Chapter Five Chapters four and five form the fulcrum of the letter. In chapter four John develops this very transcendent picture of God. However, without chapter five there is no connection between God’s throne image and creation. Without chapter five, chapter four is not good news.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 Ancient scrolls were normally only written on one side. Having been written on both sides speaks to the importance and significance of the document. Ezekiel 2: I looked, and a hand was stretched out to me, and a written scroll was in it. He [God] spread it before me; it had writing on the front and on the back, and written on it were words of lamentation and mourning and woe.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 Employing the symbolic number seven, the seals attest to the absolute inviolability of the scroll. Daniel 8:26 - The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future. Coming at the end of Daniel’s vision of the Medo-Persian and Greek empires (Chapter 8), God commands him to seal up the rest of the vision for it speaks to a distant time (v. 26). Are Daniel’s vision and the scroll the same? There is a Scriptural basis for a “Book of Destiny” Psalm 139:16 - your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 Let’s take a closer look, as what we understand here will color how we read and understand chapters six and seven. First off, what is the “scroll?” Was it a scroll or a book? The Greek word Biblioj can be read as either.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 As we saw in our handout, chapters four and five follow the structural outline of Daniel 7. The idea of sealing up a book/scroll that contains information relating to end times is found only in Daniel. Daniel 12 in particular implies a future unsealing of “the book/scroll.” Daniel 12:8-9 - I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?" 9 He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 Back to our question – “what is the book/scroll?” In the first century there did exist the forerunners of the modern “book.” They are called Codices (sing. Codex). OR

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 If the “scroll” is a true scroll, then its contents can only be revealed after all seven seals have been broken.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 If the “scroll” is a codex or book, then the contents can be revealed as each successive seal is broken.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 Most modern scholars understand it to be a scroll.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 What are the contents of the scroll? As you might guess, there are a number of different interpretations. 1) The book of redemption 2) The Old Testament 3) A book containing the events of the “Great Tribulation” 4) A book containing God’s plan for judgment and redemption

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 As you might guess, there are a number of different interpretations. 1)The book of redemption - Many see this book/scroll as the “Lamb’s book of life” (3:5; 13:8, etc.). -The document is written on both sides because of the huge number of the redeemed. - When the contents are revealed (Chapter 8ff), they include events that surround the elect but also judgments visited upon unbelievers.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 What are the contents of the scroll? As you might guess, there are a number of different interpretations. 2) The Old Testament - Some understand it to contain the Old Testament as Christ alone is able to unlock the true meaning of the OT and Christ is the fulfillment of so many OT prophecies. - This approach is consistent with the entire book of Revelation because of its focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of OT prophecy - Against this are the observations made above that Daniel 7 and 12 (which forms the basis for this portion of Revelation) clearly speak to events of salvation and judgment.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 What are the contents of the scroll? As you might guess, there are a number of different interpretations. 3)A book containing the events of the “Great Tribulation” leading up to the second coming of Christ - This is one very viable possibility. - However, strictly viewing it this way, removes a large portion of the text from its original first-century context.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3 What are the contents of the scroll? As you might guess, there are a number of different interpretations. 4) A book containing God’s plan for judgment and redemption - The events of judgment and redemption were set in motion by Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. - The events depicted in the book have begun but have not been completed. - Retains a connection with the original audience, but also points forward to future events.

Chapter Five Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:1-3

Chapter Five Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:4-7

Chapter Five Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:4-7 Genesis 49: You are a lion's cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness-- who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.

Chapter Five Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:4-7 Genesis 49: You are a lion's cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness-- who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. Isaiah 11:1 - A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. Any 1 st century Christian would understand that this was referring to Jesus Christ. Just in case they missed it, the Apostle Paul wrote: Romans 15:12 - And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."

Chapter Five Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:4-7 It had to be Jesus who opens the scroll. God promised Adam that he would have dominion and reign over the earth. Adam forfeited his right to the promise through sin. As the last Adam, Christ inherits this promise. It had to be a person who opens the scroll because the promise was made to humanity. However, no human is found who is worthy for we are all sinners and stand under the judgment of God.

Chapter Five Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:4-7 It had to be Jesus who opens the scroll. Only Christ is worthy because he suffered the final judgment on our behalf. Christ overcame this judgment by rising from the grave and in doing so redeeming humanity. Therefore, Christ is able to inherit the promises of the scroll as do all who are redeemed by him.

Chapter Five Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:4-7 This is important for we shall see later on ( Ch. 13) where Satan attempts to mimic this wound. The important thing to remember is that this is the “real deal.”

Chapter Five Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:4-7 Recall that seven is the symbolic number of complete. “Seven horns” would be complete and total power. “Seven eyes” would be all wisdom. The ultimate power of God (Lion, seven horns, seven eyes) is manifest in the Lamb (Jesus Christ). The “Lamb of God” appears only in John’s writings – once in the gospel and twenty-eight times in Revelation. Any attempt to literally visualize a seven-eyed, seven-horned lamb should remind us of the highly symbolic nature of John’s writing.

Chapter Five And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.“Rev. 5:8-10

Chapter Five And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.“Rev. 5:8-10 Christ assuming possession of the scroll begins one of the greatest scenes of universal adoration anywhere recorded.

Chapter Five And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.“Rev. 5:8-10 Historical fact

Chapter Five And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.“Rev. 5:8-10 Historical fact Interpretation of fact

Chapter Five And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.“Rev. 5:8-10 Historical fact Interpretation of fact Result of the fact

Chapter Five And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.“Rev. 5:8-10 What was promised at Sinai: Exodus 19:6 - You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Is fulfilled in the establishment of the church through the death of Christ.

Chapter Five Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Rev. 5:11-12 The adoration of the Lamb moves out in ever widening circles. We move from the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders to an uncountable number of angels. Don’t try to make too much out of the numbers. All John is saying is that an incredibly large number participated in the worship of the Lamb.

Chapter Five Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev. 5:13-14 The adoration now moves to its climax. Every creature in all of God’s creation joins in the worship of the Lamb.

Chapter Five Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev. 5:13-14 The adoration now moves to its climax. Every creature in all of God’s creation joins in the worship of the Lamb. It is appropriate that the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders who began the worship sequence should be the ones to close it.

Next Week Synchronizing other texts in the Bible 1 Thessalonians 4: Thessalonians 2:1-12 Synoptic Apocalypses Matthew 24 & 25 Mark 13 Luke 21:5-36