요한계시록 Chapter 5

Translation: ESV

1

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

Key Message

God holds in his hand a scroll containing the plan of history, and the central question is who is worthy to open it.

▸In God's right hand is a scroll.

In God's right hand is a scroll. Written closely on both sides indicates the fullness of its contents; sealed with seven seals signifies a state of complete sealing. This scroll contains God's secret plan for human history and salvation. The 'seven seals' represent the most complete possible sealing, and the central question of this chapter is who is worthy to open it.

Related Verses

And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.
2

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"

Key Message

The question of who is worthy to open the scroll of history is the most fundamental question directed at the entire universe.

▸A 'mighty angel' asks with a voice loud enough to be heard throughout the entire universe: who is worthy to open the scroll? This question is directed at the entire cosmos, and it is soon revealed that no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth has the qualification.

3

And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,

Key Message

The despair that no one in the entire universe is qualified to open God's plan of history makes the Lamb's appearance all the more striking.

▸The entire universe—heaven, earth, and under the earth—is searched, but no one qualified to open the scroll is found.

4

and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

Key Message

The despair that there is no one to govern history is the genuine emotion of a believer before the Lamb appears.

▸John 'wept loudly,' which is not a mere emotional response but an expression of deep theological despair.

5

And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

Key Message

Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah and the Root of David, has already conquered, and therefore he can open the scroll of history.

▸One of the elders makes a declaration that stops John's weeping.

6

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Key Message

The one who governs history is the Lion, but his qualification was obtained through dying as a Lamb.

▸Here is the supreme paradox of Revelation.

7

And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.

Key Message

The Lamb's taking of the scroll is the moment when Christ is formally enthroned as the governor of history.

▸This brief verse is one of the climactic moments in Revelation.

8

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Key Message

The prayers of earthly saints are lifted as incense in golden bowls before the heavenly throne, accompanying worship of the Lamb.

▸As soon as the Lamb takes the scroll, worship bursts forth.

9

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,"

Key Message

The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll because he ransomed people of every tribe with his own blood.

▸The 'new song' is new praise for a new act of salvation (Psalm 96:1, 98:1).

10

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Key Message

The purpose of the Lamb's redemption is to make the saints a kingdom and priests, so that they shall reign on the earth.

▸The identity of the saints as 'a kingdom and priests,' already declared in 1:6, is repeated here.

11

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

Key Message

Innumerable angels surrounding the Lamb in praise reveals the grandeur of cosmic worship.

▸The circle of praise expands.

12

saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

Key Message

The slain Lamb is worthy to receive all seven—power, wisdom, glory, and everything—to the fullest.

▸The angels proclaim seven attributes to the Lamb: power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.

13

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

Key Message

All creation offering praise to the Father and the Lamb eternally is the ultimate purpose of creation.

▸The circle of praise finally expands to the entire universe.

14

And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Key Message

The 'Amen' of heavenly worship confirms that all praise is truth, and history proceeds after this worship.

▸This is the magnificent conclusion of heavenly worship.