Revelation Chapter Five

The Judgment Scene: The Lamb Slain

Revelation 5:1

“And 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”

Revelation 5:1

• This chapter continues the vision of chapter 4

“him who was seated on the throne”

• God is the One “seated on the throne”
• God is seen holding “a scroll” in His “right hand”
• This scroll is very important because only God and the Lamb will be described as holding it

“scroll written within and on the back”

• This scroll is “written within and on the back” (on both sides)
• Meaning there was scarcely enough room to contain everything written.
• This scroll represents the book of life (Phil. 4:3)
• This scroll is “the book of life of the Lamb that was slain” (Rev. 13:8)

“sealed with seven seals”

• This scroll is sealed with “seven seals”
• Book was perfectly sealed.  No one but the Lamb could open it.
• This scroll will be involved in the judgment process
• These seals are on the scroll and will be broken when the scroll is opened, which is important for determining the time periods covered by the seals

Revelation 5:2

“and I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’”

Revelation 5:2

“a strong angel”

• John now sees “a strong angel” who can not open the seal

“loud voice”

• This angel proclaims with a “loud voice”
• A loud voice in the book of Revelation is almost always associated with judgment (Rev. 14:7,9; 8:13; 16:1; 11:15; 14:15,17)
• This scroll or book is a key part of the judgment process
• This scroll contains the names of all those who have claimed to serve God or Christ sometime during their lives

“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”

• The angel asks “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”  Question of moral worth, not of strength or dignity or position.
• The answer is found in Revelation 5:5
• Question of moral worth, not of strength or dignity or position.
• The phrase “open the scroll and break its seals” suggests that the seals are broken when the book is opened
• This in turn suggests that the time periods of the seals will begin with the scroll being opened and not before it is opened
• The “open door” (Rev. 4:1) indicates that the judgment process is beginning (symbolized by the Day of Atonement service) and the seals are still on the scroll (Rev.5:1) which suggests that they have not been removed prior to this judgment process

Revelation 5:3

"And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it"

Revelation 5:3

• This text confirms that no one “in heaven or on earth or under the earth” can open this book or scroll
• This suggests that no one living or dead can open this book
• No one in the universe can open this book except the One who died in order for the names to be placed in this book

Revelation 5:4 

“and I wept much that no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.”

Revelation 5:4

“and I wept much”

• John was extremely upset that no one could open this book
• John recognized that this book was critical to the judgment process he was witnessing
• John wept because he realized there would be no judgment if the book was not opened

“no one was found worthy”

• The issue in opening the book was worthiness (Rev. 5:2)
• No one in the universe was worthy except Jesus Christ

Revelation 5:5

”Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals’”.

Revelation 5:5

“Weep not”

• John is told to not weep because “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” can open the book

“the Lion of the tribe of Judah”

• Jesus was from the tribe of Judah and is the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” Gen 49:9
• Lion signfies strength (Rev. 9:8 17; 10:3; 13:2,5)

“the Root of David”

• Jesus is also the “Root of David” since He is a descendant of David described as “a branch” out of the roots or stump of Jesse, David’s father (Isaiah 11:1)

“has conquered”

• The reason Jesus is worthy to open the scroll is because He “has conquered”
• Jesus has conquered Satan and sin
• Jesus is the only reason that the names can be put in the book
• Without Jesus life and death no one could be saved and there would be no investigative judgment

“he can open the scroll and its seven seals’”

• Jesus is the only One worthy to open His book
• The elder mentioned in this verse is one of the 24 elders sitting on the 24 thrones who will be involved in the judgment process (Rev. 4:4)

Revelation 5:6 

"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"

Revelation 5:6

“between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders”

• Jesus is seen “among” the 24 elders and “between” the 4 creatures and the throne
• Jesus is central to the entire process
• Jesus is central to the entire judgment process which involves the Lamb, the 24 elders, the 4 creatures, God the Father, and the accuser (Rev. 12:10)
• Jesus is our Advocate (I John 1:2)

“Lamb standing, as though it had been slain”

• John now sees “a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain”
• This Lamb is Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)
• “As” indicates that this is a symbol

“with seven horns and with seven eyes”

• The Lamb has 7 horns and 7 eyes
• These 7 horns and 7 eyes represent “the seven spirits of God”
• The horns represent strength and glory (Lam 2:3)
• The seven spirits:
  • These 7 spirits are “sent out into all the earth”
  • These 7 spirits are described as “torches of fire” in Rev. 4:5
  • The torches represent light for the world
  • The 7 spirits represent the Holy Spirit and its work
  • Seven spirits suggests one for each of God’s seven churches throughout history
• The eyes represent intelligence, wisdom and the ability to see past, present and future
• The presence of these symbols on the Lamb suggests the close connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit
• God the Father is also connected to the seven spirits (Rev. 1:4, 4:5)

Revelation 5:7

“and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.”

Revelation 5:7

“went and took the scroll”

• Jesus now collects His book from God the Father on the throne: this action represents His victory over sin
• This is the key point of Revelation 4 & 5

“from the right hand of him who was seated”

• Only Jesus and God the Father are described as holding this book
• Only the Lamb slain can open His book containing the names of those He died to save

Revelation 5:8

“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 with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints”

Revelation 5:8

“And when he had taken the scroll”

• When Jesus takes the scroll the 24 elders and the four creatures fall down in worship and adoration
• Jesus taking the scroll marks the beginning of the judgment process

“holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense”

• Each of the elders and creatures hold harps or lyres and golden bowls
• Vials or bowls or saucers.  Dishes in which offerings were commonly presented.  According to Josephus phialai of incense were placed on the showbread in the sanctuary. 
• Being in golden receptacles may indicate the preciousness with which heaven regards the prayers

“which are the prayers of the saints”

• The golden bowls are “full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints”
• These prayers are related to the judgment process
• These prayers represent the plaintiffs’ pleas for mercy and forgiveness for themselves and others
• These prayers are the only part that we as sinners have in this process
• We can only ask for forgiveness and accept God’s grace: Jesus, the Lamb Slain,  does all the rest
• Christ’s triumphant church on earth lifting its voice in song and prayer

Revelation 5:9

“and they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation’”

Revelation 5:9

“and they sang a new song”

• This new song is a song of praise to the Lamb
• This song is a unique song of praise
• This is a song celebrating redemption
• This song will be sung by the redeemed

“Worthy art thou to take the scroll”

• This song celebrates the One who is “Worthy”

 “to open its seals”

• Jesus is the only One worthy to take the scroll and open its seals

“for thou wast slain”

• The death of Christ with its resulting salvation for man which in turn vindicates the character of God is the basis for the worthiness of Christ

“by thy blood didst ransom men for God”

• Jesus is worthy because He was slain and ransomed “men for God”

“from every tribe and tongue and people and nation’”

• The saved are ransomed from every “tribe and tongue and people and nation”
• This group (tribe, tongue, people, and nation) is God’s last day audience
• They receive the 3 angels’ messages (Rev. 14:6)
• They are the people who exist during the 8^th king’s reign (Rev. 11:9)

Revelation 5:10

“and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth.”

Revelation 5:10

“hast made them a kingdom”

• This “kingdom” includes all the ransomed throughout the history of the world
• This kingdom is being reviewed during the investigative judgment
• This kingdom will “come” when the accuser is cast down (Rev. 12:10)

“and priests to our God”

• They will serve as “priests to our God”     (I Peter 2:9)
• Priests are those who present offerings to God

“they shall reign on earth.”

• They will dwell in God’s new Jerusalem on the earth made new (Rev. 21:1-3)
• They will reign on earth (Rev. 2:26) after the 1000 years (Rev. 20, 21, 22)

Revelation 5:11

“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”

Revelation 5:11

• John now hears the voices of many angels
• The number of angels is countless but is “thousands of thousands” which means he saw millions of angels  (Dan 7:10?)
• These angels are singing praises to Jesus the Lamb for He alone is worthy

Revelation 5:12

"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!’"

Revelation 5:12

• This praise echoes the praises of the 24 elders and the 4 creatures:
• “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”
• Jesus is now praised with seven praises:
• This suggests perfect or complete praise
• Jesus is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing “forever and ever”
• Power in this is Gr. dunamis, Power of God in action.

Revelation 5:13

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, ‘To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!’”

Revelation 5:13

• Now all of creation joins in praising the Lamb:
• “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea”
• All creation praises both God and the Lamb together “equally”
• Power Gr. kratos, Power to rule or dominion.

Revelation 5:14

“And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”

Revelation 5:14

• Now the 4 creatures and the 24 elders agree with this praise and then fall down and worship God and His Son
• “Amen” means verily or sure or truly:
• All of the praises are true
• Jesus is truth: Jesus is the Amen
• It should be noted that Revelation chapters 4 & 5 are filled with praise to God and the Lamb
• The investigative judgment process is a celebration of God’s goodness which is His glory (Exodus 33:18,19)
• Each time one of God’s people is reviewed and found to be saved heaven erupts in praise to God and the Lamb

Summary

• Revelation chapter 5 continues the judgment scene which began in Revelation chapter 4
• This investigative judgment will review the lives of all those who claimed to serve God
• This process will restore or cleanse the heavenly sanctuary of the sins transferred there by Christ’s death as our Lamb Slain
• Revelation 5 describes a scroll which no man can open
• This scroll contains the names of all those who have ever attempted to serve God or Jesus
• The only One who is worthy to open this scroll or book is the Lamb Slain who died to put our names in the book
• This book is the book of life (Phil. 4:3)
• This book is sealed when the door is opened (Rev. 4:1 compare Rev. 5:1)
• The door was opened in 1844
• This book will be opened and the seals will be removed when the judgment begins
• This judgment involves only those whose names are in the book
• This judgment began in 1844 when the 2300 year prophecy of Dan. 8:14 ended and the sanctuary was to be cleansed or restored to its rightful state
• This judgment involves God as judge, Jesus as our Advocate, the 24 elders as the jury and Satan as the accuser
• The issue is restoring trust in heaven and cleansing sin from the universe so that it will never occur again
• The process involves reviewing the records of all those whose names are in the book
• This process is similar to an appeals court where the Judge, His decisions and the legal process are on trial
• This process is described as one of celebration as God is praised for His right decisions and His mercy and justice
• The Lamb Slain is praised for His redemptive work
• There are seven seals on the scroll or book
• These seals will be broken when the book is opened and will describe events which will occur after the investigative judgment begins (1844)
• These seals are described in Revelation chapter 6 and Revelation 8:1