Revelation 5

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

¹Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. ²And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

³But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. ⁴And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.

⁵Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

• REV 5:5[FULFILLS]Judah is a young lion ← GEN 49:9

⁶Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne.

• REV 5:6[FULFILLS]Led as a lamb to the slaughter ← IS 53:7c
• REV 5:6[NOTE]THE LAMB. John hears Lion, 5:5, and turns to see a Lamb that was slain. Jesus won by dying. Isaiah 53:7.

⁸When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹And they sang a new song:

• REV 5:8[NOTABLE]The definitive statement that incense in heaven's throne room = the prayers of God's people

“Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals,

because You were slain,

and by Your blood You purchased for God

those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

• REV 5:9[NOTABLE]The crowd in heaven looks like the whole world.
• REV 5:9[FULFILLS]Led as a lamb to the slaughter ← IS 53:7c
• REV 5:9[NOTE]TEXT. The oldest copies say You purchased for God those from every tribe and made them a kingdom, 5:10. The KJV says redeemed us and made us.

¹⁰You have made them to be a kingdom

and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign upon the earth.”

• REV 5:10[PROPHECY]The redeemed from every nation will reign on the earth → STILL TO COME
• REV 5:10[ALLUDES TO]Refers to ← EX 19:6

The Lamb Exalted

¹¹Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. ¹²In a loud voice they were saying:

• REV 5:11[MIRACLE]Countless angels sing Worthy is the Lamb

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and riches

and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³And 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 praise and honor and glory and power

forever and ever!”

¹⁴And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.