B i b l e S t u d y
Lesson: Revelation 5:1-14
SCRIPTURE READING: Revelation 5:1-14
GOLDEN TEXT: Revelation 5:12
1. Did the apostle John see God the Father sitting on His throne in heaven with a scroll in His right hand? (Revelation 5:1.) Was this scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals? (Same verse.)
Note: Before the printing press, scrolls were the most logical way to preserve written material. If certain information in a scroll was not to be read by certain people it was sealed. If the king found that the seal had been tampered with then the messenger was put to death.
2. Did an angel asked if there was anyone who was worthy to open the scroll and loose the seals? (Revelation 5:2) Was there anyone in heaven or on the earth found worthy to open the scroll? (Revelation 5:3.) Did John weep uncontrollably because there was no one found worthy to open the scroll? (Revelation 5:4.)
Note: This (Book of) Revelation of Jesus Christ reveals things that must shortly come to pass (Revelation 1:1) and it was given to John, when he was in spirit, or in vision (Rev. 1:10.) A vision is like a dream but much more vivid. In this vision John was weeping greatly because he wanted to know what was written on the scrolls. In Verse 3 of the K.J.V. of the Bible it says: "And no man in heaven, nor in earth, ... was able to open the book..." The word ‘man’ is a mistranslation from the Greek word "oudeis" and should be translated as ‘one.’ Jesus said: "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven" (John 3:13 KJV.)
3. Who was this Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who prevailed and would be able to open the scroll? (Revelation 5:5, Genesis 49:9-10, Isaiah 11:1,10.)
Note: Revelation 5:5 is the only place in the Bible that has the phrase ‘Lion of the tribe of Judah’ however there is a prophecy in Genesis 49:9-10 that indicates that the Messiah would be of the House of Judah (see also Luke 3:33, Hebrews 7:14) the "scepter" was a symbol of kingship and the term "Shiloh" would bring about Judah's rule over the nations. These are Messianic prophecies referring to Jesus as the Messiah. The Root of David is the one who fulfills the covenant with David (Isaiah 11:1, 10) which is Jesus the Messiah.
4. Did John see a Lamb standing as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes? (Revelation 5:6.) Who was this Lamb? (John 1:29, 36.)
Note: John, in his gospel, said as he saw Jesus walking : "Behold the Lamb of God." So this lamb represents Jesus Christ. Since this lamb was standing, it takes on the symbolism of the risen Christ. Now what John saw here in vision, was a slain lamb having seven horns and seven eyes. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. A perfect week has seven days. A horn represents power or might, so this lamb had perfect and complete power. Jesus said: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18.) Something very important to notice is that this Lamb had been slain. To slay is to kill something with violence. The Lamb is an image of innocence, harmlessness, sweet-ness and cuteness. You can’t get much farther from the idea of a conquering King/Messiah than the imagery that is here laid out.
5. Did Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, come and take the scroll out of the right hand of God the Father who was sitting on the throne? (Revelation 5:7.)
Note: At one point in time no one was worthy to take the scroll, then Jesus Christ was worthy. What was the defining event that allowed Jesus to reach for the scroll and to crack the seals? It is the fact that Jesus was slain, killed by violence. Before He was slain He was not qualified to open the scroll, but after He was slain He was qualified. There is nothing so fundamental to understanding what God is doing than knowing who the Lamb is and why this Lamb was slain and what the Book of Revelation is all about. Our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and since God loved the world He gave His only Son so that mankind could have eternal life (John 3:16) and the only way to redeem man was through the slaying of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and with the precious blood of Christ to cover our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19.) Jesus was the Lamb that had been slain and He became our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7-8) that was sacrificed for us.
6. After the scroll was taken, did the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall down before the Lamb? (Revelation 5:8.) What was inside the golden bowl and what did it represent? (Same verse.)
Note: The symbolism of the incense is the prayers of the saints. In the Tabernacle, the incense was brought in before the second veil which was before the holy of holies and was placed on the altar of incense so that the odor of the incense could drift into holy of holies before God. The 24 Elders had the job of preserving the prayers of the saints, those who have lived and died and those who are still alive. These prayers are cherished by God like we would cherish a physical photo album of our children. God cherishes his spiritual prayer album because our prayers comes from the heart.
Who was it that brought the incense before the second veil of the Tabernacle? It was the priests, of whom there were 24 courses which was set up by David (1 Chronicles 24.) We see here a similarity that in heaven that there are 24 angelic Elders who are priests that brings the incense before God.
7. Did the saints who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb sing a new song? (Revelation 5:9.)
8. Will the saints be made kings and priests and will they reign on the earth? (Rev. 5:10, 20:4-5, Psalms 37:9, 11, 22.)
Note: At the first resurrection the saints will be given thrones, crowns, and will rule and reign with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years as kings and priests on the earth.
9. How many angels were around God’s Throne and what were they saying? (Revelation 5:11-12.)
10. Will every creature in heaven and on the earth give blessing and honor to God the Father and the Lamb Jesus Christ? (Revelation 5:13-14, Philippians 2:10-11.)
Note: Paul said that every knee would bow in heaven and on the earth and that every tongue would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is a vision, but it is interesting to think that if every creature on the earth would praise Jesus, then that could include our pets, and if our pets then so should we, for we are the ones to whom the Lamb was slain.
In Conclusion: The most important event in all of the universe was the slaying of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and that we have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Scriptures
Scripture Reading:
(Revelation 5 NKJV) And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. {2} Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" {3} And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. {4} So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. {5} But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." {6} And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. {7} Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. {8} Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. {9} And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, {10} And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." {11} Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, {12} saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" {13} And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" {14} Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Golden Text:
(Revelation 5:12 NKJV) saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
1.) (Revelation 5:1 NKJV) And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
2.) (Revelation 5:2-4 NKJV) Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" {3} And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. {4} So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
3.) (Revelation 5:5 NKJV) But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
(Genesis 49:9-10 NKJV) Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? {10} The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
(Luke 3:23-38 NKJV) Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, {24} the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, {25} the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, {26} the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, {27} the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, {28} the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, {29} the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, {30} the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, {31} the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David, {32} the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, {33} the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, {34} the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, {35} the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, {36} the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, {37} the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, {38} the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
(Hebrews 7:14 NKJV) For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
(Isaiah 11:1 NKJV) There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
(Isaiah 11:10 NKJV) "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious."
4.) (Revelation 5:6 NKJV) And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
(John 1:29 NKJV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
(John 1:36 NKJV) And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
5.) (Revelation 5:7 NKJV) Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
(Isaiah 59:2 NKJV) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
(John 3:16 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
(1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, {19} but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
(1 Corinthians 5:7-8 NKJV) Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. {8} Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
6.) (Revelation 5:8 NKJV) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
7.) (Revelation 5:9 NKJV) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
8.) (Revelation 5:10 NKJV) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
(Revelation 20:4-5 NKJV) And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. {5} But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(Psalms 45:16 NKJV) Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, Whom You shall make princes in all the earth.
(Psalms 37:9 NKJV) For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.
(Psalms 37:11 NKJV) But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
(Psalms 37:22 NKJV) For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
9.) (Revelation 5:11-12 NKJV) Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, {12} saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
10.) (Revelation 5:13-14 NKJV) And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" {14} Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
(Philippians 2:10-11 NKJV) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, {11} and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.