Jesus – the Lamb – the Triumphant

Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Revelation 5

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.

4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.

5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.

The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

14 the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshipped.

John’s Reflection Concerning His Time and all Lifetimes

5.1ff A scroll – sealed with seven seals – ‘seven’ symbolising perfection – thus perfectly sealed! Contents not able to be violated.

John still ‘in the Spirit’ (4.2), weeps – no one to open the scroll (5:2-4), but one of the elders says, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll…”. (5:5)

The whole reality, the totality of our hope has already happened – the Victory of Jesus over death, over the power of the devil has    been won. The cross is the Victory! It’s all to do with the simple yet awesome statement “..has triumphed” – (RSV “has conquered..” AV “has prevailed”). Jesus has overcome death (John 16:33) and He wants us to overcome as in Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12,21. He gives us the right to sit with Him!! On His throne!! In a sense we are there ‘now’ but ‘not yet’!

Jesus has ‘triumphed’. The Greek here is ‘nikao’, and it is in the aorist tense. This tense is defined as having occurred, no continuation – simply complete. Jesus’ victory was won at the cross. A real Victory with real hope for the elect in each lifetime, whatever trials and suffering may occur to end human life (again Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-9). 5:6 “The Lamb…standing in the centre of the throne…seven horns…seven eyes” – perfect divine power and perfect knowledge and insight.

He is the Lamb who was slain – who saves His people through His atoning death (prophesied Isaiah 11:1-5, 10; 40:1-11; 41:14, 16, 20 cf Mark 1:24; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; 61:1-3).

Yes, the Lion does not take the scroll – but the Messianic Lamb – the victorious conqueror over death and the Devil. 5:8 All fell   before the Lamb. 5:9 The joy of the prayers of the saints which sometimes in the midst of trial of the saints on earth are heard in the Council of God. Again, the ‘worthy’ – worth, worth-ship – worship: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

5:10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” A further truth supporting a pre-millennial approach.

Jesus opens the scroll – He was slain – His authority given by the Father. Remember during the crucifixion Jesus was in charge (John 10:18 – the authority and command given in John 15:9-10). The elect, we will reign with the authority of King Jesus. So now from Revelation Chapter 6 on we see the reality in our ‘now’ – each lifetime in history how we are redeemed by the Glorious Trinity – a real and present hope. The victory is won.