Revelation 5

Revelation of John 5:1:
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.

We read in the beginning of Chapt. 4 that John saw a throne and here we are in chapt. 5 to discover that there is a scroll in the right hand of Him that sits there. The right hand or to be at the right hand side of God is the symbol of Absolute Power!

Revelation of John 5:2:
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

There is an issue to be decided here. It is delineated by an Angel. It is very important to understand that, aside from God, Angels are the most powerful beings in all of creation. As we study the Bible on a regular basis I, at least, can be no less than dumbfounded at their power. They will, in the future, turn the oceans to blood and they will kill most of humanity before the Tribulation is over. But this Angel here, able to destroy the world, cannot open the seals on this scroll.

Revelation of John 5:3:
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

As I have spent my study time over the past 21 years reading and rereading the scriptures it has left me a gasp! We, the saved humans will rule over the Angels of Heaven (1Cor. 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels?) and yet neither man, nor Angel could open the Seven Seals.

Revelation of John 5:4:
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

John, though he is privileged to visit Heaven, in the spirit, is distressed and upset!

Revelation of John 5:5:
And one of the elders saith 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 seven seals thereof.

This, from the human stand point, is, likely, best understood by men who have been in a hopeless situation in a Combat Zone. I´ve known men that were trapped, surrounded, some for days, and had just admitted, to themselves that they would not escape this time and they have always been so thrilled and pleased that they could not stop buying shots and beers, for anybody. I also have known that feeling and until the Elder spoke to John, everything was lost and there was no hope.

One might, correctly, conclude that when the Son of God, the Lion of Juda, Jesus, came forward, there were tears of joy and relief in the eyes of john.

Revelation of John 5:6:
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

As he looks this over he notices some things about Jesus he had never seen before, the horns of power and the eyes of pure wisdom, and here He is in the midst of the four beasts that, continuously guard the Throne of God.

Revelation of John 5:7:
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Jesus, being worthy, because it is He that completed the work on Earth that neither man nor angel could, steps for in all of His majesty and takes the scroll from the hand of God, His Father.

Revelation of John 5:8:
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Have you felt like your prayers just hit the ceiling and bounce back onto the floor? Always remember this verse of scripture. Now, I know that this book is written in symbolic language but any time that God mentions anything it is important. If the LORD emphasizes anything by mentioning it twice it is being emphasized and prayer is discussed more than 114 times in the scriptures and here we see that the four beasts and the twenty-four elders that are seated around the Throne of God have them for a sweet odor in viles to keep them.

Revelation of John 5:9:
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

They are singing a new song here praising Jesus for His work on the cross and I have, of late, seen many different takes on the matter of Salvation and, just, who is eligible for it. It has been my position, ever since I was called to teach that every soul born on this earth is eligible and this verse sure does seem to make that clear, doesn´t it?

Revelation of John 5:10:
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

There are millions of Christians, I believe, that have never seen ths verse in the scriptures. Folks just get upset with the idea that we will reign under but with Jesus on the world, but we will!

Revelation of John 5:11:
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

In Matthew 26:53 we are taught that Jesus could have called twelve legions of angels to do His will and yet folks have the strange idea that Heaven is not all that large. When we do the math here we see that there are better than one hundred million angels in Heaven. Heaven is not going to be, Heaven is the most awesome place we can consider.

Revelation of John 5:12:
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Many times today I am informed that this or that particular person naming the name of the Christ as their Savior owe God nothing! The scripture, here, is very clear, the Saved Person owes everything to God! None of us were or ever will be Worthy of the glory we receive or will receive because of Jesus.

Revelation of John 5:13:
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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

In the last three verses of Matthew we find the duty we are commissioned to perform, not to earn our Salvation but rather because we should feel that we owe it to our Redeemer. And we need to understand that the Kingdom of God is right now and begin to serve like the Bond Servants, Slaves, we are.

Revelation of John 5:14:
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

And so should every single one of us, not on Sunday, no, every second of every minute of every day we live.