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Revelation Chapter Five

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Chapter of the Lamb

I. Only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll that is sealed with seven seals (v.1-5)

II. The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll because it had been slain (v.6-10)

III. Praise God and the Lamb (v.11-14)

  

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rev. 5:1 “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.

   YLT: “And I saw upon the right hand of Him who is sitting upon the throne a scroll, written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals;”

   Meaning of Words: “seal”: signet; “seal”: seal closely, affix the seal.

   The Background: the contract of the ownership of the Israel in the ancient times was written in the sheepskin which was rolled up and sealed with seals. And they wouldn’t open the seal until the appointed time to inherit the inheritance officially (See Jer. 32:10-14).

   Literal Meaning: “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll” “the right hand” is where the power is (See Ps. 118:16). “A scroll” is the book of rights and interests of the universe. Though the Lamb had paid the precious price of His blood (See v.9) and gained this book of gains and interests, we had to wait until the fullness of times and the sealed seven seals were opened one by one, i.e. after the various visions in the following chapters were realized and the inheritance in the book will be handed over officially. Before it the whole creation is fervently waiting for the realization of the contents in the scroll (See Rom. 8:20-23).

“Written inside and on the back” it shows that the contents of the scroll have been written completely and any one should not add something unto it (See 22:18).

“Sealed with seven seals.” It shows that if the seals were not opened, the contents of the scroll will not be realized (please note that some Bible exegetes interpreted it into “the contents of the scroll were unknown before the seven seals were opened”, actually, the contents of the scroll are the New Testament. Those who read the Bible have known it long ago, however, some of the contents have not been realized.)

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The eternal plan that God has prepared for us has been written in the “scroll”, however, many plans and promises in it cannot be accomplished before the seven seals are opened. 

2) The mystery of God’s will has been already known to the apostles and has been preached to us to see (See Eph. 1:9; 3:8-11) and it becomes our hope so that we will earnestly wait for the coming of the day with the whole creation (See Rom. 8:20-25).

 

Rev. 5:2 “Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’”

   YLT: “and I saw a strong messenger crying with a great voice, `Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose the seals of it?'”

   Meaning of Words: “strong”: mighty, powerful; “proclaim”: declare; “open”: open up, uncover; “loose”: release, dissolve.

   Literal Meaning: “Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,” “a strong angel” indicates that it can make the sound spread to the various places in the heaven, on the earth and under the earth.

“‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’” “Worthy” is the matter of qualification instead of the matte of strength. “Who is worthy” is a challenge and it has the negative meaning, showing that no one is worthy to open the scroll except the Lord Jesus (See v.5).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God has prepared various kinds of vessels and servants to carry our His administration in the universe and He has prepared “a strong angel”. In the church, each of us does our duty according to the grace that is given to us by God (See Rom. 12:3-8).

2) One is worthy if God regards him worthy and one is unworthy if God regards him unworthy. We should be humble and obedient and should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think (See Rom. 12:3).

 

Rev. 5:3 “And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

   YLT: “and no one was able in the heaven, nor upon the earth, nor under the earth, to open the scroll, nor to behold it.”

   Meaning of Words: “was able to”: can, be possible; “look at”: behold, perceive.

   Literal Meaning: “in heaven or on the earth or under the earth” “in heaven” refers to all angels. “On the earth” refers to all men. “Under the earth” refers to the souls detained in Hades (See Luke. 16:22-23).

And no one was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.” Certainly no one is worthy to open the scroll and look at it.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) At all times and in all countries, no one is worthy to open the scroll and only the Lord Jesus Himself has the qualification. Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, no one is able to reveal all the mysteries in the Bible because the hidden things belong unto God (See Deut. 29:29).

2) If somebody declares that he is the doctor of the Bible and he has opened all the mysteries in the sixty-six rolls of the Bible, probably he has overshot the truth because some mysteries have been sealed up (See 10:4; Dan. 12:4, 9) and some mysteries are not like what men has interpreted.

 

Rev. 5:4 “So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.

   YLT: “And I was weeping much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the scroll, nor to behold it,”

   Meaning of Words: “weep”: wail aloud, sob hard.

   Literal Meaning: when men face the desperate circumstances, we are not only powerless but also helpless and we can do nothing but weeping much.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If no one is able to open the scroll indeed, the whole universe will turn unto vanity and therefore we have to weep much.

2) We have to identify with the mind of God----weeping much, for the sake of the accomplishment of God’s will. Weeping bitterly and bursting into tears sometimes are not the love to ourselves but the nobler sentiment.

 

Rev. 5:5 “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.’”

   YLT: “and one of the elders saith to me, `Weep not; lo, overcome did the Lion, who is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, to open the scroll, and to loose the seven seals of it;”

   Meaning of Words: “root”: the root of a tree; “prevail”: overcome, defeat.

   Literal Meaning: “But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep.” “Of the elders” refers to of the twenty-four elders (See v.8).

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” “the tribe of Judah” according to the genealogy, the Lord Jesus was of the tribe of Judah (See Matt. 1:3, 16; Luke. 3:23, 33). “The Lion” is the king of animals and it represents power, dignity and royalty. “The Lion of the tribe of Judah” means that the Lord Jesus was the one who was predicted to come by Jacob (See Gen. 49:9-10) and He has prevailed and reigned.

“The Root of David, has prevailed” “the Root of David” indicates that He is the source of the dynasty of David (See Is. 11:10; Matt. 22:42-45). “Has prevailed” indicates that He was raised from the dead (See Rom. 1:4).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers always weep because of misunderstanding or ignorance and if we can understand the spiritual fact, we will turn tears into smiles and turn sadness into joy (See Ps. 30:11).

2) Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and He has defeated the enemy and has bruised the head of the old serpent (See Gen. 3:15).

 

Rev. 5:6 “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.

   YLT: “and I saw, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb hath stood as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God, which are sent to all the earth,”

   Meaning of Words: “had been slain”: had been slain just now; “horn”: the horn in the head of the animal.

   Spiritual Meaning: “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” “a Lamb” refers to the Lord Jesus Himself (See John. 1:29) and a Lamb is a weak and small animal which is bullied and killed by others at will. It symbolizes weakness, docility, lowliness, meekness and helplessness. “Stood” shows that though He has accomplished the great work of redemption and gained the book of rights and interests of the universe, the final battle and judgment of the implementation of God’s eternal plan have not been accomplished. And therefore He still stood.

“As though it had been slain,” in the original it is “as though it had been slain just now” and it means that in the eyes of bystanders, the mark of being slain is still fresh.

“Having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God” “seven horns” horn is for the battle (See Deut. 33:17) and it symbolizes the perfect power, might and strength. “Seven eyes” are for running to and fro the whole earth (See Zech. 4:10) and they symbolize the perfect discernment, intelligence and wisdom. “The seven Spirits of God” symbolize the perfect effect of the Spirit and He is omnipotent, all-wise and omniscient.

“Sent out into all the earth.” The Spirit’s being sent out into all the earth is specially related to us: 1) He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (See John. 16:8), that we can receive grace and be saved; 2) He will guide us into all truth (See John. 16:13), that our walkings can conform to the truth; 3) He will help us to pray (See Rom. 8:27) and strengthen us (See Eph. 3:16), that we can overcome enemies (See Eph. 6:17-18) and become overcomers.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christ is the Lion towards enemies (See v.5). He is the Lamb of God towards believers (See John. 1:29, 36) who was slain and shed blood for the sins of the world and accomplished the great work of redemption.

2) As though Christ was slain just now in heaven, the effect of His death is still fresh and the cross remains fresh forever.

3) Concerning the work of the Lord’s redemption, He has accomplished the work and “sat” on the right hand of God’s throne (See John. 19:30; Heb. 1:13). However, concerning the Lord’s accomplishing the plan of eternity that God has entrusted to Him, He has not completely accomplished it and therefore He still “stood”.

4) God does not give the Spirit by measure unto Christ (See John. 3:34) and make “seven horns and seven eyes” be manifested upon Him-----He has the perfect power and the perfect wisdom.

5) The Spirit has two functions upon us: a) the “seven horns”----He gives men power (See Acts. 1:8); b) the “seven eyes”----He gives men wisdom and revelation (See Eph. 1:17).

 

Rev. 5:7 “Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

   YLT: “and he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who is sitting upon the throne.”

   Literal Meaning: “He” is the Lord Jesus (See v.6). “Him who sat on the throne” is God the Father (See 4:8, 11).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord has taken the “scroll” out of the right hand of God the Father and therefore He has the absolute sovereignty over the whole universe. We should fully obey Him and listen to His commandments.

2) Now all the rights and interests in the universe are in the hand of the Lord and what do we pursue except the Lord? Oh! Christ has become the hope of glory in our hearts (See Col. 1:27).

 

Rev. 5:8 “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.

   YLT: “And when he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, having each one harps and golden vials full of perfumes, which are the prayers of the saints,”

   Meaning of Words: “incense”: it is plural in the original.

   Literal Meaning: “Now when He had taken the scroll,” it shows that the task of opening the seven seals is about to be carried out.

“The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb,” “The four living creatures” are the representatives of every living creature except angels (See the notes in 4:6-9). “The twenty-four elders” are the representatives of all angels (See the notes in 4:4, 11). “Fell down” refers to worship (See Dan. 3:5; Matt. 2:11).

“Each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense,” “Having a harp” refers to offering thanks and praise (See Ps. 33:2-3; 43:4). “Golden bowls” were also called “golden censers” because they were used as censers. They were used to offer prayers and they can be called “vessels of prayers”. 

“Which are the prayers of the saints.” “Incense” is made by four kinds of sweet spices and salt (See Exod. 30:34-35) and it symbolizes that only the ingredients of resurrection in the prayers of all saints will be acceptable to God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Many times, our worship to God stresses on the outer activities and the sense of “falling down” towards God is lacked. May we learn the attitude of fearing God more.

2) The greater part of believers’ prayers are supplications and thanks and praise are few. However, the most effective prayer is the supplication with thanks and praise.

3) The vessels of offering prayers are “golden bowls” and they are holy. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James. 5:16).

4) Though the individual prayer of believers is important, the prayer made by two or three and the church with one mind (golden bowls) is more effective (See Matt. 18:19-20; Acts. 4:31).

5) Some people say that the best prayer is that Christ in us prays to Christ in heaven. Truly, in the prayers believers have to follow the guidance of the indwelling Christ according to the merits (incense) of Christ’s death and resurrection and offer up fitting prayers.

 

Rev. 5:9 “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,

   YLT: “and they sing a new song, saying, `Worthy art thou to take the scroll, and to open the seals of it, because thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,”

   Meaning of Words: “new”: fresh, a new kind; “slain”: be slaughtered, be killed fiercely.

   Literal Meaning: “And they sang a new song, saying:” “a new song” refers to the song of redemption and before which there is only the song of creation (See 4:11). And therefore the song of redemption becomes a new song.

“‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals;” the following words show the reason why He is “worthy”.

For You were slain,” “for” shows the reason. “You were slain” indicates that the Lord Jesus was crucified (See Acts. 5:30).

And have redeemed by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,” “Your blood” refers to the precious blood of the Lord Jesus shed on the cross (See Matt. 26:28). “Every tribe” refers to every breed (each one has the same ancestors). “Every tongue” refers to every dialect (each one has the same language). “Every people” refers to every race (each one has different races). “Every nation” refers to every country (each one has different countries). “Every tribe and tongue and people and nation” refers to all men on the earth. “Have redeemed us” refers to paying the price of the precious blood and redeeming all those who are willing to receive the redemption.

“Us to God” “Us” refers to the people who have been redeemed. The appellation of “us” shows that the twenty-four elders are not the elders of the church.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) They fell down (See v.8) and sang a new song to thank and praise the merits and achievements of the Lamb’s death. The more we mediate the great work that Christ has accomplished on the cross, the more humbly we will offer fitting worship and prayers.

2) From this song of redemption, it is obvious that the people who are redeemed are the main beneficiaries of the scroll. And they are leading roles in God’s eternal plan and they play an important role in it.

 

Rev. 5:10 “And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”

   YLT: “and didst make us to our God kings and priests, and we shall reign upon the earth.'”

   Meaning of Words: “make”: do, cause; “king”: kingdom, royalty; “reign”: king.

   Literal Meaning: “And have made us kings” “king” is “kingdom” in the original and it refers to making us a peculiar people partaking in a holy nation (See 1Pet. 2:9).

“And priests to our God;” “priests” refers to a royal priesthood (See 1Pet. 2:9) and their position is serving God. In the times of the New Testament, all those who have received grace are priests.

And we shall reign on the earth.’” “On the earth” is not in heaven and therefore the whole sentence has two meanings: 1) if believers live in the reality of the kingdom of God today (See Matt. 6:10), we can reign with the Lord in the Spirit and do not need to lie in the wicked (See Col. 1:13; 1John. 5:19). 2) When the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven in future, all believers shall reign (See 22:5).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Kings” includes an idea of fellowship. Christians are a group of people called out by God from the world to gather together and live for the will of God.

2) Since we are “kings” of God, we have to absolutely be under the sovereignty of God and walk according to His will. And therefore we should seek to understand the will of God in everything and walk according to it.

3) We are royal “priests”. Every Christian has the privilege to come to God directly and every Christian has to offer up his service, worship and everything he has to God.

4) “Priest” means “the one who builds the bridge” in Latin. Believers are all priests of God and are bridges between God and men----manifesting God to men and bringing men to God. 

5) The main duty of priests is offering up spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God (See v.5). We have to devote ourselves to engaging in the spiritual things before God every day and have things to offer up.

6) The best sacrifice that Christians can offer is our hearts and ourselves (See Rom. 12:1). What God desires the most is our love to Him from the depth of our hearts and our service to Him in life.

 

Rev. 5:11 “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,

   YLT: “And I saw, and I heard the voice of many messengers round the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders -- and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands --”

   Meaning of Words: ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands”: thousands upon thousands, ten thousands upon ten thousands, tens of thousands of.

   Literal Meaning: “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders;” “angels” are ministering spirits. They not only serve God but also minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation (See Heb. 1:14)

“And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,” it means that they are countless.

 

Rev. 5:12 “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!

   YLT: “saying with a great voice, `Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing!'”

   Meaning of Words: “power”: might, strength; “riches”: abundance, affluence; “wisdom”: great wisdom, intelligence; “strength”: might, forcefulness; “honor”: dignity, high price; “glory”: honor, splendor; “blessing”: praise, best wishes.

   Literal Meaning: “saying with a loud voice: the Lamb who was slain “a loud voice” refers to fully expressing the inner esteem.

“‘Worthy is…to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! ” the perfect song of praise of seven layers refers to including all fair words that have not been said.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, was worthy of the perfect praise.

2) The song of praise also manifests the being of Christ----He is worthy of the praise because He is such God.

 

Rev. 5:13 “And everycreature 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!’”

   YLT: “and every creature that is in the heaven, and in the earth, and under the earth, and the things that are upon the sea, and the all things in them, heard I saying, `To Him who is sitting upon the throne, and to the Lamb, the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the might -- to the ages of the ages!'”

   Meaning of Words: “sea”: ocean; “power”: might.

   Literal Meaning: “And everycreature 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:” the description here has two more items than that in the third verse: “such as are in the sea, and all that are in them”.

“‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’” “Him who sits on the throne, the Lamb” God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are the objects of worship.

 

Rev. 5:14 “Then the four living creatures said, Amen! And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

   YLT: “and the four living creatures said, `Amen!' and the twenty-four elders fell down and they bow before Him who is living to the ages of the ages.”

   Meaning of Words: “Amen”: verily, may it be so.

   Literal Meaning: the song of redemption of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders (See v.9-10) leads to the reaction of every creature and therefore it ends with Amen, falling down and worship.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Lamb Is Worthy

I. Only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll and loose its seven seals

  A. no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it (v.1-4)

  B. the Lamb who is able to open the scroll:

1) He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (v.5a)

2) He is the Root of David (v.5b)

3) He has prevailed (v.5c)

4) as though He had been slain (v.6a)

5) He has seven horns and seven eyes (v.6b)

II. The Lamb is worthy of the praise of all

  A. the prayers of the saints (v.8)

  B. the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang a new song (v.9-10)

  C. many angels praised Him loudly (v.11-12)

  D. every creature praised Him (v.13)

  E. the reaction of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders (v.14)

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren