The Seven-Sealed Book Revelation 5:1-14
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.
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?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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.
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.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
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.
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;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
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;
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.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on 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.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Following the message to the church at Laodicea the tone of the Revelation of Jesus changes at the beginning of chapter 4 and the focus turns toward the future as we are taken into the throne room of Heaven. Let us consider that when John penned the visions inspired by the Spirit he did not add chapters as we might find in a novel or history book, nor did he number the ‘verses’ as we find them today. Rather, these aids were added by men during or even after translation for easy reference during study and so forth, and while they do make things convenient for us they also occasionally break a theme of thought inconveniently. The scripture cited in this article is one such instance.
As we begin our look at chapter 5 let’s bear in mind that the heavenly scene seamlessly remains the same as presented in chapter 4. The throne will be occupied, and the One on the throne will present the first set of unprecedented events that are about to transpire on the earth. The praise described in the previous ‘chapter’ has not come to an end nor has it reached a point at which it can be ignored. Rather, it is the wrath of the One on the throne that will soon have a significant role in our interpretation of the passage.
Two items deserve our attention in the introduction to this chapter. The first item is the book. The idea of books being precious because of their scarcity in ancient cultures, the effort required and the expense to hand-write one, as well as the ready access to information is not a part of our present culture. However, in the New Testament era a book was surely a rare commodity, and the idea of an individual owning one or even many volumes was rare. The One on the throne possessed a book, and John was duly impressed by that fact.
The second item that deserves some attention was the use of a seal. No doubt many of us are familiar with their use. The wax used by the king or any person of influence or commerce was common, and the implanting of a peculiar seal on that wax was the sign of authenticity. Not only was the correct seal needed, but only those with proper credentials and authority could break the seal. Many times these sealed documents carried notices of life and death or could in some way change the fortunes of those who held the right to open the document. The “book” under discussion here could have been a scroll of any description bearing the seal of its author so that only those authorized could break the seal. Today we use passwords to open computer files and programs or PIN numbers for certain transactions and so forth because the protected information is precious to us and we only want the proper people to have access; so it was with the use of the seals depicted here. In most cases a person had to possess a correspondent seal or a signet of like kind to demonstrate authority and be allowed to open or examine the book or scroll.
As this fifth chapter unfolds we will see the One worthy to open the seal, and we will learn a small portion of the information this book contains. The One found worthy will receive His just reward and praise. The opening of the scroll by the One authorized will then set the stage for a shift in events in the chapter to follow.
The Book and the Seals (Revelation 5:1)
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.
John “saw” or looked upon the throne once again after considering the praise and adoration of the elders and the beasts, and “saw” in the right hand of the One on the throne a book. As was mentioned in the opening remarks, in those days a book was a rare item indeed and quite precious to the one possessing it. Even today certain tomes have great value based on their rarity, what they may contain, or who may have written them. The scroll is described here as being written upon both on the inside and the back side to indicate that every possible portion had been utilized for the conveyance of the vital message it contained, the words and thoughts conveyed being written so that they could never be changed. Certainly anyone who sent a message under such seals did not want the message altered in any way. The full revelation of Jesus Christ was being given, and without doubt this message was then and is today of vital importance to us all.
The described scroll was secured with not one seal but seven. Seven is a number of completion, as was pointed out in the summary remarks for a previous article, so the seven seals represent the import of the message written by the One sitting upon the throne, and as someone was sought to open these seals the matter of authority and the right to do so would not only come under consideration but have to be eternally settled.
One to Open the Seals (Revelation 5:2-4)
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?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
An angel strong enough to deliver a message (or having the authority and sanction of the messenger) appeared. The strong angel was one who could not only withstand any and every adversity but be mighty in doing so while standing on the absolute authority of the messenger and refuting any opposing claims. The word for strong (Greek ischuron) derives from the same root as is used in Ephesians 6:10 and 11, where along with three other words for strong it conveys the concepts of being invigorated, enabled to accomplish a task, and to withstand any and all resistance. The idea here is thus emphatic that this particular angel – perhaps singular among all angels – is strong enough to stand before any or all, and to deliver the message God had given specifically to him to pronounce. Any messenger of God (yes, even we today) must be strong and have the God-given inner reserves to persevere. This angel cried with a loud voice, seeking one worthy of opening the seals.
A two-fold question is asked at this point. Who can open the book? Who can break the seals? The angel’s search is for one who is both strong enough to break the seals and who is authorized by the author of the book. The search is for one who can meet the both the standard of God and has the power and authority to break its seals. Remember, the ability to do this is not just with the brute strength required to accomplish the task but must also be undertaken by one with the right and privilege to carry out the will of God to open them. The pursuit of one who was worthy then fell to the messenger, and his search took him throughout all realms of creation.
The messenger proclaimed the need for one to come forward and open the book and the seals that secured it, and there seemed to be no person available for the position. The angel’s search did not imply gender in who was being searched for but just one who was worthy, and the search encompassed everything and everyone within the sphere and limits of the heavens. The idea here is of looking into the realm where physical limitations were not to be found. The angel then looked upon the physical earth, and among those alive at the moment; he found no one. Then he continued the search underneath the earth. The imagery in the Greek text is clear; every known place in Heaven, upon the earth and beneath it (in other words throughout all of creation) was void of a proper candidate to open the seals and the book, and not only was no one found with the power or ability to open the book there was no one worthy to even “look” upon the seals with the idea of breaking them. The messenger failed to find one worthy within the created realm. One not created, One who was in fact already present at and party to the moment of creation, was needed.
Noting his failure, the angel began to weep audibly and to cry as might a child. He did not wail or beat his chest – he simply lamented, mourned and wept. His despair was great and the frustration an enormous weight for him to bear, the fact that no one was worthy proving to be a source of much weeping. “To open” in this passage can mean either to find by inquiry or discovery, or to understand. The Bible says no one could be found either “to open” or “to read.” The overall idea was not only to recognize and detect but to find out by practice and experience, and to identify the One. The messenger was searching for One who could open the book and comprehend its contents for the sake of all who needed to understand what is about to happen here on earth and to its people. For John, the first century readers, and for us today this understanding is imperative so that understanding this book of revelation should preclude anything else we do. As John beheld the events he saw devastation and thereby seems to stand as a representative for all at the time. If only we, too, could comprehend the danger and loss he must have felt as he found no one to open the book the weeping of the apostle would cause us to weep as well.
The standard of being worthy to open, read and review the content of the book has been set by God. In all the places the messenger was looking no one could be found. Yet there was one more place to look.
One is Found to Open the Book (Revelation 5:5-7)
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.
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.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
One of the elders from around the throne now made his way to John to provide a sense of comfort and protection because he comprehended that the One whom he had praised was qualified and could meet the needs of the situation. The comfort comes in his imperative command “weep not” (Greek me klaie, or do not lament). This is the simple offer of assurance that weeping was not necessary because One had indeed been found to meet the need of the hour to open the book and break its seals. The idea of a stern command was present but it was not the bark of a drill sergeant; rather, it was the calm command of someone who loved to assure another of the control of the situation.
John lists two qualifications for the one worthy of opening the book and breaking of the seals: the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the root of David would be the One to open the book. The elder seemed confident that John understood precisely who this personage was and this writer is confident you do as well. Still, let’s examine His unique qualifications.
In Genesis 49:10 we are told the scepter will not depart from Judah until Shiloh (Messiah) comes. This direct reference to Messiah (Jesus) affirms that the anointed one will be a member of that particular tribe – or branch of the family. In giving Israel the king it requested Saul was first chosen. He was of the tribe of Benjamin. But when Saul forsook God, God then replaced him with David the son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah and the city of Bethlehem. These are not unimportant genealogies to be casually passed over. When David desired to build a place to worship and was then told he could not, God gave him a promise. Second Samuel chapter 7 details the events and promises of One reigning on the throne of David in Jerusalem and we’ll consider that promise in a subsequent article. In the New Testament the various writers are plain in their tracing of the lineage of Jesus of Nazareth so as to leave no mistake He was through Mary a descendant of David the king. Thus it will be Jesus of Nazareth who will open the book and loose the seals John saw. The promise of this establishment of a kingdom under the rule of the house of David should not only thrill Israel but anyone who has a certain expectation of the return of Jesus by being a part of His church.
The word translated “prevailed” deserves our attention here. The root is nike (or victory, as we’ve learned in previous articles). The One who opens the book has conquered and won the victory for us. John used a military term to describe that all battles are struggles, and the opening of the book and the loosing of the seals was not without conflict, as we’ll learn, or even warfare. Jesus prevailed and conquered because He was and is worthy to do so and has met all the expectations and qualifications God set forth.
Verse 6 further identifies the One worthy to open the book by revealing without question that it is Jesus the Christ who will open the book. In the middle of the throne John saw a “Lamb as it had been slain.” The sacrifice of the Messiah has been likened to a lamb in both the Old (Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22) and throughout the New Testaments. That Paul calls Him to be “our Passover” in 1 Corinthians 5:7 leaves no doubt as to the acceptance of this image for Jesus. The slain lamb stood as evidence of an accomplished, unrepeatable act and Jesus still stands as that Lamb slain for the sins of everyone. The repetition of the sevens here simply serves to place emphasis on the total effect and completion of the work of Jesus upon the cross and the power of His resurrection. God sent this message into all the physical earth so that all men can know the “power of God unto salvation” that Paul pointed out in Romans 1:16 and 17.
Because of the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross He stands as a worthy and qualified mediator, and God has been satisfied, as we find in Isaiah 53:11. It is then Jesus who took the offered book from the hand of the One on the throne and received it unto Himself. Jesus alone can do this because He alone is worthy to do so. He alone has a price beyond value. He alone meets and exceeds the requirements of God for the opening of the book.
Worship the Lamb (Revelation 5:8-10)
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.
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;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Now that a worthy Lamb had been found John witnessed the eruption of praise from the beasts and the elders. Falling into a posture of worship before the Lamb, they offered the sweet-smelling savor and sacrifice of praise. They held harps for music and golden vials full of the collected odors of the prayers of the saints. The petitions of normal prayer life are offered and in them praise for and submission to the Lamb can be found. These vials reveal the importance of the prayers of God’s people. The word “saints” (Greek hagion) does not refer to those who have been beatified or whose images occupy stained glass windows but rather is the common New Testament word for those who have been born again, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Those surrounding the throne began to sing a song heretofore unheard, one exalting the Lamb for all He had done in making Himself worthy to open the book and loosen its seven seals. The verses of the song were simple. First, He was found worthy to take the book and to open its seals; no one else on the earth, under it or in the heavens was able to do this. Second, He was worthy because He was slain. Jesus freely gave His life on the cross, but His physical death was still a slaying because He paid a debt He did not owe, the sin debt owed by all men. His loving, willful and willing substitution of Himself on our behalf enables us to be redeemed because this worthy One has paid the redemption price for all of humanity for eternity.
Not to be overlooked here is that Jesus has in fact and in full redeemed us in the manner of a master who purchases a slave for full market value with the sole purpose in mind of setting that slave free. Romans 3:21-25 uses a series of terms including this one (egorasas) to describe fully the redemption we have in Christ Jesus. There we can find that we are redeemed to God; He set the price of redemption; He came to earth and paid its price; it is His Spirit that convicted us so we could accept the application of this price to our case and stand before Him declared innocent. We were guilty, but we are declared justified because He is both the just and the One who justifies all who believe. In this song those gathered around the throne praised the Lamb for His work of redeeming us to God. The basis of this redemption is by His blood, and it is only the blood of Jesus that paid the redemption price for every sin. His blood, shed on the cross, declares us innocent when spread on the mercy seat of Heaven and lifts up a sweet-smelling offering to the nostrils of God. This is why the Lamb slain for us is found worthy.
Here we find that those who are redeemed come from every time and every nation, ethnic group and language of the world – all people of all time are created in the image and three-fold likeness of God, which is to say body, intellect and spirit. No person can be refused the grace of God because of the prejudice of men; all need and deserve to hear the Gospel message of this grace. We must therefore not forbid the message of Christ’s shed blood to any human for any reason, because the provision of the Lamb was and is for all people of all times. This record of the praise offered by the elders and beasts recognized and commended the Lamb for His deeds, and all those gathered around the throne clearly understood this was why He was worthy. So must we.
Verse 10 repeats the principle of Revelation 1:6 “…hath made us kings and priests into God and his Father…” with almost the same words. We are made a kingdom of priests unto God, and as such we shall one day rule this earth. This idea has its foundation in the redemption we who believe already possess because of the work of the Lamb, so this verse does not as some might teach allow for what may be called a ‘prosperity gospel.’ This is not a promise that we are kings and should then live as though we are, that God will give us everything we want in this life, or that we will experience no troubles and sorrows. It is, rather, a promise to those who are redeemed that we are a part of the kingdom of God. The doctrine of our priesthood as believers should not be forgotten at this point because our ‘priesthood’ is individual and unique. Every person stands accountable to God and must answer to God, and no person can confess the sins of another person so that every person serves as his own priest in this regard. Therefore, no pastor, parent, friend, spouse or any other person is a priest except to himself.
Myriads of Praise (Revelation 5:11, 12)
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;
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.
The scene around the throne now exploded with myriads upon countless myriads of angels along with the elders and the beasts offering a mega-voice of praise to the Lamb. The statement “worthy is the Lamb” served as the main theme and chorus of praise and the liturgy included the acknowledgment of His being slain. Those who worshiped Him offered the consummate of praise in the following areas: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing, and the text is the expression of unrestrained praise by this numberless host of angels. The theme here is the same as in verses 9 and 10 but the language differs. In verses 9 and 10 the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders “sung” a new song. In verse 12 the angels are “saying” their praise for the Lamb so that it seems possible the angels were “saying” in song lyric or poetic verse their offering of praise although the language does not so state or specify. Little does it matter, for the Lamb is in any case receiving His due. In this text the number seven again comes into view. It is the number of spiritual perfection, as we have already established, indicating that the praise the angels offer to the Lamb is complete in every aspect because He is the One Worthy to receive it.
As we considered in our examination of chapter 4, the praises mentioned here refer to the consummate in all these seven areas. No other person or thing would receive what the Lamb received because no other is Worthy. No higher praise can or should be offered. These qualities then are the very epitome of His being worthy. The concept for us to consider and learn is one of complete adoration and worship. We are to worship the Lamb because of what He has undertaken and accomplished on our behalf. John also recognizes this One to be worthy, and was humbled at the very acts He had done for first the redemption of man and now the loosing of the seals for the benefit of man.
All Creatures Great and Small (Revelation 5:13, 14)
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on 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.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever.
When the creatures around the throne erupted into praise all of creation responded by joining in, proclaiming loyalty and adoration of the Lamb. This scene had its third occurrence when the Lamb once again was declared worthy of praise of all for the actions He had taken on behalf of all creation. This should encourage every believer to understand the fullness of the work of Christ and the urgency we must have in making sure everyone knows this message. If the redemption of the Lamb precipitated this type of worship from those around the throne, then so it surely should from us, the lowly creatures of the earth.
The beasts and the elders worshiped and praised Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, for His worthiness in all respects. The scene was surely very moving to John emotionally and spiritually, and it should move us all to both adoration of Him and humility before Him.
Summary (Revelation 5:1-14)
After the shedding of tears and the thought of not initially finding one to open the book and loose its seals, One was found. The One found was a Lamb and is the root of David and the Lion of Judah, Jesus our Christ. He, once and for eternity, paid the redemption price for humanity with His blood and God was thus satisfied with His self-sacrifice on our behalf. The throne and all creation then exploded in praise for all He is and all He has done. In following articles we will soon see that the Worthy One opened the book and loosed its seals, and we will see everything that is revealed by each successive opening.
Until then be blessed. Pray, study, and share the Gospel. It’s a great story and it’s all about Jesus –
Tom