Rev 5 Jesus' importance in breaking seals and beginning judgment

Rev 5:1-14 (ESV) Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

"Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth."

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And 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 blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.



• Chapter 5 continues the vision in chapter 4. What do we observe?
• The man on the throne is suddenly holding a book or scroll with seven seals. Scroll is full of words, front and back. It is the story of the end times (it is already written)
• A mighty angel (not a weakling and not identified) is calling out for someone worthy to break the seals
1. No one was worthy to open the seals or to read the book
2. No one is good enough
3. And no evil is strong enough (cannot take it out of God's hand)
• John is weeping, why?
• (One idea) The strong desire of human nature to know the future
• One of the elders (who is not identified) comforts John by pointing out Jesus
• The Lion (Second coming description); The first coming was the Lamb of God
• Tribe of Judah
• Root of David
• Triumphed (over death and sin)
• Now the person appears with telltale features. What are they?
• Lamb -- lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world // In his second coming, he will not be a lamb but a lion
• Appearance as if slain -- reference to the cross (death) and resurrection (he is alive now)
• Now standing in the center of the throne (not sure if the other man is gone) or what
• Also surrounded by the four living creatures and 24 elders
• Receives the same honor as God
• Seven horns -- horns were a common OT symbol for power or strength (and kingly authority). Seven stands for completeness. This person has complete authority
• Seven eyes are the seven spirits representing the fullness of the Spirit who works in and through Jesus and individuals
• A new thing happens which by compliment tells us that the 24 elders do other things
• They sing a new song
• The new song references all the people saved
• Talks about them as a kingdom and priests
• It says they will reign on earth (my thought is that this group is the church that is now complete)
• They fall down before Jesus as they fell down before God the Father (with the four living creatures)
• They now have harps (but we are also rulers, intermediaries in some way, and musicians (worshipers))
• They have bowls of incense representing the prayers of the saints
• And now, an innumerable group of angels appear, 100,000,000 (100 Million) at least sing a song
• And then every creature in heaven and earth sang a song
• Not sure I can explain this one
• It could be prophetic
• It may also only refer to all who are able, singing a song
• APPLICATION: New thoughts: Jesus came as a lamb but soon he is returning as a lion. Jesus is the only one worthy in history to open the scroll because he conquered sin, Satan, and death