Safely Out

John is still in heaven and beside God's throne at the opening of Chapter 5. He sees a scroll in God's right hand that is sealed seven times with writing on both sides. Whatever this scroll is, there is no doubt that it is important. Why would God reveal this scroll to his Church? Could it be that he has the destiny of all mankind in his hands? Could it be that he is in charge of all that happens on earth? We know that God did not allow the earth to be destroyed by the flood until Noah and his family were safely in the ark. We also know that God would not allow Sodom and Gomorrah to be destroyed by fire and brimstone until Lot and his family were safely out of the city. Could it be that God will not allow this scroll to be opened until his church is safely in heaven?

John also saw a powerful angel. What made this angel appear to be so strong is not revealed, but he had the authority to speak in the presence of God. We do not know who this angel is, but because the name Gabriel means strength of God, some believe he is indeed the archangel Gabriel. Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll? Is a gripping question. Who could ever qualify as a redeemer for Adam and our fallen world?

<Rev. 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev. 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev. 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The Root Of David

No one in heaven or earth, either living or dead, will be able to open the scroll and look inside. Obviously John was heartbroken because he desired to know what the scroll contained. He had a great love for all mankind and had hoped the scroll would provide the answers to its problems, but that was not to be. The message of the scroll would have to wait.

Suddenly, one of the twenty-four elders told John to stop crying. Someone worthy to open the scroll had been found. It is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. These two Old Testament names of God remind us of the first and second coming of Jesus.

Judah, one of the twelve sons of Israel (also called Jacob), was also the first leader of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. God promised the Messiah would come from that tribe whose symbol was a lion. Jesus, a descendant of the tribe of Judah, is the Messiah -the Lion of the tribe of Judah. At the end of the Tribulation Period Jesus will return with the strength of a lion.

Jesus is also the Root of David. God promised David that one of his descendants would be the Messiah. Jesus is a fulfillment of that prophecy. His earthly mother was Mary, a descendant of David. Jesus came as a lamb the first time.

When we get to heaven, it will not be because we are righteous or because we are worthy redeemers, but because we have been redeemed by the grace of God.

Rev. 5:6 And 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.

Sacrifice The Lamb

When Jesus walked upon this earth, John the Baptist introduced him by saying, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). When the John of Revelation saw him in heaven he described Jesus as a Lamb, looking as it had been slain. Jesus is our sacrificial lamb. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah foretold that he would be as a Lamb led to the slaughter.

Jesus looked like he had been killed, but he was not lying on an altar, in bed, or in a casket. he was standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and twenty - four elders.

Seven is the number of perfection in the Bible, and horns are symbols of power. Seven horns means that Jesus had omnipotent, perfect power. He may have looked like a little lamb, but he had all the power of God. After being raised from the dead, Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18).

The seven eyes are defined as the seven spirits of God sent out to all the earth. he looked like he had been slain, but his eyes were not closed. He had the all-seeing omniscient vision of the Holy Spirit. He sees and knows all.


The seven virtues of the Holy Spirit are,

1.) the nature of Jesus

2.) wisdom

3.) understanding

4.) counsel

5.) might

6.) knowledge

7.) respect for God's will.

Jesus also possessed these same virtues - and the Holy Spirit continually spreads them over all the earth. Not everyone is willing to receive them, but they still are everywhere.

Rev. 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Rev. 5:8 And 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.

From Lamb To Lion

Keep in mind that John was seeing those things that will take place after the Church is raptured. The Rapture is a very significant event because it marks a distinct change in the way Jesus deals with mankind. Up until now he has dealt with us as a lamb, but from this point on through the Tribulation Period, he will deal with those who are left behind as a lion.

John watched as Jesus took the scroll from the right hand of God. All of creation has waited almost six thousand years for this pivotal moment. Adam lost the title deed to earth for all mankind, but Jesus has proven himself a worthy redeemer and will get the deed back.

When Jesus took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped him each with a harp and a golden bowl. The harps are musical instruments that will accompany the singing in heaven. The golden bowls will contain the prayers of the saints. Who and what will we be praying for? We will be praying for our loved ones on earth who are being persecuted. We will pray for the defeat of the Satanic trinity, and we will pray for the Second Coming and subsequent reign of Jesus.

The Godhead is thought of as trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Satan seems to try to duplicate that with his own trinity caled the Satanic trinity. Satan tries to replace God, the Antichrist tries to replace Christ, and the False Prophet tries to replace the Holy Spirit. Satan will indewell the AntiChrist and False Prophet, sothey will be pure evil. When the Antichrist supposedly dies and is resurrected some think he will come back to life because Satan has possessed his body.

Rev. 5:9 And 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;

Rev. 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

A New Song

The four living creatures and the twenty-fourelders sang a new song with a new form of praise. Their song speaks of what Jesus is to do, and what he has already done. It tells why Jesus is worthy to take the scroll and open the seals.

Jesus is worthy because he was slain on the cross at Calvary. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah said, Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for out transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.(Isaiah 4:6).

Jesus is worthy because with his blood he purchased out sins. He paid the price of out redemption. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ut with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.(I Peter 18:19). The blood of Jesus was precious. God said, For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar (Leviticus 17:11) It was the blood of Jesus that kakes atonement for our sins.

Jesus is worthy because he is no respecter of persons. He died for the sins of all the world - every tribe and language and people and nation - because he loves the world.

Jesus is worthy because he made us a royal priesthood to serve and reign with him. He commisioned his Church to go and make disciples of all nations. And when he returns in his Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation Period, we will reign with him on earth for one thousand years the Millennium.

Rev. 5:11 And 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;

Rev. 5:12 Saying 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.

Worthy Is The Lamb

John looked and he saw a multitude of angels gathered around the living creatures, the twenty-four elders, and the throne of God. Then he heard them singing declaring the worthiness of God. Who is to receive:

Power - the authority to do whatever he wants (forgive sins, give eternal life, and command angels)

Wealth - the riches of God (everything belongs to him)

Wisdom - the natural wisdom of God (his counsel, his understanding, and the ability to create, uphold, govern, judge, and redeem)

Strength - the physical strength it do whatever he wants (preform miracles, conquer, create, destroy, cast into the lake of fire)

Honor - rewards (the rewards of God and his people)

Glory - the image of God (God's glory, God's magnificence, God's splendor, the royal dignity and the royal majesty)

Praise - worship, acknowledgement and commendation

Rev. 5:13 And 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 for ever and ever.

Rev. 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Every Creature

John heard every creature praise God and his Son Jesus. Every creature in heaven, under the earth, and on the sea. Every creature that is alive or dead. Every creature who has been judged, and or will be judged. Every creature from the days of Adam to the Rapture will praise him.

The four living creatures responded to the praise by saying Amen, signifying that they were in agreement with the praise of every other creature. They affirmed their praise and worship. Then the twenty-four elders responded by falling down and worshiping the Father and the Son. Praise and worship is due the Father and the Son. Throughout all eternity. Both were involved in the redemption of all things and both should be praised as long as anything exists.