the cross, and a scar where his side was pierced, as a reminder to us of his sacrifice on Calvary for our sins (John 19:34-37, Luke 24:39-40, John 20:24-29). Refering to Jesus as the Lamb of God, rather than as the Sheep of God, probably is also an indication of his innocence with regard to sin and of the short time he was on earth. The seven horns and seven eyes refer to Christ's complete power and complete knowledge, and they also indicate he is filled with, and in union with the Holy Spirit.

After Jesus takes the scroll from the hand of God, we are told that the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders have harps for worship and bowls of incense which symbolize the prayers of the saints, on whose behalf the seven seal judgments will be executed.

The rest of the chapter describes a progressively greater scene of worship of the Lamb, similar to the worship of God the Father in the previous chapter. The living creatures and elders proclaim that Jesus is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals, because he has redeemed members of every tribe and tongue and people and nation with his own blood. The redeemed shall reign with Christ on earth as a royal priesthood.

The next scene is the worship of the Lamb by so many angels that John can't really even give us a close approximation of how many. The angels proclaim that Jesus is worthy of power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.

Finally, there is one last scene of worship which includes all of the rest of creation, presumably both redeemed and unredeemed men, angels and demons proclaiming that Christ is worthy of blessing, glory, honor and power. This is clearly one of the most powerful moments in Revelation, because it clearly indicates that everything which can breathe and speak will ultimately acknowledge the deity of Christ.