Revelation 5

Revelation 5:1-2

In the foregoing chapter the prepolitical same was opened in the sight and hearing of the apostle. He saw God on the throne of glory and government, surrounded with his holy men, and receiving their adorations. Now the comodo and decrees of God are set before the apostle, as in a book, which God held in his right hand; and this book is represented, 1. As sealed in the hand of God, from ver. 1—6. 2. As taken into the hand of Christ the Redeemer, to be unsealed and opened, from ver. 6, to the end.

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

Strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the feals 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 faith 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 feals thereof.

We have here,

1. The prophetic scheme, which was in the hand of him that sat on the throne, containing the events which in succeeding ages should be held his church. It was written within and on the landside, like Ezekiel’s roll. Or, on the landside may be joined with the following clause, as stated there with seven seals; not probably all on the outside, but as there were seven permanent rolls, one under the other, when the first seal was opened, and the volume unrolled, then the second seal and volume appeared. Known to God from the beginning are all his works, but they are inscrutable by us, till in his word he is pleased to reveal his designs, or by his providence to accomplish his eternal purpose.

2. The proclamation issued forth by a strong angel: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the feals thereof? but no creature was found in heaven, earth, or hell, capable of penetrating into the divine decrees, or of foretelling the events of futurity. That is God’s prerogative alone.

3. The grief of the apostle at finding no creature who dared essay the arduous task. He wept bitterly, that he could not gain a knowledge of the things contained in the book, apprehending them to be of signal importance.

4. One of the elders kindly observed his tears, and cheered his afflicted tears, saying, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the mighty Lord and Saviour, the rest of David, not only after the first his offspring, but, as God, the source of all honour and blessedness to his people, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. Note, God’s people are often needlessly afflicting themselves with tears: were their eyes more fearfully fixed upon their great Redeemer, their tears never need to flow.

Revelation 5:4-8

4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6. Of the tribe of Afer were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephithalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manafies were sealed twelve thousand. 7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Ifachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Jokph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

The faints, who are here sealed out of the twelve tribes, are the emblems of the elect of God out of all nations in all ages. The tribes of Dan and Ephraim, as ringholders in idolatry, are omitted, a brand of just reproach being set upon them for such apology from God. Note, God’s people are sealed ones; he knoweth those that are his.

9. After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which fitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God; 12. Saying, Amen: Bleffing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:6-14

Behold, the wonderful personage appears, alone found worthy to unloose the feals, and unfold this sacred volume.

1. He is described, as a Lamb that had been faim, and by his own blood having taken away the lips of the world, found as our great High-priest, just before the throne, within the circle of the elders and the living creatures, as the admonary of his redeemed, and ever pleading the oblation, he once offered in his own body on the tree. He had seven hours, deserving the perfection of his power and dominion as the universal king over his church, to protect his people, and push his enemies for his death conducted them: and his seven eyes, which are the seven fingers of

God fear forth into all the earth, represent the treasures of wisdom, grace, and knowledge, which as the great prophet he possesses, and dispenses to all his ministers and members, according to their various wants. He came, as fully qualified in the virtue of his all-sufficient merit, and took the back out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne, who readily gave it to him, acknowledging thereby, that he was worthy to unloose the feals, and reveal the mysterious contents.

2. Instantly all heaven refounds with praise; the church triumphant in heaven begin the song, angels repeat the sound, and every creature joins the sacred choir, and echoes loud allelujans.

[1.] The four beasts and four and twenty elders fall down before the Lamb with humble adoration, their hearts, like their golden lyres, tuned to their Redeemer’s praise, and vials full of the most grateful incense, even the prayers of the saints, breathed before him their favor pertains. Gained in sacred choirs, high they raised their voices, and uttered this most glorious song, saying, ‘You are worthy to take the lead, and to open the foot thereof; qualified fully for the discharge of thy mediatorial office; for then wait again, for our transgressions, and hast redeemed us to God by thy hand, out of every hundred, and tongue, and people, and nation; that we thy chosen might be delivered from the bondage of sin, Satan, and death, and rebound to favour and communion with the Most High; and hast made us unto our God, now reconciled in a covenant of everlasting love, kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth, exalted to the highest dignity and honour, and raised superior to all our spiritual enemies. Who can without some glove of the same sacred rapture read their song, or not long to join with them before the throne?

[2.] The angels, who, without the living creatures and the elders, in shining ranks innumerable compelled the thorns, joined their adorations, and cried, Worthy is the Lamb that was faim, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

[3.] The whole creation echoes back the sound. All in heaven, earth, or sea, whether angels, the spirits of the just departed, the living here below, creatures animate or inanimate, all, all utter forth their united praises, saying, blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that attests upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever! The same divine glory is ascribed to each of the sacred Persons, as being one in essence, and alike the objects of every creature’s worship and adoration.

[4.] The four living creatures close with their solemn down, and the four and twenty elders, the representatives of the church, with humble prostration fell down and worshipped him this liveth for ever and ever. Oh when shall I join this heavenly choir, and with them in heart and lip unite in these eternal praises of God and of the Lamb!

Revelation 5:9-12

We have here a glorious scene of the happy state of the church, either during the Millennium, as some fuppets, or when the redeemed shall be finally entered into their eternal red.

1. They are a great multitude which no man could number; though few comparatively in any one age or nation, yet, when collected in the great congregation, they will be innumerable.

2. They stand before the throne and before the Lamb, with holy boldness and sure acceptance, clothed with white robes, the emblems of honour, joy, and purity, and palms in their hands, in token of their glorious victories obtained over all their foes; for all God’s faints shall affirmsly be finally triumphant over their toes.

3. They lifted up their voices in loud hallelujahs, crying, Salvation to our God which fitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb: all glory, praise, and adoration be ascribed to him, for that complete salvation which he hath wrought out for us, and freely be flowed upon us.

4. The angelic hofts, with the elders and living creatures which stood before the throne, immediately joined in their adorations, and falling on their faces, worshipped God, saying, Amen: Bleffing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen: The inhabitants of heaven have all one mind and employment, ceaseless in the praises of their common Lord. May we now delight to join their songs, and prepare hereby for the happy service of eternity!

5. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that fitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thrift any more, neither shall the sin light on them, nor any heat. 17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Revelation 5:13-17

Whilst John, with holy rapture, beheld the heavenly vision, one of the elders questions him, whether he understood what he saw, and knew who these were and whence they came? With humble acknowledgment of his ignorance, and desire of information, he replied, Sir, thou knowest. The elder thereupon kindly undertook to inform him.

1. These, said he, are they who came out of great tribulation, through various afflictions and the fire of persecution, and have

washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, not on accounts of their own defects or sufferings, but as having overcome through the blood of Jesus, applied to their hearts by faith for their complete justification before God. Note, Our title to eternal blefenders depends not upon what we do or suffer for Christ, but upon what he hath done and suffered for us, when he perfected his people by one oblation once offered.

2. He informs him of the distinguished dignity and glory to which these once-suffering faints were admitted. They are before the throne of God, admitted to the immediate pretence of the Eternal Majesty, and forve how day and night as his celestial couple, without ceasing: and he that fitteth on the throne shall dwell among them for ever, as the author and source of their eternal felicity. They shall hunger no more, neither thrift any more, knowing no more these painful cravings, neither shall the sin light on them, nor any heat; no fire of persecution, nor faintest of affliction or temptation shall there be ever apprehended: For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, possessed of all dominion and power, shall feed them with his rich provision, and shall lead them unto fountains of living waters, in rebirth and comfort their souls, which from his presence shall drink in pleasures as out of a river; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; no sin, no sorrow shall be there, nor one salt tear ever again rouble down their faces, but unutterable and uninterrupted consolations shall be their eternal happy portion. Bring me, dear Lord, to share this blefenders among thy faints in light.