Notes on Revelation 5

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." --Revelation 5:1-5




 The Scene:  The Throne of God in Heaven...

The scroll - This was the title deed to the earth.  John weeps here that no one was worthy to open and read the scroll or to look at it.  Then one of the 24 elders tells him not to weep...that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has prevailed to open the scroll and loose its seven seals.  THIS. IS. GOOD. NEWS. Jesus is the One worthy...He is the heir of David and the Lion with power. Before Jesus could be the Lion in judgment and the King of Glory, He had to be the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. 

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! --John 1:29


When Adam and Eve sinned the earth was given over to the power of Satan.  The cost of its redemption was the Son of God's sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and the Father's acceptance...the resurrection.  Jesus did not take possession of the earth at this time.  That time will come at the end of the Great Tribulation. Now, He patiently waits for whosoever will come and believe.  This time of grace, however, will not last forever.  Judgment will come.

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.--Revelation 5:6



John saw a Lamb as though it had been slain.  The language used speaks of a pet lamb.  God required the Jews to bring the Passover lamb into their house for four days...essentially making it a pet, before it was slain.  (Exodus 2:3,6) Jesus is the true Passover Lamb.  Isaiah 53:7 says,

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.




John saw this Lamb "as though it had been slain." The scars then are clearly visible but it is alive.  The scripture also tells us that this lamb...alive and standing but as though it had been slain, had seven horns.  Horns in Scripture symbolize  power. Seven of them signify complete or perfect power.  This Lamb is not defenseless...complete and sovereign power, understanding and knowledge.  Seven eyes...seven Spirits.

Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saint--Revelation 5:7-8


Our prayers are incense!  They are a sweet smelling aroma.  God has them all!  Our God loves when we spend time with Him and share our heart.  When we express our love and devotion in worship.  Our prayers are precious to Him.  A golden bowl full of incense!


And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." --Revelation 5:9-10

THIS IS THE SONG OF REDEMPTION...THE SONG OF THE REDEEMED.  IT IS OUR SONG...THE CHURCH'S SONG...THE ONES WHO BELIEVED FROM EVERY TRIBE AND EVERY NATION...IT IS ALSO THE SONG OF THE RAPTURED CHURCH WHO ARE TAKEN UP TO BE WITH JESUS BEFORE THE TRIBULATION BEGINS.  JESUS WILL HAVE MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS TO  OUR GOD AND WE WILL REIGN ON THE EARTH WITH HIM DURING THE MILLENNIUM!!! WOOT! WOOT!

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" 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, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. --Revelation 5:11-14

As the lamb takes the scroll praise breaks throughout the universe! The long awaited judgment is about to begin!  Christ is going to return to the earth and establish His millennial kingdom.  The curse will be reversed...the believing remnant of Israel saved and the church will reign with Him. 

I love what John MacArthur says here about the harps and the bowls.  The harps held by the elders probably symbolize all of prophecy which culminates in the momentous events about to take place.  The golden bowls of incense are the prayers of believers throughout the ages...they symbolize the priestly work of intercession for the people.  Taken together, the harps and the bowls indicate that all that the prophets ever prophesied and all that God's children ever prayed for is finally to be fulfilled.