Revelation Commentary - Chapter 5

Revelation 5 provides insight into the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ and the victory He won on the cross over sin, death, and the forces of darkness.

Rev. 5:1-4

The Apostle John sees a vision of God the Father on the throne with a sealed scroll. No one was found to be worthy to take this scroll from the Father. Much speculation has been given as to the nature of this scroll but from a study of the book of Revelation, we find that the scroll includes, at least, the judgments of God upon the earth. As the book of Revelation continues in proceeding chapters, we see the opening of the seals and the judgments that result. It is a good presumption that the scroll also includes the reasons for these judgments since it is "written inside and on the back" (Rev. 5:1, NIV). Why is no one worthy to open the scroll? Because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 6:23, NIV). God is holy and no sinful person is worthy to judge the earth. This brought tears to John's eyes because it seemed that justice might not be served for all the wicked things that had been done to people throughout time.

Rev. 5:5-7

It is of particular importance that we see in verse 5 clear reference to our LORD Jesus Christ as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David" (NIV). It says He has prevailed -- He won the victory over sin by offering His perfect, sinless life on the cross at Calvary as a substitute sacrifice for you and me, and for the whole world! His resurrection from the dead proved He is the LORD with the authority to forgive sins and the power to grant eternal life to all who believe in Him. We know that Jesus is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29, NIV). Now John identifies the Lamb "in the midst of the throne" (Rev. 5:6, NIV). Who sits on the throne of God? The Father and the Son. Also, the Lamb "having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth" (Rev. 5:6, NIV). "Horns" refer to power and that there are seven indicates the perfection of His power -- God is all powerful. The "seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God" refers to the Holy Spirit. So on the throne of God we find the Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Remember these are visions by a human using human terminology to describe something heavenly. For "God is spirit" (John 4:24, NIV) and "invisible" (Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27, NIV), but in Heaven we will see Him in some form. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8, NIV) will become more than a spiritual truth for today but a literal reality in Heaven.

John saw the "Lamb as though it had been slain" represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The plan for God the Son to become human (John 1:1,14) was put into effect before time began, "He was indeed foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet. 1:20, ref. Rev. 13:8, NIV). Though God did not cause sin, He planned for its eventuality. In love, He chose to redeem us rather than destroy us through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Rev. 5:8-14

This passage reflects the joy in Heaven over the finished work of Christ on the cross. Only the perfect, sinless Son of God is worthy to take the scroll of judgment. Only God had perfect knowledge, perfect righteousness, and perfect power to execute judgment upon humanity. Jesus is God the Son who alone is worthy because He became fully human and lived a perfect life. The angels around God's throne, the four living creatures, the 24 elders, and every creature in Heaven sang praises to God and to the Lamb. There is but one God who sits on the throne. Yet this one God exists eternally and concurrently in three persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One commentator has said of God's triune nature: "There is one what and three who's." That is about as close as we can get to understanding what God has revealed about His nature. But they have no problem worshipping God in Heaven: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" (Rev. 5:13, NIV).