Revelation 5 explained: The Lamb Who Opens the Scroll

A scroll no one can open (vv. 1-4)

God holds a scroll written on both sides and closed with seven seals, which many scholars take to hold his plans for history and its end, though its exact contents are debated. When no one anywhere is found worthy to open it, John weeps, as though what God intends might stay locked away.

The Lion of Judah (v. 5)

An elder tells John to stop weeping, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the right to open the scroll. These are old titles for the promised king from David's family, drawn from Genesis 49:9 and Isaiah 11.

A slain Lamb, standing (v. 6)

John is told of a lion but sees a Lamb, standing yet bearing the marks of being killed; this Lamb is Revelation's picture of Jesus, and many readers see a deliberate reversal, victory won through dying rather than force. Horns meant power and seven meant completeness, so the seven horns and seven eyes picture full strength and full sight, and the text says the eyes are God's seven spirits sent through all the earth.

Harps and bowls of prayer (vv. 7-8)

The Lamb takes the scroll from God's hand, and the living creatures and elders bow before him with harps and golden bowls of incense, which the text says are the prayers of God's people. Catholic and Orthodox Christians often see here those in heaven presenting believers' prayers to God, while many Protestants read it as a picture of prayers rising to God like fragrant smoke, without drawing that further conclusion.

A new song (vv. 9-10)

The song says the Lamb is worthy because his death bought people for God from every tribe, language, people and nation, making them a kingdom and priests, words first spoken to Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:6). Ancient copies differ in verse 10, so some translations say they will reign on the earth and others that they reign now, and Christians differ on whether this means the present or the future.

All creation joins in (vv. 11-14)

The praise spreads outward in rings: countless angels, then every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth (the realm of the dead) and in the sea. The same praise goes to God on the throne and to the Lamb alike, a passage Christians often point to when they call Jesus divine, and the scene ends with an Amen and the elders bowing down.

Key verse: Revelation 5:9

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on what the scroll holds and when its contents play out: some read the coming seals as events of the first century, some as a sweep through church history, some as still future end times, and some as timeless pictures true of every age.

Something to think about

The chapter expects a lion and shows a wounded lamb instead; what do you think actually makes someone worthy to be trusted with power?