Revelation 5:1-14Revelation 5:1-14

The Seven-Sealed Scroll of The Seven-Sealed Scroll of the Lambthe Lamb

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation

Preparation of the Prophet: His Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – 20)Past Vision (1:1 – 20)

Preparation of the People: Their Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22)Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22)

Publication of the Prophecy: Its Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5)Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5)

Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1)(4:1 – 8:1)

The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14)The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14) The One sitting on the throne (4:1-11)The One sitting on the throne (4:1-11) The seven-sealed scroll of the lamb (5:1-14)The seven-sealed scroll of the lamb (5:1-14)

The Seven-Sealed Scroll The Seven-Sealed Scroll (5:1)(5:1)

God the Father, sitting upon the throne, is the one God the Father, sitting upon the throne, is the one who holds the scroll, which contains writing on the who holds the scroll, which contains writing on the inside and the outside and is sealed up with inside and the outside and is sealed up with seven-seals. What does this scroll represent?seven-seals. What does this scroll represent? A scroll just like this was used frequently in the time of A scroll just like this was used frequently in the time of

the Romans. The full contract would be written on the the Romans. The full contract would be written on the inside and sealed up with seven seals. Then the content inside and sealed up with seven seals. Then the content of the contract would be summarized on the outside. All of the contract would be summarized on the outside. All types of transactions were made in this way, including types of transactions were made in this way, including marriage-contracts, rental and lease agreements, and marriage-contracts, rental and lease agreements, and release of slaves. In this case, it is Christ’s title deed to release of slaves. In this case, it is Christ’s title deed to all creation.all creation.

The contents of the scroll, then, are the The contents of the scroll, then, are the judgments which will fall upon the earth from God judgments which will fall upon the earth from God Himself, concluding with the coming of the Himself, concluding with the coming of the promised Messiah and His kingdom. It gives the promised Messiah and His kingdom. It gives the successive steps, in rapid order, that will bring in successive steps, in rapid order, that will bring in the reign of Christ.the reign of Christ.

The Search for One Worthy to The Search for One Worthy to Open the Scroll (5:2-5)Open the Scroll (5:2-5)

John hears the voice of a strong angel, asking, John hears the voice of a strong angel, asking, “Who is worthy to open the scroll, even to break its “Who is worthy to open the scroll, even to break its seals?”seals?”

After an extensive, universal search, no one is After an extensive, universal search, no one is found worthy, causing John great grief. Why?found worthy, causing John great grief. Why?

One of the 24 elders tells John to stop weeping, One of the 24 elders tells John to stop weeping, because one has been found worthy to open the because one has been found worthy to open the scroll. His character is described in several ways:scroll. His character is described in several ways: He is the Lion from the tribe of Judah, symbolizing kingly He is the Lion from the tribe of Judah, symbolizing kingly

strength and boldness (Gen 49:9, 10).strength and boldness (Gen 49:9, 10). He is the root of David. It is well established in the OT that He is the root of David. It is well established in the OT that

David’s line would never lack a man to sit upon the throne David’s line would never lack a man to sit upon the throne (2 Sam 7:8-16; Jer 33:17). Christ is the ultimate Davidic (2 Sam 7:8-16; Jer 33:17). Christ is the ultimate Davidic ruler.ruler.

He has overcome! This means He is able to open the scroll.He has overcome! This means He is able to open the scroll. Christ’s worthiness is here tied to His messianic Christ’s worthiness is here tied to His messianic

office. In 5:9 His worthiness is explicitly connected office. In 5:9 His worthiness is explicitly connected with His redemptive death. These two aspects of with His redemptive death. These two aspects of His Person cannot be separated.His Person cannot be separated.

Vision of the Slain Lamb (5:6-Vision of the Slain Lamb (5:6-10)10)

A slain lamb draws upon the imagery of the OT A slain lamb draws upon the imagery of the OT sacrifice for sin.sacrifice for sin. Notice the irony of how Christ is pictured. The elder earlier Notice the irony of how Christ is pictured. The elder earlier

described Him as a lion (v. 5), and now the picture is one described Him as a lion (v. 5), and now the picture is one which is the opposite of a lion, a lamb. It was Christ’s which is the opposite of a lion, a lamb. It was Christ’s supreme self-sacrifice (as a lamb) that led to His supreme supreme self-sacrifice (as a lamb) that led to His supreme power as king, and gave Him the right to take the scroll. power as king, and gave Him the right to take the scroll.

What do horns symbolize in the OT?What do horns symbolize in the OT? The seven horns here represent the fullness of The seven horns here represent the fullness of

Christ’s power; the seven eyes symbolize His Christ’s power; the seven eyes symbolize His complete knowledge. Thus the vision portrays both complete knowledge. Thus the vision portrays both Christ’s omnipotence and omniscience.Christ’s omnipotence and omniscience.

The text also says that the seven eyes are the The text also says that the seven eyes are the seven spirits of God, i.e. the Holy Spirit, who seven spirits of God, i.e. the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Son just as He does from the proceeds from the Son just as He does from the Father (John 15:26). Father (John 15:26).

Vision of the Slain Lamb (5:6-Vision of the Slain Lamb (5:6-10)10)

As Christ comes and takes the scroll from the As Christ comes and takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father, the four living beings right hand of the Father, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fall down in worship. and the twenty-four elders fall down in worship. Each one of the elders has a harp and a bowl full Each one of the elders has a harp and a bowl full of incense.of incense. The harp is an instrument of gladness and joy, and is The harp is an instrument of gladness and joy, and is

used here in connection with the worship of the Lamb.used here in connection with the worship of the Lamb. In the OT, incense was burned with the sacrificial In the OT, incense was burned with the sacrificial

offerings so that God would accept the sacrifice. Here offerings so that God would accept the sacrifice. Here the incense in the bowls represents the sweet odor of the incense in the bowls represents the sweet odor of prayer rising up towards God. From whom do these prayer rising up towards God. From whom do these prayers come and what is their content? prayers come and what is their content?

In light of the context of the whole book, it is best to see In light of the context of the whole book, it is best to see them as prayers offered concerning the sending forth of them as prayers offered concerning the sending forth of judgment and the inauguration of Christ’s kingdom upon judgment and the inauguration of Christ’s kingdom upon the earth (see Rev 6:9-11; 8:3-5).the earth (see Rev 6:9-11; 8:3-5).

Vision of the Slain Lamb (5:6-Vision of the Slain Lamb (5:6-10)10)

Those around the throne sing a new song about Those around the throne sing a new song about Christ’s worthiness to take the scroll and break its Christ’s worthiness to take the scroll and break its seals. The newness of the song implies that seals. The newness of the song implies that regardless of how great God’s glory has been in the regardless of how great God’s glory has been in the past, the future is even greater. It is new in quality, past, the future is even greater. It is new in quality, different and superior to what has come before.different and superior to what has come before.

The song is a celebration of the The song is a celebration of the completecomplete redemption of the saints. redemption of the saints. It is a song of praise to Christ for what He accomplished at It is a song of praise to Christ for what He accomplished at

the cross, where He paid the price of redemption for sins the cross, where He paid the price of redemption for sins and purchased some from every tribe and tongue and and purchased some from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. people and nation.

It also looks forward to the consummation of that It also looks forward to the consummation of that redemption.redemption.

Notice that the redeemed are not only those over Notice that the redeemed are not only those over whom God reigns, but they themselves will reign whom God reigns, but they themselves will reign with Christ. When?with Christ. When?

Praise from the Multitude Praise from the Multitude around the Throne (5:11-14)around the Throne (5:11-14)

In addition to the twenty-four elders and the four In addition to the twenty-four elders and the four living beings, John now sees thousands and living beings, John now sees thousands and thousands of angels around the throne. They join thousands of angels around the throne. They join the others in declaring the worthiness of the the others in declaring the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain.Lamb who was slain.

PowerPower – i.e., omnipotence. – i.e., omnipotence. RichesRiches - not just spiritual riches, but all kinds of riches. - not just spiritual riches, but all kinds of riches.

All the fullness of the earth belongs to Christ.All the fullness of the earth belongs to Christ. WisdomWisdom - He created the world in wisdom, setting times - He created the world in wisdom, setting times

and seasons and limits from the very beginning. He and seasons and limits from the very beginning. He made goals and determined the final outcome of history made goals and determined the final outcome of history from the very beginning.from the very beginning.

StrengthStrength - His ability to do whatever He wants to do. - His ability to do whatever He wants to do. HonorHonor - belongs to the Lamb not only because of what - belongs to the Lamb not only because of what

He has done, but simply because of who He is.He has done, but simply because of who He is. GloryGlory - the light or radiance that comes from God. - the light or radiance that comes from God. BlessingBlessing - man’s proper response to all that Christ is. - man’s proper response to all that Christ is.

Praise from the Multitude Praise from the Multitude around the Throne (5:11-14)around the Throne (5:11-14)

Verses 13 and 14 provide the climax to Verses 13 and 14 provide the climax to chapters 4 and 5. This song anticipates a chapters 4 and 5. This song anticipates a future day when future day when allall intelligent beings will intelligent beings will give God His due praise.give God His due praise.

In addition to the angelic hosts, every In addition to the angelic hosts, every created being in the universe which has created being in the universe which has the ability to recognize God (even fallen the ability to recognize God (even fallen angels under the earth) gives praise to angels under the earth) gives praise to both the Father and the Lamb.both the Father and the Lamb.

The four living beings conclude the song The four living beings conclude the song with an “Amen” of confirmation, and the with an “Amen” of confirmation, and the twenty-four elders around the throne twenty-four elders around the throne bow down in worship.bow down in worship.

Next Week: The First Six Next Week: The First Six Seals: “The Beginning of Seals: “The Beginning of

Birth Pangs” Birth Pangs” (Rev 6:1-17)(Rev 6:1-17)Read Rev 4 - 6Read Rev 4 - 6