CHRIS' COMMENTARY NOTES FOR REVELATION CHAPTER 5
Revelation 5: Intro.
Now that John has been raptured into Heaven (Revelation chapter 4), giving us a picture of the Church's rapture to Heaven, we hear about a scroll that will impact the next 6 chapters. Chapter 5 actually gives a glimpse all the way to the “end of the world.” And we see that only Jesus is Worthy, as both the Lion and the Lamb.
It is my OPINION (but still interesting) that the 7 traditional Hebrew feasts match up to events that Jesus has (or will) introduce.
The Rapture is looked at as the Feast of Trumpets, for more see “Seven Feasts”. Also interesting are the differences between “Jesus’ Second Coming vs. the Rapture”.
Now that John has been raptured into Heaven (Revelation chapter 4), giving us a picture of the Church's rapture to Heaven, we hear about a scroll that will impact the next 6 chapters. Chapter 5 actually gives a glimpse all the way to the “end of the world.” And we see that only Jesus is Worthy, as both the Lion and the Lamb.
It is my OPINION (but still interesting) that the 7 traditional Hebrew feasts match up to events that Jesus has (or will) introduce.
The Rapture is looked at as the Feast of Trumpets, for more see “Seven Feasts”. Also interesting are the differences between “Jesus’ Second Coming vs. the Rapture”.
Although any picture will turn out silly looking I think this one from http://poetry.rapgenius.com/Holy-bible-kjv-revelation-6-annotated#note-1546379 is probably a good representation of everything going on Revelation 4-5.
Notes on Revelation 5:1-14
5:1. Right hand. This denotes power. See note on Rev. 1:17 titled, “Right hand” for more.
Him who sat on the throne. This must be God the Father, since “no one has seen God at any time” (John 1:18) it makes sense that the closest description is “like” colors (see Rev. 4:3, titled, “Like a jasper and a sardius stone…rainbow…emerald”) and He calls for someone to open the scroll which can only be done by the “Lion of Judah” who is also the “Lamb”, and therefore must be Jesus Christ.
A scroll written inside and on the back. Interestingly an Israelite who was in debt would have his title deed (written on the inside) and all obligations (on the outside) and sealed 7 times. We’re in debt – only Jesus is “worthy” to remove debt!
The “scroll” may represent the title deed to the earth. Guzik mentions this as an attractive theory but doesn’t commit to it, chiefly because nowhere in his commentary does he talk about Israeli title deed being written on the front and back (see note above). I don’t think Guzik had heard about the title deed and therefore couldn’t make the complete connection. The title deed theory is good “because the coming time of tribulation will end with Jesus ruling on earth” backed up by Jeremiah 32:6-15. The one problem Guzik has with this theory is, when did the Father every ‘lose’ the title deed to earth? (Source 1). My answer to this is that sin removed the perfection from the earth so maybe it’s not that God “lost” the title deed (since He is holding it) but that only a qualified, worthy notary is able to open the scroll. Guzik makes a great point that “the emphasis is not on the content of the scroll, but on its seals and the One who worthy to take it” (Source 1).
In Greek it's biblion (G975) and means "a small book, a scroll, a written document." Thayers says "the last of whom God has appointed to eternal salvation" (Source 2).
Guzik gives 6 theories about what is written on the scroll that scholars have had over the centuries (such as: the Old Testament & New Testament, a certificate of divorce [which has grounds in that the word used for “scroll” is also used for “certificate of divorce” in the Old Testament] and text of the book of Revelation). All of these fall short when asked, “why can only Jesus open that?” Guzik (quoting Barclay, Walvoord, Clarke and Poole) thinks the best theory (and it’s just that since we don’t emphatically know from the Scriptures) is that the scroll contains “‘God's will, his final settlement of the affairs of the universe’” (Source 1). Finally, Halley's makes the simple yet profound statement that "the sealed book held the secrets of the future" (Source 3, p. 709). With this thought in mind it seems that in one sense the scroll is not still sealed (in that we have been given a glimpse at the future) but in another sense the “un-sealing” has not happened in our space-time continuum (Rev. chapter 6-11 haven’t happened yet).
Sealed with seven seals. See note directly above (“A scroll written inside and on the back”) for how a title deed was sealed seven times.
5:2. Strong angel. This could be Gabriel, whose name means “strength from God.”
5:3. In heaven or on the earth or under the earth. Guzik says this means “the entire universe” because the point is that nothing within the created order of things can open the scroll, only the Creator (Source 1). MacArthur agrees, saying this is “a common biblical expression denoting the entire universe and not intended to teach 3 precise divisions” (Source 4, p. 1999).
5:4. I wept much. In order to know exactly why John was crying we would have to know exactly what was in the scroll. We do not know this so we don't know exactly why John was crying. But one thing is for sure John knew the importance of whatever was inside the scroll and it moved him to weeping.
Michael Defazio takes N.T. Wright’s view that the scroll contained God’s “‘plan of salvation, the divine purpose for recreating the whole cosmos’, so Defazio concludes that John was saddened because individuals, the seven churches and in fact the whole world was so close to finding purpose in life yet unable to know it, if no one could open the scroll (Source 5).
Guzik says, “John's weeping is either because a previous promise to see the future may now be denied (Revelation 4:1), or more likely, because the consummation of history is now indefinitely postponed” (Source 1).
No one was found worthy. This is our condition!
5:5. Do not weep. There is always hope when it comes to Jesus!
The Lion of the tribe of Judah. Jesus’ humanity comes from Abraham, through the line of Judah. In Genesis 49 when Jacob blesses his twelve tribes, he also gives descriptions of the men and their people. Judah is covered in Genesis 49:8-12 and he is called a “lion’s welp” along with being the “lawgiver.” Verses 10-12 are specifically Messianic.
The Root of David. Recognizing that Jesus not only must come from Judah (see note above, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah”) but He also must be through the line of David. It is interesting that David is the paternal “root” that the Messiah must come from but the Messiah is the “Root” that created all beings (John 1:3; see Rev. 3:14 note, “the Beginning of the creation of God”) and is therefore also the “Root of David”!
Has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. Just like in Rev. 5:7 (see note titled, “Took the scroll out of the right hand of Him”) Jesus is viewed and exalted for doing something before He has actually done it. When God has started something it is so sure that he will complete it that one can use past tense to describe it.
5:6. Stood a Lamb as though it had been slain. John got the distinct impression that Jesus was like a Lamb that had been sacrificed and died. But then how could it be “standing”? Furthermore how could it have all power and knowledge (see note below titled, “seven horns and seven eyes” for that meaning)?
seven horns and seven eyes. The seven horns and the seven eyes are representative of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has seven characteristics as mentioned in Rev. 1:4 (see note titled, “Seven Spirits”) and Is.11:2. In the Bible a horn always represents power, so seven horns is perfect power or all-powerful. The eyes represent seeing and knowledge, seven eyes means perfect and complete knowledge. In summation, "he knows the future, and is able to control it" (Source 3, p. 709).
Send out into all the earth. As mentioned above the Holy Spirit is all seeing, for our understanding he has been sent out and seen every square inch of the earth and has perfect knowledge.
5:7. Took the scroll out of the right hand of Him. Jesus only takes the scroll out of the Father's hand but that produces rapturous praise from the created beings. Only Jesus, the Son, could approach the Father in this way. Jesus hasn't even opened the scroll but the new song that is sung is that He is able to open the scroll, Jesus' power is amazing in that He is God!
Revelation 5:8-10. The “the song of redemption”, according to MacArthur, the 24 elders seated around God are singing this song (Source 4, p. 1998). Also see note on Rev. 5:9 titled, “New song”.
5:8. Golden bowls of incense. The Bible being its own best commentary tells us in the next phrase that these are the prayers of Christians. Psalm 141:2 & 2 Corinthians 2:15 says that the prayers of believers are like a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. If we have a boring prayer life - this should change it! How important are our prayers to the Lord and yet so often we neglect them or see no power in them.
5:9. New song. The characters that we have met, the four creatures and the 24 elders, now sing a new song that has never been sung before. Halley’s says that the “redemption song” is considered “new” in comparison to the “creation song” (Source 3, p. 710). It is interesting that the four creatures (angels) are involved in a song of redemption and sing “have redeemed us”. Jesus only died for sinful humans, but His redemption extends to all of creation, and since angels are created they are covered under this umbrella.
5:11. Number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand. MacArthur explains that this represents a number “beyond calculation.” It is used in Luke 12:1 and Hebrews 12:22 as “‘innumerable’” (Source 4, p. 1999). Halley’s calls the number “a hundred million angels” (Source 3, p. 710).
5:13. Every creature. John has obviously skipped ahead quite a bit because now every created thing is giving God praise. In v. 14 we see this happens "forever and ever" so it's apparent that the remainder of Revelation will fill in the blanks of what happened in-between John going into heaven and every creature praising God eternally.
Him who sits on the throne…the Lamb. Both the Father ("Him who sits on the throne") and Son ("the Lamb") are glorified.
5:14. Amen. See note on Rev. 3:14 titled, “The Amen” for what this means.
References:
Source 1: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_5.cfm?a=117200
Source 2: Thayers, http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G975&t=KJV
Source 3: Halley's Bible Handbook.
Source 4, John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible.
Source 5: Michael Defazio, "Why Is John Crying in Revelation 5?", http://michaeldefazio.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/why-is-john-crying-revelation-5
5:1. Right hand. This denotes power. See note on Rev. 1:17 titled, “Right hand” for more.
Him who sat on the throne. This must be God the Father, since “no one has seen God at any time” (John 1:18) it makes sense that the closest description is “like” colors (see Rev. 4:3, titled, “Like a jasper and a sardius stone…rainbow…emerald”) and He calls for someone to open the scroll which can only be done by the “Lion of Judah” who is also the “Lamb”, and therefore must be Jesus Christ.
A scroll written inside and on the back. Interestingly an Israelite who was in debt would have his title deed (written on the inside) and all obligations (on the outside) and sealed 7 times. We’re in debt – only Jesus is “worthy” to remove debt!
The “scroll” may represent the title deed to the earth. Guzik mentions this as an attractive theory but doesn’t commit to it, chiefly because nowhere in his commentary does he talk about Israeli title deed being written on the front and back (see note above). I don’t think Guzik had heard about the title deed and therefore couldn’t make the complete connection. The title deed theory is good “because the coming time of tribulation will end with Jesus ruling on earth” backed up by Jeremiah 32:6-15. The one problem Guzik has with this theory is, when did the Father every ‘lose’ the title deed to earth? (Source 1). My answer to this is that sin removed the perfection from the earth so maybe it’s not that God “lost” the title deed (since He is holding it) but that only a qualified, worthy notary is able to open the scroll. Guzik makes a great point that “the emphasis is not on the content of the scroll, but on its seals and the One who worthy to take it” (Source 1).
In Greek it's biblion (G975) and means "a small book, a scroll, a written document." Thayers says "the last of whom God has appointed to eternal salvation" (Source 2).
Guzik gives 6 theories about what is written on the scroll that scholars have had over the centuries (such as: the Old Testament & New Testament, a certificate of divorce [which has grounds in that the word used for “scroll” is also used for “certificate of divorce” in the Old Testament] and text of the book of Revelation). All of these fall short when asked, “why can only Jesus open that?” Guzik (quoting Barclay, Walvoord, Clarke and Poole) thinks the best theory (and it’s just that since we don’t emphatically know from the Scriptures) is that the scroll contains “‘God's will, his final settlement of the affairs of the universe’” (Source 1). Finally, Halley's makes the simple yet profound statement that "the sealed book held the secrets of the future" (Source 3, p. 709). With this thought in mind it seems that in one sense the scroll is not still sealed (in that we have been given a glimpse at the future) but in another sense the “un-sealing” has not happened in our space-time continuum (Rev. chapter 6-11 haven’t happened yet).
Sealed with seven seals. See note directly above (“A scroll written inside and on the back”) for how a title deed was sealed seven times.
5:2. Strong angel. This could be Gabriel, whose name means “strength from God.”
5:3. In heaven or on the earth or under the earth. Guzik says this means “the entire universe” because the point is that nothing within the created order of things can open the scroll, only the Creator (Source 1). MacArthur agrees, saying this is “a common biblical expression denoting the entire universe and not intended to teach 3 precise divisions” (Source 4, p. 1999).
5:4. I wept much. In order to know exactly why John was crying we would have to know exactly what was in the scroll. We do not know this so we don't know exactly why John was crying. But one thing is for sure John knew the importance of whatever was inside the scroll and it moved him to weeping.
Michael Defazio takes N.T. Wright’s view that the scroll contained God’s “‘plan of salvation, the divine purpose for recreating the whole cosmos’, so Defazio concludes that John was saddened because individuals, the seven churches and in fact the whole world was so close to finding purpose in life yet unable to know it, if no one could open the scroll (Source 5).
Guzik says, “John's weeping is either because a previous promise to see the future may now be denied (Revelation 4:1), or more likely, because the consummation of history is now indefinitely postponed” (Source 1).
No one was found worthy. This is our condition!
5:5. Do not weep. There is always hope when it comes to Jesus!
The Lion of the tribe of Judah. Jesus’ humanity comes from Abraham, through the line of Judah. In Genesis 49 when Jacob blesses his twelve tribes, he also gives descriptions of the men and their people. Judah is covered in Genesis 49:8-12 and he is called a “lion’s welp” along with being the “lawgiver.” Verses 10-12 are specifically Messianic.
The Root of David. Recognizing that Jesus not only must come from Judah (see note above, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah”) but He also must be through the line of David. It is interesting that David is the paternal “root” that the Messiah must come from but the Messiah is the “Root” that created all beings (John 1:3; see Rev. 3:14 note, “the Beginning of the creation of God”) and is therefore also the “Root of David”!
Has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. Just like in Rev. 5:7 (see note titled, “Took the scroll out of the right hand of Him”) Jesus is viewed and exalted for doing something before He has actually done it. When God has started something it is so sure that he will complete it that one can use past tense to describe it.
5:6. Stood a Lamb as though it had been slain. John got the distinct impression that Jesus was like a Lamb that had been sacrificed and died. But then how could it be “standing”? Furthermore how could it have all power and knowledge (see note below titled, “seven horns and seven eyes” for that meaning)?
seven horns and seven eyes. The seven horns and the seven eyes are representative of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has seven characteristics as mentioned in Rev. 1:4 (see note titled, “Seven Spirits”) and Is.11:2. In the Bible a horn always represents power, so seven horns is perfect power or all-powerful. The eyes represent seeing and knowledge, seven eyes means perfect and complete knowledge. In summation, "he knows the future, and is able to control it" (Source 3, p. 709).
Send out into all the earth. As mentioned above the Holy Spirit is all seeing, for our understanding he has been sent out and seen every square inch of the earth and has perfect knowledge.
5:7. Took the scroll out of the right hand of Him. Jesus only takes the scroll out of the Father's hand but that produces rapturous praise from the created beings. Only Jesus, the Son, could approach the Father in this way. Jesus hasn't even opened the scroll but the new song that is sung is that He is able to open the scroll, Jesus' power is amazing in that He is God!
Revelation 5:8-10. The “the song of redemption”, according to MacArthur, the 24 elders seated around God are singing this song (Source 4, p. 1998). Also see note on Rev. 5:9 titled, “New song”.
5:8. Golden bowls of incense. The Bible being its own best commentary tells us in the next phrase that these are the prayers of Christians. Psalm 141:2 & 2 Corinthians 2:15 says that the prayers of believers are like a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. If we have a boring prayer life - this should change it! How important are our prayers to the Lord and yet so often we neglect them or see no power in them.
5:9. New song. The characters that we have met, the four creatures and the 24 elders, now sing a new song that has never been sung before. Halley’s says that the “redemption song” is considered “new” in comparison to the “creation song” (Source 3, p. 710). It is interesting that the four creatures (angels) are involved in a song of redemption and sing “have redeemed us”. Jesus only died for sinful humans, but His redemption extends to all of creation, and since angels are created they are covered under this umbrella.
5:11. Number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand. MacArthur explains that this represents a number “beyond calculation.” It is used in Luke 12:1 and Hebrews 12:22 as “‘innumerable’” (Source 4, p. 1999). Halley’s calls the number “a hundred million angels” (Source 3, p. 710).
5:13. Every creature. John has obviously skipped ahead quite a bit because now every created thing is giving God praise. In v. 14 we see this happens "forever and ever" so it's apparent that the remainder of Revelation will fill in the blanks of what happened in-between John going into heaven and every creature praising God eternally.
Him who sits on the throne…the Lamb. Both the Father ("Him who sits on the throne") and Son ("the Lamb") are glorified.
5:14. Amen. See note on Rev. 3:14 titled, “The Amen” for what this means.
References:
Source 1: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_5.cfm?a=117200
Source 2: Thayers, http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G975&t=KJV
Source 3: Halley's Bible Handbook.
Source 4, John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible.
Source 5: Michael Defazio, "Why Is John Crying in Revelation 5?", http://michaeldefazio.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/why-is-john-crying-revelation-5