The Lamb and the Scroll

The Sealed Scroll and the Lion of Judah

We see the One seated on the throne, which continues the picture of the throne room and builds the idea of God’s rule started in chapter 4. And He has in His right hand a scroll. The right hand equals power and authority.

But, what is this scroll? several possibilities have been suggested.

Certainly it contains God’s judgment as the following chapters reveal just that.

It borrows imagery from ancient contract deeds where the inner contents were summarized and written on the outside.

Ezekiel 2:9-10 contains similar imagery, and Ezekiel’s message is one of judgment.

It is likely that Revelation combines several “book” passages that deal with judgment here to introduce the judgment that stems from the scroll, and one scholar sees the verses of chapter 5 following the pattern set forth in Daniel 7.

There is a legal nature to the whole matter that points back to Rev.4:1 and what “must take place,” which was an allusion to Daniel 2:28. The scroll represents what God must do too judge evil and bring the redemption and restoration secured by the death and resurrection of the Lamb (more on Him and this idea in a moment!)

The seals point at least to:

Daniel 12:4a, 9 — “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.” and “He said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.’”

Isaiah 29:11 — “And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, ‘Read this,’ he says, ‘I cannot read.’”

The seals were meant to keep the message hidden until the time of their fulfillment, a common theme in apocalyptic literature (similar to Dan.8:26).

The angels summons with a loud voice so that no one misses the call. Note that the angels asks who is worthy, not who is strong enough. The Worthy One was first introduced in 4:11. The one with a loud voice echoes Dan.4:13-14, 23. The search is for the single person who can unfold God’s plan.

No one…was able to open the scroll. In other words, there was found no one sufficient to meet the need or worthy to accomplish the task. It is a reminder that opening the scroll calls for a unique person worthy of doing this specific task. The inability to find anyone worthy paves the way for the uniqueness of the Lamb. The fact that on one in all of creation can open the scroll should remind the reader that God’s purposes in salvation cannot be achieved by human effort, only by God alone.

The inability to find someone worthy leads John to weep loudly in vs.4, and emphasis of disappointment from vv.2-3. It’s not that John’s curiosity isn’t met, but that God’s redemptive purpose for mankind aren’t carried out from John’s limited perspective…remember he is watching a drama unfold.

Often mankind has wept throughout the unfolding of salvation history because they perceive that God’s plan may be thwarted. (Often in narrative material, the author will leave the reader hanging on this question as a way of driving the text forward to show God’s ability despite man’s rebellion.)

John doesn’t weep long. One of the elders points to the victorious Christ, instructing John to weep no more. The fact that John’s weeping was brief should remind us that we need not fret over whether or not God’s plans of salvation will be hindered.

Jesus’ identity as the Messiah is underscored by His associations here with Judah and David. The root is something from which the rest of the plant grows, showing the primacy of the Christ over David.

Further, the fierce Lion of Judah is the One who has conquered.

Lest we need any more evidence about the identity of Jesus as the Messiah…He is shown here as the One who fulfills the promises to David, the One who came after David yet is before David, the One of Whom David, who was king, claimed as his own Lord. And, He is the receiver of the blessing Judah who was blessed by Jacob who was blessed by Isaac who was blessed by Abraham to fulfill the covenant promises. If we think this is a passing matter, not so big of a deal, consider only the first chapter and the first verse of the New Testament: Matt.1:1 “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” At the end of history, who is it that stands victorious? This morning we sang,

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,

He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy of this?

He is.

The Living Lamb who is Worthy of Worship

While it may be tempting to see the picture of a lion and hear David (who has conquered his ten thousands) and think of military might, verse 6 notes how the Messiah has won and proved Himself worthy. John heard about a lion, but when he turned, he saw a Lamb…as though it had been slain. Osborne calls this the most beautiful mixed metaphor in all of Scripture. He argues that the order is just as important: Lion -> Lamb, showing that it’s the suffering of Jesus that wins the victory.

The Lamb appearing as if it had been slain, combined with the past tense “conquered” in v.4, proves that the cross IS the place where the victory was won. Armageddon will only serve as a culmination of a victory that has already been won.

But, there’s more! The Lion -> the Lamb -> the victorious ram (the Lamb has seven horns). Remember that these are symbolic markers. For instance, the Lamb slain draws on passages like the Passover (Ex.12:1-24) and the lamb led to slaughter (Isa.53:7), as well as the entire sacrificial system. If Christ symbolically appears throughout the book as a lamb, it may be an important clue to understanding how to take Revelation (remember, apocalyptic literature starts with the symbolic and moves to the literal when necessary).

Seven horns means divine and complete power.

Seven eyes shows divine and complete wisdom and understanding.

Again, there is a reference to the seven spirits (see previous commentary).

The lamb has met the challenge of the narrative (v.2-5) and takes the scroll. In so doing, there is a transfer of authority from God to the Lamb, a public confirmation of the position the Lamb holds. He will now execute the reign and rule of the One on the throne. This is likely symbolic of Dan.7:9-14 being fleshed out.

Daniel 7:9–14 ESV

“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Verse 8 begins with the heavenly response to the Lamb taking the scroll — worship and adoration because the Lamb is worthy. Humility is shown as they fell down before the Lamb. Typically, this means laying prostrate. Here, it seems it only intends to refer to their humility, because they have in their hands a harp and gold bowls full of incense.

Harps were used in temple worship to accompany hymns, and they point to a joyous occasion. This may be an important point to bear in mind as the DOTL begins to unfold with the opening scroll.

The golden bowls mirror the bowls next to the Bread of Presence (see Ex.25:29; 37:16). These bowls contain the prayers of the saints, likely including praise and thanksgiving and prayers of vindication.

When we sing:

All the saints and angels

They bow before Your throne

All the elders cast their crowns

Before the Lamb of God and sing

You are worthy of it all

Your are worthy of it all

For from You are all things

And to You are all things

You deserve the glory

Day and night, night and day

Let incense arise

This is what we are singing and declaring! The truth that unfolds in our passage. And when we say, “Let incense arise!”, we’re comforting ourselves with this truth, that the prayers of the saints rise to throne of heaven. Is that not quite the encouragement, especially to churches who would have been in the throes of persecution? In the midst of the heavenly drama that brings about the DOTL, the prayers of God’s people are there!

Further, they sing a new song. In addition to the Psalms which admonish a new song (see Pss.144:9; 33:3; 96:1; 149:1), particular interest should be given to Isa.42:10.

Contextually, this new song is sung when God does a new thing, brining justice, freedom, and “a light for the nations.”

There is a clear eschatological attachment to Isaiah’s new song, similar to the one sung here.

The song’s OT roots proves it to be a song of praise for God’s judgment of the enemy.

In this song, the Lamb’s deity is hinted at because He is addressed in the same way that God is in previous songs of praise (worthy are you).

The Lamb’s worthiness stems and flows from His redemptive work.

He was slain, likely an allusion to Isa.53 and the lamb led to slaughter.

His blood provided the ransom, the costly price required to buy freedom for a person in slavery or captivity.

The once-slaves were ransomed…for God, to become His possession (see Rev.3:12 and the brand placed on the believers — the name of God).

Redemption extends to every tribe…language…people and nation. There is a major soteriological and missiological point being made: not a single “society, culture, populace” or “tradition” will be excluded from God’s saving purposes in Christ.

This is the 1st/7 uses of this 4-fold phrase .

The worthiness of the Lamb can be seen in the impact He has on all humanity. The promise to be a kingdom and priests was initially give to the Jews alone, but Christ has extended the promise to everyone who belongs to God.

As noted earlier (see 3:21), believers share in Christ’s reign, something that stems from man’s share in the rule over creation, from Genesis 1:26. And, Daniel 7:18, 22, 27 seems to point to man’s share in this responsibility…that’s the un-doing of the curse.

As priests, they are called in part to represent Good’s character and to proclaim His excellencies and redemptive purposes to the world. According to I Peter 2:9, this applies to NT believers (see additional notes in Logos and sermons notes on I Peter).

The inclusion of all people groups is rooted in the OT (see Daniel 3:4, 7, 9; 4:1; 5:19; 6:25; 7:14). The fact that all are included proves the success of the gospel and obedience to the Great Commission.

So, we’re left with this: How will God’s kingdom come on earth (5:1-3)? The Lamb who was slain in order to ransom people, make them a kingdom, priest to God, ones who will reign. So, the Lamb who had been slain will break open the seals in 6:1.

Note how the response to the Lamb in heaven continues as countless angels join in His worship! There is a seven-fold declaration of praise offered to the Lamb: power…wealth…wisdom…might…alone…glory and blessing. Remember again that seven represents completeness. So, the attributes are instructive about the Lamb’s character and work, but the number is a reminder that He is worthy of total praise…i.e., the Lamb is God!

And finally, the worship of the Lamb becomes this growing crescendo that has grown from the 24 elders to include countless angels until finally every creature in heaven…earth…under the earth and in the sea join the refrain before the four living creatures give the final amen.

The four living creatures end the doxological refrain with a final amen before falling down to worship. Amen is a fitting conclusion, serving as an affirmation of all that has been said — it is true so let it be! The final act shows humble adoration and worship…IS THERE A BETTER RESPONSE TO GOD AND THE LAMB?!

What will be your response to Lion of Judah? The root of David? The Lamb who was slain and yet lives?