Revelation Chapter 5
Revelation 5 depicts Jesus Christ as the only one worthy to execute God’s plan for judgment and redemption. The chapter follows the apostle John’s vision of a seven-sealed scroll in heaven that no one is able to open. After John weeps, Jesus appears as a conquering “Lion” who is simultaneously a slain “Lamb,” and he takes the scroll, initiating universal worship.
The seven-sealed scroll
The chapter begins by introducing a scroll held in the right hand of God, who is seated on the throne. The scroll is sealed with seven seals, representing God’s divine plan for history, which remains inaccessible until the seals are broken.
- No one is worthy to open it: A mighty angel asks who is worthy to open the scroll, but no one in the universe—neither in heaven nor on earth—is found with the authority to do so.
- John’s distress: The revelation of the scroll’s importance and the apparent lack of anyone worthy to open it causes John to weep in sorrow.
The Lamb who is the Lion
An elder then comforts John, telling him not to weep, because the one worthy to open the scroll has been found.
- The Lion of Judah: The elder first identifies this figure with the Old Testament messianic title of the “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” symbolizing his kingship and power.
- The slain Lamb: However, when John looks, he does not see a fierce lion but a Lamb “looking as if it had been slain,” standing in the center of the throne. This powerful and paradoxical imagery fuses Christ’s sacrificial death with his ultimate victory.
- Omnipotent and omniscient: This Lamb is not an object of pity. He is portrayed with seven horns (representing perfect power) and seven eyes (representing perfect knowledge), which are the seven spirits of God.
- The Lamb takes the scroll: The Lamb then takes the scroll from God, an act signifying his unique authority to execute God’s sovereign plan for judgment and redemption.
The universal chorus of worship
After the Lamb takes the scroll, a scene of worship unfolds, beginning in heaven and extending throughout creation.
- The four living creatures and twenty-four elders, holding harps and golden bowls of incense representing the prayers of God’s people, prostrate themselves before the Lamb.
- They sing a new song acknowledging the Lamb’s worthiness due to his sacrifice, which redeemed people from every nation for God.
- An innumerable multitude of angels joins in, proclaiming the Lamb’s worthiness to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing.
- Ultimately, all creation in heaven, on earth, and under the earth participates in this worship, offering blessing, honour, glory, and power to God and the Lamb eternally.