The Book with Seven Seals and the Redeeming Lamb,

Or, Worthy is the Lamb___ 5:1-14


In Chapter 4 we see the "Power of God" and in Chapter 5 we see the "Love of God."

Some Initial Questions from Strauss

1. In the world of the NT, what was the place of a seal on official documents___verse 1

2. What were the requirements which must be fulfilled before one might have been worthy to "open the book" (scroll) and loose the seals thereof?" The highest expression of Mankind was unworthy!

3. Do these messianic titles (e.g. the Lion__that is of the tribe of Judah, Root of David) related the Kingdom coming through Christ with the OT prophecies of the Messianic Kingdom?

4. In verse 6, what symbolism does the "Lamb standing as though it has been slain" call to mind__(e.g., sacrifice, atonement, etc.).

5. What view of the person of Christ is implied in His accepting the worship and praise of creatures___verses 9 & 10?

6. What were the results of Christ's work mentioned in 9 & 10?


      1I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

 2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?"

 3And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it.

 4Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;

 5and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."

 6And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

 7And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

 8When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

 9And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

 10"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

Verse 1__ John's vision continues__and John saw one sitting on the throne with a scroll having been written on the reverse side. This scroll was "sealed." Roman law stipulated that when a person dies, the will of the deceased must have the seals of 5 to seven witnesses. The imagery certainly would have been meaningful to a person in the Roman Empire.

Verse 2__The book that John saw is the title deed to earth. This "book" (scroll) contained the judgments of the living God as represented by in the seven seals of trumpets and the seven vials of wrath. Then the call is made public by a "strong angel" proclaiming in a loud voice that no one is able to open this scroll but the one from the "Root of David."

Verse 3__ There is no one__in heaven or on earth able to break the seals. Yes, this includes the god Domition. Why? There are requirements for this task.

Verse 4___Then I kept on weeping much__

Verse 5___Then one of the Elders comforted me. The "Lion from the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David overcame. The only one worthy was the only one able to open the seals.

Verse 6__And now,we are taken to the center of the throne room and in the midst of the four living creatures and the Elders is a Lamb standing as having been slain. The 53rd chapter of Isaiah is the background for this text. In Acts 8:32 we are told that the Lamb is Jesus Christ.

Verse 7___In this verse, the Lamb that was slain came and took the scroll from the "right hand" of the Father.

Verse 8___When Christ took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty four Elders fell. Those closest to the Throne fell quickest (before or in front of ) the Lamb. In one act, there is complete surrender to the deity of the Lamb.

Verse 9___Another song___Worthy art thou to receive the scrolls and open it. Forgiveness of sin only comes from the Lamb.

Verse 10___The results of the work of Christ___He made a kingdom and Priest. Notice that Jesus made a "Kingdom" at His death.


Angelic Worship___Verses 11-14

11Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,

 12saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

 13And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

 14And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen " And the elders fell down and worshiped.


Verse 11___John not only say but also declares that "he heard" the voice of many angels. Do you think that in general, the singing of praises that we hear in church today compares to the above?

Verse 12___ Now we find the title of our text book__"Worth is the Lamb." The victory of the Lamb in overcoming sin, the grave and hell gave Him the power.

Verse 13___Now, the entire universe is singing His praise.

Verse 14___Those in the throne room fell down to worship. This worship consist of three songs.

1. The Song of Creation (4:9-11)

2. The Song of Redemption (5:8-10)

3. The Song of Universal Chorus (5:11-14).