Revelation 5

After the description of him that sat upon the throne, the Apostle rehearseth the conditions of the sealed Book, that was in his hand, 1. Which seeing no Creature in heaven and earth was able to open it, 3. The Lion of the Tribe of Juda only is declared to be worthy of it , 5. Who receives the book out of his hand, 7. Whereupon the four beasts with the twenty four Elders do praise his worthiness, 8. Which the multitude of Angels also do acknowledge by their Hymns, 11. And all the creatures in heaven and earth, bear a part in it.

1. And I saw in [The Greek particle epi is otherwise also rendered at; but by ver. 7. It appears, that here it is better rendered in] the right (hand) of him that sat upon the throne, a book written within and without, [or within and on the backside. Hence it appears that this book was made up of a roll, written on both sides, such as were much in use among the ancients. See examples Psalms 40:8. And Zach. 5. 1.] sealed with seven seales. [Some do understand this of the Book of the Old and New Testament; yet seeing here a Revelation is spoken of concerning things to come, which God gave unto Jesus Christ, to make it known afterwards unto John, as is showed forth in this chapter, therefore we do more fitly understand it of the Book of God’s gorvening his Church, and of his Judgements against the enemies thereof; which is also further manifest by the successive opening of the several seals, one after another, and the ensuing Revelation of the same.]

2. And I saw a strong Angel proclaiming wit a great voice; [That by his strong cry he might be heard the better by every one, all the world over. And this attribute of strong, is given to all the Angels of God, Psal. 103. 20.] who is worthy to open the book, and to break open his seals? [i.e. who hath most authority and right, most might and abilities to do the same.]

3. And none in heaven nor on earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, nor to look (in) it. [viz. for to impart the contents thereof unto John, and by him to the whole Church of their Comfort and warning, according to their former promise, chapter 1. 1.]

4. And I wept much, that none was found worthy to open and read that book, nor to look (in) the same [viz. because he feared, the promise formerly made to him, would by reason hereof not be perfomed this good while yet, which nevertheless he longed so much after.]

5. And one of the Elders said to me, [He namely, to whom he then stood nearest] weep not, behold the Lion that is of the Tribe of Juda, [so Christ is called by Jacob’s blessing upon Juda, Genesis 49:9. And that by reason of his Royal and conquering power over the Devil, World, Sin and Death] the root of David. [As he is stiled likewise below chapter 22. 16. And thus Christ is termed as sprung forth out of the seed of David, and promised also by this Name, Isaiah 53:2.] hath overcome, for to open the book, and to break open the seals thereof.

6. And I saw, and behold , in the midst of the throne, and in the midst of the four beasts, and in the midst of the Elders a Lamb [Thus Christ is represented here, because the Paschal-Lamb and others, which were daily offered for sin, Exodus 29:38. Were shadows of Christ, as he is also expressly called, Isaiah 53:7. See likewise, John 1:29. Standing as slain, [or having been slain. The particle as, some do take to imply the truth of the matter, as it is taken John 1:14. And elsewhere. Others take it only for a similitude, so that Christ in this Vision, glorified on the Throne of his Father, should yet have born those marks of his wounds and sufferings, which he had born formerly for us here on earth, according as he did likewise, Luke 24:40. And John 20:27.] having seven horns, and seven eyes; [hereby is figured out the holy Ghost, whom Christ received without measure, John 3:34. By whom also he executes his providence in the Government of his Church] which are the seven spirits of God, [i.e. the fullness of the holy Ghost. See the reason of this manner of speaking, chapter 1. 4.] which are sent forth into all lands, [Gr. Sent forth into all, (or every) land, or earth. These words are taken out of Zach. 3. 9. Where seven eyes are engraven into the stone, whereon God built his Temple under Joshua, which (chap. 4. 10. Of the same prophecy) are declared, to be the eyes of God, going throughout the land, or earth, that is to say, this providence and spirit, whereby he governs the world, and more specially his Church.]

7. And it came [viz. as a Mediator betwixt God and man] and took the book out of the right (hand) of him that sat upon the Throne.

8. And when it had taken that book, [viz. for to open the seals thereof, and to reveal the contents thereof, as chapter 6. 1. And onward to the end of the whole Revelation] than the four beasts, and the four and twenty Elders fell (down) before the Lamb, [in like manner as they had done formerly, chapter 4. 10. Before him that sat upon the throne; whereby they manifested, that they acknowledge him also for the only true God, of the same Essence and glory with the Father; as the Angels likewise and the rest of the creatures, do yield him the same honour, which they give to God the Father] having each Harps and golden vials, being full of incense, [viz. such as the Priests and Levites were wont to use in the Temple. Of the Harps, as Instruments of Music, wherewith they lifted up their hearts and praised God, we read frequently in the Psalms of David: of vials, potts, or vessels for incense, see 2 Chron. 4. 22. Zach. 14. 20. By which incense are signified the prayers, which ascended up to God, and were acceptable to him in Christ, as is to be seen, Psalms 141:2.] where are the prayers of the Saints. [i.e. which do signify the prayers of the Saints. And here regard is had to the practice in the Old Testament: for as the Priest daily, and the High Priest once a year, offered up incense before God, Jointly with the blood of the sacrifices, Leviticus 16:13. Hebrews 9:4. Etc to show thereby, that they as Leaders of the Church, and together with the Church of the old Testament, did address their prayers and thanksgiving unto God. So here is represented unto us, that the Leaders of both the Old and New Testament, together in the Triumphant Church in Heaven, do likewise jointly present their prayers and thanksgiving before God in Christ: as together with these four beasts and twenty four Elders, there are likewise comprehended all the rest of the saints in heaven according to the contents of the Hymn, set down and recorded in the next verse, and more fully explained, ch. 6. 10. And 7. 9, 10, 15 and 8. 3.]

9. And they sung a new song, [Made altogether after a new manner, and containing a new matter also, as Psalms 33:3. Isaiah 42:10.] saying thou art worthy to take that book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou as slain and hast bought us unto God with thy blood, [Gr. In thy blood, i.e. by, or with the same] out of every family, and tongue, and people, and nation.

10. And thou hast made us unto God, Kings and Priests: [See above chapter 1. 6.] and we shall reign as Kings upon earth. [Some do understand this of the Reign of the saints here on earth, during the thousand years spoken of below, chapter 20. See there what may serve against this opinion. Others would understand it of a certain sway and government, which the saints in heaven should be exercising there now over the people upon earth: but this is repugnant to other places of scripture, 2 Kin. 22. 10. See John 14:23. Isaiah 63:16. And here express mention is made, not of any present, but of a future Dominion, which should come to pass then, when the said saints shall come, to sit upon thrones with Christ at his last coming, for to judge the world then and the Angels themselves, Matthew 19:28. Luke 22:30. 1 Cor. 6. 3. And when the new heavens and the new earth shall be, wherein righteousness shall inhabit, 2 Pet. 3. 13. See also Matthew 5:5.]

11. And I saw, and I heard a voice of many Angels round about the Throne, and the beasts, and the Elders; and their number was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousand times thousands. [This is taken out of Daniel chapter 7. 10. Whereby the glory and power of God and Christ is held forth, they being attended with innumerable Ministers.]

12. Saying with a great voice, the Lamb that is slain, is worthy to receive the power, [Not, as if he had it not already; for he was exalted above every Name in Heaven and on earth, Philippians 2:9. But this must be understood, of the acknowledgement of all these Attributes, which all the Creatures should testify at last, as is further expressed hereafter] and richness, and wisdom, [for in him are hidden all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3.] and strength, and honour, and glory, and thankgiving. [Gr. Blessing, as also in the next verse.]

13. And every Creature, that is in heaven, and upon the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that is in the same, [Meaning and comprehending all creatures whatsoever, animate and inanimate; all and every one of them, containing and affording matter and cause of praising and glorifying Christ, Psalms 148:1. Etc. Others do understand by those which are under the earth, the dead ones in their graves, who in due time shall rise again out of them] heard I say; unto him that sitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb, be the thanksgiving, and the honour, and the glory, and the power into all eternity. [Gr. Into the eternities of eternities.]

14. And the four beasts said, Amen. [See chapter 1. 7.] and the four and twenty Elders fell down, and worshipped him that liveth into all Eternity.