Revelation 5:
1-14
Revelation 5:1-10: The book with seven
seals: The exalted majesty of God in chapter 4 leads to the exaltation of the
Lamb, also at “the center of the throne” (5:6) and also celebrated in worship
(5:8-14). The unity of God and the Lamb
is obviously a major emphasis of these two chapters. It is clear that God and
the lamb are one. (John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.)” In the opening scene the reader has the
feeling that imminent events will usher in the final events of history and the
consummation of God’s plan. The scene is
filled with emotions when no one was available to open the seals of the scroll.
After the vision of the throne in
heaven, John sees the one who sits on the throne with a book written on both
sides inside and that book was sealed up with seven seals. The phrase “I saw”
occurs four times in this chapter (5:1, 2, 6, and 11). It is divided into
separate scenes.
SCENE I: GOD
IS ON THE THRONE: (Vs 1)
Vs 1, “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat
on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.” First half of
the scripture summarizes chapter 4. The one seated on the throne is the King of
kings, the exalted Lord of universe, the one who alone is worthy of worship. God
is on his throne and holds a double-sided scroll in the palm of his right hand,
which symbolizes power and authority. Here the scroll is ‘on’ rather than ‘in’
the hand of God, thus picturing it lying on God’s open palm.
Osborne, notes “scroll” was made of
strips of papyrus laid end to end and glued together to form a lengthy strip
that could be rolled into a scroll. This was the most popular type of writing
material for three millennia, from Egypt in in Egypt in 3000 B.C. to Roman times.”
There are several possibilities for the
identification of this doubly inscribed, sealed document: 1.The lamb’s book of
life. Though it is the major theme of the book of revelation in this context we
don’t have any pointers to believe so. The scrolls here and in 10:1-11
introduce the plan God has for the future 2. The OT, especially the Torah, with
its blessings and cursing stipulating to the covenant laws. 3. The last will
and testament containing the inheritance of the saints and sealed with seven
seals. 4. A divorce bill, folded and signed on the other side. 5. The doubly
inscribed contract deed, sealed with seven seals and with a description of the
contents written on the back. 6. A heavenly book containing God’s redemptive
plan and the future history of
God’s creation. The combination of fifth and
sixth views best fits the data.
The scroll was sealed with seven seals,
which points to completeness, focusing on the fullness of the divine plan. The
secrecy of the sealed document parallels with the secrecy of the OT scrolls:
Isaiah 29:11, Dan 8:26, Ezekiel 2:9-10. We are not very clear exactly what was
written in the scroll. But as we read the scriptures we can conclude that it contains
the destiny of mankind both redemption and judgment. It is written both sides
suggests that nothing regarding the destiny of mankind is omitted. God has
included every detail, every aspect, every minute part of history- past,
present and future. In chapter six we see the unfolding of these seals.
SCENE II: ONE WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL (5:2-5)
John sees a mighty angel proclaiming in
a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll.”? There was a crisis in heaven: “no one in
heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside
it. That, must have depressed John so he wept and wept because no one was found
worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
At that moment of crisis Jesus is
introduced in the throne room. No one appears worthy to open the sealed scroll
that is in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” This should be a word
of encouragement to all believers. Jesus will always appear in the crisis of
life. At times he appears as a lamb and other times as a lion depending on the
need of the moment.
Vs.5, “Then one of the elders said to
me, do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah the Root of David, has
triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” It is
interesting to note the announcement of the angel, which says “But no one in
heaven, or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll.” Osborn explains
this threefold division, “the three-tiered universe is common in Scripture (Ex
20:14, 11; Job 11:8-9) and probably refers to the whole of the created order
rather than to three specific kinds of being or spatially to three spheres of
life.” “Open the scroll” is mentioned three times in this short passage
indicates that the contents in the scroll must be of extreme importance.” We
can gather this from 4:1 where
John heard a voice saying “come up here and I
will show you what must take place after this.”
The phrase “Lion of Judah” was taken
from Genesis 49: 8-10, where Judah is chosen over his brothers to be the
“ruler” and the one whom his brothers would praise. The greater fulfillment of
these prophecies are in “son” of Judah- Jesus Christ. The root of David is from Isaiah 11:1,10
which links Jesus Christ to the ideal king. It is interpreted messianically in
Romans 15:12, “And again Isaiah says, “the Root of Jesse will spring up, on who
will arise to rule the nations the Gentiles will hope in him..” The Lion of
Judah and the Root of David is one and the same, referring to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is able to take the scroll and open it because he “has triumphed.” Where
was he triumphed? At the cross where he manifested as both strength (Lion) and humility
(Lamb)
SCENE THREE: INTRODUCTION OF THE LAMB; (Vs 6-10)
The Lamb appears on the scene: After
being comforted by one of the elders John looks up behold he sees a lamb
looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne. This
picture is contrary to what was described by the angel about the “Lion of
Judah” one could expect to see a furious Lion is rearing to open the scroll but
in reality it was not a Lion but a Lamb standing in the center of the throne. Though
this lamb was looking as if it had been slain but yet was commanding the
respect of the four living creatures and the elders. He came and took the
scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. A lamb with lions
heart.
There has been a considerable debate
regarding the meaning of the lamb image. Carrez (1999:5-7) says that the Lamb
is the central figure of the book, determining the plot action from the
celestial liturgy of chapters 4-5 to the unity of God and the Lamb on the
throne in Chapter 22. Barker (1995:501-4 ) sees the Lamb identified as the paschal
lamb of Isa 53:7. (Swete,R.Charles) sees the conquering ram(Ford, Kiddle), the
Passover lamb (Schussler Fiorenza, Roloff), or the atoning lamb and someone
else sees the Lamb primarily as servant.
The image of the lamb is important in
the OT and apocalyptic. In Vs 6 the reason the Lamb is described, “slaughtered”
is perhaps to combine both the images of a Passover lamb and the suffering
servant. These two images represent Christ as the Passover lamb of Exodus and
the Suffering Servant lamb of Isaiah. John
refers to Jesus as a “lamb” 28 times in Revelation and twice in his
gospel. Paul refers to Christ as “our
Passover lamb.” (I Cor 5:7) and Peter refers to Him as a “lamb” without blemish
or defect.” (I Pet 1:19)
The moment he took the book, the four living
creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before and they worshiped the
Lamb singing a new song. Osborn notes, “The song is composed of three parts:
the acclamation of the worthiness of the Lamb, the salvific work of the Lamb,
and the effect for the followers of the Lamb.”
Vs 11-14: Angels exalt the Lamb:
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." 14 And the four living
creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and
worshiped. In this vision John sees the exalted Lamb who was being worshiped
the four living creatures, the elders and thousands upon thousands of angels.
This is a glorious picture where the whole creation bows before the lamb that
was on the throne, and worships him for ever and ever.
It is heartening to note the words of
Osborne “The worship of the Lamb in chapter 5 parallels that of God in chapter
4. Christians are guilty of the syndrome “Your Jesus is too small.” We have
made Jesus our “big brother” and “friend” to such an extent that we have lost
the sense that he is also our sovereign Lord. We must recapture the realization
the he too is our God and worthy of worship at the deeper level. Like Yahweh,
he deserves our praise and gratitude for his sovereignty and for the great
victory won at the cross.”
