John is taken up to heaven to
be given a vision of "what must take place after this" (4:1). He sees
God upon His throne, worshiped by 24 persons identified only as
"elders" (vv. 2-6a). The "living creatures" seen around the
throne are also mentioned in the visions of Isaiah (6:2) and Ezekiel (1:5-25;
10:1-22), continuously praising God as Creator and affirming His holiness
(4:6b-11).
Then John sees an angel,
holding a scroll representing judgment, sealed with seven seals, calling for
someone worthy to break the seals and open the book (5:1-2). When no one is
found, one of the elders consoles John: the Lion of the tribe of Judah will
open the seals—and when John looks, he sees a bloody Lamb (vv. 3-7). When
Christ as the Lamb takes the scroll, the inhabitants of heaven fall down in
worship, affirming His worthiness "because... with your blood you
purchased men for God" (vv. 8-10).
Unnumbered thousands of
angels take up the chorus, praising the Lord as "the universe joins in
ascribing praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever"
(vv. 11-14).
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
“Two interpretations”:
Some see the call to
"come up" as the rapture and all that happens after as located in the
Great Tribulation. The scroll is related to Daniel 7:13-14 and is seen as the title
deed to the kingdom Christ will win through judgment. There are others that see
the vision as a call to worship, with the elders representing Old Testament and
New Testament saints. The scroll is a symbol of redemption, and so, the vision
may be of what takes place in heaven just after the resurrected Christ returned
to heaven.
“Praise” (4:8 - 5:14):
Whatever the interpretation, it's clear that
the focus of these two chapters is the five hymns of praise they contain. In
chapter 4, God is praised as Holy and as Creator. In chapter 5, Christ is
praised as Saviour, the Lamb who was slain, and as a result earned the right to
open the sealed scroll.
“The 24 elders” (4:4, 10):
The elders mentioned here
reappear again and again in John's vision. But who are they? Over a dozen
suggestions have been made. Some suggest that they are representatives of redeemed
humanity, 12 representing Old Testament saints and 12 New Testament saints.
Others consider them supernatural beings, like the four "living creatures."
“A seven-sealed scroll”
(5:1):
A scroll that was sealed
could only be read when all the seals were opened. Only when judgment has been
fully executed will the ultimate intent of God be revealed.
“Lion and Lamb” (5:5-6):
The surprise implied in
looking for a Lion and seeing a bloody Lamb is intended. Both "Lion of
Judah" and "Root of David" are titles of the conquering Messiah.
The vision reminds us that Jesus conquered by giving His life for us. The
bloodstained Lamb, still bearing the visible marks of His execution, is about
to be revealed as the executor of God's final judgment!
"A new song" (5:9):
The song is "new"
in that it has never been heard before. At last, the full meaning of the
redemptive death of Christ is about to be displayed—both in salvation and in
judgment. Soon all will be forced to acknowledge that Jesus, who died a
criminal's death, is worthy to rule this universe and the next.
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