Chapter Five

Preparation for the Seven Seals

5:1 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.

We found in chapter four that God is the one sitting on the throne. Now John sees a book in the right hand of God as He sits upon the throne. The fact that God has the book in His hand shows that it is His book. In fact He wrote this book. It contains a revelation of the future that only God could know.

What we call a book today, with a cover and bound pages or leaves, was unknown at the time Revelation was written. The “book” referred to here was actually a roll of either animal skin or paper made from papyrus. “The skins when written upon were formed into rolls. They were rolled upon one or two sticks and fastened with a thread, the ends of which were sealed. The rolls were generally written on one side only, except in Ezekiel 2:9; Revelation 5:1. They were divided into columns (Authorized Version ‘leaves,’ Jeremiah 36:23); the upper margin was to be not less than three fingers broad, the lower not less than four; and a space of two fingers breadth was to be left between every two columns.”[1]

As mentioned in the above reference, these rolls usually contained writing only on one side, but this one had been “written within and on the backside.” And this roll was sealed to prevent any unauthorized access to the material of the book. The seals spoken of here were not something which would physically prevent someone from accessing what was protected by the seal. All they would do is reveal if someone had gained unauthorized access to the book.

The seal was usually made of either clay or wax, and when the material was soft it was applied to whatever was to be sealed. Then the person who had authority over what was to be sealed would affix his “seal.” This simply meant that he would take his signet ring, or some other type of emblem designated for this purpose, and press it into the soft clay or wax. The imprint of the ring would then be left in the material as it hardened. And since the ring or emblem was supposed to be unique, no one would be able to duplicate the design left on the seal. So if someone broke a seal, there was no way to re-affix it without the ring that had originally made it.

This book contained not just one but seven seals. These seals would not all have been on the outside, because there would have been no use for that. But rather the seals were distributed throughout the roll. You could unroll the book up to a certain point and then you would encounter another seal. You would have to then break that seal in order to proceed any further. So it was possible to tell how much of a roll had been read by unauthorized persons.

5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Now an angel of God speaks with a loud and powerful voice, and asks the question, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” It was not a matter of physical strength or intelligence that was needed to open the seals. A small child would possess the physical strength and dexterity to break the seals and expose the writings of the book. But this was a question of authority, or as it is spoken of here, worthiness. The seals could only be broken by someone who had the right to open the book. And the angel was asking who was qualified to open and read the book.

5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

The question in verse two was put forth to find a person who had the authority to break the seals and open the book, so that the information contained in it could be obtained. But, unfortunately, no one was found who possessed the authority to open the book. No one in Heaven or on the earth or under the earth was worthy to open it. Heaven is the domain of God and the angels, while the earth is the domain of man. Under the earth refers to Hades where the spirits of all departed men reside. No one in any of these three places was found to be worthy to open the seals and read the book.

5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

When John realized that no one was going to be able to open the book he was deeply saddened. In fact he was saddened to the point that he wept. The reason for John’s sadness is that he realized the importance of what the book contained, and if no one could open the book and read it, all of the knowledge and wisdom that it contained would be lost forever. A closed book does no one any good. And this book must be an important one if it was in Heaven in God’s hand. Further testimony of its importance is the call that went out to all parts of creation seeking someone to open the book.

What is so important about this book? This book is really what we will see in the remainder of Revelation. As the seven seals of the book are loosed they will reveal the major highlights of history as they affected the Church. What God wants man to know about the entire Christian era is contained in this book. Certainly we can see why John was so distraught when no one was found to open the book and make known its secrets. It is very distressing to see how so many people today ignore the Book of Revelation when John actually cried when he thought its secrets would remain hidden forever. We need to give it as much respect as John did.

5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

As John is despairing over the book, one of the twenty-four elders speaks to him and informs him that someone had been found who is worthy to open the book. Someone he described as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.” This person would be able to open the book and reveal its secrets. The Lion of the tribe of Judah is a reference to a prophesy spoken by Jacob as he blessed his twelve sons. “Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:8-10). Shiloh, of course, is a reference to Christ.

The “Root of David” is a reference to Christ being a descendant of David. Both of His parents, Joseph and Mary, were direct descendants of David, Joseph through Solomon, and Mary through Nathan. He was praised as the Son of David by the multitudes as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem to meet His fate. “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest’” (Matthew 21:9). This is the one who was found to be worthy to open the seals of the book. He was pure and innocent and without sin (Hebrews 4:15), therefore He was indeed worthy.

“Hath prevailed to open the book” is a reference to Christ’s life. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He prevailed, he was victorious in the game of life. He beat Satan at every turn. Despite Satan’s best efforts Jesus lived a perfect life, fulfilled His purpose, and then ascended back into Heaven to the right hand of the Father.

It should come as no surprise to us that it was up to Christ to deliver this very important message to man. The message originated with God, and Christ the mediator brought it down to man. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). He again fulfilled His role as mediator here by opening the seals of this important book so that the message it contained could be given to man.

5:6 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.

After one of the elders had informed John that there was indeed one found worthy to open the book, and he described Him without doubt as Christ, John looks and sees something new before the throne of God. Standing in the middle of the four creatures, and the twenty-four elders, was a Lamb that was apparently bloody and wounded in appearance, because he said It was “as it had been slain.” This is Christ depicted as a Lamb, as He is in many places in the Bible. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’” (John 1:29). Christ replaced the Passover lamb that had been offered annually for some 1,500 years. He was the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind. “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7). The Lamb we see here appears to have been killed, and indeed Christ was slain for the sins of the world. Although this Lamb appears to have been slain, It is not dead, for It STOOD before the throne. The Lamb had been slain, but It had been resurrected by the power of God.

This Lamb, which is a depiction of Christ, had seven horns and seven eyes. In the Bible horns are often used to represent power and authority. “And I said unto the angel that talked with me, ‘What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem’” (Zechariah 1:19). Obviously the only thing which will scatter a city or nation is another, more powerful, nation. Horn is from the Hebrew word “qeren.” One definition which Strong’s gives for qeren is “power”[2] It is used this way dozens of times in the Old Testament.

The fact that the Lamb is pictured with seven horns shows that he has complete power. This agrees with the record of Matthew. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth’” (Matthew 28:18). The seven eyes of the Lamb shows Christ’s complete vision. He can see everywhere and everything at once. He shares this ability with the Father.

We are told that the seven horns and eyes represent the seven Spirits of God. The two characteristics represented by the horns and eyes certainly pertain to the Spirit of God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. “Sent forth to all the earth” is just further evidence of the existence of God’s Spirit “everywhere at once.”

In this verse Christ was pictured as a lamb, whereas the previous verse spoke of Him as a lion. These are two very diverse creatures but taken together serve well to illustrate the nature of Christ and God. Christ was very meek and humble like a lamb. But when it comes time for the wrath of God to be loosed on sinners He is stronger and deadlier than the most ferocious lion. He can be both gentle and harsh depending on the requirements of the situation.

5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Now the Lamb, which is Christ, moves forward and takes the sealed book, that is in the hand of God, who was seated upon the throne. The passing of the book from God to Christ agrees with what we were told in chapter one. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him” (Revelation 1:1). God was the author of the book and gave it to Christ the mediator for delivery to man.

5:8 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 odors, which are the prayers of saints.

After Jesus took the book from God, the four creatures and twenty-four elders, who had previously been worshipping God, began to worship Christ. This is what is meant by “Fell down before the Lamb.” Each one of the twenty-eight beings possessed harps with which to worship Christ. They also had “Golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.” God does not at all feel bothered by man when he prays to Him. Far from it, God enjoys receiving the prayers of righteous men. “The prayer of the upright is his delight” (Proverbs 15:8). “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). So to God, the prayers of saints, or Christians, is just like a very sweet and pleasant smell drifting up to Him from earth. What loving father does not like to hear the voice of his children?

5:9 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;

The four creatures, and the twenty-four elders, now begin to sing a “new” song. This type of song is not like the songs we are accustomed to today. In Bible times a song was “a poetical composition, generally brief, capable of being set to music and sung, whether or not it was intended for singing or was ever actually sung.”[3] Often the story of some great event was recounted and called a song, such is the case here. “They sung a new song, saying.” This shows that the message was spoken and not actually sung with music.

This song which they are speaking is a “new” song, which means it has never been heard before. This song extols the worthiness of the Lamb, Christ, to break open the seals of the book that He has just taken from God. The song then continues by explaining why He is qualified to open the seals, when no one else is. Christ was slain, or crucified, on the cross at Calvary. He died there to redeem, or buy back, mankind from sin. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18-19).

“Redeemed us to God by thy blood,” means that Christ’s sacrifice of Himself paid the price for the sins of mankind, and broke down the wall that had been separating God and man, this wall was sin. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:8-10).

“Out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation,” tells us that God’s people are no longer just a single nation, as had been the case with the Jews, but now He has people all over the world, of every nationality and race. God had told Abraham almost two-thousand years before the fact, that someday all nations would be blessed through him. “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, ‘In thee shall all nations be blessed’” (Galatians 3:8). Then, finally, God revealed unto Peter in a vision that the gospel should be taken to the Gentiles. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him’” (Acts 10:34).

5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Christ had made those who had been obedient to Him “kings and priests” unto God. The idea of Christians being kings and priests just reflects the fact that they are to be rewarded for their service to God. He will reward them with greater spiritual wealth and authority than they could have ever imagined.

“And we shall reign on the earth,” does not mean that Christians can expect to be given actual positions of authority in world governments. After all, this is not where Christ reigns. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual, therefore His reign is spiritual also. He will never reign literally over the earth. The Jews were expecting a messiah to come and restore the glory of Israel, but this was not God’s plan. “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36).

By the world’s standard of greatness, Jesus’ life was a miserable failure. He never held any position of authority, let alone that of king. He never made anything of Himself. But then the world’s standards are not God’s. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ saith the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Since Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, neither is His reign. And since the reign of Christians will be with Christ (Revelation 20:6), their reign will not be of this world either. Christ reigns spiritually, triumphant over death and sin. When someone becomes a Christian their sins are washed away and they receive the promise of eternal life. They then begin to reign, like Christ, triumphant over sin and death, through the power of God. And they continue to reign as long as they are faithful to God.

5:11 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;

5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Now John hears a seemingly innumerable chorus proclaiming praises to Christ. The four creatures, and the twenty-four elders, which have been present for quite some time praising Christ, are now joined by multitudes of angels proclaiming the worthiness of the crucified Savior of mankind. The number of angels given is not meant to be specific, but rather just serves to illustrate the vast numbers who were present worshipping Christ. The praises that they are bestowing on Jesus are all because He was slain. Because of His willingness to lower Himself, and to suffer and die as He did, He is worthy to be exalted above all others. “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:7-11). Here the Apostle Paul expresses, in a very beautiful way, why Christ is worthy to receive the praises and worship of all creatures.

“Power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” The angels that are praising Christ tell of His worthiness to receive all of these things. As we mentioned earlier He has been given all power by the Farther. Riches, means spiritual riches, and certainly no one is wealthier. No one approaches His wisdom or strength. And above all others He is worthy of all honor, and glory, and blessing.

5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

The worship continues, but now it is also extended to the One sitting on the throne, which is God. As the Apostle Paul pointed out, Christ suffered and died so “That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). The one’s testifying to God’s greatness here are “every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea.” This includes all inhabitants of Heaven, all of mankind, all spirits of deceased men, and all animals. Obviously animals cannot consciously acknowledge God since they are not sentient. But their very existence testifies to the greatness and power of God. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20).

All men will also testify to the greatness of God. As Paul pointed out, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow,...and...every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11). Someday everyone, regardless of whether or not they are Christians, will bow before Christ and praise His holy and blessed name. But unfortunately, those who were not faithful will not be fortunate enough to enjoy the blessings of His presence for all eternity.

After hearing the praises coming from the earth below, the four creatures and the twenty-four elders say “amen,” which means “so be it.” In other words they were giving their approval to the praises which had been offered on behalf of Christ and God by the others.

[2] Strong, 1982, s.v. “Hebrew #7161.”