Revelation 5

Revelation 5:1

In chapters 1 through 3 of the Book of Revelation, John sets the stage as he takes pen in hand to record what is about to transpire. In chapter 4, the curtain rises, as he describes the throne room of the King. And in chapter 5, the drama begins… The “book” John sees is actually a scroll. If similar to other scrolls in John’s day, it was made of eight-by-ten-inch sheets of papyrus, which were connected horizontally and wound around a wooden handle. Epistles the size of Jude, Philemon, and II and III John would all be written on one single piece of papyrus. The Book of Revelation, on the other hand, would require a scroll fifteen feet long. Due to the coarse back of the papyrus, the three-inch-wide columns of writing were penned on only the smooth side. Here, however, we see a scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals, which can be perplexing until one studies Jewish historywherein are found numerous examples of a certain kind of document with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals: a title deed to a piece of property. Initially, a title deed would be written only on the smooth side and sealed with a single seal (Jer_32:6-29). But if the owner became unable to meet his financial obligations, he would have to relinquish his title deedupon the backside of which would be written his debts and upon which would be placed seven seals. If at any time during the ensuing seven years he could pay off his debts, the seals would be broken and the title deed returned. All of this explains what is in the hand of the One who sits on the throne here in chapter 5: It’s the title deed to planet earth. The title deed to this planet was originally given to Adam in the Garden of Eden when God told him to subdue the earth (Gen_1:28). But Adam forfeited his right to ownership when he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You see, although Eve was tricked into eating the forbidden fruit, Adam’s was an overt, calculated act of rebellion, which is why the Bible speaks of Adam’s sin as that which transferred to Satan the title deed of our planet (Rom_5:14). This explains why Paul called Satan the god of this world (2Co_4:4) and why Jesus referred to him as the prince of this world (Joh_12:31). Therefore, when people say, “Well, if God is so good, why are there wars, cancer, floods, AIDS, depression, rape, and injustice?“they’re blaming the wrong person. The planet God gave man was absolutely perfect. Man is to blame for turning the planet over to Satan. And he is the reason the people to whom John was writing were watching their brothers and sisters incarcerated or fed to the lions, crucified, or dipped in hot wax. This book was written not only to deal with prophecy, but primarily to deal with the questions with which John’s flock wrestledand the questions with which Christians have wrestled ever since.

Revelation 5:2

In other words, “Who is able to meet the requirements, to pay off the debt?” Notice he does not say, “Who is willing?” Alexander the Great was willing. Genghis Khan was willing. Charlemagne was willing. Napoleon was willing. Hitler was willing. There have been lots of people who have said, “I want to be in power. Give me a crack at it. Let me see what I can do.” But the angel doesn’t ask, “Who is willing?” The angel asks, “Who is worthy?”

Revelation 5:3

When no one comes forward to reclaim earth’s title deed, something happens that probably never happened before in heaven throughout all eternity past: tears begin to flow.

Revelation 5:4

The Greek word translated “wept much” actually means “sobbed convulsively.” John is overcome with grief when he realizes the earth would remain in Satan’s grasp forever. And I understand. I look at Benjamin and Mary, and think, What’s it going to be like for them if things continue on the way they have for the past forty years? If I didn’t have this book and know this story, I would be distraught, indeed.

Revelation 5:5

The “Lion of the tribe of Judah” takes us back to Genesis 49, where Jacob calls his twelve sons together to pronounce a blessing upon them. As he comes to Judah, Jacob likens him to a lion’s whelp, and then says that power and authority would be his until the coming of Messiah… The year is A.D. 12. In the springtime, the Romans issue a decree declaring that the Jewish people would no longer be able to carry out capital punishment. The rabbis’ response to the decree was immediate because they believed capital punishment was the cornerstone of government as defined in the Noahic Covenant. When they were denied this fundamental right of government, and thereby rendered powerless as a nation, the rabbis rushed into the streets of Jerusalem, rending their clothes and smiting their breasts. In fact, we are told the whole city was filled with the wailing of rabbis who understood that something terrible was happening. The scepter had departed. The authority was gone. Yet Messiah had not comeor so they thought. For on that very day, guess who was sitting in the temple in Jerusalem as a twelve-year-old confounding the scribes and thinkers of the day: The Lion of the Tribe of JudahJesus Christ. So, too, how often we throw dirt in the air and wail and moan, ripping our clothes and crying, “Where are You, Lord?“when He’s right in our midst, working everything out perfectly. Jesus was born of the house and lineage of David, but because He preceded David by all eternity, He’s the Root of David, as well as a Branch from David. “I understand why you’re weeping, John,” said the angel. “But this won’t go on forever. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David has prevailed.” At this point, John turns around, expecting, no doubt, to see a massive figure, a roaring lion…

Revelation 5:6

The Greek word translated “Lamb” is in the diminutive formmeaning a pet lamb. According to Isaiah 52, Jesus’ visage is marred more than that of any other man. Marred more than a man in a train wreck, a plane crash, Hiroshima? Yes. You see, it’s not only that Jesus’ beard was plucked out, His back beaten, His side pierced, and His wrists nailed. It’s the psychological and spiritual stress He experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane that caused the blood vessels in His face to burst. Jesus experienced marring and scarring in ways we’ll never understand until we see Him. But here is the interesting thing: The terror that would mar Him psychologically and physiologically was due neither to the physical suffering He would endure nor to the blood He would shed. The one thing that terrorized our Hero was that He knew He would, for a time, lose contact with His Father as He who knew no sin became sin for us. We shudder at the thought of hearing our boss say, “You’re through,” or of our girlfriend saying, “Goodbye.” But if someone were to say, “You’re going to lose fellowship with the Father for a day,” we wouldn’t care. Why is it that we are nonchalant about that which terrified Jesusand we are fearful about that which He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled”? Jesus was close to His Father, drew His life from His Father, was in love with His Father. That’s why He bled from His face at the thought of being out of fellowship with His Father for even a short period of time. That’s why He asked that this particular cup be taken from Him. That’s why He was marred more than any other man in history. Truly, when we see Jesus, we’ll be awed, amazed, and broken by what He did to get us to heaven. This speaks of perfect power. This speaks of perfect insight. This doesn’t mean the Lamb literally had seven eyes. Rather, this speaks of the fullness of God’s Spirit.

Revelation 5:7

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lamb slain is the only One worthy to pay the price for the bankruptcy of mankind.

Revelation 5:8

Since the harps of John’s day were ten-stringed, the number brings to mind the Ten Commandments, the law. “I’m not under the law,” some boast. To them, I say, “Tell me, which part of the law don’t you like? The fact that God says we’re to love Him and to be kind and considerate to people? That we’re to walk in purity so that we might have peace? Exactly with which part do you have such a hard time? Do you really want to live like a pig in the name of being free from legalism?” In Deuteronomy 23, God gave His people a peculiar set of instructions. “When you have to use the restroom,” He said, “go outside the camp, dig a hole, and bury it.” Although this is common sense to us, it was unheard of to the people of that day. Well, what kind of legalism is this? they must have wondered. We’re under grace, aren’t we, Moses? Now obviously, bacteria, germs, and diseases would be passed on from person to person if they just continued to do what everyone else was doing. Yet God never gave the reason. He simply said, “I’m in the camp. And this is what I desire.” So, too, you may say, “Drinking’s okay,” or, “Everyone’s going to those shows,” or, “Everyone’s downloading this…” It’s not legalism that tells you otherwise. It’s the music of heaven being played on the ten-stringed harp. The harp is emblematic of the beauty of a man or woman who says, “The law of the Lord is wisdomeven if I don’t initially understand it.” An angel appeared to Zacharias, saying, “Your prayer is heard. Your wife, Elisabeth, is going to conceive” (see Luk_1:13). What do you mean? Zacharias must have thought. I haven’t prayed that prayer in decadeswhich shows us even the prayers we forget about are still in God’s “Active” box. Therefore, I’m convinced that many of the blessings in our lives are answers to prayers we prayed years previously. According to our text, our prayers are kept in vials, or bowls. How full is yours?

Revelation 5:9

Who is the only group of people who can say, “Out of every kindred and tongue, nation and people, we have been redeemed by the blood”? Only the churchwhich means the church is in heaven in chapter 5 before the Tribulation begins in chapter 6.

Revelation 5:11

When does true worship take place? When a worship leader is giving an exhortation? No. When someone is trying to manipulate the heavenly scene to praise? No. It happens when those in heaven see the slain Lamb. So, too, who are vibrant worshipers today? Not those who are manipulated by a worship leader or pastor, but those who understand that Jesus really died for them. Anyone who truly sees the slain Lamb cannot help but worship.

Revelation 5:13

Will there be dogs and cats and pets in heaven? I don’t know. However, this I do know: Jesus comes back to earth riding a horse (Revelation 19). “Amen” simply means “Yes.” In 2Co_1:20, Paul writes that the promises of God are in Christ Yea and Amen, for Jesus is the Amen (Rev_3:14). Because the Lamb slain has taken control of the Bookthe scroll, the title deed to earthworship abounds.