The Lamb Takes the Scroll
1 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. r 2 I also saw a mighty angel s proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? ” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, t the Root of David, u has conquered v so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb w standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God x sent into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.
The Lamb Is Worthy
8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp y and golden bowls z filled with incense, a which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: b
You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slaughtered,
and you purchased people
for God by your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation. c
10 You made them a kingdom
and priests to our God, d
and they will reign on the earth.
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. e 12 They said with a loud voice,
Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing!
13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, f on the sea, and everything in them say, g
Blessing and honor and glory and power
be to the one seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb, forever and ever!
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
5:1–4. As though the second movement in a symphony, the celebration in the eschatological temple of God continues, with a reading of a scroll. Typically, in a Jewish synagogue liturgy, the seals on a Torah scroll are broken so that God’s Word may be read to the whole congregation. However, this scroll in the right hand of the enthroned Creator cannot be opened or read (5:1). Even a being as powerful as the angel with the great voice must ask, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” (5:2). The silence that follows (5:3) and the godly lament of John (5:4; cf. Ezr 10:1, 6; Neh 1:3–6) demonstrate that no living creature can read or execute the contents of the scroll.
5:5–7. Who, then, is worthy of executing God’s divine plan? Could it be the Lion from the tribe of Judah (Gn 49:9) who is the Root of David (Is 11:1, 10; Jr 23:5; cf. Rv 22:16)? These two royal titles emphasize the authority of the Messiah to conquer and judge Israel’s enemies (5:5). Perhaps he can read the scroll. Then suddenly the scene shifts from the Lion of Judah to the slain Lamb (5:6a). Though “like a slaughtered lamb standing,” this Lamb is paradoxically described as having “seven horns” (a symbol of perfect power) and “seven eyes” (a symbol of perfect omniscience through the Spirit) (5:6b). The Lamb shares the position of axis mundi, or “the cosmic center,” with the Creator himself. In a radical redefinition of true power, the slain Lamb, not the Lion, is the one who actually takes the scroll (5:7) and one by one breaks its seals (6:1–8:1).
5:8–14. In response, the whole court falls prostrate before the Lord and the Lamb (5:8). The elders each hold a lyre (cf. Pss 33:2–3; 43:4) and a golden bowl of incense (a temple utensil, but here a symbol of the saints’ prayers), and with them they continue worshiping the Creator (4:8–11) by worshiping the Lamb. The new song is first sung by the elders (5:9–10). Then comes a chorus of countless angels with their own refrain (5:11–12), and finally the entire creative order joins with a doxology (5:13). The Lamb is exalted for his redemptive work on the cross. His death provides atonement for every tribe, language, people, and nation (5:9; cf. 1:5; 7:9).