Chapter 5

This is the most 'gospel oriented' chapter in the entire book, and we notice that the Ch5 box is right along side of the Ch4 box. I said at the close of the last box that these two boxes make up opposite sides of the same coin, so to speak, and that together they contain the two main points that we need to remember as we go through the rest of the book. If the main message of chapter 4 is that God is the creator of everything, what is the main message here?

The story of this chapter begins with a description of a scroll and the question of who is worthy to open it. Scrolls were long pieces of paper or leather rolled up, so that when they were unrolled they could be read, but when rolled up and sealed they could not. This particular scroll has seven seals, and they are not all on the outside, but are spaced inside, as well. The finished scroll would be part way rolled up, and then a seal would be added. Then it would be rolled up some more, and then another seal would be added. For this scroll, seven seals were used. The number seven generally means completeness, and so the use of seven seals might mean that this scroll is so completely sealed up that only someone very special will be able to open it. It probably also means that its contents cover the entire scope of whatever it is about. Later we'll see that that scope is the history of the human race from Adam and Eve to the final judgment. But first, who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?

An element of drama is introduced when no one is found, and John weeps over that. But just when it seems that all is lost, one of the elders from chapter 4 announces some good news! Someone has been found! But who is this 'Lion of the tribe of Judah,' the 'root of Jesse' who has triumphed? It is none other than Jesus Christ. These terms from Genesis 49:9 and Isaiah 11:1-11 refer to Him.

And why was Jesus worthy to open the seals of this scroll? V9b states, "...because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." This is the Gospel, pure and simple. And because Jesus was sinless, His sacrifice was sufficient to redeem us. His sinless sacrifice is what makes him worthy to break the seals of this scroll.

Going back to v4, we can see that for all of human existence no one was worthy before Jesus came to earth, which is why we needed Him to come. He knew that only He could satisfy our debt to God.

This chapter is gospel oriented, through and through. Jesus' sacrifice is central to His worthiness to open the seals. The gospel is referred to in v5, 6, 9-10, 12, and 13. Some of the imagery recalls Isaiah 29:11 (v1), Zechariah 3:9, 4:10, Isaiah 53 (v6), all considered to be Messianic prophecies. To say that the gospel cannot be found in Revelation is to ignore this chapter, for the gospel is crucial and central to it.

I particularly like the new song that is sung in v9,10. Because Jesus was slain all can be saved! Now look at v10, which is similar to 1:6. I have a note that says that the Greek word translated kingdom in the NIV is plural, indicating the group, and so should be kingdom, not kings, as the KJV has it. Be that as it may, notice that the text also says that we are priests. That is significant. Peter refers to that idea twice, in 1 Peter 2:5,9.

Who only had access to God under the Jewish system? The priests. As Christians, however, we all have access to God as priests. What a privilege! We should never take our prayerlife for granted. And our high priest, Jesus, Hebrews 4:14-16, lives forever with an enduring High Priesthood, Hebrews 7! How honored we are that this is all for our benefit!

That last phrase, "and they will reign on the earth," will be discussed more fully the next time it appears, at 20:6.

So what is the main point of this chapter? Simply this, to show God as the redeemer. Considering chapters four and five together, as both sides of the same coin, we have God shown to be both creator and redeemer, both in charge and in control, points we need to remember as we go through the rest of the book. These are the same points the apostle Paul makes in Colossians 1:15-20.

There is a sense in which the first five chapters are preparatory to the rest of the book, and that chapter six is the real beginning, so to speak. It is to that chapter we now turn.