The Lamb Worthy To Open The Scroll

By: Tom Lowe Date: 8-6-15

(12) The Lamb Worthy to Open the Scroll (Revelation 5:1-14)

Revelation 5:1-14 (KJV)

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

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.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

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.

9 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;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11 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;

12 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.

13 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.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Introduction

Chapter five is actually a continuation of chapter four. It begins with a conjunction (“and”), thus linking the two chapters. Remember, man (not the Holy Spirit) divided the Bible into chapters and verses.

What we will study in chapter five takes place in Heaven, where John was caught up in the spirit to meet the Lord and where he saw Christ setting on the throne, a throne encircled by the rainbow.

So far, John had only seen a throne, with a person sitting upon it Who was very glorious in appearance and dressed in very glorious apparel. The scene around the throne included twenty-four solemn persons, and four living creatures, in the shape of a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle, each of them with six wings, and full of eyes; and he heard the four living creatures constantly giving glory to God, and the twenty-four elders harmonizing with them, and at the same time joining with them in giving high praise to God. Now the vision continues in Chapter 5, and the apostle will describe it for us.

We are about to see unfolded before our very eyes a detailed description of the earth’s future. What is contained in the book (scroll) will come before us now as the seals are broken in succession and its message disclosed. The unveiling of God’s purposes for the world, as divinely written on the scroll, will not take place until after the Church has been taken up to be with her Lord.

Before we begin this study, I want to apologize for being wordier than usual, but I consider Revelation chapter 5 to be one of the most precious in my Bible; and it cannot be overemphasized. It contains the key to the right understanding of the rest of Revelation, so, if we do not understand it, we may not understand the rest of the book. I cannot read it and remain silent. I find myself saying “Amen and amen.” We should be on our faces. He is worthy!