Revelation 5 KJV
The Scroll and the Lamb
Revelation Chapter 5: The Scroll and the Lamb
The sealed scroll evokes Roman legal wills requiring seven witnesses for validity, positioning the Lamb's opening as the legal transfer of cosmic inheritance to the redeemed rather than mere prophetic unveiling.
1nd 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.cf.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.cf.
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.cf.
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;cf.
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.cf.
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;cf.
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.cf.
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 honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.cf.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.cf.
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Did You Know?
The sealed scroll evokes Roman legal wills requiring seven witnesses for validity, positioning the Lamb's opening as the legal transfer of cosmic inheritance to the redeemed rather than mere prophetic unveiling.
The Lamb's dual identity as both 'Lion of the tribe of Juda' and sacrificial victim fuses Genesis 49's messianic blessing with Isaiah 53's suffering servant, subverting expectations of a conquering warrior Messiah.
Elders presenting golden vials of odors as 'prayers of saints' merges temple incense ritual with heavenly intercession, implying ongoing human participation in divine governance through prayer.
The 'new song' exclusively tied to redemption history distinguishes it from creation hymns elsewhere in Revelation, marking the cross event as the catalyst for unprecedented heavenly liturgy.
Universal acclamation extending to creatures 'under the earth' echoes yet transforms Greco-Roman chthonic deity worship, claiming even subterranean realms for the slain Lamb's dominion.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain in, &c. โ Greek, "(lying) upon the right hand." His right hand was open and on it lay the book. On God's part there was no withholding of His future purposes as contained in thโฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Revelation 5 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: The book with seven seals: none worthy to open it but the lamb: he takes it amidst the praises of the redeemed, and of the whole heavenly host.
- 1
- in, &c. โ Greek, "(lying) upon the right hand." His right hand was open and on it lay the book. On God's part there was no withholding of His future purposes as contained in the book: the only obstacle to unsealing it is stated in Re 5:3 [ALFORD]. book โ rather, as accords with the ancient form of books, and with the writing on the backside, "a roll." The writing on the back implies fulness and completeness, so that nothing more needs to be added (Re 22:18). The roll, or book, appears from the context to be "the title-deed of man's inheritance" [DE BURGH] redeemed by Christ, and contains the successive steps by which He shall recover it from its usurper and obtain actual possession of the kingdom already "purchased" for Himself and His elect saints. However, no portion of the roll is said to be unfolded and read; but simply the seals are successively opened, giving final access to its contents being read as a perfect whole, which shall not be until the events symbolized by the seals shall have been past, when Eph 3:10 shall receive its complete accomplishment, and the Lamb shall reveal God's providential plans in redemption in all their manifold beauties. Thus the opening of the seals will mean the successive steps by which God in Christ clears the way for the final opening and reading of the book at the visible setting up of the kingdom of Christ. Compare, at the grand consummation, Re 20:12, "Another book was opened... the book of life"; Re 22:19. None is worthy to do so save the Lamb, for He alone as such has redeemed man's forfeited inheritance, of which the book is the title-deed. The question (Re 5:2) is not (as commonly supposed), Who should reveal the destinies of the Church (for this any inspired prophet would be competent to do)? but, Who has the WORTH to give man a new title to his lost inheritance? [DE BURGH]. sealed... seven seals โ Greek, "sealed up," or "firmly sealed." The number seven (divided into four, the world-wide number, and three, the divine) abounds in Revelation and expresses completeness. Thus, the seven seals, representing all power given to the Lamb; the seven trumpets, by which the world kingdoms are shaken and overthrown, and the Lamb's kingdom ushered in; and the seven vials, by which the beast's kingdom is destroyed.
- 2
- strong โ (Ps 103:20). His voice penetrated heaven, earth, and Hades (Re 10:1-3).
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