Revelation 5:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And I saw in the right hand, &c.— Future events are supposed by St. John, as well as by Daniel and other prophets, in a beautiful figure, to be registered in a book, for the greater certainty of them. This book is in the right hand of God, to denote that as he alone directs the affairs of futurity, so he alone is ableto reveal them. This book, through the abundance of the matter, was written within and on the back side, as the roll of the book which was spread before Ezekiel, (ii. 10.) was written within and without. Lucian, in like manner, mentions books written on the backs, or outer side: see also Juvenal, sat. Revelation 1:5. Grotius and others would have it written within and on the back side, sealed, &c. It was sealed to signify that the divine plans were inscrutable, Isaiah 29:11 and sealed with seven seals, referring to so many signal periods of prophesy. In short, we should conceive of this book, that it was such a one as the ancients used,—a volume, or roll of a book, or, more properly a volume, consisting of seven volumes; so that the opening of one seal laid open the contents of only one volume. All creatures are challenged, Revelation 5:2 to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof; but, Revelation 5:3 no one, (ουδεις,) in heaven, or earth; or under the earth;—neither angels, nor men, nor departed spirits, were any of them qualified to comprehend or communicate the secret designs of God. St. John wept much at the disappointment, Revelation 5:4 however, he is comforted, Revelation 5:5 with the assurance, that still there was one who had power and authority to reveal and accomplish the counsels of God,—the Son of God: and he alone was found worthy to be the great Revealer and Interpreter of his Father's oracles, Revelation 5:6, &c. and he obtainedthis privilege by the merits of his sufferings and death: whereupon, the whole church, Revelation 5:8, &c. and all angels, Revelation 5:11, &c. and all creatures, Revelation 5:13, &c. sing praises to God and the Lamb, for such glorious manifestations of divine providence and grace. All this is by way of preface or introduction, to shew the great dignity, importance, and excellence of the prophesies here delivered.