Revelation Chapter Five

 1And 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.

Author: John saw a book in the right hand of the Ancient of Days our Heavenly Father. This book was written within and on the backside. This book is similar to the book of judgment given to Ezekiel in chapter 2:9-3:3. Ezekiel’s book was written within and without about lamentations, mourning, and woes. Ezekiel was to share these thoughts with backsliding Israel. The book in God’s hand was sealed with perfect sealing. Nobody could read this book without God’s permission.

This book was described in the following way in the writings of Ellen White:

“There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God’s providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein as contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of Earth’s history to its close.” 12 Manuscript Release 296

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

Author: To open this book requires someone who has special worth. The cry goes out to all of the universe looking for someone worthy to open the seals and to open the book.

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

Author: The Bible says that the worthy being that opens the book can only be a man, but no man was found able to open the book, neither in heaven, on Earth, or under the Earth.

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

Author: John apparently had some inkling of the value of this book and the need to have it opened. When no man was found he wept is sadness over this lack.

 5And 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.

Author: Finally one of the elders came to John and encouraged him. He told John that he did not need to weep for there was one in the universe that could open the book and he was the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, and that One Man was Jesus. We know this individual is Jesus for He is the Lamb of God. John 1:29. Jesus is also of the tribe of Judah and He is of the flesh of David. Hebrews 7:14; Romans 1:3

 6And 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.

Author: After a short time John again looks at the throne and in the middle of the throne stood a Lamb as it had been slain. Jesus is presented not only as the Lion of Judah a destructive force, Jesus is also presented as innocent and harmless as a Lamb. Jesus is also presented as One who was slain for our sins. He is also presented as all powerful – 7 horns, and He is presented as One who is filled with the complete blessings (7 eyes) of the Holy Ghost.

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

Author: Jesus came to the Holy Place to the throne of the Father and took the book out of His right hand. Jesus fulfilled all of the requirements of His priestly ministry on Earth and was now prepared to dispense with the Word of God from heaven. This is the starting of the blessings of the Shewbread to reveal the Will of God through His Word and by telling of Himself and His work on Earth to all who will listen.

Jesus will come again to the throne of the Ancient of Days when in Daniel 7:13-14 to receive judgment and receive His kingdom in 1844.

 8And 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.

Author: When Jesus takes the book the 4 beasts and the 24 elders fall down before the Lamb and worship Him for He is worthy. The 24 elders have harps of truth (Psalms 71:22) and golden vials full of odours (sweet smelling incense) which are the prayers of the saints directed to the Holy Place ministry of Christ and His intercessions for them.

 9And 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;

Author: In addition to the 24 divisions of the priesthood there is also a 24 divisions of the singers who sang praises in the temple of God. Songs in the Bible are a testimony of having an experience with God. Exodus 15:1. In this new song the elders and the beasts praise Jesus for His redeeming power for people of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. See Revelation 14:6 and Daniel 3:29

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

Author: In this verse the 24 elders proclaim their heritage that they will inherit the Earth and will reign over it as kings and priests. This is the kingdom that Jesus has won for them. Daniel 7:27

 11And 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;

Author: This is another connecting text to the throne room scene in Daniel 7:10. The throne room scene in Daniel 7 is in the Most Holy Place but the scene in Revelation 5 is in the Holy Place.

 12Saying 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.

Author: The beasts and elders sing that Jesus is Worthy to receive a 7 fold praise for His victory was complete. He is worthy of these attributes as well as the 7 eyes and 7 horns of verse 6.

 13And 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 forever and ever.

Author: This texts states that every living thing worships God in heaven and Earth.

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

Author: The beasts and the elders worship the Father in heaven as well as the Lamb