Revelation 5:1-14

Rev. 5.1-14

Revelation 5:1–14 ESV

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

A Mysterious Scroll Rev. 5.1

Revelation 5:1 ESV

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

Chapters 4 and 5 are one unit, so the chapters do not represent the text well. Remember they are additions to the text.

John is here to see what happens in this chapter. Jesus has said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (4.1)

This portion of text is a continuation of the heavenly throne room vision. John will emphasize three things about the scroll.

Introduction of the scroll with its unknown contents.

#1 How the scroll is written

“written within and on the back”

Biblion - book/codex or scroll. Either could take a seal.

Scrolls would typically be written on one side to protect from wear. Codices were written on both sides.

In the ancient world, two-sided documents were meant for private use.

Regardless of the medium, the idea is that the scroll/book for God’s private use and is full of his revelation.

#2 How the scroll is sealed

seals were used to validate document content like a modern notary.

typically only one seal was used.

7 seals here is representative of its divine validation by God.

only some with God’s own authority could open the scroll.

#3 Who is worthy to open the scroll

given the nature of the scroll, the question then is, “who will open it?”

this opens a drama of sorts in the heavenly throne room.

A Cosmic Question Rev. 5.2-4

Revelation 5:2–4 ESV

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

the question is cosmic and resounds through out all of the created order - heaven, earth, and under earth.

For John, angst begins to set in. He’s been called up to see this vision. He knows God is sovereign, but if so, why is there no one to open the scroll? why is “no one found worthy?”

If the scroll is not opened, John’s vision is cut short and the previous prophetic judgments have not substance. If the scroll is not opened, is God truly sovereign?

John weeps over this.

A Dramatic Answer Rev. 5.5-7

Revelation 5:5–7 ESV

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.

Elders

probably one of the glorified saints in heaven.

Remember, those who have conquered by not giving up their testimony.

More subversive rhetoric

Who is worthy?

earthly leaders have made the claim since the Fall, Domitian being among them.

Here, Revelation subverts and redefines worthiness against 1st Century religious, social and political conventions.

Jesus rejected both popular Jewish and Roman expectations of a worthy ruler.

Romans thought of emperor/conquer types of people and Jews thought of a Maccabean sort of messiah.

Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) ascended the Seleucid throne in 175 BC. and attempted to unify his vast empire by Hellenizing it (i.e., by forcing the adoption of Greek language and culture). Local cultures and religions were forcibly suppressed as a result of this policy, and the Jewish state in Palestine was perhaps the hardest hit of all. In 167 BC. Antiochus IV dedicated the temple in Jerusalem to Olympian Zeus, sacrificed a sow on the altar, destroyed scrolls containing the Jewish Scriptures, and forbade the rite of circumcision. This repression triggered a revolt led by an aged priest named Mattathias and his sons. The Seleucids were repulsed, and finally in 164 BC. the temple was retaken by Mattathias’ son Judas the Maccabee (an epithet meaning “the hammer”). (BEB).

Lion of Judah

“Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David”

Lion of Judah from Messianic tradition related to Gen. 49.9

Root of David from a Messianic tradition related to Is. 11.1

This Lion of Judah has conquered but differently than what was expected by the conventions that developed around the messiah.

The Lion of Judah has conquered because he is the slaughtered lamb.

Slaughtered Lamb

Not a warrior but a lamb

Is. 53

Passover themes come to mind here.

The Passover was of supreme theological significance for the Israelites, since it marked one of the most momentous acts of divine intervention in their history, the beginning of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt when, in the final plague, God destroyed the firstborn of the Egyptians but spared those Israelites whose homes had blood smeared on the doorposts (Ex 12:11–30)

Death is usually for the loser.

In the death of Jesus, there is freedom for the sinner and ultimate reconcillation for broken creation. 1 Pt. 1.19

1 Peter 1:19 NASB95

but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

The lamb, while slaughtered is standing. The imagery is meant to be evocative. A slaughtered lamb standing is paradoxical.

Like Rev. 1.5 we see Jesus as the passover lamb, the firstborn from the dead - resurrection.

this resurrection conquers death and evil; and it transcends and transforms Jewish conventions of the messiah.

Horns

As in Dan. 7 and 8, Horns represent the power to rule.

Remember Rev. 1.5?

Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth.

Seven Eyes and Spirits

7 represents completeness.

Taking language from Zech 3-4.

Nothing is hidden from the sight of Jesus.

“This Lamb is the agent of the Messianic judgments in the Judgement Cycle...” Stevens, 394.

Taking the scroll

This brings us back to Rev. 1.1. This the Revelation, which God gave him.

John is called up to heaven in 4.1 to witness retrospectively the very act of God giving Jesus the revelation that Jesus gave John. God’s private scroll Jesus receives. John should not weep; his promised revelation will come, because the lamb is worthy.

Communicating the Worthy Lamb

Heavenly Worship Rev. 5.8-14

Revelation 5:8–14 ESV

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.