Read Revelation 5:1-14.

Introduction⤒🔗

Do you realize how little appreciation, honor, and respect the Lord Jesus Christ receives today? People constantly take His name in vain; either flippantly using His great name merely as an expression of exclamation, or as a means of expressing their anger.

Whereas it is considered insensitive to make anyone or any group the object of deprecating humor or abuse, this does not apply to Christ. By way of example: A T.V. documentary, without comment, aired the segment of a motivational speaker as he made the Lord Jesus Christ the object of his deprecating humor and as his audience laughed uproariously. If anyone else or any group had been the object of such humor, it would have been considered to be highly offensive and intolerable.

Another way in which the Lord Jesus is deprived of His rightful glory and honor is by the assertion that there are many ways to God, many “saviors.” As this baseless and false teaching is proclaimed, the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only true Savior sent by God is disparaged and denied.

In contrast to all this abuse and disparagement by the world, we come to Revelation chapter five. This chapter of Scripture teaches us that the Lord Jesus Christ alone is recognized by God as worthy to be our Savior and worthy to receive the glory. Because the Lord Jesus has proven Himself to be our great and only Savior, let us respond to Him in a way that is worthy of Him.

Make a Worthy Response to Christ by Rejoicing in Him←⤒🔗

The Apostle John reports that he saw in the right hand of God “a scroll” (vs. 1). The very position of this scroll, in God’s right hand, indicates that its contents are of supreme honor and blessing and importance; note, for instance, Ephesians 1:20-21 for the significance of the position at God’s right hand: “[God] raised [Christ] from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every title that can be given, not only in this present age but also in the coming age.”

John goes on to tell us that this scroll was written “on both sides.” This fact indicates that this scroll is filled to capacity and is, indeed, overflowing with the blessings of God. Its contents are nothing other than the glorious kingdom of God, as it will be described in Revelation 21-22. But, it is also a scroll that has been “tightly sealed with seven seals.” Laid upon the scroll is a divine and absolute seal, making its contents inaccessible and unobtainable to men.

The reason for the divine seal is due to the sinfulness, and therefore, the unworthiness, of fallen mankind. The divine requirement for life and access to the blessing of God is obedience, originating from a pure heart: “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? ⁴He that has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4a). The punishment for disobedience and unrighteousness is banishment from the presence and blessing of God; in consequence of Adam’s disobedience to the divine command, “[The LORD] drove the man out; and he placed the Cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, and [also] a flaming sword, which turned in every direction, to guard the way to the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24).

As John ponders the situation, he sees a mighty angel proclaiming in a great voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (vs. 2) Here is “a mighty angel” earnestly and diligently seeking for someone to come and open the scroll, to open the gate to the kingdom of heaven; not even this mighty angel is able to do so! Depicted here is the earnest desire of God to share His kingdom with men and to receive us into His divine fellowship. But although such is the desire of God’s heart, not even that divine desire can nullify the fact that the scroll is sealed and can only be opened by one who is worthy. Here is what we might call “the divine tension:” In His love, God desires for us to gain entrance into His heavenly kingdom; but in His holiness, God cannot admit sinful men into His presence without a Savior.

In response to the mighty angel’s question, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” there comes the reply, “No one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or [even] look at it” (vs. 4). There is not found one soul in all of the world who is worthy and able to open the scroll; indeed, none is found worthy to even so much as look upon the scroll. In the words of the Apostle Paul, quoting from Psalm 14:1, “There is none righteous, no, not one... ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10,23).

In response to this dilemma, John testifies, “I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll.” His heart is filled with sorrow over the moral unworthiness of mankind to gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven. When he sees the tragic and awful consequence of sin, that it deprives us of the blessing of God and bars us from entrance into the kingdom of God and His divine fellowship, John breaks down and weeps. But as the Apostle John weeps in sorrow and despair, he suddenly hears a voice that exhorts him, “Do not weep” (vs. 5). John is informed that there is One who has been found worthy; John is now pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us respond to Christ by rejoicing in Him. When we look at ourselves and how our sinfulness has disqualified us from the kingdom of heaven, it should put us to grief; but when we look at the Savior whom God has provided, and put our trust in Him, it should cause us to rejoice. Along with Mary, may we sing, “My soul magnifies the LORD, ⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior... ⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is his name” (Lk. 1:46-49).

Make a Worthy Response to Christ by Appreciating Him←⤒🔗

The Lord Jesus Christ is introduced to John and to us as “the lion who is from the tribe of Judah” (vs. 5). In Genesis 49:8-10, Judah is pictured as a conquering lion, and there is the prophecy that from his tribe would eventually come the Almighty Conqueror and Victor:

Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. ⁹Judah is a lion’s cub; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? ¹⁰The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs, to him shall be the obedience of the nations.

Referring to our Lord Jesus Christ, the writer of Hebrews asserts, “it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah” (Heb. 7:14a).

The Lord Jesus is further identified as “the Root of David.” David was the divinely appointed king who ruled over God’s earthly kingdom, the Old Testament nation of Israel; but here is One who is greater than David, One who is the Source of David’s life and reign. The fact that our Lord Jesus Christ is from “the tribe of Judah” shows His humanity, (in His incarnation He became a true man); and the fact that He is “the Root of David” testifies to His divinity, He is God Himself.

John is now comforted by the fact that this Lion (Christ Jesus) “has overcome, and he is able to open the scroll and break the seals.” Here is the only One who has conquered the devil and the world; our Lord Jesus Christ was victorious where Adam and all of us who are the descendants of Adam failed. The Greek verb, (translated by the phrase, “he overcame”), by its emphatic position at the beginning of the clause and by its tense (the Greek aorist tense indicating one past event), underscores the certainty and the totality of Christ’s conquest, as well as emphasizing the one great act of obedience to His Father by which that conquest was won, namely, His death upon the cross of Calvary.

John is comforted by the Good News that the lion from the tribe of Judah has conquered; but what he now sees before the throne is not a lion, but “a lamb!” (vs. 6) The lamb reveals the fact that the Savior’s victory was accomplished not by personal strength and the assertion of Himself, but rather by the complete submission of Himself to His Father’s will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, as He anticipated the cross of Calvary, our Lord Jesus Christ prayed to His Father, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). The Lamb of God accomplished the work of redemption by the offering of Himself as the one true sacrifice for sin:

... were redeemed from your futile way of life handed down from your forefathers, not by perishable things, such as silver or gold, ¹⁹but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or defect, [the blood] of Christ. 1 Pet. 1:18-19

Note carefully the position of the Lamb: He is standing “at the center of the throne,” and at the same time he is “surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders” (vs. 6). By means of His position “at the center of the throne,” He is identified with God His Father as the eternal Son who by His perfect righteousness is well pleasing to the Father, and He is also identified with His people for whom He died, as seen by the fact that He is surrounded by “the elders,” representing the whole body of the redeemed. Speaking of Christ’s relationship to the redeemed, the writer to the Hebrews reports, “he is not ashamed to call them brothers” (Heb. 2:11). The lamb is seen standing at the center of the throne, even though he looked “as though he been slain” (vs. 6a). Here is a reference to our Lord’s resurrection; His resurrection being proof that His sacrifice was acceptable to God and, consequently, totally sufficient for our salvation.

John reports that the Lamb had “seven horns and seven eyes.” The “seven horns” represent almighty power, strength, dominion, and authority. By way of example, speaking of the authority the LORD conferred upon Joseph, Moses testifies: “his horns are the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth” (Deut. 33:17). Just prior to His ascension into heaven, “Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Matt. 28:18). The “seven eyes,” defined as “the seven Spirits of God,” are a reference to the Holy Spirit, given to Christ, who in turned has bestowed the Spirit upon His church. Referring to the Lord Jesus, on the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter declares, “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33).

As John watches, the Lamb “came and took [the scroll] out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne” (vs. 7). The use of the Greek perfect tense in the verb, “he took,” indicates a past act or action that has continued merit and effectiveness. Our Lord’s victory at Calvary is all-sufficient and eternally sufficient for our salvation: “he is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25).

Let us respond to Christ by appreciating Him: Let us appreciate the wonder of who He is, He is none other than God incarnate. Let us appreciate the wonder of what He has done, He has conquered the devil, He has atoned for our sins, and He opened the kingdom of heaven for us. Let us appreciate Him by putting our trust in Him and entrusting our whole lives to Him.

Make a Worthy Response to Christ by Praising Him←⤒🔗

In verse seven, God the Father acknowledges the worthiness of Christ by allowing Him to take the scroll.

Then in verse eight, the angelic host (represented by the four living creatures) and the redeemed, (represented by the twenty-four elders), acknowledge His worthiness: “When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before [him]. Each one [of the elders] had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” They acknowledge Christ’s worthiness by bowing down before Him. We are told, each of the elders had “a harp;” the symbol of praising God the Father for our Lord Jesus Christ. Each one also had “a golden bowl full of incense;” representing the fact that they are praying to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. The bowls full of incense represent the prayers of the church as they are offered up to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The twenty-four elders sing a new song of praise to the Lamb: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break the seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. ¹⁰You have made them into a kingdom and priests for our God, and they shall reign over the earth” (vs. 9-10).

They sing, “You were slain.” Their song focuses upon the great fact and event that took place at Calvary. They continue by saying, “with your blood you purchased men for God.” Here is the divinely-inspired interpretation of Calvary: our Lord’s death upon the cross was not a martyrdom, nor was it merely an expression of love, it was the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Speaking of Jesus, the Apostle John declares, “He is the propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 2:2); a “propitiation” is a sacrifice that satisfies the divine justice and appeases the divine wrath.

The elders’ song goes on to say, “You have made them into a kingdom and priests for our God.” Here is the divine purpose of Calvary: the redeemed are made into a kingdom of willing subjects who submit themselves to God’s sovereign and gracious rule; and the redeemed are made to be priests of God, thereby becoming actively engaged in service to Him. Their song concludes with the testimony, “they shall reign over the earth.” The redeemed actively share with God and Christ in their dominion; by virtue of Christ’s atoning work, the original creation mandate, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Gen. 1:28), will be fully and perfectly realized in the new creation.

John now writes, “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders. The number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, indeed, [there were] thousands upon thousands [of them]” (vs. 11). The whole host of heaven joins in singing the praises of the Lamb: “With a loud voice they proclaim, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”” (vs. 12). In their hymn of praise, the heavenly host heaps up every conceivable expression of homage, all to emphasize the supreme worthiness of the Lamb: “Worthy is the Lamb...to receive the power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Note that the host of heaven address the Lamb in the third person, whereas the redeemed, represented by the twenty-four elders, address Him in the second person: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break the seals” (vs. 9).

This is also the case in verse thirteen: when the whole created order address praise to Him, they refer to Him in the third person:

Then I heard every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea, together with everything that is in [all these places], proclaiming, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the dominion forever and ever!'

Only the redeemed have the status of being the bride of Christ and the status of being the adopted sons of God.

The worthiness of the Lamb sung by the redeemed (vs. 8-10), and taken up by the angels (vs. 12), is finally acknowledged by the whole creation (vs. 13). John is here witnessing the fulfillment of Philippians 2:9-11; the whole world shall finally be compelled to acknowledge and honor Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father:

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest position and bestowed upon him the name that is above every name; ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

John notes that the “four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshiped” (vs. 14). The pronouncement of the “Amen” by the four living creatures represents God the Father acknowledging His Son’s worthiness to receive the glory; just as He did at the commencement of our Lord’s earthly ministry: “a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matt. 3:17). The redeemed, (again, being represented by the twenty-four elders), respond by prostrating themselves in complete worship and submission.

Let us respond to Christ by praising Him: praising Him with the heavenly host and the redeemed who have gone on to glory; praising Him that finally He will be vindicated and acknowledged as Lord; praising Him with our lips and with our lives.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

Do we appreciate the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ alone is recognized by God as worthy to be our Savior? Because He has proven Himself to be the only One who is worthy, let us respond to Him in a way that is worthy of Him: 1) let us rejoice in Him; 2) let us appreciate Him; and, 3) let us praise Him.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. What does John see in “the right hand” (i.e. the hand of blessing and highest honor) of God? See Rev. 5:1. What does this scroll (representing the blessing of the kingdom of God), so full that it contains writing on both sides of the parchment, tell us about the character of God? How did the devil maliciously and falsely portray God? See Gen. 3:2-5. In refutation of the devil’s lie, what does God offer the world? See Jn. 3:16. As a Christian, what does God offer you? See Eph. 1:3; 2 Thess. 2:14,

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and tightly sealed with seven seals.Rev. 5:1

And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³but concerning the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, or else you will die. ⁴But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die; ⁵for God knows that in the day you eat the fruit of that tree your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like God, knowing good and evil. Gen.3:2-5

...God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Jn. 3:16

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ... Eph. 1:3

...[God] called you by our gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess. 2:14

2. Besides the much writing, what else does John notice about the scroll? See Rev. 5:1b. Whom does John now see, and what tragic message does he convey to John? See Rev. 5:2-3. According to Psalm 84:11, with whom does the LORD share every “good thing”? But what is the present state of mankind before God? See Rom. 3:10, 23. In whom alone must we place our faith for reconciliation to the LORD our God? See 1 Pet. 3:18,

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and tightly sealed with seven seals.Rev. 5:1

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?' ³But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even look at it. Rev. 5:2-3

...the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psl. 84:11

There is none righteous, no, not one... Rom. 3:10b

 ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23

Christ indeed died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive [again] by the Spirit. 1 Pet. 3:18

3. How does John respond to this tragic situation? See Rev. 5:4. As John weeps over mankind’s moral inability to open the scroll, what is he told? See Rev. 5:5. What is the characteristic of a lion? How does our Lord Jesus describe Himself in relation to the devil (“the strong one”) who held men captive in sin and condemnation? See Lk. 11:21-22,

I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or [even] look at it. ⁵Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. Behold! The Lion who is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, he has overcome, and he is able to open the scroll and break the seals.' Rev. 5:4-5

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his palace, his goods are safe; ²²but when one that is stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, [the stronger one] takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. Lk. 11:21-22

4. When John looks up to behold this lion, what does he see? See Rev. 5:6a. What is the characteristic of a lamb? Note Isa. 53:7b. In what rather anomalous way did the Lord Jesus exert His power over the devil and thereby secure our redemption? See Col. 2:15. Why was submission to the cross necessary to secure victory over the devil and his condemning charges against us? See Rom. 3:25-26,

Then I saw a lamb, [looking] as though it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Rev. 5:6

Speaking of Jesus, the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah declares,

He was oppressed and afflicted, but he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is being led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, so he did not open his mouth. Isa. 53:7

Having disarmed the principalities and powers, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by [the cross]. Col. 2:15

God set forth [His Son] to be a propitiation by his blood...²⁶...so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Rom. 3:25-26

A propitiation is the sacrifice that satisfies God’s justice and appeases His righteous wrath against the sinner.

5. What anthem of praise does the angelic host offer up to the Lamb? See Rev. 5:12. What praise are all creatures of God’s creation compelled to offer unto the Lamb? See Rev. 5:13. What praise do the redeemed offer to the Lamb? See Rev. 5:9-10. What is different between the praise spoken by the angels and all creatures on the one hand, and the praise spoken by the redeemed on the other? Note the difference in the pronouns; what accounts for this? As a Christian, do you appreciate the awesome privilege that is ours as those who have been purchased by His blood?

With a loud voice they proclaim, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive the power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' ¹³Then I heard every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea, together with everything that is in [all these places], proclaiming, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the dominion forever and ever!' Rev. 5:12-13

And they sing a new song, saying, 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break the seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. ¹⁰You have made them into a kingdom and priests for our God, and they shall reign over the earth.' Rev. 5:9-10

Whereas the angels willingly, and all mankind by divine command, speak praise about the Lamb, (referring to Him in the third person), it is only the redeemed who speak praise to the Lamb, addressing Him directly, because only we have a personal relationship with Him as His people and His bride.