Revelation5
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.
2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.
4And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon:
5and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.
6And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.
7And he came, and he taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.
8And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
10and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.
11And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.
14And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A book sealed with seven seals, which could be opened by none but Christ, who took the book to open it. (1–7). Upon which all honour is ascribed to him, as worthy to open it. (8–14).
vv1-7
The apostle saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a roll of parchments in the form usual in those times, and sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed. The designs and methods of Divine Providence, toward the church and the world, are stated, fixed, and made a matter of record. The counsels of God are altogether hidden from the eye and understanding of the creature. The several parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but after each other, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct is finished in the world. The creatures cannot open it, nor read it; the Lord only can do so. Those who see most of God, are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his glory, desire to know his will. But even good men may be too eager and hasty to look into the mysteries of the Divine conduct. Such desires, if not soon answered, turn to grief and sorrow. If John wept much because he could not look into the book of God's decrees, what reason have many to shed floods of tears for their ignorance of the gospel of Christ of that on which everlasting salvation depends! We need not weep that we cannot foresee future events respecting ourselves in this world; the eager expectation of future prospects, or the foresight of future calamities, would alike unfit us for present duties and conflicts, or render our prosperous days distressing. Yet we may desire to learn, from the promises and prophecies of Scripture, what will be the final event to believers and to the church; and the Incarnate Son has prevailed, that we should learn all that we need to know. Christ stands as Mediator between God and both ministers and people. He is called a Lion, but he appears as a Lamb slain. He appears with the marks of his sufferings, to show that he pleads for us in heaven, in virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes; perfect power to execute all the will of God, and perfect wisdom to understand it, and to do it in the most effectual manner. The Father put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ, and Christ readily and gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to make known the will of his Father; and the Holy Spirit is given by him to reveal the truth and will of God.
vv8-14
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan. He has not only purchased liberty for them, but the highest honour and preferment; he made them kings and priests; kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he makes them priests; giving them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices. What words can more fully declare that Christ is, and ought to be worshipped, equally with the Father, by all creatures, to all eternity! Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven, and who shall for ever bless the Lamb, who delivered and set them apart for himself by his blood. How worthy art thou, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, of our highest praises! All creatures should proclaim thy greatness, and adore thy majesty.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
ἐπί (epí): properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
δεξιός (dexiós): the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
κάθημαι (káthēmai): and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
θρόνος (thrónos): a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
βιβλίον (biblíon): a roll
γράφω (gráphō): to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ἔσωθεν (ésōthen): from inside; also used as equivalent to G2080 (ἔσω) (inside)
ὄπισθεν (ópisthen): from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)) with enclitic of source; from the rear (as a secure aspect), i.e. at the back (adverb and preposition of place or time)
Cross References
Revelation 5Allusion to Jacob's prophecy of Shiloh from the victorious tribe of Judah, the Lion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Christ as the Branch and the Root of Jesse/David.
Supported by JFB
Christ as the Root of Jesse/David who stands as a banner for the peoples.
Supported by JFB
The seven eyes of the Lord sent throughout the earth, signifying omniscience.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Sinai promise of a kingdom of priests fulfilled in the redeemed church.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The New Testament designation of believers as a royal priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Ezekiel's vision of a scroll written on both sides, full of lamentations.
The command to seal the book until the end time, now opened by Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Judah is explicitly characterized as a lion's whelp, crouching and victorious.
Supported by Matthew Poole
John the Baptist's identification of Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away sin.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels incense with the offering of prayers, explaining the golden vials.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the doxology declaring that Christ made us kings and priests.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Daniel's vision of the heavenly court with thousands of thousands ministering.
A vision compared to a book that is sealed, which men cannot read.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The strong angels who do His commandments, hearkening to His voice.
Supported by JFB
Christ explicitly declares Himself to be the Root and offspring of David.
Supported by JFB
The single stone with seven eyes, representing God's watchful oversight.
The purchase of the church of God with His own blood.
The great multitude from every nation, tongue, and tribe worshipping the Lamb.
Supported by JFB
Redemption not with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry
An innumerable company of angels in the heavenly Jerusalem.
David's model prayer ascriving power, riches, honor, and glory to God.
All things created by Him and for Him in heaven and earth.