Podcast Episode 17 (Condensed)
Today, we’re studying Revelation 5. If you’ve been following me on this journey, we’ve been studying the book of Revelation heavily. So much has transpired in our nation since the last month. With the new election results and so much more happening in our country, the book of Revelation is so important to read. It must be fulfilled whether people want it to or not. It’s important to read it now because we are seeing things unfold before our very eyes. God wants His people to be knowledgeable and not perish (Hosea 4:6).
I encourage to read the first few blogs on the previous chapter of Revelation. Being that I’ve already been in deep consecration regarding the book of Revelation, I will be paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting directly within this study. Read it on your own or follow along with me. To listen to the podcast of Revelation 5, click here.
In Revelation 5:1, John looked and saw a scroll in the right hand of Jesus. What is a scroll? A scroll is a long sheet of parchment with writing on one side that is usually rolled around a stick; basically paper in the olden days. Revelation 5:2-3 NLT states, “There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: ‘Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.”
The number 7 is significant because we discussed in previous chapters the 7 represents completion or perfection. When John saw the strong angel shout, the angel knew the answer already. It was a rhetorical question. No one on earth or in heaven had any power, authority, or dominion to open the scroll and read it.
It goes on to mention in verses 4-5 how when one of the 24 elders seen John crying, they said, “Stop weeping!” Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (aka Jesus) the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Jesus is worthy to open the scroll and it’s seven seals. Although it is not discussed in this chapter, we will learn later about the seven seals. The seven seals represent events to take place on this earth during each seal’s specific time period—beginning at the time of Christ and continuing until the second coming. The seven seals are mentioned in Revelation 5, 6, and 8.
Seal 1: white horse
Seal 2: red horse
Seal 3: black horse
Seal 4: pale horse
Seal 5: souls crying out
Seal 6: earthquake, sun, moon, and stars
Seal 7: silence in heaven
As each of the seven seals are broken, a picture or representation of events to take place on earth is described. So, stay tuned for an in-depth study on the seven seals later in this series on the book of Revelation.
Now, John described how he saw Jesus as a Lamb standing between God’s throne and the four living beings in the midst of the 24 elders in Revelation 5:6. The Lamb (aka Jesus) appears to have been slaughtered. It has seven horns and seven eyes (Rev 5:6). The horns are symbolic of power. The seven eyes are the seven spirits sent out into all the earth. The Lamb being appeared as slaughtered describes the violent death Jesus endured on the cross to take away our sins.
In the Old Testament, lambs served as sacrifices for sin, but these only foreshadowed Jesus (God’s Lamb) who shed His blood as the perfect one and for all sacrifice of sin. As I studied this, I couldn’t help but recall John 1:29. When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching, he told a group of people, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
In heaven, the Lamb’s seven horns represent His perfect power. The seven eyes represent the Holy Spirit’s perfect vision that transpires on earth. The sevenfold spirit of God is sent out into every part of the earth. Jesus stepped forward and took the scroll from God (as the Lamb). When He took the scroll, the four living beings fell down before the Lamb (Rev. 5:8). Revelation 5:8-12 NLT states, “Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign[d] on the earth. Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
The Lord is worthy of all the praise and honor. God is magnificent and His mercy endures forever.
Revelation 5:13-15 ends on a powerful note, describing what John heard, “And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.”
As you read, the songs are different in heaven. They sing different tunes. That lets us know that worship is endless. Those in heaven never grow weary in worshipping God. How could they? It just like what Psalm 106:2 CEV says, “No one can praise you enough for all the mighty things you have done.” How blessed we are to read a chapter like Revelation 5 and get a glimpse of what everlasting praise to God is like.
In summary, Revelation 5 describes a symbolic scroll containing God’s judgement and a quest for someone to open it. It is later revealed that Jesus, the Son of God is the only worthy one to open it. Why? Because He gave His life as a ransom. He died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day. He sacrificed everything so that we could one day be in fellowship with the Lord almighty. He sits on the right-hand side of God. He earned His position of power and glory. He is the worthy one to open the scroll. It is at that moment when Jesus receives the scroll that every creature on heaven and on earth gives Him praise.
Some may wonder, why would every creature on earth, under earth, and in heaven praise Him? Because scripture tells us so. Psalm 150:6 NLT says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord”. Also, Philippians 2:10-11 NLT says, “that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Therefore, not only is He worthy to be praised, He will be praised. So why would every creature praise Jesus for opening the scroll of judgement? God’s judgement is righteous which means it is fair and just. That is why He is praised. 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
Judgement can either be good or bad. It depends on the life we choose to live. God doesn’t beg or plead for anyone to worship Him, stop sinning, or live as a Christian. Although He has the power to make every person while they’re living on earth be a Christian. Why would He? He doesn’t desire robots. Jesus looks within the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He wants what is real and true. Nothing forced.
On the other hand, we will give an account for everything we did on earth and the life we lived (whether a secret double life or public life). We all know that later in Revelation, it will get very graphic, frightening for some, and startling for others. Yet, it is necessary for us to learn the very details of the end time judgement that is to come. We are in the last days now and the book of Revelation will be fulfilled. We have a choice to make in life. We can receive God’s good judgement and live in eternity with Him (Revelation 21) or disobey His Word and be sent to damnation (Revelation 20:11).
As the book of Revelation continues, brace yourself. Don’t let fear overwhelm you. There is about to be a shift in the story in Revelation. We’ve known God to be a God of love, grace, peace, and kindness. But it is now time to see what happens when you abuse God’s grace, peace, love, and kindness. What happens when we think we get a free pass in heaven just because “God is so good”? What happens when we live a life of sin and rebellion about God’s Holy Word and take the thought of hell for a joke? What happens when we refuse to surrender to God and let Him deal with our demons, addictions, secrets, and issues? What happens when God’s wrath is revealed upon the remaining remnant on earth? Stay tuned.
If you’re not saved and you want to give your life to God. All you have to do is repeat after me, “Dear Lord, forgive me for all my sins. I repent right now. I lay down every burden, every sin, and every issue in my life. I ask you to come into my heart. Change me from the inside out. Deliver me of all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart. Restore my soul. Ignite a fire within me. Give me a fresh zeal for you. I believe that you died on the cross and rose on the third day. You sit on the right-hand side of God. I ask you now to come into my heart, my life, mind, and soul. In Jesus’s name, amen.
Thank you so much for reading my bible study on Revelation 5. Where we are in America right now, is the perfect time to dive into Revelation. We must hold on through the shakings and lean on God. Share this with a friend. See you next month! Stay blessed. Stay safe. Stay prayed up.
