Keys to Revelation - Chapter 5
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New York
International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 5:1 Then I saw in the right [scroll] - Parchment had writing on
hand of him who sat on the throne a both sides, then sealed on the edges
scroll with writing on both sides in such a way that the seals must be
and sealed with seven seals. successively broken if the scroll is
to be unrolled and read.
REV 5:2 And I saw a mighty angel [mighty angel] - Possibly Gabriel
proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who
is worthy to break the seals and [worthy] - The scroll is like a title
open the scroll?" deed to the earth and can only be
opened by someone capable of being a
mediator between God and man.
REV 5:3 But no one in heaven or on [in heaven] - Redeemed men and women
earth or under the earth could open [on earth] - Living men and women
the scroll or even look inside it. [under the earth] - Condemned men and
women
REV 5:4 I wept and wept because no John was overcome at the thought that
one was found who was worthy to there was to be a delay in the open-
open the scroll or look inside. ing of the scroll and the resultant
judgment of sin, restoration of
Israel, and the reign of Christ.
REV 5:5 Then one of the elders [Lion of..Judah] - Refers to GEN 49:9
said to me, "Do not weep! See, the where Judah is called a conquering
Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lion.
Root of David, has triumphed. He is [Root of David] - See ISA 11:1,10
able to open the scroll and its
seven seals."
REV 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking [Lamb] - Jesus is the Lamb of God,
as if it had been slain, standing the perfect sacrifice (JOH 1:29,36;
in the center of the throne, ACT 8:32; 1PE 1:19)
encircled by the four living
creatures and the elders. He had [slain..standing] - The lamb has been
seven horns and seven eyes, which offered, yet it stands erect with
are the seven spirits of God sent visual evidence of the sacrificial
out into all the earth. slaughter, a clear reference to the
death and resurrection of Christ.
[seven] - A term used in Scripture to
denote fullness or completeness.
[seven horns] - Fullness of power.
Horn is a common symbol of strength
(DEU 33:17; PSA 18:2; 112:9). Refers
to the omnipotence of God.
[seven eyes] - In Zechariah 4:1-10
a lampstand with seven lights (v. 2)
is referred to as the Spirit (v. 6)
and the Spirit is the seven "eyes of
the Lord, which range throughout the
earth" (v. 10). Refers to the
omniscience of God.
REV 5:7 He came and took the [He took] - Jesus took the scroll
scroll from the right hand of him from the Father.
who sat on the throne.
REV 5:8 And when he had taken it, [fell down] -Elders fell down in
the four living creatures and the praise and worship of Jesus for His
twenty-four elders fell down before power and mercy.
the Lamb. Each one had a harp and
they were holding golden bowls full [harp] - There is music and singing
of incense, which are the prayers in heaven. Here praise is sung
of the saints. to the Sweet Savior Jesus Christ for
His grace and mercy.
[bowls..incense] - Throughout the
ages God's children have prayed for
judgment on sin and for the reign
of the Messiah Jesus Christ on earth.
These prayers have been as incense
before God for centuries and now are
about to be fulfilled (PSA 141:2).
REV 5:9 And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals, because you
were slain, and with your blood you
purchased men for God from every
tribe and language and people and
nation.
REV 5:10 You have made them to be
a kingdom and priests to serve our
God, and they will reign on the [reign] - In the Millennium with Our
earth." Lord Jesus Christ (REV 20:6).
REV 5:11 Then I looked and heard [numbering] - There were countless
he voice of many angels, numbering thousands of angels.
thousands upon thousands, and ten
thousand times ten thousand. They
encircled the throne and the living
creatures and the elders.
REV 5:12 In a loud voice they
sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was
slain, to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise!"
REV 5:13 Then I heard every [every creature] - A reference to all
creature in heaven and on earth and of creation which has been awaiting
under the earth and on the sea, and the moment in history when the curse
all that is in them, singing: "To will be lifted and the sons of God
him who sits on the throne and to revealed in full redemptive glory
the Lamb be praise and honor and (ROM 8:18-25).
glory and power, for ever and
ever!"
REV 5:14 The four living creatures
said, "Amen," and the elders fell
down and worshiped.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
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Shreveport, LA 71110
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