Bible Groups - Digests of Bible Commentaries

The Revelation to John - Chapter 5

Revised 2013

The scene has been set in the heavenly court, now the action starts. Rich symbolism, but note theological claims: only the crucified and resurrected Christ is worthy to open the scroll that shows the future triumphs of God; through him victory has been won; his faithful followers already share his victory with him and enjoy royal priesthood; Lamb is on level with God.
1 Strange anthropomorphism: John has given God no physical features, but now he has a right hand! Papyrus scroll with writing on both sides. 7 seals indicate importance - it “top secret”. Seals hide contents from all - only God can see, only God knows. Is writing of affliction for sinners as in Ezek 2:9-10? Or God’s plan for the world (Dan 12:4)? Scroll contains secrets to be revealed, hence is prophecy (Rev 10:8-11; Ezek 2:9-3:4; Dan 10:21). After his resurrection Jesus is empowered to open the scroll: what follows is therefore both a revelation of Jesus Christ and a revelation from Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1). The scroll reveals “what must happen afterwards” (4:2). These visions of “what must happen afterwards” are frightening, but we know basic victory has already been won. Opening the seals = causing these events to happen. Trumpets & seals indicate eschatology - end-time.
2 “Unroll” ie who can accomplish God’s salvific plan? Challenge is broadcast over all creation. “Worthy” means of adequate moral stature to break the seals.
3 Despair that noone in whole creation can do it.
4 If noone found worthy, we will never know!
5 An elder comforts the seer: the Lion of Judah has conquered and so has won the right to open the scroll. Messianic titles applied to Christ (22:16; Gen 49:9; Isa 11:1,10; Matt 1:1). Jesus has triumphed through his death & resurrection (3:21), with slain Lamb emphasising death - the suffering servant (isa 53:7, 10-12). So he has inaugurated “what must happen afterwards” so he should reveal what must still unfold. But only after his death & resurrection, and after the people of God have been reconstituted.. Only Christ can mediate knowledge of the future, so perhaps only Christians can come to know. Only the Christian gospel can unlock the secrets of God’s plan for the end of the world. The hidden book is now to be opened - by the Lamb. The final stages in the history of salvation can begin. The Lion speaks sentence of doom against the imperial beast, the Roman eagle (4 Ezra 11:36-46). The opening of the scroll begins the visions spelling the end of Roman power.
6 But the Lion appears as a Paschal Lamb, slaughtered (Exod 12; Isa 53:7; Jn 1:29-36; 1 Pet 1: 18-19) while the Passover lambs were being slaughtered in the Temple, glorious, yet appears to bear marks of his suffering (Jn 20:24-29). Title applied to Christ 28 times in Rev. Apparently weak lamb appears with fullness of power (7 horns, Zech 1:18, Dan 7:7-8, 8:3) and knowledge (7 eyes) - “the eyes of the Lord range through all the earth” (Zech 4:10), standing for the 7 spirits. He has 7 spirits sent out to spy over all the earth. These appear to be the 7 angels of presence (1:4; 3:1; 4:5). Christ, Lion of Judah, seen as sacrificed Lamb is paradox. Horns may link to ram (Dan 8:20-21)? In a Jewish apocalypse Lamb of David grows into a horned sheep which defeats beast who attack the people of God (1 Enoch 89:45-46; 90:9-16). But John rejects anyone but Christ can reveal these secrets. High priest briefly entered “the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own” (Heb 9:25), but Jesus entered heaven once for all to offer himself as our sacrifice. At Mass the priest breaks the Host, then lifts it, as if slain, saying “Behold the Lamb of God”.
7 Lamb takes the scroll - but God gives it to him - God remains in overall charge. Lamb is seen at right hand of God: Christ’s high status after his resurrection (Ps 110:1).
8 The nearest groups of creatures worship the Lamb. Incense = prayers of the saints (=Christians) (Ps 141:2). When we pray we are joining in the prayers in heaven worshipping the Lamb.
9 Acclamation confirms reason Lamb has won right to open the scroll: his dying blood ransomed all God’s saints. “New hymn” (Ps 33:3; Ps 40:3; Ps 96:1; Ps 98:1; Ps 144:9; Ps 149:1): “new thing done by God” in and through the slain Lamb. Old hymn not enough. Focus of new song is ransom and royal priesthood. Universal redemption has been won by the atoning death of the Lamb. Instead of only the priests entering the Holy Place, all Christians are priests for ever dwelling in the presence of God. No longer an earthly imitation, but Christians join in the one worship shared by men & angels.
10 The saints are made into kings and priests, serving God - as intermediaries. And the saints will reign on (the new) earth (Rev 20). Letter to Hebrews saw Christ as the one High Priest, replacing the Jewish cult. Rev makes us all priests (1 Pet 2:9-10). Priests mediate between humanity and God. Persecuted Christians will be true kings of the earth, not Caesar and his supporters.
11 Then the angels respond with the same refrain. Literally “100 million + 1 million”. Countless. All acclaiming God instead of Caesar. Rule of God in conflict with rule of Caesar.
12. Focus of this praise is moral stature of slain Lamb - he is “worthy”. 1st 4 qualities are Lamb’s, other 3 are required responses.
13 3rd chorus of praise. All creatures - the whole universe - join in, now worshipping equally both the Lamb and God. High christology - Christ equal to God. High point of book - Lamb has already been enthroned victorious in heaven, whole cosmos praises equally God & the Lamb for their saving power. The 4 responses are proper responses to Lamb & God.
14 Back to the central 4, who sing Amen to seal the praise: all that has been said is true. And the 24 elders join in worshipping both Lamb & God..