Revelation 5:1-14 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

Revelation 5. The Vision of Heaven (continued). Ch. 4 gives us the vision of the majesty and glory of God, ch. 5 the vision of the Lamb standing as though it had been slain. The theme of Revelation 4 is the creative power of God: the theme of Revelation 5 the redemptive power of Christ.

Revelation 5:1. a book: i.e. the book of destiny, containing the secrets of the future, probably in the form of a papyrus roll, sealed with seven seals for the sake of security. The imagery is taken from Ezekiel 2:9. [The view that the book is the book of destiny is probably correct. Huschke, followed by Zahn, J. Weiss, and Clemen, takes it to be a will. Seven witnesses would attest a will, each affixing his seal. Before the will could be executed the seals had to be broken; hence failure to break the seals of the book would mean that the Church could not receive the heavenly inheritance Gunkel thinks the book is a book of magic. A. S. P.]

Revelation 5:2. The angel's challenge to heaven and earth, Who is worthy (i.e. morally fit) to open the book? a challenge which met with no response.

Revelation 5:5. The phrases used in this verse show the writer's familiarity with the details of Messianic prophecy. Lion of the tribe of Judah is from Genesis 49:9, Judah is a lion's whelp, etc., words which were interpreted in a Messianic sense by Jewish commentators. Root of Jesse: cf. Isaiah 11:1, a shoot out of the stock of Jesse.

Revelation 5:6. Note the change from the lion to the lamb. He looked to see a lion and beheld a lamb. He looked to see power and force. and he saw love and gentleness (Stevens NTT, p. 542). The term Lamb (though a different Greek word is used) is applied to Christ in John 1:29; John 1:36; Acts 8:32 (quoted from Is.), 1 Peter 1:19. Probably the metaphor was suggested by the words of Isaiah 53:7, a lamb that is led to the slaughter. having seven horns: horn is used both in OT and NT as the symbol of strength and power, and the phrase describes the all-conquering might of Christ. seven eyes: the eye is the symbol of insight and illumination, and the phrase denotes the fullness of the Divine vision possessed by Christ. sent forth: Christ's vision is not restricted to heaven but extends also over all the earth.

Revelation 5:8. The same kind of adoration which in ch. 4 was bestowed upon God is now extended to the Son. golden bowls full of incense: the incense symbolises the prayers of the saints (cf. Psalms 141:2).

Revelation 5:9. a new song: i.e. the song of redemption, new in contrast to the old song of ch. 4. didst purchase. with thy blood: for this conception of the significance of Christ's death, cf. 1 Corinthians 6:20 *, 1 Corinthians 7:23; Acts 20:28; Revelation 14:3 f.

Revelation 5:10. By a supreme act of self-sacrifice He has purchased men of all races and nationalities for the service of God, founded a vast spiritual empire, and converted human life into a priestly service and a royal dignity (Swete). For the idea cf. Revelation 1:6, Revelation 20:6. Many MSS. read, they are reigning, i.e. the reign of the saints has already commenced.

Revelation 5:11. ten thousand times: cf. Daniel 7:10.

Revelation 5:12. The doxology of the angels to the Lamb. Note the sevenfold honour as in Revelation 7:12.

Revelation 5:13. The doxology of the universe of created things. to him that sitteth. and to the Lamb: observe that in this final doxology God and the Lamb are joined together. The same praise is accorded to the Redeemer as to the Creator (cf. p. 642).

Revelation 5:14. the four living creatures: Revelation 4:6 *. the elders: Revelation 4:4 *.

Related Commentaries of Revelation 5:1

Revelation 5:1-14

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

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

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

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.

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.

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

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,a which are the prayers of saints.

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;

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

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;

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.

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.

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