Revelation 5

Revelation 5:1

IN the right hand of him] Gr. at his right hand: Neer unto him, so as none might lay hand on it, and meddle with it, without his Ieave. Here it is manifest, that God appeared unto John in the form of a man. Or, the book is in his right hand, to shew, that none can know what is written in it, without his leave: Deuteronomy 29:29. Acts 1:7.

him that sat] Of whom, see chap. 4. 2.

a book] An history of things concerning the Church of God till Christs second coming, as appeareth at the opening of the seals.

written within and without] Gr. on the back side. The matter was so copious, that the inside of the book could not hold it; Ezekiel 2:10. A phrase taken from the manner of writing in rolls of parchment or paper; which, when the matter was so large as it could not be all written on the one side, they were fain sometime to write on the backside the residue. Some think, the things present were written on the one side, and the things to come on the other. Or, written within, and on the back side sealed, &c. So that the matter was written within, and the seals where with it was sealed up, affixed on the outside; to shew, that none could look into it, or by humane wisedom come to know what was contained in it: 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 2:11. See Isaiah 29:11. Jeremiah 22:11. Daniel 12:2.

with seven seals] It was divided into seven parts, and every part had a seal; as appeareth by the opening of each seal.

Revelation 5:2

a strong angel] It may be the angel mentioned, chap. 1. 1. whom Christ appointed to reveal these things to John, He is said to be strong, that he might speak so loud, that all men might hear him.

Who is, &c.] This sheweth the great desire the angels have to search into those things which concern the Church; 1 Peter 1:12.

Who is worthy] A free essay offered to all; but great worth required in him that should attempt it. The like speeches are used, Jeremiah 49:19. Matthew 14:45. 2 Corinthians 2:16.

Revelation 5:3

no man in heaven, &c.] That is, no man at all; for all men are in one of these places, v. 13. Phil. 2. 10. The angel taketh their not answering, or not appearing, for an acknowledgement of their inability, or indignity, or both. So Isai. 41. 28, 29.

to look thereon] Or, therein. For John looked on it, v. 1. The sense is: No man was judged worthy to know or publish these great mysteries.

Revelation 5:4

I wept much] John thought them to be weighty, and therefore grieveth much that they may not be made known.

Revelation 5:5

one of the elders] One of the elders is employed to comfort John. Mean persons sometimes are used for the benefit and support of greater, Acts 18:26. So an angel is sent to strengthen Christ, Luke 22. 43.

the lion of the tribe of Judah] Christ, the Messias, the powerfull King of the Church; Genesis 49:9.

the Root of David] One of the seed of David, Matthew 1:1. Romans 1:3. Not the root from whence David sprang, but a branch that sprang from David, as from a root, Isaiah 11:1. Acts 13:23. Chap. 22. 16. and yet from whom, as from a root or a branch that both hath a principle of life in it, and a power to convey the same also to others, life and health spirituall accrue also to David; Matthew 22:43.

hath prevailed] Is able to do it; both to dive himself into it, and the mysteries contained in it, and to make them known to others; John 5:20. But spoken, as of one that hath attained to do that which many have in vain strived to attain. Gr. overcome.

Revelation 5:6

in the midst of the throne] Or, within the compasse of it; between the throne and the four wights. See notes on chap. 4. 6. Christ standeth between God and us, as a mediatour, 1 Timothy 2:5.

a lamb] Willingly submitting himself to God the Father, to be a sacrifice for us, John 1:29. 1 Peter 1:19.

As it had been slain] By some resemblance of his wounds, or the scar of some deadly wound; as John 20:25; John 20:27. This signifieth his perpetuall intercession for us, by the vertue of his death, Romans 8:34. Heb. 9. 12, 25. and 10. 24.

having seven horns, and seven eyes] Protecting and guiding his Church, by the power and wisedom of his Spirit, shewed in the gifts given to his servants on earth. Seven, a number of perfection. Horns signifie power, Daniel 7:24. eyes, knowledge or wisedom, Isaiah 35:5. Both joyned together, argue a fulnesse and perfection of power, Matth 28. 18. and wisedom in Christ; Colossians 2:3; Colossians 2:9. So that we have here a lively representation of the threefold office of Christ. His sacerdotall, or priestly, in the lamb as slain: his royall or prinely, in the horns, his propheticall office, in the eyes.

seven Spirits] See notes on chap. 1. 4.

sent out] To descrie what is done, enterprised, or intended in any part of the world, that is or may be advantagious for, or prejudiciall to the good and safety of his Church; Proverbs 15:3. 2 Chronicles 16:9. Zechariah 4:10.

Revelation 5:7

took the book] To unseal it, and publish the contents of it; chap. 6 1.

Revelation 5:8

when he had taken the book] The worthinesse of the Lamb to take the book, and hope of publishing it, is the occasion of the following song.

the four beasts] Or, living wights; as chap. 4. 6. First, the ministers and people of God, who have a share in the benefits following, praise Christ their Saviour: then the angels, who shall enjoy their society for ever, v. 11. lastly, all creatures, which shall be freed from vanity also, Romans 8:20-21. v. 13. In the end, the ministers, as be fitteth them, confirm the song of the angels and creatures with a verbal Amen, and the people with a reall one, v. 14.

fell down before the Lamb] Worshipped him, as God. See v. 10.

harps] These instruments, and their song, shew their cheerfull thankfulnesse. So chap. 15. 2, 3. An allusion to the solemn service of God in the ancient Church; 1 Chronicles 25, 3, 6, 7. Psalms 98:5.

golden vials] An allusion to the censers or perfuming pots used in the tabernacle and temple, Numbers 4:14. 1 Kings 7:50. Said to be of gold, such as those were that belonged to the altar of incense, called the golden altar, chap. 8. 2. 1 Kings 7:50. Hebrews 9:4. for the other, belonging to the altar of burnt-offerings, were of brasse, Numbers 16:39. as the altar also it self was, Exodus 27:2. 2 Chronicles 4:1.

full of odours] Containing matter of atonement and gracious acceptance; as Exodus 30:2.-10. Numbers 16:46; Numbers 16:48. not of wrath and indignation, as those, chap. 8. 5. and 15. 7. See chap. 8. 4. Or, of incense: The prayers of Gods people, which are sweet to him, as incense is to us. An allusion to the incense offered on the golden altar, Exodus 30:1; Exodus 30:3. Psalms 141:2. Malachi 1:11. Revelation 1:3.

of saints] This sheweth, that the living wights and elders represent the ministers and people worshipping God here on earth, their spirituall employment being to offer up unto God prayers, Heb, 13 15.

Revelation 5:9

a new song] Made on occasion of a new benefit; Psalms 33:3. and Psalms 40:3. and Psalms 96:1. and 98. 1.

for thou wast slain] We have reason to account thee worthy to do it, because thou hast shed thy Blood to redeem us and prefer us; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

redeemed us] It appeareth that those four living wights do not represent the angels, as those, Ezekiel 1:5. but men redeemed by the Blood of Christ, 1 Peter 1:18-19. Acts 20:28.

out of every kinred] No nation, sex, sort of men, state or condition, being excluded from salvation purchased by Christ; 2 Corinthians 12:13. Galatians 3:28. Colossians 3:11. Chap. 7. 9.

Revelation 5:10

kings and priests] 1 Pet. 2. 9. See notes on chap. 1. 6.

we shall reign on earth] Over our spirituall enemies, Satan, the world, and our own lusts, even in this world, while we live here; chap. 12. 11. Romans 16:20. 1 John 5:4. Titus 2:12. Or, it may signifie the prosperous times of the Church under Christian kings and emperours; Daniel 7:27. Psalms 37:11. Matthew 5:5. Hence it appeareth also, that the living wights are ministers, and the elders people, in the visible Church here on earth.

Revelation 5:11

round about the throne] God is attended by millions of angels, as kings are by many nobles and attendants, Daniel 7:10.

and the beasts] Or, living wights; as before. The angels compasse Gods ministers about also, and his people, to protect them, Psalms 34:7. and 91. 11, 12. Chap. 4. 6.

ten thousand times ten thousand] Daniel 7:10.

Revelation 5:12

to receive power] To have all honour and praise given to him, as to the mightiest, wisest, &c. as chap. 4. 11. and 7. 12.

Revelation 5:13

And every creature] A catholike confession of Christs divine nature and power. The unreasonable and senslesse creatures are brought in as persons praising him; which they ought to do, if they could; as Psalms 148:3. and in some sort do it, by their course constantly continued wherein he hath setled them, their serviceablenesse to himself, and to those that be his, Psal. 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. and 119. 90, 91. and 104. 2. 18. 8. and 148. 8. and withall rejoycing in their hopefull expectation of delivery from that vanity which they are now subject unto, Romans 8:21.

and unto the Lamb] The saints speak unto Christ directly: Thou art worthy, v. 9. for they had a part in redemption, and things revealed. But the angels and others speak of him, as of one worthy to be praised for doing this for others: Worthy is the Lamb, v. 12. and, Unto the Lamb, v. 13.

Revelation 5:14

four beasts] Or, living wights. It became the ministers first, and in expresse words, to give consent to this heavenly and earthly musick.

fell down] Thus they really, by silent, but pregnant signes, shew their consent. So chap. 4. 10. They fell down once before, v. 8. but it seemeth they rose again, when they had done and finished their song, v. 9, 10.