Revelation 5:1-14

This chapter continues with John detailing events taking place in heaven.

Revelation 5:1-5:

^5:1And I saw on the right (hand) of the (One) sitting-down on the throne a book having been written² from-inside and from-behind having been sealed-down² with seven seals. ^.2And I saw a strong angel heralding-forth in a great sound, "Who (is) worthy to open the book and to loose its seals?" ^.3And not-one used-to-be-able in the heaven nor on the earth nor down-under the earth to open the book nor to observe it. ^.4And I used-to-cry much because not-one worthy was found to open the book nor to observe it. ^.5And one from the elders says to me, "You must not cry; look!, the lion, the (lion) out-from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, was-victorious to open the book and its seven seals."

John writes: And I perceived (knew with my mind) on the right hand of the One (God) sitting down on the throne (refer to Revelation 4:2 and 3)...

a book (this Greek word biblion translated "book" emphasizes its content - a small book, roll, scroll, paper, papyrus)
- that was written on both sides (inside and outside, front and back)
having been sealed down (making it fast, securely fastened)
- with/by seven seals (7 different seals, marks of authentication, approval, ratification thereby ensuring that the book is secure, like sealing a letter so it is not opened and read by anyone except by the one to whom the letter is addressed; 7 is the number associated with the spirit realm and completion or perfection).

And I saw an angel who was inherently strong (he had strength) proclaiming in a great sound (a large voice, loudly)...

"Who is worthy (of equal-value, of like-worth, as being correctly weighed on a scales, and thus deserving)
- to open the book
- and to loose (unbind, unfasten, release, untie) its seals?"

And during that period of time not-one (none, no animal, bird, etc, human, or spirit) was continuing to be able (had the able-power, the capability)...

within the heaven (those who are alive in heaven's realm)
nor upon the earth (those who are alive in earth's realm)
nor underneath the earth (those who are alive in the waters at the foot of the earth, including those who are dead without any life at the present time)

...to open the book nor to look at it (to mentally envision, be mentally aware of, to contemplate its contents).

And I was continuing to cry much (during that past time, historically, I was weeping, shedding tears, expressing grief, mourning) because there was none worthy found at any location to open the book nor to observe it.

And one from the elders (refer to Revelation 4:4, 10 and 11) says to me...

"You (John) must not cry (don't weep);
look (behold, see, pay attention)!,
the lion,
- emphatically and specifically the lion originating from the tribe of Judah (referring to the Lord Jesus Christ - from the clan descended from Judah who was one of the 12 sons of Israel/Jacob),
the root of David (referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as in Revelation 22:16),
was victorious (gained the victory, conquered; refer to Revelation 3:21)
- to open
  - the book
  - and its seven seals."

The usage of the word "lion" when referring to the Lord Jesus Christ by this elder emphasizes the viewpoint of victory and completion of what was required by God for redemption and salvation.

[Reference: Genesis 1:6-10, 3:19, 49:8-12; Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 4:18, 5:8; Psalm 103:20, 115:17, 146:4; Isaiah chapter 11; Daniel chapter 12; Acts 2:32-36; Romans 1:3 and 4, 8:31-39, 11:18, 15:12; I Corinthians 15:20-28 and 51-58; Ephesians 1:19-21; Philippians 2:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 2:3-12; Hebrews 1:1-3 and 13, 7:13 and 14, 10:12, 12:2; I Peter 3:22; II Peter 2:11; Revelation 3:21, 4:2-4 and 9-11, 10:1, 18:21, 22:16.]

Verses 6-10:

^.6And I saw - in (the) midst of the throne and the four living-beings and in (the) midst of the elders - a little-lamb having stood², as having been slaughtered², having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God having been apostled² into all the earth; ^.7and he came and took² (the book) out-from the right (hand) of the (One) sitting-down on the throne.

^.8And when he took the book the four living-beings and the twenty four elders fell before the little-lamb having each a lyre and golden bowls being-full of incenses which are the prayers of the holy-people, ^.9and they sing a new song saying, "You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals because you were slaughtered and you bought for God in your blood (people) out-from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ^.10and you made them a kingdom and priests for our God and they will reign-as-kings on the earth."

In verse 6, the usage of the word "little-lamb" when referring to the Lord Jesus Christ by John emphasizes the viewpoint of the man (Jesus) carrying out God's requirements during his life, including his sacrifice and his resurrection, in order to reach and attain the victory of redemption and salvation.

John continues: And I perceived (knew with my mind)...

in the middle of the throne and the four living-beings (refer to Revelation 4:6-8)
and in the middle of the elders (as verse 5 above)

...a small lamb (representing the Lord Jesus Christ) having stood and still standing...

as having been slaughtered (killed, slain being the sacrificial offering, which was usually done by cutting the throat and shedding the blood pouring it into a container) and the evidence of his slaughter was still there,
having seven horns (each one of the 7 connoting a radiance of strength and power to overcome plus courage in the face of attack)
and seven eyes (each one of the 7 connoting watchful observance and gaining knowledge of/from what is seen and so there will be the correct implementation of any necessary judgment or deliverance)
- which are the seven spirits of God (refer to Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5)
  - which were apostled and continue apostled (sent forth/away on a specific assignment, mission)
  - into all the earth (every part of it);

...and the little-lamb came and took (received and retained so as to use) the book out-from the right hand of the One (God) Who is sitting down on the throne.

The fact that God had this book in His right hand and gave it to the little-lamb indicates that God gave him a position of blessing, power, honor, favor, approval, excellence, and authority to carry-out God's instructions to him as detailed in this book. Also, the little-lamb received the book demonstrating his acceptance of this position and his willingness to obey God.

When the little-lamb took the book - the four living-beings and the twenty four elders fell down (demonstrating submission and recognition of their superior) in the sight and presence of the little-lamb...

each having (by using the word "each" instead of "all" John emphasizes each one of the 24 elders individually, particularly, singly, distinctly - each holding)
- a lyre (a stringed instrument such as a lyre, harp, guitar, or lute)
- and golden bowls (broad and flat vials made of/with gold)
  - being-full (stuffed as a ship loaded with freight)
  - of incenses which are the prayers of the holy-people (producing beautiful odors which represent the communications to/with God by those who are sanctified, their general speaking towards/with Him),
    - [Note: Hebrews 9:1-5 describes the holy tent during the old covenant times where incense was burned on coals to produce its odor daily; the incense altar was physically placed immediately in front of the second veil which separated it from the ark of the covenant – however, once a year on the Day of Atonement the chief-priest would take a vessel/censer containing hot coals plus incense and go inside the second veil where he would burn the incense on the coals so that the cloud of incense smoke with its odor was directly in God’s presence; refer also to Exodus 30:1-10, 40:5; Leviticus 10:1 and 2, 16:12 and 13; Psalm 141:1 and 2; Isaiah 6:4-6; Luke 1:10 and 11; Hebrews 10:19-22.]

...and they sing a new song.

The Greek word translated "song" may be transliterated into the English as "ode" and refers to a song being sung in celebration and thankfulness, whether it is for a special occasion, a battle, harvest, etc - triumph and victory. Also, this song is "new" indicating that this song is newly-made and different compared to the old song previously in existence, new in comparison to what existed before, a new song replacing the former song. As with Moses' song regarding redemption and salvation from Egypt (Exodus 15:1-21) - this new song is also regarding redemption and salvation - completely and final.

They sing a new song saying (with reference to the little-lamb representing the Lord Jesus Christ)...

"You are worthy (the word "you" is in the singular form - you presently and actively are of equal-value, of like-worth, as being correctly weighed on a scales, and thus deserving)
- to take the book
- and to open its seals
because you were slaughtered (as verse 6 above)
and you bought for God (you paid the price, as a person buys in a market-place and pays the correct honorable price of/for the item concerned - you purchased for God)
- in your blood (within the cause and sphere of action of your blood, the shedding of your blood, your death - this was the price you paid; refer to Revelation 1:5)
people originating from all/every
- tribe (any clan; refer to Revelation 1:7)
- and tongue (any language; refer to Philippians 2:11)
- and people (any mass or group of people collectively as one unit, one united assembly; this word usually refers to the descendants of Israel/Jacob)
- and nation (any group of people without reference to their background; this word usually refers to people of the Gentile background, an ethnic group other-than Israel/Judah),
and you made them (refer to Revelation 1:6)
- a kingdom (people within the sovereignty, kingly or royal dominion and government and rule and territory and power, etc)
- and priests (people who serve God by performing priestly service, which is to offer-up spiritual sacrifices well-acceptable to God by means of Jesus Christ)
  - for/to our God
and they will reign as kings (over their domain exercising their kingship)
- on the earth."

[Reference: Genesis 3:15; Exodus chapter 12, 15:1-21, 30:7, 8, 34-38; Leviticus 16:12 and 13; I Samuel 2:10; I Kings 22:11; I Chronicles 25:1-6, 28:17 and 18; II Chronicles 9:11, 16:9, 29:25; Psalm 33:2, 92:3, 112:9, 141:2; Isaiah 11:9-11 and 16, 53:7; Jeremiah 11:19; Daniel 7:9-14, 22 and 27; Amos 9:8; Zechariah 3:8 and 9, 4:10; Matthew 26:28; Luke 1:5-11 and 69; John 1:29, and chapter 17; Acts 8:32, 15:14, 20:28; Romans 3:24 and 25, 5:6, 9, 17 and 21, 8:26, 27 and 31-38, 14:10 and 11; I Corinthians 5:7, 6:20, 7:23, 10:16 and 17, 11:25-27, 15:23-28; Galatians 3:13 and 14, 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:7, 2:13, 5:19; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:13, 20, 3:16; I Thessalonians 2:12; I Timothy 6:13-16; II Timothy 4:1 and 18; Hebrews1:14, 2:14-17, 4:16, 4:7, 7:25, chapter 9, 10:5-14 and 19-21, 12:24 and 28, 13:12, 15, 16 and 20; I Peter 1:2 and 17-21, 2:5, 9 and 10, 3:12; II Peter 1:11, 2:1; I John 1:7; Revelation 1:4-6, 3:1 and 21, 4:5-8, 8:3 and 4, 22:3-5.]

Verses 11 and 12:

^.11And I saw and heard a sound of many angels circling-round the throne and the living-beings and the elders, and the number of them used-to-be ten-thousands of ten-thousands and thousands of thousands, ^.12saying with a great sound, "The little-lamb, the (little-lamb) having been slaughtered², is worthy to take the ability and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing."

I perceived (knew with my mind) and heard a sound (a voice, an uttered tone, what was spoken) of/from a lot of angels all around the throne and the living-beings and the elders...

and the number (total count, arithmetic, quantity) of them used to be (was continuing to exist during a past time, historically)
- ten-thousands (10,000s, myriads) of ten-thousands
- and thousands of thousands,

...saying (the angels were speaking) with a large sound...

"The little-lamb,
- emphatically and specifically the little-lamb having been slaughtered (as verse 6 above),
is worthy (as verses 2, 4, and 9 above)
to take (to actively receive so as to use)
- the ability (able-power, capability)
- and wealth (riches, richness)
- and wisdom (the skillful or expert application of God's personal knowledge, what to do as the most appropriate action concerning a specific situation or circumstance)
- and strength (inherent strength, the strength which he now is/has because he received it from God when God raised him up from among the dead-people)
- and honor (estimation of being valuable, deemed worthy of price)
- and glory (importance, splendor, renown)
- and blessing (this word is a noun meaning: a good word spoken, good wording, a speech that is well; here it is referring to the well-spoken word happening, the good words spoken by God coming to pass, the little-lamb receiving the outcome, the effect, the result of God’s good word to/for him)."

As we read these verses it is helpful to remember that this writing of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John includes prophecy regarding events occurring during the past, the present, and the future. The above 7 items listed have already been taken/received by the Lord Jesus Christ relative to God's spirit realm. The implementation in all realms is still future to us today.

[Reference: Daniel 7:10, 13 and 14; Matthew 24:30, 25:31; John 5:23; Acts 3:26; 4:7-12; Romans 1:4; I Corinthians 1:23-25 and 30, 2:8, 5:4, 10:16 and 17, 12:7-14, 15:23-28 and 43; II Corinthians 3:18, 12:9 and 10, 13:3-5; Galatians 3:7-14; Ephesians 1:3, 4, 7-10 and 19-23, 3:8 and 14-19, 6:10; Philippians 2:9-11, 3:20 and 21, 4:13 and 19; Colossians 1:27, 2:2 and 3, 3:4 and 16; II Thessalonians 1:9, 2:14; I Timothy 3:16; II Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 1:2-4, 7 and 14, 2:5-10, 5:7-10, 9:11-15, 12:22-24, 13:20; James 2:1; I Peter 1:11 and 19-21, 3:18-22; II Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:5, 6 and 17-19, 3:21.]

Verses 13 and 14:

^.13And I heard every creature, which (is) in the heaven and on the earth and down-under the earth and on the sea, and all-things in them saying, "To the (One) sitting-down on the throne and to the little-lamb (are) the blessing and the honor and the glory and the strongness into the ages of the ages"; ^.14and the four living-beings used-to-say, "With-certainty"; and the elders fell and worshipped.

I heard every creature (all the things/beings created by God; refer to Revelation 4:11)...

which is (exists)
- within the heaven (as verse 3 above)
- and upon the earth (as verse 3 above)
- and underneath the earth (as verse 3 above - referring to all living creatures)
- and upon the sea (those who are alive in the sea's realm),

...and all-things in them (looking towards the future there will be no exceptions and this will include people who will be raised up and will receive eternal life) saying...

"To/with the One (God) sitting down on the throne (as verses 1 and 7 above)
and to/with the little-lamb (the Lord Jesus Christ who is God's son)
are
- the blessing (as verse 12 above)
- and the honor (as verse 12 above)
- and the glory (as verse 12 above)
- and the strongness (the exerted force, power in effect, exerted strength)
  - into the ages of the ages (the durations of lifetimes for/throughout the durations of lifetimes – not only one age or a group of ages, but emphatically for all the durations of life, the entirety, for eternity, forever)";

...and the four living-beings were continuing to say (during a past time, historically, repeating it on several occasions)...

"With-certainty (amen, truly, surely!)";

...and the elders fell down (demonstrating submission and recognition of their superiors) and worshipped (they paid homage to God and to the little-lamb, they were obeisant towards them).

[Reference: Psalm 146:2-6; Matthew 16:27; Acts 7:2 and 55; Romans 6:4, 8:18-25, 11:33-36, 16:27; II Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 1:5; Ephesians 1:3, 17 and 19-23, 3:16 and 21, 6:10; Philippians 2:9-11, 4:19 and 20; Colossians 1:11; I Thessalonians 2:12; I Timothy 1:17, 4:4, 6:13-16; II Timothy 4:18; Titus 2:13; Hebrews chapter 1, 13:20 and 21; James 1:18; I Peter 4:11, 5:10 and 11; Jude 1:24 and 25; Revelation 1:5 and 6, 3:21, 4:9-11. Note: verbs with a superscript 2 (²) immediately following them indicate the "perfect" tense - details are provided in the "Relevant Notes" link of this study.]

At this point, the details of events taking place in heaven as recorded in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 are completed.

Chapter 6 returns to effects or events taking place on earth.

Revelation Chapter 6