Lecture 5: Revelation 5

Introduction

Today, we reach the fifth chapter of Revelation, which is a continuation of a vision that John is having pertaining to the heavenly temple and how its kingdom authority is imposing itself upon the earth. Last week, we discussed how chapter 4 is connected to the first three chapters of this book. And today, we want to remind you that chapter 5 is connected the previous 4 chapters of this book. That is, the book of Revelation is an entire book, dedicated to expressing hope to seven churches facing exile.

Therefore, the book of Revelation is filled with symbols. Yet, every symbol requires a source. So, from where does the book of Revelation find its source. First from the Hebrew Scriptures and then from the common writings of the day—namely that written during the 400 years of silence.

We will find that ever chapter has a source for its symbols. Furthermore, we should say here that the book of Revelation is a bit redundant. It’s making the similar and often the same prophetic declaration while using different symbols. So, if Revelation 4 was based on Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1, then Revelation 5 is based on Daniel 7 and 4 Ezra.

John’s vision declares that God’s people have an enemy in the Roman Empires who is under the control of Satan. However, they could rest in the fact that Jesus, the Lion of Judah and the Root of David is going to defeat the empire and its master.

Here, we are faced with the question of what is most relevant to the original recipients of this revelation? Why do they want this book, and why should they be encouraged by it? Our answers would be uniquely different to this question. However, we may find that their answers, appropriately applied to our lives, may be a better response to the issues we face than the ones we make up.