Chapter 4 of Revelation focused and revolved around the throne. Who was on the throne, what was around the throne, who was around the throne, what was in front of the throne, who was in front of the throne, and what came from the throne?
The answers in order are God, the appearance of brilliant gems & an emerald rainbow, 24 elders clothed in white and wearing gold crowns seated on 24 thrones, a sea of glass and 7 burning lamps, the 4 living creatures, and lastly, thunder, lightning, and voices.
Dr. Henrietta C. Mears gives us an analogy of this scene. In chapter 4, “Revelation becomes the ‘book of the throne.’ This is the great central fact that pervades the book. This throne speaks of judgment. The throne of grace is no longer seen. The scene is a courtroom. The Judge of all the earth is on the bench; the twenty-four elders, representing the twelve patriarchs of the Old Testament and the twelve apostles of the New, are the jury (4:4). The seven spirits of God (4:5, 5:6) are the prosecutor, and the four living creatures are court attendants, ready to carry out the will of the Judge.”[i]
Maybe you’ve been inside a courtroom and have seen this scene firsthand. Even if you haven’t, surely, you’ve watched enough TV shows or movies so you have a general idea of what takes place in a courtroom. There is a judge, there is often a jury of peers, and there are court attendants whose job it is to remain aware and attentive to what’s taking place. If it’s a criminal case, you will have a prosecutor. But then if there is a prosecutor, there should be legal representation for the accused. A defense attorney. And so far, no defense attorney has been mentioned.
Revelation 5:1 CEV “In the right hand of the one sitting on the throne I saw a scroll that had writing on the inside and on the outside. And it was sealed in seven places.”
John’s focus now goes from the throne to a scroll which is in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.
There is no timelapse between chapters 4 & 5. John was witnessing the praise and worship of God the Creator and then he noticed this scroll in God’s hand. He knows at first glance that there is writing on the inside as well as the outside and that the scroll has been bound by seven seals.
I have to admit that I keep envisioning a big bowl of spaghetti noodles while studying Revelation. I see this big heap of individual noodles but they’re all intertwined with each other. I know that each noodle has two ends but you have to pull out each noodle one by one to see the beginning and end of each noodle. They are all connected and interwoven and it’s hard to see the individual noodles unless you separate them from the mound.
Revelation is chock-full of “scripture noodles”. There are so many references to the Old Testament (& New Testament as well) that are found in Revelation. Much of what we read about in Revelation has its beginning in the Old Testament. One of them has to do with this particular scroll. So we are going to pull that noodle out for moment and see its significance.
We’ll flashback to Daniel for a moment to see the other end of this noodle.
We know that Daniel had dreams that were very much like the visions that John was given. Daniel was given prophetic dreams. In the last chapter of Daniel, he is told about Michael the archangel, about distressing times that have never been seen before, and names written in the book. All hinting at the end of days. Daniel is told by God to write these things down and then he is told by God to seal it up. He then sees two men and a conversation is had about how long will it be before these things will take place. The answer of 3 and a half years is given although that doesn’t really answer the question. Daniel jumps into the conversation and admits he doesn’t understand. He asks how all of this will end. Instead of getting a direct answer, one of the men responds to Daniel to let it go for now. Daniel 12:9 NIV “He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.”
Daniel was told that what he had written was to be rolled up and sealed. That tells us that there was nothing more to write. If you think back to when we used to write letters and mail them, we would finish the letter, place it in an envelope and then do what? Moisten the seal and press it down so that the letter would reach its reader intact and protected. We only did that when we were done writing all that needed to be written.
It’s thought that the sealed writing that Daniel refers to is the same scroll that John now sees in God’s hand in Revelation 5. This begs the question: what is written on the scroll?
Spoiler alert: we don’t know what is written on the scroll. One thing we can assume is that nothing else needs to be added to it. It’s a complete and final document. What we do know is that the scroll and the breaking of the seals are the catalysts for everything else that will take place.
According to Jewish laws, three things could be redeemed. Someone could sell themselves to be a servant and their closest relative could buy them back or redeem them. Think of Gomer selling herself and Hosea having to buy her back.
The second item that could be redeemed would be a widow. When the husband died, his widow could be redeemed by her husband’s brother or the closest relative. The best example of this is Ruth and Boaz.
The third item and the one that many believe is what’s referred to here is land. It’s thought that the scroll that John sees is the title deed to Earth.
You may remember from our study in Ruth, how transactions involving title deeds took place. The specifications of the property involved would be written on the inside of the scroll. The scroll would then be rolled from each side and then sealed with wax or damp clay and then impressed with a carved object. It would remain that way until the property was redeemed by the next kinsman. It was sealed so that no alterations, no additions, no deletions could be made without signs of tampering. It was an authentic representation of the redemption that had taken place. But not just anyone could redeem a piece of property. The closest relative would be given the first opportunity to “goel” or redeem the property. This would make the closest relative a kinsman-redeemer. This was to ensure that the property remained in the family. The second qualification would be that the kinsman-redeemer had sufficient funds to purchase the property. The third qualification is that the kinsman-redeemer had to be willing to go through with the transaction. No one could be forced to do so. If you remember the study of Ruth, Boaz was not the closest relative. The closest relative chose not to exercise his right to redeem the property and so the option was given to Boaz who didn’t hesitate. He met all the requirements and willingly redeemed the property as well as Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Boaz is frequently compared to Christ Jesus as the qualified redeemer for God’s children.
As we read Revelation 5, the first two redemptions have already taken place. “The Church, the Bride of Christ, was caught up in the Rapture spoken of in Revelation 4, and we, His servants, have been fully redeemed, having received our resurrection bodies at the Rapture of the Church. But the earth and the creatures in the earth, both vegetable and animal, are still under the curse. The earth itself is still groaning under the curse of man’s sin. These also must be redeemed, for Christ is the perfect Redeemer, and every realm which came under the curse of Adam’s sin must also be delivered by the redemption of the Last Adam.”[ii]
The idea that this scroll is a title deed makes sense because of what takes place next.
Revelation 5:2 NKJV “2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.”
The strong angel may be Gabriel and that assumption is made because the name Gabriel means “God is my strength.”[iii] That’s a good assumption but it is only an assumption. What I find interesting is that the angel is described as being strong and it’s the strong angel who asks who can open the scroll. Strength wouldn’t be enough to break the seals. It had to be Someone worthy. Only One who was worthy could break the seals of wax or dried clay. There was no one under the earth worthy enough. There was no one on the earth worthy enough. In fact, no one in heaven was found worthy enough. Not Abraham, not David, not Moses, not enough John the Baptist.
Now let me ask you a question. If that were to happen here on earth, tell me there wouldn’t be people lined up to try. But you see, that’s the difference between here and Heaven. Here on Earth, our arrogant selves fail to see our inadequacies and sinfulness. In Heaven, there’s no fooling others and no fooling ourselves. There won’t boasting or bragging because we will be humbled to a depth we’ve never known.
Notice John’s reaction. Scripture says he wept much. The original Greek word used here was eklaion which means “mourn, lament, to sob, i.e. Wail aloud.”[iv] John wasn’t just a little teary-eyed. He was full-blown sobbing. Why do you think John was so upset?
Look back at Revelation 4:2. John is in the Spirit meaning that he is experiencing a supernatural awareness and understanding afforded to him by the Holy Spirit. Because of this, John sees this scroll as something of great importance. He may not have known what was written on it nor what it meant, but John knew that eternity couldn’t happen until those seals were broken. “The scroll in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne is the official document which determines the great crisis and climax of human history.”ii
John is distraught; he’s wailing. In the midst of the worship that had been taking place, John is mourning. But then one of the elders seeks to console John. Revelation 5:5 GNT “Then one of the elders said to me, “Don’t cry. Look! The Lion from Judah’s tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll.”
John is told not to cry and to look. There’s Someone the elder wants John to focus on. He’s called the Lion from Judah’s tribe, fulfilling the prophecy given by Jacob and establishing His “kingly character” and authority to “rule and reign over the earth”.ii Jesus is also identified as the descendant of David which qualifies Him to be the heir to the Kingdom.
The scroll sealed with seven seals could only be opened by the one and only appointed heir and that was Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.
John is told to look at the lion, but instead, what does John see? He sees a Lamb Who has been killed. What might have been going through his mind when he saw this mortally wounded lamb? Did he remember the words of John the Baptist at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry when he referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God? Were the words of Isaiah coming to mind? “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he didn’t open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7 ISV) Did John have flashbacks of watching as Jesus was hanging on the cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God for the purpose of our redemption? John was told to look at the Lion, but instead, he saw the Lamb.
We can’t appreciate the victory of Jesus the Lion until we recognize the sacrifice of Jesus the Lamb. John needed to see Jesus as the Lamb before He could see Him as the Lion.
Revelation 5:6 GNT “6 Then I saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb appeared to have been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that have been sent through the whole earth.”
The Lamb is at the center of the throne. He is not on the throne, but rather in the middle, in the front of the throne. This illustrates the transition from the worship of God the Creator on the throne in chapter 4 to the worship of Jesus the Redeemer in front of the throne in chapter 5. Warren W. Wiersbe has a powerful reminder: “Jesus is in Heaven. He is not in the manger, in Jerusalem, on the cross, or in the tomb. He is ascended and exalted in heaven. What an encouragement this is to suffering Christians, to know that their Savior has defeated every enemy and is now controlling events from glory! He too suffered, but God turned His suffering into glory.” “We do not worship a babe in a manger or a corpse on a cross. We worship the living, reigning Lamb of God who is in the midst of all in heaven.”v
We are told that He is surrounded by the 4 living creatures as well as the 24 elders. The focus is now on Jesus.
The Lamb is wounded, bearing scars and wounds that testify to the cruel and barbaric death He suffered. He has seven horns, seven eyes, and seven Spirits. If someone were to sit down and draw the picture as described in Revelation 5:6, it would be “a grotesque picture, but when understood symbolically, conveys spiritual truth.”[v] But John sees Jesus. He doesn’t see a disfigured and gruesome scene. He was there as Jesus obtained those scars and those wounds. He isn’t repulsed or frightened by what he sees. He sees not his friend, but his Savior.
Let’s not forget the importance of the number 7. It means completion and perfection. Seven horns. Horns, scripturally speaking, usually represent strength and power. Horns symbolize the ability to overcome challenges and enemies, portraying the victorious nature of battles.[vi] “The horn stands for authority and imperial power. Christ possesses it, and now He steps forth to exercise it, perfectly equipped to put down any opposition to His kingdom.”ii
The Lamb also had seven eyes. Eyes symbolize wisdom as well as all-seeing. They also indicate perfect perception. Jesus “exercises His kingly right over the nations of the earth” and does so “with full authority and full knowledge.”ii
The combination of the seven horns and the seven eyes represents the seven Spirits of God that have been referenced before in Revelation. Strength and wisdom, power and knowledge, authority and intelligence. What is being described is the omnipotent (all-powerful) and the omniscient (all-knowing) Christ Jesus.
Jesus, being fully God and fully man is the only One who is equipped to break the seals. He, and He alone is the only representation of both divinity and humanity. This makes Him our Kinsman-Redeemer as He is our relative, He has paid the price, and He did so willingly.
Revelation 5:7 NKJV 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
As Jesus takes the scroll, the worship intensifies. The four living creatures and the 24 elders bow before the Lamb and for the first time in Revelation, a musical instrument is seen. A harp. A harp which happens to be an emblem for King David and represents harmony between Heaven and Earth.[vii]
The golden bowls full of incense we are told are actually the prayers of God’s holy people. “Note that praise and prayer were united, for incense is a picture of prayer rising to the throne of God.”v
The new song they sing is an all-inclusive song. It has every genre of Christian music you could want. “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals.” This is a verse dedicated to the worship of Christ Jesus. This is our worship hymn,
“Because you were killed; and with the blood of your death you bought men for God”. This verse refers to the gospel message of redemption. That verse is for you fans of gospel music.
“From every tribe, language, people, and nation” covers all of humanity and our mission to reach everyone. Tribe refers to our ancestors, tongue to our languages, people meaning all races, and nation which refers to governments. This is our missionary hymn.
“You made them to be a kingdom of priests for our God.” This is our devotional hymn tells of our “unique position in Christ as a kingdom of priests.”v
And finally, “We shall reign on the earth” is a prophetic hymn promising what lies ahead of us.
Warren W. Wiersbe said, “What a marvelous hymn! How rich would be our worship if we would blend all these truths in honoring Him!” But Wiersbe also said, “Too many contemporary songs are “I” centered rather than “Christ” centered. They so emphasize the believer’s experience that they almost ignore the Lord’s glory. Certainly, there is a place for that kind of song, but nothing can compare to adoring Christ in spiritual worship.”v
Try to imagine the next few verses as John saw them.
Revelation 5:11 NKJV “11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, 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 who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor 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, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.”
That puts goosebumps on my goosebumps!
“All of heaven’s praise came because the Lamb took the scroll from the Father’s hand. God’s great eternal plan would now be fulfilled and creation would be set free from the bondage of sin and death. One day the Lamb will break the seals and put in motion events that will eventually lead to His coming to earth and the establishment of His kingdom.”v
Oh, what a day that will be!
[i] What the Bible is All About by Dr. Henrietta C. Mears
[ii] Revelation by Lehman Strauss, pg. 140
[iii] Gabriel – Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary Online (biblestudytools.com)
[iv] Revelation 5:4 And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. (biblehub.com)
[v] Be Victorious by Warren W. Wiersbe”
[vi] Meaning of Horn in the Bible (biblicaldefinitions.com)
[vii] The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism – Early Music Muse
Beacons of Light 