Category: Book of Revelation

Overview

This chapter describes a very important meeting in God’s throne room. Before Christ, the angels were disputing whether God’s mercy for only some sinners is perfect. Satan listed the sins of God’s elect and claimed that if they can be saved to eternal life, he and his angels can also be saved.

Before His incarnation, the Son of God opposed Satan, but Satan found fault with the Son as well. He claimed that the Son would also sin when appropriately tested. For that reason, he claimed, the Son should not be trusted for an impartial defense of God’s selective mercy.

Satan has the highest intelligence and talents of all created beings, and his brilliant arguments utterly confused the angels. It left even some of God’s loyal angels unsure whether the Son could be trusted for this critical task. However, there was no one else in heaven equal to Satan. This caused a crisis in heaven. Since not all trusted the Son, the angels were unsure whether God’s mercy for only some sinners was fair. And, since God wants His creatures to understand, He will not execute His judgments until they do. In other words, He will not resurrect His elect nor condemn the lost to Hell until all understand His judgments are fair.

To resolve the crisis, Christ subjected Himself to a test by becoming a human being. Satan tempted Him throughout His life on earth. His highest temptations were His final days and hours, but He never used His power to benefit Himself, contrary to God’s will, as Satan claimed He would. This destroyed Satan’s argument. Since the Son never sinned and never will, He can be trusted to defend God’s selective grace fairly and objectively.

In Revelation 5, all God’s angels gathered in His throne room to witness the arrival of the Son after His resurrection and ascension. In this meeting, the angels acknowledge that He can be trusted to defend God’s judgments impartially. In the symbolism of this vision, He received a book that is sealed with seven seals and is acclaimed as worthy of breaking the seals and opening the book. The book is the Book of Life, listing God’s elect. The seals are Satan’s accusations against those people, which prevent the angels from understanding God’s judgments.

Introduction

This is a verse-by-verse discussion of Revelation 5 but is highly dependent on the following three articles that discuss specific aspects of this chapter:

Christ’s enthronement
Revelation 5 presents a specific event. Based on similar descriptions elsewhere in the New Testament, it describes Christ taking His seat on His Father’s throne after His ascension 2000 years ago.

The Lamb’s Book of Life
A sealed book symbolizes things that are not understood. Specifically, the Sealed Book in Revelation 5 is the Book of Life, identifying the people God elected to eternal life. The seven seals of the book symbolize things that prevent understanding, namely, Satan’s accusations against those people.

Why Jesus had to die
Before His death, nobody, not even the Son, was able to open the book (Rev 5:3), but after He appeared as a slain lamb, the Son was declared “worthy” to break the seals (Rev 5:5, 9). This is a symbolic explanation of why Jesus had to die. This article explains why He was not “worthy” to break the seals before His death and how His death made Him “worthy.”

To an extent, the current article is a verse-by-verse summary of those three articles. Therefore, the reader is advised to read these three articles first. 

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5:1

I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

And I saw

This phrase often introduces a new vision (Rev 6:1; 8:2; 10:1).

… in the right hand

The Greek phrase can mean either “in” or “at” the right hand (or side – of God). Since the New Testament teaches that Jesus is “at the right hand of God” (Rom 8:34; Col 3:1; Heb 8:1; 10:12; 12:2), and since a previous article concluded that Revelation 5 describes the Son taking His seat on His Father’s throne (cf. Rev 3:21), perhaps the book was on the right hand of God and Christ took the book when He sat down. Show More

… of Him who sat on the throne

This refers back to Revelation 4, where John saw “One sitting on the throne” (Rev 4:2), later identified as “our Lord and our God” (Rev 4:11).

… a book

In the ancient world, books took two primary forms:

A scroll is a long sheet of writing material that is rolled up. Before John saw these visions, the scroll (as in the Dead Sea Scrolls) was the predominant book form.

The codex is the book as we know it today, with pages glued together at one end. Show More

According to Revelation 6:14, “the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up.” Here, “scroll” translates the same word (Greek: biblion), which is translated as “book” in Rev 5:1. The book (biblion) in this verse, therefore, was a scroll, not a codex.

… written inside and on the back

It was customary to write ancient scrolls on one side only because that was more convenient for reading as the book was unrolled. That the scroll in this verse is written on both sides probably means that much is written in this book. “Inside” refers to the side hidden from view when the scroll is rolled up.

… sealed up with seven seals

As discussed here, both the Sealed Book in Revelation 5 and the War between the Angels of Heaven in 12 (Rev 12:7) describe a crisis in heaven. Since both relate to a lack of understanding and were solved by Christ’s death, the two crises are the same.

Based on Revelation 12, the crisis in heaven has been identified as a dispute between the angels of heaven over the perfection of God’s judgments. Consequently, the sealed book has been interpreted as the book of God’s judgments (the book of life) and the seals as Satan’s informed accusations against God’s elect. Satan effectively accuses God of unfair judgment. That the book is sealed means that, due to Satan’s accusations, not even God’s loyal angels were sure that God’s elective mercy to only some sinners is always perfect. Therefore, “sealed up,” in this instance, does not mean that God’s judgments are unknown but not understood. Show More

5:2

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?”

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice

This one must have been exceptionally strong since there is no such thing as a weak angel (Psa 103:20). Assuming that angels have some hierarchy, this angel would have been one of the chief angels.

… who is worthy

This question is one of vast importance. “Worthy” is an important word in this chapter. It appeared for the first time in Revelation 4:11. To be worthy is to be judged able to accomplish a task or an office. Mere physical strength does not make one “worthy” to open the scroll, for not even this mighty angel could do it. Show More

… to open the book and to break its seals?

Since it is the Book of Life containing God’s judgments, opening the book is to explain God’s judgments and show that His judgments are perfect. The book is opened by breaking the seals. The seals are Satan’s objections to the elective grace that God grants to His elect. To break the seals means to refute Satan’s accusations against God’s elect. Revelation 6 explains how Christ does that.

5:3

And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it.

This was a problem so large that not even God could solve it. Since the scroll is the Book of Life and the issue is uncertainty whether God’s judgments are perfect, that not even God is able to open the book may be explained as follows:

God certainly explains His judgments. However, God also protects the freedom of His intelligent creatures and, therefore, has allowed Satan, whom God has condemned, complete freedom to defend himself. Satan, with his vast knowledge of the evil which he has tempted every human to commit and with his unparalleled communication skills, has brilliantly accused God’s people. By implication, Satan claimed that God applies grace arbitrarily and that His judgments are severe on those marked for eternal punishment.

Given this context, created beings who do not have God’s infinite knowledge are unable to confirm that God’s judgments are perfect. That is what the sealed book symbolizes.

Before He became a human being, the Son of God defended God’s judgments. As part of his strategy to discredit God’s judgments, Satan was able to create doubt in the minds of the intelligent beings of God’s universe about the trustworthiness of the Son and, therefore, of His defense of God’s people and God’s judgments. In that sense, before His death, not even the Son was not regarded as “worthy” to open the book.

5:4

Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it.

John’s weeping symbolizes the great sorrow in God’s creation caused by the uncertainty about the perfection of God’s judgments. For as long as Satan’s allegations of unfair judgment remain unrefuted, God has to allow evil to rule on earth, and God cannot execute His judgments, including both the destruction of evil and the resurrection of God’s elect “to everlasting life” (Dan 12:2; cf John 5:29). For that reason, evil still rules on earth today; 2000 years after Christ died. For a further discussion, see – Why has Christ not yet returned?

Verse 5 says that Christ overcame to open the book and that John must stop weeping. Therefore, 5:1-4 and John’s weeping describe the time before Christ’s victory on earth. At that time, the war raged in heaven. Satan accused God’s people “day and night” (Rev 12:10), and, by implication, he accused God of unfair judgment.

5:5

And one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

And one of the elders said to me

The 24 elders have been introduced in Revelation 4:4. They represent humanity before God (See 24 elders). It is one of the elders who explain things to John rather than an angel.

… the Lion of the Tribe of Judah

This is Jesus Christ. He descended physically from Judah (Heb 7:14), the fourth son of Jacob (later called Israel). He was the promised Messiah (Gen 49:10). He is called a lion because Jacob described Judah as a lion’s whelp (Gen 49:9). Show More

… the root of David

This is another name for Jesus Christ. He is not only descended from Judah but also the root or foundation of David. As a human being, He descended from a human forebear, but as the Son of God, He existed before David and gave David his throne (2 Sam 7:8-14). Show More

… has overcome

This echoes Revelation 3:21, where Jesus Christ said, “I overcame.” The word “overcome” is used many times in Revelation (e.g., Rev 2:26) and means to be “faithful until death” (Rev 2:10; cf. 12:11). The Son came to this earth to be tested and had to overcome temptations throughout His life. In verse 6, Christ will appear as a slain lamb (Rev 5:6, 9, 12), indicating He overcame at the cross. His highest test and highest victory were during the hours before He died. For that reason, the hours of His death symbolize how He overcame throughout His life on earth. Read Article

Since the weeping in verse 4 switches to joy in verse 5, verse 5 describes a specific time in history. Since Jesus appears as a slain lamb, referring to His death on the cross as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), verse 5 can be dated to when Christ died. Consequently:

• • • Revelation 5:1-4 and John’s weeping describe the time before Christ’s death.
    • The rest of the chapter describes what happened in heaven after Jesus arrived after His ascension.

… so as to open the book and its seven seals

Jesus Christ is “worthy” to open the scroll. This means that He is trusted to tell the truth. In contrast, Satan is thrown out of heaven because the truthfulness of his witness is rejected (Rev 12:10).

He is “worthy” because He overcame (cf. Rev 5:9). As discussed (see – why did Jesus have to die?), before the Son’s incarnation, Satan claimed that the Son would also sin, given the right circumstances. Therefore, He cannot be trusted to defend God’s elective mercy for only some sinners impartially.

But the Son’s character has been thoroughly tested by trials, even to death. By remaining faithful to God under the most severe circumstances, despite all the temptations Satan put in His path, the Son refuted Satan’s accusations against Him. Since He never sinned and will never sin, He can be trusted to defend God’s judgments impartially. As such, He is confirmed trust-“worthy” “to open the book and to break its seals” (Rev 5:2). Show More

5:6

And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders

This recalls some details of the vision of chapter four. The throne was at the center, surrounded by the four living creatures and further surrounded by the 24 elders.

Translations differ concerning where the Lamb stood:

• • • “Between the throne … and the elders” (NASB)
    • “At the center of the throne” (NIV) (See BibleHub)

Jesus said: “I also sat down with my Father on His throne” (Rev 3:21). The Lamb takes the book in 5:7. Perhaps Jesus also sat down on the throne in 5:7. If that be the case, in the current verse, He is not yet “at the center of the throne” (NIV) but perhaps “between the throne … and the elders” would be better (NASB).

… a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered

Verse 5 reported that “the Lion” overcame, which made Him worthy of opening the book. In verse 6, The “lamb” shows how He was victorious. While the lion symbolizes power, the lamb indicates weakness. He overcame sin, not by using His lion-like power but by restraining His power, offering up His life like a lamb. “Power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). This recalls the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53:7.

John hears about a lion but never sees it. He sees a lamb. What John sees and hears seem like opposites, but the Lion and the Lamb are two different roles of the same person: Jesus Christ. (Hear/see Combinations.)

The lamb appears as if its throat had been cut, yet he is not dead or dying; he is standing. As Jesus said, “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Rev 1:18).

… having seven horns

While the Lamb has seven horns, the seven-headed dragon, sea beast, and the beast of Revelation 17 each have ten horns (Rev 12:3; 13:1; 17:3).

It is not a literal lamb nor seven literal horns. Revelation depicts reality using symbols. The number seven symbolizes completion in terms of time. Horns symbolize authority. The seven horns mean He will ALWAYS reign (Rev 11:15; Matt 28:18).

… and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God,

The image of the seven eyes is drawn from the Old Testament (2 Chron 16:9; Zech 3:9; 4:10). There, they indicate divine watchfulness over all the earth. The Lord knows everything there is to know because His eyes roam to and fro over the earth.

The seven Spirits are also mentioned in Revelation 1:4, 3:1, and 4:5. The Holy Spirit is sent both by Jesus from the Father (John 14:26; 15:26). The “seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God” symbolize that, through the Spirit, Christ knows everything on earth.

The seven horns and seven eyes combined, therefore, tell us that the Lamb has both complete power and complete knowledge.

sent out into all the earth.

Before Jesus appeared in the throne room, “the seven Spirits of God” were “before the throne” (Rev 4:5), but now they are “sent out into all the earth.” In the context of a slain lamb, this points to the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples (cf. Acts 2:33), and may imply that this verse describes Jesus Christ in heaven on the Day of Pentecost.

5:7

And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

As discussed (See here), Jesus Christ received the book after His ascension to heaven. This is when He took His seat at the right hand of God (e.g., Eph 1:20; cf. Rev 3:21).

Christ did not open the book immediately. He breaks the seals over the church age. The book remains sealed because He, by overcoming, did not refute Satan’s objections against God’s elect. His victory only refuted Satan’s accusations against Himself. See – Why has Christ not yet returned? 

He breaks the seals one by one in Revelation 6, causing catastrophes on Earth, implying that He refutes Satan’s accusations through the events on Earth. Particularly during the end-time crisis, the lives (deeds) of God’s elect will demonstrate that they are worthy of salvation.

The sixth seal begins with the signs of His return (Rev 6:12-14). This means that Jesus refutes Satan’s accusations over the entire Church Age. 

5:8

When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

When He had taken the book

This indicates that the praise of verses 9 and 10 follows immediately upon the Lamb taking the book.

… the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb

The word translated “fell down” is one of the two main Greek words for worship. The other is proskuneó – see also Rev 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4). This is the ancient form of obeisance—falling on one’s face (1 Cor 14:25), much as Muslims still do today. Read Article

… each one holding a harp

The word translated “each” is masculine, as are the 24 elders. The four living creatures are grammatically neuter. Therefore, the elders alone have harps and hold bowls of incense that represent the prayers of the saints. Since the 24 elders are representatives in heaven of redeemed humanity (Read Article), it makes sense that they would be the ones in heaven to represent the prayers of people before God. Show More

… and golden bowls full of incense

The bowls mentioned here are of the shallow variety, much like saucers. These are often associated with the sanctuary and the temple in the Old Testament and would be used for burning incense (Exo 27:3; 38:23; Num 4:14; 1 Kings 7:26, 31; Exo 30:1-10).

… which are the prayers of the saints

The Old Testament also associates prayer with incense (Psa 141:2; cf. Lev 16:12-13). In the Old Testament temple, while the priest was offering incense inside the temple, the people outside were in prayer before God (see Luke 1:9-10). Likewise, here, the elders, representatives of humanity, offer incense to God while the church on earth is praying.

The “saints” here are not the 24 elders, nor are they dead saints who have ascended to heaven and intercede there for people before God. In the New Testament, Saints consistently refer to living believers on earth. 

5:9

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

And they sang a new song

Two songs have been sung in this vision (Rev 4:8, 11). The song in this verse is called a “new song,” so they sing about something new, namely Christ’s victorious death (Rev 5:5-6). Show More

… saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals

The word “worthy” appears five times in the vision of Revelation 4 and 5. While the Father is worthy because He created all things (Rev 4:11), the Son is worthy to open the Book (Rev 5:2, 4, 9, 12) because He overcame (Rev 5:5-6).

… for You were slain and purchased for God

This confirms that the Lamb is worthy because of His victory on the cross. His death enables the opening of the book.

… with Your blood

Christ’s blood symbolizes His death. His death does not refer to the moment of His death but to His final days and hours when He had to overcome the most severe temptations, as the tempter inflicted Him with severe torment. For a discussion of how Christ paid for the people in the Book of Life, see – Why did Jesus have to die?

… men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation

Is it not wonderful that people from every tribe and tongue will be saved? According to Revelation 7:9, an innumerable multitude will be saved. Praise the Lord!

This phrase includes four words that it uses as synonyms (tribe, tongue, people, and nation). Similar four-fold listings of the people in the world are found throughout Revelation (e.g., Rev 10:11; 14:7; 17:15). The items in each list and their order vary, but there are always four in the list because the number four means worldwide. These four elements, therefore, sum up all the people in the world.

5:10

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God

This is still part of the explanation of why the Lamb is considered worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. It implies that His death also “made them” a kingdom and priests. Show More

A priest is someone who stands between God and the people. God called Israel a kingdom of priests (Exo 19:6), meaning that Israel was not called for its own sake but to be a blessing to the nations (Gen 12:1-3). This indicates a special role for God’s people.

… and they will reign upon the earth

This kingdom and reign are the outcomes of Christ’s work, not earned by human performance. Through the cross of Christ, His resurrection is made available to all who trust in Him. Show More

Note the cause-consequence sequence in this “new song” in verses 9-10:

• • • In the past, Christ has been slain, purchased people for God, and made them priests to our God.
    • Therefore, in the present, Jesus Christ is “worthy.”
    • And in the future, “they will reign upon the earth.”

5:11

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels

This phrase introduces a new vision or a new aspect of a vision. Previously, only the four living creatures and the 24 elders were in the vision, but now the much larger angelic host joins in the praise. There are five songs in Revelation 4 and 5, and each song gets louder and louder:

• • • The first song was sung by the four living creatures (Rev 4:8),
    • The second by the 24 elders (Rev 4:11), 
    • The third by the four living creatures AND the 24 elders (Rev 5:9-10),
    • The fourth adds myriads and myriads of angels (Rev 5:11-12), and
    • The fifth song (Rev 5:13) is the crescendo in which “every created thing” acclaims both the One sitting on the throne and the Lamb.

… around the throne and the living creatures and the elders

The throne is in the center, surrounded by a rainbow, the four living creatures, the elders in the next circle, and the larger multitude of angels in the outer ring (Rev 4:3-4).

… and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands

The number of angels seems too large to be precisely counted (cf. Heb 12:22; Dan 7:10). In Revelation 7:9, the number of the redeemed is also too large to count. This, therefore, is not literally true. It symbolizes that there is a vast multitude of angels around the throne.

5:12

saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.

The phrase, “worthy is the Lamb that was slain,” repeats 5:9. Since he is worthy, He receives a seven-fold praise:

Power – Jesus said: “ALL authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18).

Honor, glory, and blessing – These are similar. “All will honor the Son even as they honor the Father” (John 5:23).

5:13

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

Heaven… earth … under the earth … on the sea

These are the four great regions of creation, according to ancient thinking. Show More

“Under the earth” may refer to the tomb (Job 10:20-22), called the land of Sheol in Hebrew (Isa 14:9). It then refers to those who currently are dead but will one day rise (Rev 20:4-6, 12-13) to join in the final acclamation.

To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb

This is the fifth and final song of praise of Revelation 4 and 5:

• • • The first two are sung to the One sitting on the throne,
    • The third and fourth are sung in praise of the Lamb, but
    • This final hymn, as the climax of the series, is sung to both.

Blessing and honor and glory and dominion 

The four-fold praise of verse 13 follows the seven-fold praise of verse 12. These numbers probably have symbolic significance. The number 7 signifies ‘always’, and 4 signifies ‘everywhere.’ (Read Article)

5:14

And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

It does not say who they worship, but many claim that since both the Father and Son were praised in the previous verse, both are worshiped. The New Living translation even says, “worshiped the Lamb.” On the other hand, several other translations (e.g., KJV, NKJV, YLT) say that “Him who is living through the ages of the ages” (YLT), which is a title in Revelation for the Father alone (Rev 4:9, 10), is worshiped.

In support, elsewhere in Revelation, only the Father is worshiped (Rev 4:10; 15:13-14; 19:4; 14:7 – compare Rev 4:11). Even when both the Father and Son are present, only the Father is worshiped (Rev 7:10-11; 11:15-16). Furthermore, in Revelation, only the Father is God and Almighty, and the Father is Jesus’ God (Rev 1:6: 3:12). See:

• • • Who is worshiped in Revelation 5:14?
    • Jesus is not God Almighty.
    • Does the book of Revelation present Jesus as God?
    • Jesus is worshiped. Does that mean that He is God?

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Other Articles

The Seven Seals

• • • • Next: The white horse of the first seal symbolizes the gospel.
      • All articles on the sealed book (Rev 4:1-8:1)
      • People’s deeds will refute Satan’s criticism.
        

Other

• • • • All articles on this website
      • The Book of Daniel
      • The Book of Revelation
      • Is Jesus the Most High God?
      • Origin of the Trinity Doctrine 
      • Trinity Doctrine – General
      • The Origin of Evil
      • Death, Eternal Life, and Eternal Torment

• I recommend Jon Paulien’s commentary on Revelation for further reading. For general theological discussions, I recommend Graham Maxwell, who you will find on the Pineknoll website.