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Revelation
Chapter Five
Revelation 5
In the next chapter we find the Lamb. A book was in the
right hand of Him who sat on the throne. It was counsels
wielded by His power.
Who could open them and bring them forth to execution? Who had the title to do
so? None in heaven or earth but One. The elders explained to the prophet who
mourned that the ways of God should be shut up
that the mighty One of Judah
the true source of all promises to David
had prevailed to open it and loose
the seals. This was the Lamb
the rejected Messiah. He was more than this
as
the chapter goes on to shew; but He is this. The rejected Messiah was in the
midst of the divine throne; and within all the displays of providence and
grace-the living creatures and elders-stood a Lamb as it had been slain. He had
the fullness of power over the earth-seven horns-as of God
and the seven
Spirits of God for government
according to God's perfection
of all the earth.
When He has taken the book
the living creatures and elders fall down before
Him with golden censers full of the prayers of the saints. They are priests
here.
Now a new song is sung to celebrate the Lamb. What seemed His
dishonour and rejection on earth was the ground of His worthiness to take the
book. He who at all suffering and cost to Himself had glorified all that God
was
was able and worthy to unfold what made it good in the way of government.
It was not the government of Israel
but of all the earth; not merely earthly
chastisements according to God's revelation of Himself in Israel
but the
display in power of all God was in the whole earth. He who had glorified all He
was
and redeemed
by the gospel of what He was through His death
out of all
the earth
was the fit One to bring it forth in power. He does not yet come forth;
but His work is the worthy instrument
the divine motive
for the display of it
all. He can unlock the seals of God's ways and mysteries. I read the passage
thus:-" Thou wast slain
and hast redeemed to God
by thy blood
out of
every kindred
&c.
and hast made them unto our God kings and priests
and
they shall reign over the earth." Thus it is not any particular class
but
the value of the act which is the motive of praise
and all being confided to
Him.
Here the angels come in to praise
not in the fourth
chapter. I can hardly doubt that a change in administrative order takes place
here. Until the Lamb took the book
they were the administrative power; they
were the instruments through which what the four living creatures symbolized
was exercised in the earth. "But unto the angels hath he not put into
subjection the world to come
whereof we speak." Hence
as soon as the
Lamb appears and takes the book
as soon as the idea of redemption is brought
in
the living creatures and elders are brought together
and the angels take
their own place apart. Like the living creatures before
they give no reason
for their praise. As the heads of creation as to their nature
they celebrate
with all creatures the title to glory of the Lamb and His own worthiness
ascribing
praise to Him that sits on the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever. The
four living creatures
that is
all the exercise of God's power in creation and
providence
join their Amen
and the elders worship God in the excellency of
His being. But the living creatures and elders are joined (verse 8) in falling
down before the Lamb. I do not think they are meant to be distinguished in the
latter part of the verse
[1] but merge in the elders
symbolizing
different service but not now two classes. Verse 9 is the general fact; not
"they sung
" but " they sing." This takes place in heaven;
but those named are in the mind in a general way. Thus the source of what
follows
the throne
and the persons engaged in heaven before God in all that
passes
are displayed: whence the judgment flows
who surround the throne of
God above
and who is in it
have been brought before us; the heavenly scene
and choir
and assistants.
[1] That
is
"echontes" does not apply to elders only.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Revelation》
Revelation 5
Chapter Contents
A book sealed with seven seals
which could be opened by
none but Christ
who took the book to open it. (1-7) Upon which all honour is
ascribed to him
as worthy to open it. (8-14)
Commentary on Revelation 5:1-7
(Read Revelation 5:1-7)
The apostle saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the
throne
a roll of parchments in the form usual in those times
and sealed with
seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed.
The designs and methods of Divine Providence
toward the church and the world
are stated
fixed
and made a matter of record. The counsels of God are
altogether hidden from the eye and understanding of the creature. The several
parts are not unsealed and opened at once
but after each other
till the whole
mystery of God's counsel and conduct is finished in the world. The creatures
cannot open it
nor read it; the Lord only can do so. Those who see most of
God
are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his glory
desire
to know his will. But even good men may be too eager and hasty to look into the
mysteries of the Divine conduct. Such desires
if not soon answered
turn to
grief and sorrow. If John wept much because he could not look into the book of
God's decrees
what reason have many to shed floods of tears for their
ignorance of the gospel of Christ! of that on which everlasting salvation
depends! We need not weep that we cannot foresee future events respecting
ourselves in this world; the eager expectation of future prospects
or the
foresight of future calamities
would alike unfit us for present duties and
conflicts
or render our prosperous days distressing. Yet we may desire to
learn
from the promises and prophecies of Scripture
what will be the final
event to believers and to the church; and the Incarnate Son has prevailed
that
we should learn all that we need to know. Christ stands as Mediator between God
and both ministers and people. He is called a Lion
but he appears as a Lamb
slain. He appears with the marks of his sufferings
to show that he pleads for
us in heaven
in virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a Lamb
having seven
horns and seven eyes; perfect power to execute all the will of God
and perfect
wisdom to understand it
and to do it in the most effectual manner. The Father
put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ
and Christ
readily and gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to make known the
will of his Father; and the Holy Spirit is given by him to reveal the truth and
will of God.
Commentary on Revelation 5:8-14
(Read Revelation 5:8-14)
It is matter of joy to all the world
to see that God
deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world
not merely as a Creator
but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of
praise; the vials were full of odours
or incense
which signify the prayers of
the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed
his people from the bondage of sin
guilt
and Satan. He has not only purchased
liberty for them
but the highest honour and preferment; he made them kings and
priests; kings
to rule over their own spirits
and to overcome the world
and
the evil one; and he makes them priests; giving them access to himself
and
liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices. What words can more fully declare
that Christ is
and ought to be worshipped
equally with the Father
by all
creatures
to all eternity! Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven
and who shall for ever bless the Lamb
who delivered and set them apart for
himself by his blood. How worthy art thou
O God
Father
Son
and Holy Ghost
of our highest praises! All creatures should proclaim thy greatness
and adore
thy majesty.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Revelation》
Revelation 5
Verse 1
[1] And
I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and
on the backside
sealed with seven seals.
And I saw —
This is a continuation of the same narrative.
In the right hand —
The emblem of his all-ruling power. He held it openly
in order to give it to
him that was worthy. It is scarce needful to observe
that there is not in
heaven any real book of parchment or paper or that Christ does not really stand
there
in the shape of a lion or of a lamb. Neither is there on earth any
monstrous beast with seven heads and ten horns. But as there is upon earth
something which
in its kind
answers such a representation; so there are in
heaven divine counsels and transactions answerable to these figurative
expressions. All this was represented to St. John at Patmos
in one day
by way
of vision. But the accomplishment of it extends from that time throughout all
ages. Writings serve to inform us of distant and of future things. And hence
things which are yet to come are figuratively said to be "written in God's
book;" so were at that time the contents of this weighty prophecy. But the
book was sealed. Now comes the opening and accomplishing also of the great
things that are
as it were
the letters of it.
A book written within and without — That is
no part of it blank
full of matter.
Sealed with seven seals — According to the seven principal parts contained in it
one on the
outside of each. The usual books of the ancients were not like ours
but were
volumes or long pieces of parchment
rolled upon a long stick
as we frequently
roll silks. Such was this represented
which was sealed with seven seals. Not
as if the apostle saw all the seals at once; for there were seven volumes
wrapped up one within another
each of which was sealed: so that upon opening
and unrolling the first
the second appeared to be sealed up till that was
opened
and so on to the seventh. The book and its seals represent all power in
heaven and earth given to Christ. A copy of this book is contained in the
following chapters. By "the trumpets
" contained under the seventh
seal
the kingdom of the world is shaken
that it may at length become the
kingdom of Christ. By "the vials
" under the seventh trumpet
the
power of the beast
and whatsoever is connected with it
is broken. This sum of
all we should have continually before our eyes: so the whole Revelation flows
in its natural order.
Verse 2
[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice
Who is worthy to
open the book
and to loose the seals thereof?
And I saw a strong angel — This proclamation to every creature was too great for a man to make
and
yet not becoming the Lamb himself. It was therefore made by an angel
and one
of uncommon eminence.
Verse 3
[3] And
no man in heaven
nor in earth
neither under the earth
was able to open the
book
neither to look thereon.
And none — No
creature; no
not Mary herself.
In heaven
or in earth
neither under the
earth — That is
none in the universe. For these
are the three great regions into which the whole creation is divided.
Was able to open the book — To declare the counsels of God.
Nor to look thereon — So
as to understand any part of it.
Verse 4
[4] And
I wept much
because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book
neither to look thereon.
And I wept much — A
weeping which sprung from greatness of mind. The tenderness of heart which he
always had appeared more clearly now he was out of his own power. The
Revelation was not written without tears; neither without tears will it be
understood. How far are they from the temper of St. John who inquire after
anything rather than the contents of this book! yea
who applaud their own
clemency if they excuse those that do inquire into them!
Verse 5
[5] And one of the elders saith unto me
Weep not: behold
the Lion of the
tribe of Juda
the Root of David
hath prevailed to open the book
and to loose
the seven seals thereof.
And one of the elders — Probably one of those who rose with Christ
and afterwards ascended into
heaven. Perhaps one of the patriarchs. Some think it was Jacob
from whose
prophecy the name of Lion is given him
Genesis 49:9.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah — The victorious prince who is
like a lion
able to tear all his enemies
in pieces.
The root of David — As
God
the root and source of David's family
Isaiah 11:1
10.
Hath prevailed to open the book — Hath overcome all obstructions
and obtained the honour to disclose the
divine counsels.
Verse 6
[6] And
I beheld
and
lo
in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts
and in
the midst of the elders
stood a Lamb as it had been slain
having seven horns
and seven eyes
which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the
earth.
And I saw —
First
Christ in or on the midst of the throne; secondly
the four living
creatures making the inner circle round him; and
thirdly
the four and twenty
elders making a larger circle round him and them.
Standing — He
lieth no more; he no more falls on his face; the days of his weakness and
mourning are ended. He is now in a posture of readiness to execute all his
offices of prophet
priest
and king.
As if he had been slain — Doubtless with the prints of the wounds which he once received. And
because he was slain
he is worthy to open the book
verse 9
Revelation 5:9 to the joy of his own people
and
the terror of his enemies.
Having seven horns — As
a king
the emblem of perfect strength.
And seven eyes —
The emblem of perfect knowledge and wisdom. By these he accomplishes what is
contained in the book
namely
by his almighty and all-wise Spirit. To these
seven horns and seven eyes answer the seven seals and the sevenfold song of
praise
verse 12. Revelation 5:12 In Zechariah
likewise
iii. 9
iv. 10
Zechariah 3:9; Zechariah 4:10 mention is made of "the
seven eyes of the Lord
which go forth over all the earth." Which - Both
the horns and the eyes.
Are the seven spirits of God sent forth into
all the earth — For the effectual working of the Spirit of
God goes through the whole creation; and that in the natural
as well as
spiritual
world. For could mere matter act or move? Could it gravitate or
attract? Just as much as it can think or speak.
Verse 7
[7] And
he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne.
And he came —
Here was "Ask of me
" Psalms 2:8
fulfilled in the most glorious
manner.
And took — it
is one state of exaltation that reaches from our Lord's ascension to his coming
in glory. Yet this state admits of various degrees. At his ascension
"angels
and principalities
and powers were subjected to him." Ten
days after
he received from the Father and sent the Holy Ghost. And now he
took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne - who gave
it him as a signal of his delivering to him all power in heaven and earth. He
received it
in token of his being both able and willing to fulfil all that was
written therein.
Verse 8
[8] And
when he had taken the book
the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell
down before the Lamb
having every one of them harps
and golden vials full of
odours
which are the prayers of saints.
And when he took the book
the four living
creatures fell down — Now is homage done to the Lamb by every
creature. These
together with the elders
make the beginning; and afterward
Revelation 5:14
the conclusion. They are
together surrounded with a multitude of angels
Revelation 5:11
and together sing the new song
as they had before praised God together
Revelation 4:8
etc.
Having every one —
The elders
not the living creatures.
An harp —
Which was one of the chief instruments used for thanksgiving in the temple
service: a fit emblem of the melody of their hearts.
And golden phials —
Cups or censers.
Full of incense
which are the prayers of the
saints — Not of the elders themselves
but of the
other saints still upon earth
whose prayers were thus emblematically
represented in heaven.
Verse 9
[9] And
they sung a new song
saying
Thou art worthy to take the book
and to open the
seals thereof: for thou wast slain
and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
out of every kindred
and tongue
and people
and nation;
And they sing a new song — One which neither they nor any other had sung before.
Thou hast redeemed us — So the living creatures also were of the number of the redeemed. This
does not so much refer to the act of redemption
which was long before
as to
the fruit of it; and so more directly to those who had finished their course
"who were redeemed from the earth
" Revelation 14:1
out of every tribe
and tongue
and people
and nation - That is
out of all mankind.
Verse 10
[10] And
hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And hast made them —
The redeemed. So they speak of themselves also in the third person
out of deep
self-abasement.
They shall reign over the earth — The new earth: herewith agree the golden crowns of the elders. The reign
of the saints in general follows
under the trumpet of the seventh angel;
particularly after the first resurrection
as also in eternity
Revelation 11:18; 15:7; 20:4; 22:5; Daniel 7:27; Psalms 49:14.
Verse 11
[11] And
I beheld
and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the
beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten
thousand
and thousands of thousands;
And I saw — The
many angels.
And heard —
The voice and the number of them.
Round about the elders — So forming the third circle. It is remarkable
that men are represented
through this whole vision as nearer to God than any of the angels.
And the number of them was — At least two hundred millions
and two millions over. And yet these were
but a part of the holy angels. Afterward
Revelation 7:11
St. John heard them all.
Verse 12
[12]
Saying with a loud voice
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power
and riches
and wisdom
and strength
and honour
and glory
and blessing.
Worthy is the Lamb —
The elders said
Revelation 5:9
"Worthy art thou."
They were more nearly allied to him than the angels.
To receive the power
… — This sevenfold applause answers the seven seals
of which the four
former describe all visible
the latter all invisible
things
made subject to
the Lamb. And every one of these seven words bears a resemblance to the seal
which it answers.
Verse 13
[13] And
every creature 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
heard I saying
Blessing
and
honour
and glory
and power
be unto him that sitteth upon the throne
and
unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
And every creature — In
the whole universe
good or bad.
In the heaven
on the earth
under the earth
on the sea — With these four regions of the world
agrees the fourfold word of praise. What is in heaven
says blessing; what is
on earth
honour; what is under the earth
glory: what is on the sea
strength;
is unto him. This praise from all creatures begins before the opening of the first
seal; but it continues from that time to eternity
according to the capacity of
each. His enemies must acknowledge his glory; but those in heaven say
Blessed
be God and the Lamb. This royal manifesto is
as it were
a proclamation
showing how Christ fulfils all things
and "every knee bows to him
"
not only on earth
but also in heaven
and under the earth. This book exhausts
all things
1 Corinthians 15:27
28
and is suitable to an
heart enlarged as the sand of the sea. It inspires the attentive and
intelligent reader with such a magnanimity
that he accounts nothing in this
world great; no
not the whole frame of visible nature
compared to the immense
greatness of what he is here called to behold
yea
and in part
to inherit.
St. John has in view
through the whole following vision
what he has been now
describing
namely
the four living creatures
the elders
the angels
and all
creatures
looking together at the opening of the seven seals.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Revelation》
Chapter 5. The Lamb Takes the Scroll
Worthy to Take
the Scroll
Worthy to Open the Seals
I. A Scroll
Sealed by Seven Seals
II. Only the
Lamb Is Worthy
III. Praise God
and the Lamb
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of
The New Testament》
Chapter Five General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To examine what is revealed about the Lamb (Jesus) and what He has accomplished through His death 2) To consider the impact this scene would have had upon the persecuted Christians in Asia SUMMARY
The scene that began in chapter four continues. Whereas the theme ofchapter four can be stated as "God is on His throne!"
the theme ofthis chapter may be called "Worthy is the Lamb!" John's attention is drawn to a scroll in the right hand of God. Writtenon the inside and on the back
it is sealed with seven seals. A strongangel proclaims "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose itsseals?" and at first there seems to be no one in heaven and earthdeemed worthy to open the scroll or look at it. This prompted John toweep (1-4). But one of the twenty-four elders tells him not to weep for Onedescribed as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah
the Root of David" (cf.Gen 49:9-10; Isa 11:10) has prevailed so to be able to open the scroll
and loose its seals. In the midst of the throne and of the livingcreatures and the elders
John sees a Lamb standing as though slain(i.e.
Jesus - cf. Jn 1:29)
with seven horns and seven eyes. Theseven eyes are explained as the seven Spirits of God sent out into allthe earth (cf. Zech 4:10). As seen before (cf. 1:4; 3:1; 4:9) theyrepresent the Holy Spirit
while the seven horns are indicative ofgreat strength (cf. Deu 33:17; 1 Sam 2:10). The Lamb is then seen astaking the scroll out of God's right hand (5-7). Taking the scroll prompts the four living creatures and twenty-fourelders to fall down before the Lamb. Each possessing a harp (perhapssymbolizing praise
Hailey) and golden bowls of incense which depictthe prayers of the saints
they sing a new song praising the Lamb asworthy to take the scroll. They proclaim His worthiness on the basisof being slain and redeeming by His blood those from every nation whoare made kings and priests to God who shall reign on the earth (cf.1:5-6; 1 Pe 2:9). The voices of many thousands of angels around the
throne then join in with their praise of the Lamb who was slain as worthy to receive power
riches
wisdom
strength
honor
glory
and blessing. Finally
every creature in heaven
earth
and sea join in with praise for both Him who sits on the throne (God) and the Lamb. Towhich the four living creatures say "Amen!" and the twenty-four eldersfall down and worship (8-14). This awesome scene should certainly encourage the faithful Christian. As stated by Summers: "Such a scene was calculated to bring new courage and new hope to the hearts of John's first readers
the persecuted Christians of Asia ; it brings the same cheer to Christian hearts in any age. Believing in the power of God (ch. 4) and the redeeming love of God (ch. 5)
there is no enemy or force of evil which Christians need to fear. They can enter the conflict or endure the evil knowing that God is still on his throne; he has not laid aside his scepter; hehas not abandoned his throne to any other."
And what does the scroll represent? As Shelly says in his commentary: "This scroll is the book of the destiny of mankind. In it could