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Bible Study: Revelation - What Was, What Is, What Is To Come - Chapter 5

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses you through this material.

Stacey


Take a few minutes to savor Revelation Chapter 5. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations.

5:1 — scroll — see Ezekiel 2:9-10 and Isaiah 29:11. Right hand — where we put the tools we use.

Writing on both sides — Why do you think there's writing on both sides? A lot to say?

Seven seals — remember the number "7" means completeness and perfection. The seven seals indicate the importance of the scroll's contents. This is also an indication that this is a legal document according to Roman law.

See Isaiah 29:11; Ezekiel 2:9-10; Daniel 12:4 (AMP)

Only Jesus can open the scroll because God has given Him all rights to judgment.

5:2 — mighty angel — Is this the same angel as in 10:1? Is it Michael? NLT, KJV, AMP and NAS say "strong angel".

5:5, 6 — in verse 5, the elder tells John to look upon the Lion of Judah. But when John looks in verse 6, he sees the Lamb of God. WOW! What does this mean? The lion symbolizes authority and power. The lamb symbolizes gentleness, obedience and submission to God's will. Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb! This goes to prove once again that spiritual vision (how the elder saw Christ) and human vision (how John saw Christ) are different. This reminds me of how the Jews expected the Messiah to be a warrior, but Jesus came to earth as a sacrificial lamb!

5:5 — "Do not weep" — John was weeping because no one was found worthy to open the scroll. Was he simply so curious that it upset him?

Lion of the tribe of Judah, Root of David — These are two titles for the Messiah. See Genesis 49:9 and Isaiah 11:10.

Only Jesus can open the scroll because God has given Him all rights to judgment. See Genesis 49:9-10; Isaiah 11:1, 10; Revelation 22:6 (AMP)

5:6 — Lamb — John is the only author who applies this title to Christ. Is this further support of the apostle's authorship?

seven horns, seven eyes — all-powerful, all-seeing. The text also indicates that this is the Holy Spirit (seven spirits). Even though a gentle Lamb, the Lord is all-powerful!

See Isaiah 53:7; Zechariah 3:8-9; 4:10 (AMP)

5:8 — had a harp, holding bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints — the elders perform priestly functions in heaven.

5:8-10 — KJV implies that the 24 elders (and the 4 living creatures) are men of every tribe, language, people and nation.

5:9 — See Psalms 33:3 (AMP)

5:10 — made us kings and priests — see 1 Peter 2:5-9. Reign on the earth — see Luke 22: 29-30.

See Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6 (AMP)

5:11 —See Daniel 7:10 (AMP)

5:13 — creature — ktisma — the product of the created act.

"Blessing and honor and glory and power... forever and ever." I LOVE THAT! See Daniel 7:13-14 (AMP)


  • Remember that the main message of the book of Revelation is the infinite love, power and justice of the Lord Jesus Christ. How is this evident in today’s text?
  • What attributes of God do you see in this chapter?
  • What scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

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