Read Revelation 5
Questions from the Scripture text: In what hand did John see what (Revelation 5:1)? Where was this scroll written? How was it sealed? What/whom did John see in Revelation 5:2? What was his voice like? What was he asking? Who could open it or look at it (Revelation 5:3)? What does John do in Revelation 5:4? Why? Who speaks to John in Revelation 5:5? What does he tell him (not) to do? What two things does he call Jesus? What two things does he say that Jesus can do? Where does he look in Revelation 5:6? What does he see that is the same as before? What new thing does he see? What is its apparent condition? What two things does it have? How many of each? What does verse 6 say that they are? What does the Lamb do (Revelation 5:7)? Before Whom do who fall down in Revelation 5:8? What two priestly things does each have? How is the incense explained? What priestly thing do they do in Revelation 5:9? What do they sing about the Lamb and the scroll/seals? Why is He worthy? What has His being slain accomplished? From out of whom has He redeemed them? What has He made them (Revelation 5:10)? Unto Whom? Where shall they reign? What three groups does John see and hear in Revelation 5:11? How many were there altogether? With what sort of voice were they speaking (Revelation 5:12)? What did they say about the Lamb? What had happened to Him? What seven things is He worthy to receive? Whom does the group in Revelation 5:13 include? What four things are they ascribing? To what two beings? For how long? Who say what in Revelation 5:14? And who do what? Unto Whom?
How do we see Christ's divinity? Revelation 5 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ's authority, atonement, and adoration all prove His divinity.
What no one can do. The first four verses introduce a vision of a scroll. Written on both sides (Revelation 5:1), there is no room for revisions, because there is no need. It is the scroll of the decree of God—His plan for what will happen in history. And it is divinely (seven) certain and secure (seals). The secret things belong to the Lord our God (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29), but here they are represented in this scroll! So, John’s disappointment is great (Revelation 5:4), when he finds that the secret things are going to remain secret (Revelation 5:3), because there is no one who has the worthiness of God (Revelation 5:2), to Whom these secret things belong.
What just One could do. As John begins to weep, one of the elders stops him, because there is actually One Who can open the scroll and bring about the decree of God in history (Revelation 5:5). This mighty One is a Lion, a King from Judah (cf. Genesis 49:9), from Whom all the kingliness of David has come (“root” cf. Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10). To Him belongs the sevenfold Spirit of Isaiah 11:2. When John looks for the Lion, He sees a Lamb (Revelation 5:6). This Lamb has all of the power (horns) and wisdom (eyes) of the sevenfold Spirit of God. And this Lamb rules and conquers by dying. It appears as if slain. Jesus’s death is the key that unlocks all of history, and He has the authority and ability to take the scroll (Revelation 5:7).
What everyone and everything else does. The response, just to His taking the scroll, is amazing. The four living creatures (representing all of the creatures from the seraphim on down) and the twenty-four elders (representing the church from all ages) fall down to worship. The church, in particular, are represented as priestly in three ways (instrumental music, incense, and singing; Revelation 5:8-9).
It is the church’s privilege to lead the worship of the whole creation, just as it was once the Levites’ privilege to lead Israel in worship. But the church does not sing of its own glory as kings on thrones and priests who lead all creatures in worship. Rather, it sings of the glory of Him Who has redeemed them into this royal priesthood (Revelation 5:9-10)!
Though the Lamb was slain (something He had to take on creatureliness to do), He is clearly worthy with a divine worthiness, represented in the sevenfold list in Revelation 5:12: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, blessing.
Right on cue from those leading them in the worship, the whole rest of the creation joins in, in Revelation 5:13. Here, the praise is not only of Jesus as the incarnate Redeemer (the Lamb), but also of Him in the identity of the Triune God (Him Who sits on the throne). This is the great privilege of those whom the Lord redeems and gives to reign: to worship Him. Behold how great is your privilege, dear Christian!
What place does Jesus’s humanity and death have in your thoughts of Him as you worship? What place does His true and full divinity have in your thoughts of Him as you worship? What is your desire for all of creation? What is your desire for the church?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we let our experience of history cloud our vision. Truly, faith ought always to rejoice that Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, reigning and ruling in glory. And, faith ought to remember that He has accomplished this by being slain. But we get discouraged at the lesser crosses of Your people, so that we are distracted from the rejoicing and worship that is our privilege and duty. Grant that we would take our rightful place, praising You, as indeed we hope to do forever and ever, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH358 “Sing, Choirs of New Jerusalem”
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