These divisions in the Bible that divide these chapters is made by men so that when we study the scriptures we can remember where we stopped reading and where to start back reading.
• The scene in Chaptes 4 and 5 is takes place in heaven.
• In chapter 6 we will go back to the earth where the seal judgments is going to be un-ravel.
In chapter five the theme changes from:
• The worship of the Creator (Chapter 4)
• To the worship of the Redeemer (Chapter 5)
The scene of chapter 5 is set in heaven preparing us for what is about to take place during the Great Tribulation.
But again, notice since the church is in heaven with Him, it surely could not go through the Great Tribulation down here on the earth as the Post-tribulation and the Mid-Tribulation teaches.
• The throne was the center of attention in chapter 4.
• The book is the center of attention of chapter 5.
Let’s get started into chapter five…the first thing we want to look at is…
I. THE BOOK
Christ is the Lamb on the throne. He is in full charge of all the events which follow in this book.
But before He starts to pour out the wrath of God on the inhabitants of the earth He established His rights to do so.
AS STATED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS BOOK, THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS THE REVELATION OF THE LORD JESUS.
Look at Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book (Scroll) written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Notice, John in heaven is seeing a lot of things, already he has seen…
• The twenty-four elders
• The four Creatures
And now he says, “I SAW” A BOOK
God the Father holds here in His hand a scroll which is rolled tightly and sealed closely with seven seals.
WHAT KIND OF BOOK IS THIS?
Dr. Harry Ironside has suggested, this book is the title deed to this world.
Mankind live his life like everything we see…LIKE IT ALL BELONGS TO MANKIND.
That is incorrect to think this, this world in which we live, everything that we can see belongs to the Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ.
It all belongs to Him. Let me illustrate…
(1)Think about all the STEEL today that is used in cars and buildings.
Steel is iron that has most of the impurities removed. The pig iron, limestone and iron ore go into an open-hearth furnace. It is heated to about 1,600 degrees F (871 degrees C). The limestone and ore form a slag that floats on the surface. Impurities, including carbon, are oxidized and float out of the iron into the slag. When the carbon content is right, you have carbon steel.
Every ingredients to make steel is from things God has put in the earth.
Also, think of all the wood that is used. It all came from the trees that God put here on earth.
(2)Think of all the concrete that is used on earth.
Reinforced concrete was invented in 1849 by Joseph Monier. He was a Parisian gardener who made garden pots and tubs of concrete reinforced with an iron mesh.
In Revelation 5 the Lord is going to lay claim that everything on this earth it all that belongs to Him. And this book is His title and deed that it belongs to Him.
For example, the cars that we drove to get here we lay claim they belong to us and we can do with it as we please.
But all the earth that we can see belong to God and He has the right to do with it as He please. If we want to we can take a hammer and smash it!!! Why? Because it belongs to us!!!
Illus: For example, we are forbidden to kill someone. Why? Because we are forbidden to do so because that life does not belong to us. But hear me and hear me well, if God takes a life He is not a murderer!
Why? Because all life belongs to God and He can do with it as He please.
And what God is fixing to do during the tribulations where millions and millions are killed, God is not a murderer because everything He is going to do belongs to Him.
He can wipe out a third of the population and still the angels will cry out, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!
This book tells us a STRONG ANGEL proclaiming with a loud voice is asking a question Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
We have been introduced to THE BOOK but now let us look at…
II. THE LAMB
Revelation 5:2-5 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Again, one of the reason we believe that the twenty-four elders are not man but angelic beings said, And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Notice this concerning this book,
• No man in heaven,
• Nor in earth,
• Neither under the earth,
was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
No man has a right to open the book and to take charge of this earth. There have been a great many who have tried to do it.
• Adam lost dominion through sin.
• Moses was the lawgiver, but he was also a lawbreaker.
• David and his line failed.
No man in was able to open the book!
Notice these questions ask in verse 2, such as:
• Do you think that maybe the Democrats can do it?
• Do you think that the Republicans can do it?
• Do you think that any administration can do it?
• Do you think the United Nations can do it?
I trust that you are not so deluded at this late time in the history of the world that you believe that man can solve the world’s problems.
The Word of God makes it very clear that he cannot. NO MAN!!!
Revelation 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
John is disturbed by this a great deal. Is there no future for the earth? John is overwhelmed by the possibility that there may be no one.
Again Paul writes: “Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
The earth is in bad shape because there is not a man on earth can solve the problems this earth has.
We have looked at:
• The Book
• The Lamb
But now let us look at…
III. THE SAVIOR
Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
That single verse of scripture let us know that the only one who has the right to open this book is none other than the Lord Jesus, “the lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David.”
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who has the right and title to this earth.
He not only redeemed you and me, but He also redeemed the earth.
He is identified in this section in all His ministries that relate to the earth. “The Lion of the tribe of Juda” identifies Him, of course, with the tribe of Judah of the people of Israel.
IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?
Yes, the Lord Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is also “the Root of David.”
In 2 Samuel 7, that great chapter of God’s covenant with David, He says, (Parphrasing) “I am going to bring One in your line who shall rule, not only over these people, but over the whole earth.”
Mankind has made a mess of this earth, but during the Millenium the Lord is going to show mankind how to rule in righteousness.
The Lord Jesus Christ has the right to rule, as He is the fulfillment of the prophecies made in the Old Testament relative to the future of the world.
Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Notice, John sees the Lord STANDING. Is that significant? Yes, the Bible tells us that Christ is now sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. But now He is STANDING because He is fixing to move to re-claim what belongs to Him.
The seven horns denotes complete power.
John is still a spectator to this scene. He says, “I beheld, I saw this.”
WHAT DID HE SEE?
“A Lamb ”—the word literally means a little lamb. This denotes His gentleness and its willingness to be sacrificed.
• Christ was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and He did not open His mouth at all [see Isa. 53:7).
• He was the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world (see ]ohn 1:29).
“As it had been slain” indicates the redemptive and vicarious, sub- stitutionary death of Christ. The emphasis is upon the fact that He was slain with violence.
“Stood” should rather be “Standing.” This speaks of His resurrection.
• He is no longer seated at the right hand of God.
• He is moving now, and He is moving to power.
• He is coming to this earth.
He has left the right hand of the Father to come to earth again in Revelation chapter six.
The judgment of the Tribulation is about to strike the earth.
“In the midst of the throne ” is indicative of the fact that He is before the throne and ready to act as the righteous Judge.
The Lord Jesus Christ is a Lion and a Lamb.
• The lion character refers to His second coming.
• The lamb character refers to His first coming.
• The lion is symbolic of His majesty.
• The lamb is symbolic of His meekness.
• As a lion He is Sovereign.
• As a lamb He is a Savior.
• As a lion He is a Judge.
• As a lamb He is judged.
• The lion represents the government of God.
• The lamb represents the grace of God.
Revelation 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
“Took” is correctly “hath taken.”
• The Lord Jesus moves to the throne through the Tribulation Period.
• He judges the world in righteousness before He reigns in righteousness.
• He is no longer the intercessor of the church, for the church is now with Him.
• He is beginning to act as Judge.
The movement here is important.
Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
“When he had taken [took] the book” is in the aorist tense, meaning completed action.
This is the great movement of all creation, and the Lord Jesus takes over now.
Notice the worship of the Lamb by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. “Harps” denote praise.
The “vials full of odours” is more accurately “bowls full of in-cense." These are identified as “the prayers of saints.”
Notice, who is doing the singing here…IT IS THE REDEEMED!!!
Look at Revelation 5:9-10 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
“They” indicates that both the living creatures and the elders sing this song.
The angelic hosts join the church in praise even though they are redeemed creatures as we are.
“Sing” (present tense) denotes the continuation of praise. Praise is directed to the Lamb with the book. He is praised now as the Redeemer of men in all ages and races.
• The “new song” is the song of redemption.
• The old song is the song of creation.
Actually, worship is returning to worth, that which belongs to Him; and He is the only One worthy of praise.
“And hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.” They sing of His shed blood in heaven.
Illus: Down here many denominational churches that are taking out of their hymn books all references to His blood, but in heaven they will be put back in the hymn book.
The change of the pronoun from “us” to “them” is important. They are praising the Lamb for those yet to be saved on the earth—the tribulation saints.
“A kingdom and priests” refers to the tribulation saints.
The church will not reign on the earth, but over the earth.
HOSTS OF ANGELS JOIN THE SONG
Revelation 5:11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts 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 that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
When John says, “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,” I think that he means they were innumerable.
In effect John says, “At first I looked and I saw a company of angels around the elders, and they were singing—and I thought that was great. But all of a sudden I looked out yonder and, boy, there was a crowd which I could not count!” Nobody could have counted them.
My friend, I do not know why you want to go to heaven if you do not want to worship and praise Him down here.
Revelation 5:13-14 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Every living creature of God joins in this universal act of worship, both in heaven and earth. Evidently, the animals in the earth and the fish in the sea join in this volume of praise! The living creatures add their amen to it, and the church falls down in silent adoration and praise.
If you are not in the habit of praising and worshipping Him, why don’t you start right now?
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger saw a Christian man digging a foundation for a house. He noticed he was jumping up and down and he ask him, what are you doing? He said I am doing rapture practice so that when the Lord returns it want be hard to lift me from the earth.”
Listen, when the Lord Jesus returns for His church He will not need any help from us. He will speak the words, COME UP HITHER and we will land in heaven.
Conclusion:
In chapter six we are going to return to earth and see what John saw as God poured out the wrath of God upon the inhabitants of the earth that did not make the rapture.
Warning: In chapter 6-19 things are going to get graphic!!!
In Chapter 4 and 5 we have looked at:
I. THE BOOK
II. THE LAMB
III. THE SAVIOR
