Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
REVELATION 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Application Notes
5:1-14 Revelation 5 continues the glimpse into heaven begun in Revelation 4. John saw a vision of God holding a scroll containing all that would happen to the world. This vision shows that God is in complete control. He is the one with authority over all rulers, historical events, and hostile forces. Those who trust in God's power and love don't need to fear the future. We will never know enough to predict what will happen or to manipulate God in any way, but we can trust him with the outcome. If you follow Christ, you can rejoice that God knows you and loves you. Trust him to guide you and protect you forever.
5:1 In John's day, books were written on scrolls--pieces of papyrus or vellum up to 30 feet long, rolled up and sealed with clay or wax. The scroll that John sees contains the full account of what God has in store for the world as revealed in the rest of Revelation. The seven seals indicate the importance of its contents. The seals are located throughout the scroll so that as each one is broken, more of the scroll can be unrolled to reveal another phase of God's plan for the end of the world. Only Christ has the authority to break the seals and open the scroll (5:3-5).
5:2 The "mighty angel" could be Gabriel, whose name means "strong man of God." He brought important messages to people like Daniel and Mary (see 10:1; Daniel 8:16; Luke 1:26-28).
5:5-6 Jesus Christ is pictured as both a lion (symbolising his authority and power) and a lamb (symbolising his submission to God's will). One of the elders calls John to look at the Lion, but when John looks, he sees the Lamb instead. Christ the Lamb was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all; therefore, only he can save us from the terrible events revealed by the scroll. Christ the Lamb won the greatest battle of all. He defeated all the forces of evil by dying on the cross. Christ the Lion will lead the battle where Satan is finally defeated (19:19-21). Christ the Lion is victorious because of what Christ the Lamb has already done. We will join him in his victory not because of our effort or goodness, but because he has promised eternal life to all who believe in and follow him.
5:5 The Lion, Jesus, proved himself worthy to break the seals and open the scroll by living a perfect life of obedience to God, dying on the cross for the sins of the world, and rising from the dead to show his power and authority over evil and death. Only Christ conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan himself, so only he can be trusted with the world's future. "The Root of David" refers to Jesus being from David's family line, thus fulfilling the promise of the Messiah in the Old Testament.
5:6 John sees the Lamb "Looking as if it had been slain"; the wounds inflicted on Jesus' body during his trial and crucifixion could still be seen (see John 20:24-31). Jesus' scars are visible to remind us eternally of his sacrifice. Jesus was called the Lamb of God by John the Baptist (John 1:29). In Old Testament times, lambs would be sacrificed to atone for sins; the Lamb of God died as the final sacrifice for all sins (see Isaiah 53:7; Hebrews 10:1-12.18).
5:6 The horns symbolise strength and power (see 1 Kings 22:11; Zechariah 1:18). Even though Christ became our sacrificial lamb, he could never be described as weak. He chose to submit to being killed, but now he has God's full strength and power. In Zechariah 4:2-10, the eyes are equated with the seven lamps and the one Spirit.
5:9-10 People from every nation are praising God before his throne. God's message of salvation and eternal life welcomes people of all cultures, races, and countries. God accepts anyone who comes to him in repentance and faith. Get rid of any prejudice or bias that keeps you from sharing Christ with others. He welcomes all people into his kingdom.
5:9-10 The song of God's people praises Christ's work. He (1) died in their place, (2) purchased them with his blood, (3) gathered them into a kingdom, (4) made them priests, and (5) appointed them to reign on the earth. Jesus has already died and paid the penalty for sin. Now he gathers us into his kingdom and makes us priests so that we can have direct access to God and participate in his work. In the future, we will reign with him. Worship God and praise him for what he has done, what he is doing now, and what he will do in eternity for all who trust in him. When we realise the glorious future that awaits us, we will find the strength to face our worst days and most difficult challenges.
5:10 The believers' song praises Christ for bringing them into his kingdom and making them kings and priests. God made this part of his plan in Moses' day (Exodus 19:6). While the people of Israel were not perfect through the Israelite people Jesus became the perfect priest and sacrifice. Christ's death made all believers priests of God--the channels of blessing from God to all people (1 Peter 2:5-9). During times when we are despised and mocked for our faith (John 15:17-27), we need to keep our eyes on the future, when we will reign over all the earth (Luke 22:29-30).
5:11 Angels are spiritual beings created by God who help carry out his work on earth. They bring messages (Luke 1:26-28), protect God's people (Daniel 6:22), offer encouragement (Genesis 16:7-16), give guidance (Exodus 14:19), bring punishment (2 Samuel 24:16), patrol the earth (Ezekiel 1:9-14), and fight the forces of evil (2 Kings 6:16-18; Revelation 20:1). There are both good and evil angels (12:7), but because evil angels (demons) are allied with Satan, they have considerably less power and authority than good angels. Eventually, the main role of the good angels will be to offer continuous praise to God (also see 19:1-3).
5:14 The scene in Revelation 5 shows us that only the Lamb, Jesus Christ is worthy to open the scroll (which holds the events of history). Jesus holds the future, not Satan. Jesus Christ maintains control, and only he has the authority to set into motion the events of the last days. You can rest confidently, knowing you are in his hands.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)