Revelation 5 - Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb -
In our last Bible study article we studied Revelation 4. It is John’s vision or visit to heaven and to God’s throne. John describes God sitting on the throne, and all things around His throne. Including the 4 living creatures and 24 elders.
Now we will study the next chapter in the book of Revelation, Revelation 5. Revelation 5 is a continuation of John’s vision or visit to heaven. Revelation 5 is centered on a scroll with 7 seals in God’s right hand. We will look into what the scroll with 7 seals is. John sees that no one is worthy to open the scroll until the Lamb, Jesus Christ, appears.
Jesus is shown as both the slain Lamb and the conquering Lion. Revelation 5 emphasizes Christ’s worthiness, his sacrificial victory, and the universal worship he receives from heaven and earth. And it highlights Jesus’ central role in God’s saving purposes, and his role in God’s plans for the end times and the final judgements, as well as his role in God’s eternal kingdom.
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
The Scroll With 7 Seals
“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.” – Revelation 5:1
Revelation 5 is a continuation of John’s vision or visit to heaven. John saying “then I saw…” is the next progression in the chronological order of the book of Revelation. John sees God, seated on His throne, and He is holding a scroll with 7 seals in His right hand.
A scroll or document with 7 seals is what the Romans used as a will in ancient times. This scroll appears in the vision Ezekiel had of the scroll in God’s right hand. He writes about a scroll with writing on both sides. A scroll normally was written only on one side, so this is unusual.
He also mentions that the scroll had words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. Each of the 7 seals on the scroll in God’s right hand in Revelation 5:1, when opened, lead to events with much lamentation, mourning, and woe to the inhabitants of the world. We will see the 7 seals on the scroll opened in Revelation 6, 7, and 8.
“And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.” – Ezekiel 2:9–10
What is the scroll in God’s right hand? We will look more into what the scroll with the 7 seals is.
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
“And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” – Revelation 5:2
John sees a “mighty angel” in Revelation 5:2. This mighty angel appears in a vision Daniel had. In a vision of the end times that Daniel had in Daniel 12, he writes about the great angel Michael:
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise[a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” – Daniel 12:1-3
Also in Daniel’s vision is a scroll, which is most likely the scroll in Revelation 5.
“But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” – Daniel 12:4
3 1/2 Years – The Final Half of the 7 Year Tribulation
Another important note about Daniel’s vision is that it mentions the duration of the second half of the 7 year tribulation, when there is great persecution and suffering for God’s people. The final half of the tribulation is known as the Great Tribulation.
“Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.” – Daniel 12:5-7
A time, times, and a half a time is mentioned in other places in God’s word, including in Revelation. It means the final 1/2 or 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation.
Here are some other places where this time period is described in God’s word
Revelation 12:6 — The woman (followers of Jesus or the church) is protected for 1,260 days
Revelation 12:14 — She is nourished for “a time, times, and half a time”
Revelation 13:5 — The beast is given authority for 42 months
Daniel 7:25 — The saints are handed over to the “little horn” that grows out of a terrifying beast (verse 8), and they are persecuted for “a time, times, and half a time”
Daniel 12:7 — The end comes after “a time, times, and half a time”
These verses all point to a time of terrible persecution, especially against God’s people. It is the last half of the Great Tribulation.
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
Who Is Worthy To Open The Scroll?
“And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.” – Revelation 5:3-4
It appears that no one on earth or in heaven is worthy to receive and open the scroll with 7 seals. And this makes John weep loudly.
Why would this make John weep loudly?
The scroll with 7 seals is God’s will, giving the deed or title of the universe to the One who is worthy to reign. And also revealing and starting the events that lead to the end of the world, and the Eternal destiny of those who faithfully follow and serve God, and those who do not.
Satan was allowed to roam free in the world to deceive many until God’s time of judgement and eternal punishment. Someone worthy needs to take the scroll and open it, to reign in the universe, and to start the end times events of God’s judgement and wrath.
The events foretold in Revelation are not just about the Great Tribulation and God’s wrath and punishment of Satan, and for sinners who reject Christ. They are also about Jesus taking the reign of the universe, and starting His eternal kingdom and reign. And about Jesus ridding the world of Satan and evil and sin. And about the ultimate and eternal destiny of Satan, his demons, and those that rebel against God and serve Satan. They will all end up for eternity in the lake of fire.
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
“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.” – Revelation 5:5
Remember in John’s vision or visit to heaven in Revelation 4 he saw 24 elders around the throne of the Lord. The 24 elders are dressed in white and have crowns of gold on their heads. The 24 elders on thrones, representing believers from the Old and New Testaments, are in heaven in Revelation 4. This takes place before the Great Tribulation, which begins in Revelation 6. Thus this is suggesting more evidence of a pre-Tribulation rapture of Jesus’ faithful followers and witnesses.
John is told by one of the 24 elders around God’s throne that he doesn’t need to weep anymore, because there is someone worthy to open the scroll and the 7 seals. The elder mentions the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”.
In Genesis 49 Judah is described as a lion.
“Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” – Genesis 49:9-10
This is a reference to King David, and also ultimately to Jesus, who is from the lineage of King David. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah
The Root Of David
When David was king, God established a covenant with him, promising that David’s throne would “be established forever”.
“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:16
God’s covenant and promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the Root of David. Jesus is The Root or the source or the origin of David and his tribe of Judah.
The Lion of Judah, the Root of David Has Conquered
Jesus not only paid the price for our sins when he died on the cross. He established God’s new covenant relationship with mankind. Through faith in Jesus and repentance, anyone can have a restored relationship with God. And peace with God. And eternal life in heaven and a part of God’s eternal kingdom. And Jesus also conquered sin, and death, and His enemy Satan.
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
“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.” – Revelation 5:6
John saw a Lamb among the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders surrounding the throne of the Lord. Jesus is the Lamb who was sent to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. And to give all a chance to have a restored relationship with God, peace with God (Romans 5:1), and eternal life.
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.” – Isaiah 53:7
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29
“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” – 1 Peter 1:9
“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” – Revelation 21:23
“But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” – Revelation 21:27
The 7 Spirits of God
“A Lamb… with 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the 7 spirits of God”. As previously mentioned in Revelation 1 and Revelation 4, Revelation 5:6 talks about the 7 spirits of God. This is a reference to Isaiah 11:2
Isaiah 11:2:
“1The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him
2 the Spirit of wisdom
3 and of understanding
4 the Spirit of counsel
5 and of might
6 the Spirit of the knowledge
7 and fear of the Lord (reverence and worship)”
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
Jesus Is Worthy To Open The Scroll
“And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scrolland to open its seals…” – Revelation 5:7-9a
The scroll represents God’s will and the deed or title of the universe. God is giving it to the only One worthy of having it – Jesus
The Lord Jesus is pictured in a vision taking the scroll out of the hand of God the Father. It is sealed 7 times, which would be what they did with Roman wills in ancient times. Christ is the worthy and rightful heir to the universe, and this is God’s will and Him giving the title or the deed of the universe.
Jesus receives the scroll, and it’s now His turn to take the reign of the universe. And it is His time to deal with Satan, his demons, and rebellious sinners that essentially are serving Satan. Either people follow and serve Jesus, or by default they follow and serve Satan if they refuse to repent, bow down to Jesus, and follow and serve Him.
This is all done starting with the opening of the 7 seals of the scroll. We will see this take place in Revelation 6, 7, and 8. The Great Tribulation and God’s wrath begins in Revelation 6 with the opening of the seals.
Jesus Is The Sacrificial Lamb
“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 Godfrom every tribe and language and people and nation. – Revelation 5:9
Jesus is the perfect Lamb, without sin, who was sacrificed for our sins. Jesus redeemed us, and made it possible for all people in the world to have a restored relationship with God.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” – Isaiah 53:3-11
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
A Kingdom And Priests of God
“and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” – Revelation 5:10
Jesus not only is the Lamb who paid the price for our sins. He is The King of the kingdom of God.
And not only do people who repent and put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior get to go to heaven and be a part of His kingdom. We get to be a “royal priesthood”, serving King Jesus. And even better than that, we get to help King Jesus shepherd and reign in His eternal kingdom.
“So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” – 1 Peter 2:7-9
“He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” – Revelation 1:6
Saved to Have Fellowship With Jesus, To Serve, And To Help Him Reign
We were not saved by Jesus just to live our lives the way we want to, and wait around until we get to heaven. We were saved in order to have the closest possible fellowship with Jesus.
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:9
And to serve Him during our lives in His kingdom work and mission – 1) to share the Gospel and reach as many lost people as possible, and 2) help them to grow spiritually and to be true and faithful followers and disciples of Jesus.
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. ” – Matthew 4:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” – Matthew 28:19-20
And we were saved to later on enjoy God’s presence and glory forever in heaven. And to have the honor of joining Jesus to shepherd and reign with Him in His kingdom.
Revelation 5 – Scroll With 7 Seals, Lion And The Lamb
Jesus Is Worthy To Receive All Glory, Honor, Praise…
“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, 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!” 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!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.” – Revelation 5:11-14
Jesus is the Lamb who takes away sin. Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Jesus is The King. And Jesus is worthy to receive all glory, and honor, and praise for everything.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” – Psalm 115:1
“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:17
Only Jesus is worthy to open the scroll and the 7 seals. Which signifies God’s will and the giving of the deed or title of the universe to Jesus. And it signifies the beginning of the Great Tribulation, starting in Revelation 6, with the opening of the seals. And the beginning of God’s wrath being poured out on all who rebel against Him and reject Christ.
In our next Bible study article we will study Revelation 6, and the opening of the first 6 seals. The beginning of the 7 year Great Tribulation and God’s wrath and judgement.
Kevin Bart has been a Jesus follower for over 40 years. Kevin has taught Bible study classes, small groups, and discipleship classes for many years. He developed Pursuing Intimacy With God after many years of seeking God and studying His word.
Kevin is a former business owner, and current international missions ministry leader with more than four decades of combined business and ministry experience. After building and running a successful business for 23 years, with God’s guidance and blessings, he sold his company to dedicate himself to full-time global missions.
For over 20 years, Kevin and his wife Nancy have led an international missions ministry. Utilizing learned business and financial management skills, as well as knowledge and experience in travel points and miles, to date they have had 48 mission trips to 33 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
