Vision of the Lamb
1. The sealed book
A. Revelation 5:1
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.
i. “Written Inside and Out”
At the time of John’s book of Revelation, the tradition in Babylonia, Rome, and Egypt was, when entering into a covenant, to write on the inside of the covenant, seal it, and write a brief summary on the outside.
And books of that time were often written using papyrus sheets.
ii. “sealed with seven seals”
In the Book of Revelation, we see that these seven seals are gradually revealing the end-time events that are about to come upon the world.
Thus, when the first seal is broken, the first opportunity arises, and the breaking of each seal leads to the next opportunity.
iii. “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the” throne.
The right hand represents power and the fact that this book is in God’s right hand shows the importance and value God placed on it.
2. Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll
Revelation 5:2
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
i. “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll”
A person worthy of accomplishing the above must have two qualifications, namely,
– To be a holy, sinless person for the commission to the throne of God.
– Being one who has the power to open the seals and do all the things mentioned in the book.
B. Revelation 5:3
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
i. “heaven or on earth or under the earth”
This does not mean that the universe is divided into three parts like this. This means in the whole creation.
Exodus 20:4
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
Philippians 2:10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth
Revelation 5:3, Exodus 20:4 and Philippians 2:10 are used to convey the idea of ’in all creation’.
C. Revelation 5:4
I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
D. Revelation 5:5
Then one of the elders said to me, “Don’t cry! 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.”
i. “Then one of the elders”
Yohan first mentioned that there are twenty-four other thrones around the throne of heaven, and elders wearing white robes are sitting on those 24 thrones.
ii. “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah”
The name Lion of the tribe of Judah is a title given to the Messiah (or Jesus). This name is first mentioned in the Bible in the book of Genesis.
iii. “The Root of David”
Jesus is also described as the Root of David.
Let’s look at some Bible verses that show this.
Isaiah 11:1
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a branch will bear fruit.
Isaiah 11:10
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
Romans 15:12
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will rise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”
Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
E. Revelation 5:6
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.
i. “seven horns”
Here the horns represent power, and the seven represents completeness. So it means ‘full power’.
ii. “seven eyes”
This indicates complete knowledge.
iii. “looked as if he had been killed”
Jesus conquered the devil by sacrificing his life on the cross. So these signs showed that He defeated and conquered the devil.
iv. “a lamb”
A lamb symbolizes a sacrifice for sin.
Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
F. Revelation 5:7
He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
Here we see Jesus, the savior, surrendering his life and defeating the devil, receiving the most noble name in the whole creation, taking the entire responsibility of the battle with the devil, which is going to happen near the end of the world, from the hands of God.
We will talk about “worship in heaven” in the next section.