Revelation 5: The Lamb Worthy to Open the Scroll

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Revelation 5 reveals Jesus Christ as the Lamb worthy to open the scroll, the only one with divine authority to fulfill God’s redemptive plan. The chapter portrays a heavenly scene where no one is found worthy—except the Lion of Judah and the slain Lamb, who triumphs as Redeemer and King. This powerful vision declares Christ’s worthiness to unlock God’s purposes, receiving worship from all creation. As believers, we are called to recognize His sovereignty, live as His kingdom of priests, and join in eternal praise. The Lamb worthy to open the scroll stands at the center of history, inviting us to worship and surrender.

Revelation 5 Overview

The Sealed Scroll (Revelation 5:1-4)
The Lion of Judah and the Slain Lamb (Revelation 5:5-7)
Worship of the Lamb (Revelation 5:8-10)
All Creation Praises the Lamb (Revelation 5:11-14)

The Sealed Scroll

1 I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals. 2 I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?” 3 No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look in it. 4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it.

The Lion of Judah and the Slain Lamb

5 One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.” 6 I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, 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 he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Worship of the Lamb

8 Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, 10 and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on the earth.”

All Creation Praises the Lamb

11 I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” 13 I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshiped.

Bible Commentary

▷ Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Bible, taken from e-Sword app.

Revelation 5:1-7

The apostle saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a roll of parchments in the form usual in those times, and sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed. The designs and methods of Divine Providence, toward the church and the world, are stated, fixed, and made a matter of record.

The counsels of God are altogether hidden from the eye and understanding of the creature. The several parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but after each other, till the whole mystery of God’s counsel and conduct is finished in the world.

The creatures cannot open it, nor read it; the Lord only can do so. Those who see most of God, are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his glory, desire to know his will. But even good men may be too eager and hasty to look into the mysteries of the Divine conduct.

Such desires, if not soon answered, turn to grief and sorrow. If John wept much because he could not look into the book of God’s decrees, what reason have many to shed floods of tears for their ignorance of the gospel of Christ! of that on which everlasting salvation depends!

We need not weep that we cannot foresee future events respecting ourselves in this world; the eager expectation of future prospects, or the foresight of future calamities, would alike unfit us for present duties and conflicts, or render our prosperous days distressing. Yet we may desire to learn, from the promises and prophecies of Scripture, what will be the final event to believers and to the church; and the Incarnate Son has prevailed, that we should learn all that we need to know.

Christ stands as Mediator between God and both ministers and people. He is called a Lion, but he appears as a Lamb slain. He appears with the marks of his sufferings, to show that he pleads for us in heaven, in virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes; perfect power to execute all the will of God, and perfect wisdom to understand it, and to do it in the most effectual manner.

The Father put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ, and Christ readily and gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to make known the will of his Father; and the Holy Spirit is given by him to reveal the truth and will of God.

Revelation 5:8-14

It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together.

Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan. He has not only purchased liberty for them, but the highest honour and preferment; he made them kings and priests; kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he makes them priests; giving them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices.

What words can more fully declare that Christ is, and ought to be worshipped, equally with the Father, by all creatures, to all eternity! Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven, and who shall for ever bless the Lamb, who delivered and set them apart for himself by his blood. How worthy art thou, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, of our highest praises! All creatures should proclaim thy greatness, and adore thy majesty.

Sermon Themes

How does recognizing Christ as the Lamb worthy to open the scroll reshape your worship and daily surrender? Explore the following themes and topics to shape your sermon on this chapter of Revelation. Let them inspire you to share God’s truth with clarity and impact.

The Unopenable Mystery: The profound challenge presented by the sealed scroll highlights humanity’s limitations to fully grasp God’s plans (Revelation 5:1-3 WEB).
Despair in the Face of the Impossible: The emotional weight and grief experienced when no one in creation was found worthy to open or even look at the scroll (Revelation 5:4 WEB).
Hope Found in the Overcomer: The initial announcement of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, as the one who has overcome and can open the scroll (Revelation 5:5 WEB).
Worthy Through Sacrifice: The revelation that the one worthy is not just a lion but a Lamb standing as though it had been slain, signifying worthiness achieved through sacrificial love (Revelation 5:6 WEB).
Redemption’s Global Reach: The declaration in the new song that the Lamb was killed and bought people for God with His blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9 WEB).
A Kingdom of Priests: The proclamation that the Lamb has made believers kings and priests to God, who will reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10 WEB).
The Chorus of Heavenly Praise: The overwhelming adoration and worship offered to the Lamb by countless angels surrounding the throne (Revelation 5:11-12 WEB).
Universal Worship of the Creator and Redeemer: The unified praise and blessing ascribed to both God who sits on the throne and the Lamb by every created thing in existence (Revelation 5:13 WEB).
Amen to Divine Worthiness: The concluding affirmation by the four living creatures and the worship of the elders, signifying complete agreement and reverence for the Lamb’s supreme value (Revelation 5:14 WEB).
Facing Our Limits: Recognizing situations in our lives that are beyond our control and understanding, mirroring the unopenable scroll (Revelation 5:1-3 WEB). This encourages humility and dependence on God in the face of our limitations.
Finding Comfort in Loss: Turning to God and seeking solace when we experience feelings of helplessness and despair, similar to John’s weeping (Revelation 5:4 WEB).
The Unexpected Hero: Understanding that God’s power and solutions often come in unexpected forms, through sacrifice and humility rather than just might, as seen in the Lamb (Revelation 5:5-6 WEB).
Value Beyond Appearances: Learning that true worth is found in humility, love, and sacrifice, exemplified by the Lamb who appeared slain, rather than in outward strength or status (Revelation 5:6 WEB).
Bought with a Price: Reflecting on the immense cost of our salvation through the Lamb’s sacrifice, understanding that we have been redeemed (Revelation 5:9 WEB).
Called to Serve: Recognizing our role as God’s representatives in the world, living as “kings and priests” who have been given a purpose (Revelation 5:10 WEB). This inspires us to live lives of service and devotion.
Recognizing God’s Sovereignty: Acknowledging God’s ultimate authority and control over all things, as displayed by Him holding the sealed scroll and the Lamb being worthy to take it (Revelation 5:13 WEB).
Living in Awe: Responding to God’s greatness and the Lamb’s worthiness with reverence, respect, and deep admiration, similar to the elders falling down in worship (Revelation 5:14 WEB).

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▷ Scripture quotations taken from the World English Bible (WEB), which is in the public domain.