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Revelation
Chapter Five
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Chapter of the Lamb
I. Only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll that
is sealed with seven seals (v.1-5)
II. The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll because
it had been slain (v.6-10)
III. Praise God and the Lamb (v.11-14)
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Rev. 5:1 “And I saw in the right
hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back
sealed with seven seals.”
YLT: “And I saw upon the
right hand of Him who is sitting upon the throne a scroll
written within and
on the back
sealed with seven seals;”
Meaning of Words: “seal”: signet;
“seal”: seal closely
affix the seal.
The
Background: the contract of the
ownership of the
Literal Meaning: “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the
throne a scroll” “the right hand”
is where the power is (See Ps. 118:16). “A scroll” is the book of rights and
interests of the universe. Though the Lamb had paid the precious price of His
blood (See v.9) and gained this book of gains and interests
we had to wait
until the fullness of times and the sealed seven seals were opened one by one
i.e. after the various visions in the following chapters were realized and the
inheritance in the book will be handed over officially. Before it the whole
creation is fervently waiting for the realization of the contents in the scroll
(See Rom. 8:20-23).
“Written
inside and on the back” it shows that the
contents of the scroll have been written completely and any one should not add
something unto it (See 22:18).
“Sealed
with seven seals.” It shows that if
the seals were not opened
the contents of the scroll will not be realized
(please note that some Bible exegetes interpreted it into “the contents of the
scroll were unknown before the seven seals were opened”
actually
the contents
of the scroll are the New Testament. Those who read the Bible have known it
long ago
however
some of the contents have not been realized.)
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The eternal plan that God has prepared for us
has been written in the “scroll”
however
many plans and promises in it cannot
be accomplished before the seven seals are opened.
2)
The mystery of God’s will has been already
known to the apostles and has been preached to us to see (See Eph. 1:9; 3:8-11)
and it becomes our hope so that we will earnestly wait for the coming of the
day with the whole creation (See Rom. 8:20-25).
Rev. 5:2 “Then I saw a strong angel
proclaiming with a loud voice
‘Who is worthy to open the
scroll and to loose its seals?’”
YLT: “and I saw a strong
messenger crying with a great voice
`Who is worthy to open the scroll and to
loose the seals of it?'”
Meaning of Words: “strong”: mighty
powerful; “proclaim”: declare; “open”: open up
uncover; “loose”: release
dissolve.
Literal Meaning: “Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud
voice
” “a strong angel” indicates that it can make the sound
spread to the various places in the heaven
on the earth and under the earth.
“‘Who
is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’” “Worthy” is the matter of qualification instead
of the matte of strength. “Who is worthy” is a challenge and it has the
negative meaning
showing that no one is worthy to open the scroll except the
Lord Jesus (See v.5).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God has prepared various kinds of vessels and
servants to carry our His administration in the universe and He has prepared “a
strong angel”. In the church
each of us does our duty according to the grace
that is given to us by God (See
2) One is worthy if God regards him worthy and one
is unworthy if God regards him unworthy. We should be humble and obedient and
should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think (See Rom.
12:3).
Rev. 5:3 “And no one in heaven or
on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll
or to look at it.”
YLT: “and no one was able
in the heaven
nor upon the earth
nor under the earth
to open the scroll
nor
to behold it.”
Meaning of Words: “was able to”: can
be possible; “look at”: behold
perceive.
Literal Meaning: “in heaven or on the earth or under the earth” “in heaven” refers to all angels. “On the
earth” refers to all men. “Under the earth” refers to the souls detained in
Hades (See Luke. 16:22-23).
“And
no one was able to open the scroll
or to look at it.” Certainly no one is worthy to open the scroll and
look at it.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) At all times and in all countries
no one is
worthy to open the scroll and only the Lord Jesus Himself has the
qualification. Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit
no one is able to
reveal all the mysteries in the Bible because the hidden things belong unto God
(See Deut. 29:29).
2) If somebody declares that he is the doctor of
the Bible and he has opened all the mysteries in the sixty-six rolls of the
Bible
probably he has overshot the truth because some mysteries have been
sealed up (See 10:4; Dan. 12:4
9) and some mysteries are not like what men has
interpreted.
Rev. 5:4 “So I wept much
because
no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll
or to look at it.”
YLT: “And I was weeping
much
because no one was found worthy to open and to read the scroll
nor to
behold it
”
Meaning of Words: “weep”: wail aloud
sob hard.
Literal Meaning: when men face the
desperate circumstances
we are not only powerless but also helpless and we can
do nothing but weeping much.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If no one is able to open the scroll indeed
the
whole universe will turn unto vanity and therefore we have to weep much.
2) We have to identify with the mind of God----weeping
much
for the sake of the accomplishment of God’s will. Weeping bitterly and
bursting into tears sometimes are not the love to ourselves but the nobler
sentiment.
Rev. 5:5 “But one of the elders
said to me
‘Do not weep. Behold
the
Lion of the tribe of Judah
the Root of David
has prevailed to open the scroll
and to loose its seven seals.’”
YLT: “and one of the
elders saith to me
`Weep not; lo
overcome did the Lion
who is of the tribe
of
Meaning of Words: “root”: the root of
a tree; “prevail”: overcome
defeat.
Literal Meaning: “But one of the elders said to me
‘Do not weep.”
“Of the elders” refers to of the twenty-four elders (See v.8).
“Behold
the Lion of the tribe of
“The
Root of David
has prevailed” “the Root of
David” indicates that He is the source of the dynasty of David (See Is. 11:10;
Matt. 22:42-45). “Has prevailed” indicates that He was raised from the dead
(See Rom. 1:4).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers always weep because of
misunderstanding or ignorance and if we can understand the spiritual fact
we
will turn tears into smiles and turn sadness into joy (See Ps. 30:11).
2) Christ is the Lion of the tribe of
Rev. 5:6 “And I looked
and behold
in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures
and in the midst
of the elders
stood a Lamb as though it had been slain
having seven horns and
seven eyes
which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
YLT: “and I saw
and lo
in the midst of the throne
and of the four living creatures
and in the midst
of the elders
a Lamb hath stood as it had been slain
having seven horns and
seven eyes
which are the Seven Spirits of God
which are sent to all the
earth
”
Meaning of Words: “had been slain”:
had been slain just now; “horn”: the horn in the head of the animal.
Spiritual Meaning: “And I looked
and behold
in the midst of the
throne and of the four living creatures
and in the midst of the elders
stood
a Lamb” “a Lamb” refers to
the Lord Jesus Himself (See John. 1:29) and a Lamb is a weak and small animal
which is bullied and killed by others at will. It symbolizes weakness
docility
lowliness
meekness and helplessness. “Stood” shows that though He
has accomplished the great work of redemption and gained the book of rights and
interests of the universe
the final battle and judgment of the implementation
of God’s eternal plan have not been accomplished. And therefore He still stood.
“As
though it had been slain
” in the original it
is “as though it had been slain just now” and it means that in the eyes of
bystanders
the mark of being slain is still fresh.
“Having
seven horns and seven eyes
which are the seven Spirits
of God” “seven horns” horn
is for the battle (See Deut. 33:17) and it symbolizes the perfect power
might
and strength. “Seven eyes” are for running to and fro the whole earth (See
Zech. 4:10) and they symbolize the perfect discernment
intelligence and
wisdom. “The seven Spirits of God” symbolize the perfect effect of the Spirit
and He is omnipotent
all-wise and omniscient.
“Sent
out into all the earth.” The Spirit’s being
sent out into all the earth is specially related to us: 1) He will reprove the
world of sin
and of righteousness
and of judgment (See John. 16:8)
that we
can receive grace and be saved; 2) He will guide us into all truth (See John.
16:13)
that our walkings can conform to the truth; 3) He will help us to pray
(See Rom. 8:27) and strengthen us (See Eph. 3:16)
that we can overcome enemies
(See Eph. 6:17-18) and become overcomers.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christ is the Lion towards enemies (See v.5). He
is the Lamb of God towards believers (See John. 1:29
36) who was slain and
shed blood for the sins of the world and accomplished the great work of
redemption.
2) As though Christ was slain just now in heaven
the effect of His death is still fresh and the cross remains fresh forever.
3) Concerning the work of the Lord’s redemption
He
has accomplished the work and “sat” on the right hand of God’s throne (See John.
19:30; Heb. 1:13). However
concerning the Lord’s accomplishing the plan of
eternity that God has entrusted to Him
He has not completely accomplished it
and therefore He still “stood”.
4) God does not give
the Spirit by measure unto Christ (See John. 3:34) and make “seven horns and
seven eyes” be manifested upon Him-----He has the perfect power and the perfect
wisdom.
5) The Spirit has two functions upon us: a) the
“seven horns”----He gives men power (See Acts. 1:8); b) the “seven eyes”----He
gives men wisdom and revelation (See Eph. 1:17).
Rev. 5:7 “Then He came and took the
scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”
YLT: “and he came and
took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who is sitting upon the throne.”
Literal Meaning: “He” is the Lord
Jesus (See v.6). “Him who sat on the throne” is God the Father (See 4:8
11).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord has taken the “scroll” out of the right
hand of God the Father and therefore He has the absolute sovereignty over the whole
universe. We should fully obey Him and listen to His commandments.
2) Now all the rights and interests in the universe
are in the hand of the Lord and what do we pursue except the Lord? Oh! Christ
has become the hope of glory in our hearts (See Col. 1:27).
Rev. 5:8 “Now when He had taken the
scroll
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before
the Lamb
each having a harp
and golden bowls full of incense
which are the
prayers of the saints.”
YLT: “And when he took
the scroll
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before
the Lamb
having each one harps and golden vials full of perfumes
which are
the prayers of the saints
”
Meaning of Words: “incense”: it is
plural in the original.
Literal Meaning: “Now when He had taken the scroll
” it shows that the task of opening the
seven seals is about to be carried out.
“The
four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb
” “The four living creatures” are the
representatives of every living creature except angels (See the notes in
4:6-9). “The twenty-four elders” are the representatives of all angels (See the
notes in 4:4
11). “Fell down” refers to worship (See Dan. 3:5; Matt. 2:11).
“Each
having a harp
and golden bowls full of incense
” “Having a harp” refers to offering thanks and
praise (See Ps. 33:2-3; 43:4). “Golden bowls” were also called “golden censers”
because they were used as censers. They were used to offer prayers and they can
be called “vessels of prayers”.
“Which
are the prayers of the saints.” “Incense” is made
by four kinds of sweet spices and salt (See Exod. 30:34-35) and it symbolizes
that only the ingredients of resurrection in the prayers of all saints will be
acceptable to God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Many times
our worship to God stresses on the
outer activities and the sense of “falling down” towards God is lacked. May we
learn the attitude of fearing God more.
2) The greater part of believers’ prayers are
supplications and thanks and praise are few. However
the most effective prayer
is the supplication with thanks and praise.
3) The vessels of offering prayers are “golden
bowls” and they are holy.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man avails much (James. 5:16).
4) Though the individual prayer of believers is
important
the prayer made by two or three and the church with one mind (golden
bowls) is more effective (See Matt. 18:19-20; Acts. 4:31).
5) Some people say that the best prayer is that
Christ in us prays to Christ in heaven. Truly
in the prayers believers have to
follow the guidance of the indwelling Christ according to the merits (incense)
of Christ’s death and resurrection and offer up fitting prayers.
Rev. 5:9 “And they sang a new song
saying: ‘You are worthy to take the
scroll
And to open its seals; For You were slain
And have redeemed us to God
by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation
”
YLT: “and they sing a new
song
saying
`Worthy art thou to take the scroll
and to open the seals of it
because thou wast slain
and didst redeem us to God in thy blood
out of every
tribe
and tongue
and people
and nation
”
Meaning of Words: “new”: fresh
a new
kind; “slain”: be slaughtered
be killed fiercely.
Literal Meaning: “And they sang a new song
saying:” “a new song” refers to the song of
redemption and before which there is only the song of creation (See 4:11). And
therefore the song of redemption becomes a new song.
“‘You
are worthy to take the scroll
And to open its seals;” the following words show the reason why He is
“worthy”.
“For
You were slain
” “for” shows the
reason. “You were slain” indicates that the Lord Jesus was crucified (See Acts.
5:30).
“And
have redeemed by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and
nation
” “Your blood”
refers to the precious blood of the Lord Jesus shed on the cross (See Matt.
26:28). “Every tribe” refers to every breed (each one has the same ancestors).
“Every tongue” refers to every dialect (each one has the same language). “Every
people” refers to every race (each one has different races). “Every nation”
refers to every country (each one has different countries). “Every tribe and tongue and
people and nation” refers to all men
on the earth. “Have redeemed us” refers to paying the price of the precious
blood and redeeming all those who are willing to receive the redemption.
“Us
to God” “Us” refers to the
people who have been redeemed. The appellation of “us” shows that the
twenty-four elders are not the elders of the church.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) They fell down (See v.8) and sang a new song to
thank and praise the merits and achievements of the Lamb’s death. The more we
mediate the great work that Christ has accomplished on the cross
the more
humbly we will offer fitting worship and prayers.
2) From this song of redemption
it is obvious that
the people who are redeemed are the main beneficiaries of the scroll. And they
are leading roles in God’s eternal plan and they play an important role in it.
Rev. 5:10 “And have made us kings
and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”
YLT: “and didst make us
to our God kings and priests
and we shall reign upon the earth.'”
Meaning of Words: “make”: do
cause;
“king”: kingdom
royalty; “reign”: king.
Literal Meaning: “And have made us kings” “king” is “kingdom” in the original and it refers
to making us a peculiar people partaking in a holy nation (See 1Pet. 2:9).
“And
priests to our God;” “priests” refers
to a royal priesthood (See 1Pet. 2:9) and their position is serving God. In the
times of the New Testament
all those who have received grace are priests.
“And
we shall reign on the earth.’” “On the earth” is
not in heaven and therefore the whole sentence has two meanings: 1) if
believers live in the reality of the kingdom of God today (See Matt. 6:10)
we
can reign with the Lord in the Spirit and do not need to lie in the wicked (See
Col. 1:13; 1John. 5:19). 2) When the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven in
future
all believers shall reign (See 22:5).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Kings” includes an idea of fellowship.
Christians are a group of people called out by God from the world to gather
together and live for the will of God.
2) Since we are “kings” of God
we have to
absolutely be under the sovereignty of God and walk according to His will. And
therefore we should seek to understand the will of God in everything and walk
according to it.
3) We are royal “priests”. Every Christian has the
privilege to come to God directly and every Christian has to offer up his
service
worship and everything he has to God.
4) “Priest” means “the one who builds the bridge”
in Latin. Believers are all priests of God and are bridges between God and
men----manifesting God to men and bringing men to God.
5) The main duty of priests is offering up
spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God (See v.5). We have to devote
ourselves to engaging in the spiritual things before God every day and have
things to offer up.
6) The best sacrifice that Christians can offer is
our hearts and ourselves (See
Rev. 5:11 “Then I looked
and I
heard the voice of many angels around the throne
the living creatures
and the
elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand
and
thousands of thousands
”
YLT: “And I saw
and I
heard the voice of many messengers round the throne
and the living creatures
and the elders -- and the number of them was myriads of myriads
and thousands
of thousands --”
Meaning of Words: “ten thousand times ten
thousand
and thousands of thousands”:
thousands upon thousands
ten thousands upon ten thousands
tens of thousands
of.
Literal Meaning: “Then I looked
and I heard the voice of many angels
around the throne
the living creatures
and the elders;” “angels” are ministering spirits. They not
only serve God but also minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation (See
Heb. 1:14)
“And
the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand
and thousands of
thousands
” it means that they
are countless.
Rev. 5:12 “saying with a loud voice:
‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and
riches and wisdom
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ ”
YLT: “saying with a great
voice
`Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the power
and riches
and
wisdom
and strength
and honour
and glory
and blessing!'”
Meaning of Words: “power”: might
strength; “riches”: abundance
affluence; “wisdom”: great wisdom
intelligence;
“strength”: might
forcefulness; “honor”: dignity
high price; “glory”: honor
splendor; “blessing”: praise
best wishes.
Literal Meaning: “saying with a loud voice: the Lamb who was slain” “a loud voice”
refers to fully expressing the inner esteem.
“‘Worthy
is…to receive power and riches and wisdom
And strength and
honor and glory and blessing!’ ” the perfect song of praise of seven layers refers
to including all fair words that have not been said.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus Christ
the Lamb who was slain
was worthy of the perfect praise.
2) The song of praise also manifests the being of
Christ----He is worthy of the praise because He is such God.
Rev. 5:13 “And everycreature which
is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea
and all that are in them
I heard saying: ‘Blessing
and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne
And to the
Lamb
forever and ever!’”
YLT: “and every creature
that is in the heaven
and in the earth
and under the earth
and the things
that are upon the sea
and the all things in them
heard I saying
`To Him who
is sitting upon the throne
and to the Lamb
the blessing
and the honour
and
the glory
and the might -- to the ages of the ages!'”
Meaning of Words: “sea”: ocean;
“power”: might.
Literal Meaning: “And everycreature which is in heaven and on the
earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea
and all that are in them
I heard saying:” the description
here has two more items than that in the third verse: “such as are in the sea
and all that
are in them”.
“‘Blessing
and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne
And to the
Lamb
forever and ever!’” “Him who sits on the throne
the Lamb” God the Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ are the objects of worship.
Rev. 5:14 “Then the four living
creatures said
‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him
who lives forever and ever.”
YLT: “and the four living
creatures said
`Amen!' and the twenty-four elders fell down and they bow
before Him who is living to the ages of the ages.”
Meaning of Words: “Amen”: verily
may
it be so.
Literal Meaning: the song of
redemption of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders (See v.9-10)
leads to the reaction of every creature and therefore it ends with Amen
falling down and worship.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Lamb Is Worthy
I. Only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll and
loose its seven seals
A. no one in heaven or on the
earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll
or to look at it (v.1-4)
B. the
Lamb who is able to open the scroll:
1) He is the Lion of the tribe of
2) He is the Root of David (v.5b)
3) He has prevailed (v.5c)
4) as though He had been slain (v.6a)
5) He has seven horns and seven eyes (v.6b)
II. The Lamb is worthy of the praise of all
A. the
prayers of the saints (v.8)
B. the
four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang a new song (v.9-10)
C.
many angels praised Him loudly (v.11-12)
D.
every creature praised Him (v.13)
E. the
reaction of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders (v.14)
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren