Revelation 5

Worthy is the Lamb

Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

The right hand is a symbol of power and authority. In the hand was a scroll containing much information, written on both sides. A scroll had up and down columns of writing, read from left to right as it was unrolled. There were no books in John's time as we see a book. They used scrolls of brownish paper which were rolled up.

The old and new testaments were God's will and redemption plan for the people of this world. Perhaps this scroll in heaven contained the will of God for the future, things that only God would know. It was a legal document because it was sealed with seven seals. In the Roman times, a document was witnessed by seven people, each giving a seal. The Holy Spirit is referred to as seven spirits. The Spirit of God perhaps sealed the scroll whose contents only the Father knew.

Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found
worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

John wept, because no man was worthy to open the scrolls. He was in heaven in the spirit, to see things to come, now the revelation seemed to be blocked; the understanding was locked in the sealed scroll. We all have felt as John, where we were promised something and then the door seemed to be shut. Like John, we wept, but God will reveal his plan in time.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

One of the wise elders had faith in the one who was able to open the scroll, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed, Greek word: nikao, to carry off the victory, come off victorious, our intercessor and advocate. Jesus is able to open the scrolls, and to loose the seven seals. Where is Jesus?

Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

In the midst of the throne, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, full of power and truth; full of the Holy Spirit.

John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Jesus the Lamb of God. The Passover Lamb. John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God:

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Jesus shares with the Father, His glory and receives worship with Him. Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God in a vision as he was being stoned for witnessing for him.

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The focus turns to Jesus, all present continue to worship the Son as they did the Father. They are worshipped together. This is important. Some cults only worship God, the Father. Jesus is worthy to receive honor with the Father. He is worthy to open the seals, he was slain and lives, his blood redeemed people from all nations: Through him we shall reign as kings and priests in the Millennium.

Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Do not follow anyone who does not worship Jesus and the Father as God. The Lamb will open the scroll, the revelation of things to come. No mere man or angel can open it. Jesus is God who came in a man. The Living Word made flesh. The redeemer and revealer of God's plan.

Many angels worship

Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

More angels than can be counted: One hundred million angels and thousands of thousands. This was not in a small room, Can God be contained?

Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, there is no doubt that the Lamb is every bit God, the Son of God.

Rev 5:13 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

All creation worship God the Father and God the Son.

Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Rev 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

"Depend upon it, my hearer, you never will go to heaven unless you are prepared to worship Jesus Christ as God. They are all doing it there: you will have to come to it, and if you entertain the notion that he is a mere man, or that he is anything less than God, I am afraid you will have to begin at the beginning and learn what true religion means. You have a poor foundation to rest upon. I could not trust my soul with a mere man, or believe in an atonement made by a mere man: I must see God himself putting his hand to so gigantic a work." (Spurgeon)

The four angelic creatures said "Amen."

Revelation Chapters

Revelation 6
Revelation 1 Table of Contents
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