There is a shift of focus in this heavenly vision from God enthroned in glory - to the Lamb Who alone is worthy to open the seals of the scroll of destiny. 

God is praised and recognized for His work in the creation of all things.  Jesus, or the Lamb, is praised and recognized for His work in the redemption of all humanity. 

John weeps because there is no one worthy enough to open this scroll – No one could ever attain this level of worthiness.  However, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has triumphed, conquered, overcome sin and death – he alone is worthy to open the scroll.

The elder tells John not to weep – Look! Behold! The LION of the Tribe of Judah.

            John looks, but he sees a LAMB! – As though he has been slain.

He bears the marks of being slain or slaughtered. 

            7 Horns = perfect power

            7 Eyes   = perfect wisdom and insight or vision

All fall before Him in worship and song  - Why is He worthy? 

-         because of His redemptive death and what that means for the Kingdom of God.

Countless angels enter into this glorious praise of Jesus – This is a unique scene of worship and unrestrained praise and adoration.   -   He alone is worthy! 

So what is so important and so significant? 

Let’s look verse by verse at what Jesus is experiencing!

v. 1 – An awesome transition from one part to the next part of the same vision.  No wonder the translators decided put a chapter break in at this point. 

Literally, “upon” the Right Hand of the One sitting on the throne is this very special scroll.  Why is it so important?  Let’s look at the description…. It is filled to overflowing with information so much so that it is spilled over to the back side!  It is so important, so significant, that it is sealed with seven seals – perfectly sealed for the right time to be opened – divinely sealed by the King.  This scroll contains nothing less than what God’s divine will has in store as the destiny of the world He created for His purposes. 

However, this symbolism is not totally unique.  Ezek. 2:9-10 bears striking resemblance.  A scroll is given to Ezekiel to eat – written on both sides just like this one – filled with the sorrows of the things which were to happen in the future to the people of God.  Ps. 139:16 – speaks of a book containing all the days of the Psalmist’s life before he was born.  Daniel was given a vision of future events and told to seal it up (8:26).  Is. 29:11 – uses similar symbolism and says that the vision he received would be like words sealed in a book – Apocalyptic literary form.  Our scroll is extensive in content and important enough to be protected. 

v. 2 – A mighty angel – Michael? – Gabriel? – A name we know?

Proclaiming in a loud voice – to the far reaches of creation!  The announcement is somewhat rhetorical, since there isn’t anyone worthy – except who they know is worthy – no one steps up to the plate and presumes – confirming the One who is worthy. 

v. 3 – The proclamation went forth and no one is worthy to respond.  A unique statement is made concerning this.  No one is found worthy – in Heaven above, on the earth, or under the earth.

(Ex. 20:4) – People are commanded not to make an idol for themselves resembling anything in heaven, on earth, or under the earth (the sea).

(Phil. 2:10) – Every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus – those “in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”  Of all these – no one is found worthy to open the scroll.

v. 4 – John weeps at this point – Is it possible that God’s eternal plan for His creation could be halted because no one can open the scroll or it seals?  Why did John weep?  He weeps at the prospect of a major postponement of God’s plan for His creation.

v. 5 – However – there is One who has triumphed – One who IS worthy to open the scroll and its seals – He is: The Lion of the Tribe of Judah – the Root of David – The Messiah – Jesus.

(Gen. 49:9-10) – Judah & descendants – considered the Lion’s cub – and the overcoming Lion – Messianic expectation.

(Is. 11:1) – a stem of root of Jesse – father of David?

(Rom. 15:12) – confirms this as a Messianic Prophecy.

Yes – Jesus Christ has conquered once and for all.  He conquered by an act of total serf-sacrifice.  He alone is worthy to open the scroll and carry out God’s will.

v. 6 – John is told to behold this Lion, but sees the Lamb.  Here is a central theme of N.T. revelation … “victory through sacrifice.”  The Lion is the Lamb. 

God’s ultimate power (LION) manifest on the Cross (LAMB). 

The Lamb has 7 horns – ultimate power

                        7 eyes  - ultimate vision

            - bears the marks of sacrificial slaughter

1 Peter 1:19 – “you were ransomed … with the precious blood of Christ –

                        like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

John 1:29 – “… Behold the Lamb of God who takes way the sins of the world.” 

Lamb – used of Jesus – about 30 times in Revelation.

John probably got this imagery from Is. 53:7 – “like a lamb to the slaughter…”

The Lamb of Revelation, perfect in power and wisdom, stands upright – ready for action, victorious in warfare against the beast, etc.  (17:12-14).

Don’t try to visualize this Lamb.  The imagery is for literary symbolism. 

This throne-room scene or vision is not a glimpse of what heaven looks like.  It is used to symbolize the decrees of God (the King) concerning the final stages of human history.   The seven spirits of God concept again, as seen earlier, is the seven-fold Spirit of God – now as the eyes of the Lamb, with perfect vision and a mission to accomplish on the earth.  The Lamb is standing in the midst of the living creatures and elders - central to the throne-room image displaying the eternal benefits of His sacrificial death and resurrection.

v. 7 – He came and has taken the scroll from the One on the throne.  This is symbolic of a great event yet to happen at the end of history. 

v. 8 – When Jesus takes the scroll a marvelous scene takes place unequalled in Biblical literature.  The living creatures (worship leaders) and the 24 elders fall before this Lamb and magnify His worth in song with harps and golden bowls, because of His redemptive sacrifice for humanity.  

Harps and lyres are known instruments of Godly praise as recorded in Hebrew literature and poetry (Psalms).  The golden bowls are filled with incense – also from Hebrew tradition, etc. (Duet. 33:10) – and represents the prayers of the saints (not dead heroes, but living believers). 

Psalm 141:2 – “May my prayer be set before You like incense.” 

It was not unheard of that angels could be considered intercessors delivering up the prayers of the faithful to the throne of God.

v. 9 – They sang a new song …

Psalm 98:1 – “Sing to the Lord a new song for He has done marvelous things.”  In chapter 4 singing to God of His worthiness because of His works in creation – Here song of praise to Jesus of His worthiness because of His part in the work of redemption.   

Jesus’ death has established a new covenant and therefore a new song is presented.  Any new act of God’s mercy and grace is worthy of a new song.  Jesus is worthy to open the scroll – 3 reasons:  He was slain; He purchased people for God; He made them priests – the same recognition of worth to God (4:11) and the Lamb (5:9) is given.  Christ is central to this Apocalypse.  Jesus is not worthy because of who He is as for what He did.

He purchased all people for God by shedding His very blood - He was slain to redeem humanity.  How important is the Cross in the overall plan of God and in eternity?  Critical!  This is why there is so much emphasis on the cross and sacrifices of Jesus in the church – or should be.  The church is not a club – a religious institution only - We are the purchased possession of Almighty God – Purchased by Jesus’ death on that cross.

Mark 10:45 – Jesus said He came to give His life as a ransom for many.

1 Cor. 6:20 – Paul tells us we were bought at a price.  Jesus is the only One worthy to open the scroll of the destiny of human history because He purchased human history with his very life. 

This act was done for all humanity, not just Israel.  All nations, all people, are purchased by Jesus death.  There is no longer exclusivism of the Jews as “chosen ones.”  This is truly a new covenant in this blood – (Holy Communion). 

v. 10 – Jesus’ death established a Kingdom of Priests in the service of God.

Ex. 19:6 – God’s intent was to create a people that would be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”  It is fulfilled in Christ.  They church is this new kingdom of priests.  We see this theme in 1:6; 5:10; 20:6.

vv. 11-12 – Worship of the Lamb grows in intensity as we now learn that myriads of heavenly beings join in the throng of praise.  The numbers given is symbolic of the countless number involved.  All creation adores the Lamb. (Duet. 7:10) – thousands involved in standing before the Ancient of Days.

There is a shout of song, of seven-fold blessing to the Lamb.  The blessing is not about what He will receive, but about what is already His – (see 1 Chron. 29:10-13).

In other places in the N.T., these qualities are attributed to Christ, so the connection to the Lamb here is clear.

1 Cor. 1:24 – power and wisdom; 2 Cor. 8:9 – wealth; Luke 11:22 – strength; Phil. 2:11 – honor; John 1:14 – glory; Rom. 5:29 – praise.

v. 13 – This is the climax of this praise scene … All of creation – no exceptions – bless and praise God and the Lamb – Jesus.  The adoration of the entire created world is focused on the throne and the Lamb of God.  Christ died to redeem all people, so ALL praise the Lamb – and the One who sent Him. 

Phil. 2:19-11 – speaks of this glorious praise offered to God and to Jesus – every knee shall bow and every tongue confess – that Jesus is Lord – those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.  God and the Lamb are here joined and remain together as one..

Revelation 22:1 – water of life flows – “from the throne of God and of the Lamb…”

v. 14 – “AMEN” – The ones who initiated this chorus of praise should be the ones who end it with the heavenly “AMEN” – (so be it).  When they say this, the elders fall down in worship – a never tiring worship of God and the Lamb, who are worthy.

Here, in chapter 5, is a central theme of the book of Revelation.  Jesus – by his death and resurrection – has taken control of history and its future.  All of creation recognizes this and stops to praise the redemptive work of the Lion who is the Lamb. By what He accomplished, he is given praise, honor, glory, and blessing by all created beings in the universe.  Because of this vision of the grandeur of the triumphant Lamb, John is able to go on to reveal the more solemn aspects of the judgments that are about to take place in the future.  He has provided the hope we all need to carry us through the troubled times.