Introduction:
In this article, we'll be looking at – The Scroll and the Lamb.
Revelation 5 continues the glimpse into heaven that began in chapter 4. The scene in Revelation 5 shows that only the “Lamb,” Jesus Christ, is worthy to open the scroll, which reveals the events of future history.
Jesus holds the future. Jesus is in control of the future; He alone is worthy to set in motion the events of the last days of human history in this current age.
Let’s take a look at what John sees next, starting in verse 1.
v.1, “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.”
· The last article looked at who’s on the throne.
· The throne room described in chapter 4 is the setting of the scene in chapter 5:
o The first scene introduces the “book,” which contains the remainder of what’s goig to happen in the Revelation.
· "I saw in the right hand." The Greek words tell us that the “book,” or scroll, lies on the open hand of the One sitting on the throne.
· The scroll being in God's hand indicates its Divine source:
o We see God’s supreme authority over the information contained in it.
o And the absolute assurance of His power to translate what’s written in the book into action in the future.
· v.1b, "a book written inside and on the back":
o The word translated "book" is more the idea of a rolled up scroll rather than a book with multiple pages.
o "inside" means inside the scroll before unrolling, and "on the back" refers to the backside of the scroll after it is unrolled:
Ø So the scroll had writing on the front and on the back of it.
· A very important issue for us is what exactly does the scroll contain? There are several theories:
o First, some believe the scroll represents the New Covenant:
Ø But this is unlikely because the New Covenant of Jeremiah is one of mercy, and the things in this scroll are definitely judgment.
o A second theory is that the scroll is a testament, or a will, assuring the inheritances reserved by God for the saints:
Ø The problem with this "inheritance" theory is that Revelation nowhere else supports it.
o A third idea is that the scroll represents the Lamb's book of Life which is very prominent elsewhere in Revelation:
Ø If this were the meaning, then John's purpose in recording the book's contents would be to reveal the identity of the redeemed.
Ø But we don’t see that anywhere in Revelation.
Ø Also, as the seals of this book are broken, only tribulation and wrath are revealed, not the names of the redeemed.
o A fourth theory is that the "book" or “scroll” represents God's redemptive plan, foretold in the Old Testament and now completed in the New Testament:
Ø The problem with this idea is that the opening of the seals doesn’t relate to the redemptive work of Christ.
Ø It relates to things yet future.
Ø It tells of the wrathful contents of the Revelation itself.
o The fifth idea is that the scroll represents Christ's title-deed, or contract-deed, to the world:
Ø This is close to the true interpretation, but it still lacks one important element.
Ø It fails to account for the actual contents of the book.
So what’s the correct interpretation?
o The sixth interpretation is the correct one:
Ø The scroll contains the warnings of God as revealed in the visions that start in chapter 6.
Ø Viewed from God's perspective, these are the judgments that will fall upon the earth during a relatively brief period of time, 7 years.
Ø At the conclusion of these judgments will be the coming of the promised Messiah and His Kingdom.
Ø It’s a history of the future that gives the stages that lead up to the installation of the Kingdom of Christ on the earth.
Ø Have you ever noticed that no actual reading from the scrolls is recorded in Revelation? Rather, the contents are enacted, not read.
o So, here, in the scroll is a complete account of the future wrath of God opened by the Lamb.
o The horrors of the seal-visions alone are enough to earn the title "The Scroll of Doom."
o The eternal and Almighty God of chapter 4 makes clear the plan of Revelation:
Ø This seven-sealed scroll declares His will regarding the coming together of Christ’s Kingdom.
Ø When the Lamb breaks the seals, it is not just to disclose the scroll's contents, but it activates those contents; it sets God’s judgments in motion.
· The scroll is written "on the inside and on the back," meaning that the writing on the back symbolizes the fullness of the contents:
o The decrees of God contained in the scroll are extensive and all inclusive.
o They represent the whole direction of God regarding the future of the world.
o And, as I said before, no further revelation will be coming.
· Notice that the scroll is "sealed with seven seals":
o The word "sealed" indicates the security of the scroll.
o The seven seals indicate the importance of the scroll’s contents, and those seals guarantee the secrecy of the document.
o The seals on the scroll kept it closed, symbolizing an event that was still a hidden mystery, but a Divinely ordained mystery.
o A seal was an impression, usually made on clay, wax, or some other soft material, that restricted an unauthorized person from access to the contents.
o The use of seven seals also stresses the intensity of the mystery that is contained inside.
The second scene of chapter 5 revolves around finding someone with the credentials or qualifications to break and open the seals on the scroll.
At first, no one can be found who’s qualified, which causes the John deep grief. Then he hears the good news that a person is found and that brings an end to John's weeping.
v.2, “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?’”
· "a strong angel." Who is this angel?
· Some believe it to be either Gabriel and Michael:
o Gabriel, because elsewhere in Scripture Gabriel is a messenger of God.
o And Gabriel was the one who ordered Daniel to close and seal the book.
o Those who believe its Michael believe so because he is as an archangel and because of his special interest in the events of the last days.
· The problem with accepting either of these two beliefs is that neither here, nor in the two other places where a "strong angel" is mentioned in Revelation is a name given:
o If this angel were known by name, his name probably would've been given.
o Because it is not, he is best left unnamed and identified only as a mighty angel who performs God's will.
· The word "strong" denotes active power:
o This angel actively exercises his might in fulfillment of God's purposes.
· The angel displays his strength, here, by proclaiming his God-given message in a loud voice:
o He “proclaims” rather than simply “says.”
o He does so in a “loud voice,” which demonstrates his strength.
· This strong angel asks a question about finding a “worthy” person to break the seals of the scroll:
o "worthy," here, means sufficient, competent, or fit.
o It’s a quality of being, a quality of person and a quality of power or accomplishment.
o The worthiness required for this is so great, that no created being can achieve it.
· Notice the phrase "to open the scroll, and to break its seals":
o It's unusual because one would normally break the seal of the scroll before opening it.
o Without a lot of explanation, these words show that the opening and the breaking are essentially the same action.
o We’re going to see that Christ's ability to break the seals and open the scroll, not only allows the telling of the prophecies inside, but also speaks of His ability to make them come true.
v.3, “And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it.”
· The search across the universe fails to find anyone qualified or able to open the scroll or look at it:
o No one in heaven = no angelic beings
o No one on the earth = no human beings or animals
o No one under the earth = no demonic beings
· Because no one was qualified to break the seals, no one could read the scroll's contents.
· Notice John’s reaction in v.4:
v.4, “And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it;”
· John was deeply grieved to the point of tears over the lack of anyone being found worthy to open the scroll.
· John began to weep "greatly" which means loudly:
o John was literally sobbing.
o Have you ever wept like that?
o Can you see, in your mind’s eye, how John was reacting to this situation?
o This weeping was unrestrained emotion.
· Why was he weeping with such great emotion?
o Maybe he realized how morally corrupt all created beings are:
Ø Remember, John had known the depravity of man and a sin cursed world.
o A second possibility is that he wept because he feared that the hoped-for Revelation, promised in chapter 4:1, would be withheld:
Ø There wasn’t anyone qualified to open the seals and reveal the mysteries inside.
Ø Therefore, it would remain a mystery.
o The third, and better, reason for his sobbing is his fear that the events contained in the scroll will remain unfulfilled and the purposes of God will not be carried out.
o We need to remember that opening the scroll included the power to put into action the things revealed in the scroll:
Ø So the disappointment is over more than just a withholding of revelation.
o John was weeping over the possible delay of God's final actions in the future.
Ø He didn’t want to see God's justification of his people delayed, so he broke out in tears
o But with God, there's always hope.
v.5, “and one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.’”
· At this point, a member of the angelic order of elders intervenes to relieve John's sorrow:
o There's no symbolic meaning here. An elder steps forward and commands John to stop weeping, and then he tells him why.
· The elder sees beyond John's limited human perspective:
o He knows that his sorrow isn’t necessary and tells him to stop weeping.
o It wasn’t right for John to weep because of what Jesus was about to do. He’s about to open the seven-sealed scroll.
· The elder starts by using the word "behold" to get John’s attention:
o “behold” is a strong word. The Greek word is in the imperative form, meaning that it is a command to look, listen, and pay attention.
· Notice his explanation, "the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah":
o That phrase comes from Genesis 49:9-10, “You are a lion’s cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.”
o This pictures kingly might and boldness.
o Here in chapter 5, the tribe of Judah's noblest Son, Jesus, is a rightly called “the Lion of Judah.”
o Here is one whose strength, majesty, courage, and power, as well as intelligence, resembles all the qualities of "the King of kings."
· A second title used here for Christ, He is "the root of David":
o He is the "offspring" of King David, the greatest king in all of Israel’s history.
o He is in the lineage of David.
o This title describes Christ’s headship in the final kingdom of David.
o Both "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" and "the root of David" are familiar Old Testament Messianic titles, but they are tied together, only here, in the New Testament.
· A key purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection is explained by the phrase "has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals":
o The opening of the scroll is certainly one of the purposes of Jesus’ victory at Calvary.
o Yes, it brought salvation to men, but it also allows Him to be the only person, in the entire universe, qualified to open the scroll!
o He won the victory, which enables Him to open the scroll of destiny and its seals and to implement God's plans throughout the final stages of human history.
Now we come to the third scene of chapter 5, which introduces the main character of this heavenly drama, “the Lamb”.
He takes the scroll from the “One” sitting upon the throne, and the angelic beings respond in a glorious tribute to Him.
v.6, “And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.”
· Between the throne and the elders there’s the Lamb:
o He’s in the center of all those who surround the throne.
o He’s at the center of all that’s going on.
· While the previous verse pictures Christ as a lion (symbolizing His authority and power), this verse pictures Him as a lamb (symbolizing His submission to God's will) that looks as though He’s been killed. In fact, He was the sacrificial Lamb of God.
· Now that John has filled in the details of the Lamb’s location, he gives us the details about His appearance:
o John’s choice of the word “Lamb” helps to see the contrast between the “Lamb of God” and the “Lion of Judah,” both of which are facets of Christ’s person:
Ø He combines the meekness and gentleness of a lamb with the majesty of a lion.
Ø We’ll see, in the next verse, the horns of power.
o It’s extremely important to understand that it’s Christ’s death as a sacrificial lamb with its redemptive results that qualifies Him to open the scroll.
o The next part of this verse helps to confirm this.
· Look at the phrase "standing as one slain":
o On the one hand, the elder has described this person as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” in verse five, showing His supreme power.
o On the other hand, His appearance is that of a "lamb standing as having been slain," speaks of His supreme self-sacrifice.
o These descriptions show us the unique characteristics of the life of Christ.
o His supreme self-sacrifice leads to His supreme power, so there is no contradiction between the two.
o Notice John says that this lamb is "standing":
Ø It describes the Lamb as standing in a natural living position.
Ø He’s not dead!
Ø Even though slain, He’s alive!
o The marks of His death are visible, but because of His resurrection, they are not permanent.
o Special attention to Christ’s death and resurrection are not just an accident here:
Ø Later verses will show it to be the one thing that enables Him to take, and open the seven-sealed scroll.
· The Lamb had conquered, because He had been slain:
o When Christ died on the cross, He defeated all the forces of evil.
o Christ, the Lion, will lead the battle in which Satan will finally be defeated in Revelation 19.
o Christ, the Lion, is victorious because of what Christ, the Lamb, has already done.
· John goes on to say that the Lamb has "seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent out into all the earth":
o In the Old Testament a “horn” is a symbol of strength or power.
o It symbolizes kingly dignity and is used in the book of Revelation several times.
o The horns are seven in number, symbolizing the fullness of Christ’s power.
o The “Lamb” with seven horns is an all-powerful warrior and King.
· The best interpretation of the symbol of the “seven eyes” is that it represents sight, intelligence, and wisdom to the fullest, in other words, His omniscience:
o Nothing escapes the notice of the Lamb.
o Only He is all-powerful, as indicated by His seven horns.
o Only He is all knowing, as indicated by His seven eyes.
· "the seven spirits of God" is the symbolic representation of the Holy Spirit and that comes from the relationship of the third person of the Trinity to the second person:
o The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son just as he does from the Father, according to John 15:26.
o The Holy Spirit is Christ’s agent for keeping in touch with the affairs of the world, as the phrase "sent out into all the earth" tells us.
o The Holy Spirit is Christ’s agent for understanding what is going on throughout the whole world.
o Jesus is at the right hand of God in heaven. The Holy Spirit is in the world indwelling the lives of believers. He convicts the world of sin.
v.7, “And He came, and He took it [the scroll] out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”
· After describing the Lamb's position and appearance, John tells of the transfer of the scroll from the Father to the Son.
· By allowing the Lamb to take the scroll, the “One” sitting upon the throne authorizes Him to put into action His plan for the judgment of the world.
· The Lamb, and only the Lamb, is qualified to do this because of His victorious death on the cross and the redemption made available to man by His death and resurrection.
· The exchange of the scroll from Father to the Lamb fulfills Revelation 1:1, "the revelation . . . . which God gave Him to show."
· What occurs here is a dramatic description of a transaction that affects the future course of the whole world, which will include all of mankind.
· These future events must be understood in as realistic a way as possible and that’s what the apostle John is trying to share with us.
In the next article, we’ll look at what happens as Jesus takes the scroll and the response of the four living beings and the 24 elders.
We’ll see thousands upon thousands of angelic beings praising the Lord.
May the Lord bless you as you continue to grow in your knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D., D.Min.
