Chapter Five

In the last chapter we beheld a scene in heaven, centered upon God on the throne. Here the scene continues to be in heaven, but the central figure changes.

The first thing that John sees is a scroll written on both sides, sealed with seven seals. This is God's plan...all of His plan as we see by the fact that it is filled on both sides. But it cannot be carried out or even revealed, since no one is found who is worthy to break the seals.

What is the purpose of a seal? It can signify ownership, approval or authenticity

Who is worthy to open the scroll? This is the most important question in history. No wonder John wept when no one was worthy to open the seals.

But there was one: the Lion from the tribe of Judah. He has overcome and is worthy. So John turns and sees a lion, right? Wrong. He turns to see a lamb. The Lion who is the Lamb is the Lamb who is the Shepherd. That may be confusing from the world's point of view, but it is no problem for a Christian who is looking for encouragement.

Horns represent power (Zechariah 1: 18-21; Daniel 7:7-8,20-24, 8:5-11,21-22). So seven horns stand for complete power.

When did the praise begin? Was it after the Lamb proved Himself by opening the seals? No, as soon as He took the book, the cherubim and elders fell down and began singing the new song. As soon as Jesus starts something, it's as good as done.

What is the "new song"? Revelation 14:3 refers to "a new song (which) no one could learn" except for those who had come out of the tribulation. This does not mean that only certain ones are permitted to know the words of the song. It simply states the fact that no one can understand (appreciate) the meaning of tribulation unless they have experienced it. Revelation 15:3 mentions the "song of Moses" and the "song of the Lamb." The song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-18) is a song of deliverance sung after God leads the Israelites through the Red Sea and destroys the pursuing enemy. Its message is the same as that of the song of the Lamb in Revelation chapters 5 and 15. God delivers His people and stops the oppressors.

In verse eight the four living beings and the 24 elders fall down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. As this passage clearly states, these bowls are not bowls. They represent the prayers of the saints. So the harps must not be harps. They must simply be more of John's word picture. There are no harps in heaven, just as there are no physical objects of any kind in this spiritual place. We might also mention that it would be rather difficult to bow, hold bowls, hold a harp and play the harp at the same time. In fact, the passage says nothing about playing harps. The very next verse just says that they "sing."

Thousands of thousands of angels join in with seven (notice the number) things that the Lamb is worthy to receive. He is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing. Look at Revelation 7:12, where seven things are attributed to God. With the exception of "riches" in the first list which is replaced with "thanksgiving" in the second, the two are the same. What does this say about the divinity of Jesus?

Toward the close of the chapter every created being joins in the praise, offering four things: blessing, honor, glory and dominion. At the very end the four living creatures and the 24 elders add their approval.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."