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A Bible Study:
The Revelation to John
May 30, 2006
A Study of the Revelation to John
A Study of the Revelation to John
By Bernie Parsons - May 30, 2006
A Study of Revelation Chapter 5:1-14
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Revelation 5:1: And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2: And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3: And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4: And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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God, on the throne, holds a book that cannot be read, because it is sealed with seven seals. A search finds no one in heaven or on earth worthy to loose the seals, and read the book, causing John to weep. Remember that Daniel was told to seal a book.
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Revelation 5:5: And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6: And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
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Yet, there is found one who can open the seals, and read the book. He is the Lion of Judah, the Root of David. He is represented as a sacrificial Lamb that has been killed, which has seven horns and seven eyes. He has the eyes of God that travel the earth, and He has horns, showing kingship, or dominion over all, signified by the number seven.
Lion of Judah and Root of David are representations of Jesus.
1 Chronicles 29:26: “Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.”
2 Samuel 23:1: “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2: The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3: The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”
Isaiah 11:1: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3: And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5: And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”
Isaiah 11:10: “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”
Romans 15:12: “And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.”
Matthew 1:1: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2: Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3: And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4: And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5: And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6: And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;”
Matthew 1:17: “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”
Jesus, the Christ, was born of the tribe of Judah. He was the Lion, the king, of Judah. Remember the alleged “crime”, of which Jesus was accused?
John 19:19: “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 19:21: “Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.”
Jesus is also the sacrificial Lamb of God, as John the Baptist testified.
John 1:29: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Acts 8:30: “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31: And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32: The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34: And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35: Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
1 Peter 1:17: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19: But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21: Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”
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Revelation 5:7: And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8: And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
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Jesus, the Lamb, anointed of God, had the right to take the book from the hand of God. This is shown by the fact that the beasts and twenty-four elders prostrated themselves before the Lamb, offering music of harps, and incense in the form of the saints’ prayers.
Malachi 1:11: “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Hebrews 13:15: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Revelation 8:3: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4: And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.”
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Revelation 5:9: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
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Psalms 33:1: “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2: Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3: Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4: For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5: He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6: By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7: He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8: Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9: For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10: The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11: The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
Psalms 96:1: “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
2: Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
3: Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
4: For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
5: For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
6: Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7: Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
8: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9: O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
10: Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
11: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12: Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13: Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”
Psalms 98:1: “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2: The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3: He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4: Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5: Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6: With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7: Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8: Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9: Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”
Psalms 149:1: “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2: Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3: Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4: For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5: Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6: Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7: To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8: To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9: To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.”
Isaiah 42:1: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2: He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3: A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4: He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7: To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8: I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9: Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10: Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.”
This quotation from Isaiah is prophetic of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.
Matthew 12:15: “But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16: And charged them that they should not make him known:
17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
18: Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
19: He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
20: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
21: And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”
Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
Acts 13: 46: “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47: For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”
2 Peter 3:13: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
The new song was a song of judgment, of righteous renewal before God. It was a song of victory, of salvation, and of redemption. It was a song of salvation, not only of Israel, or the Jews, but also of the Gentiles. It was a song of reconciliation, wherein Christ became the sacrifice for sin, the sinless and perfect Lamb of God. Those of all nations would come to God through Him.
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Revelation 5:10: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
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We have discussed this already. Each Christian is a priest, and there was a promise of rule given to the twelve apostles and some of the Gentile Christians.
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Revelation 5:11: And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
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Some seem to think that heaven will be sparsely populated, but there are already a large number of beings in heaven. If I have calculated correctly, 10,000 x 10,000 equals 100 million angels, plus there were thousands of thousands more. Add to this the saints that are to be saved, and heaven is not a lonely and lifeless place.
Jude 14: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15: To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Remember from our study of Daniel, chapter 7:
Daniel 7:9: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10: A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
11: I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12: As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14: And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
When Daniel saw a similar vision, it had to do with judgment of man’s kingdoms, and the establishment of the kingdom of God. This is clearly a description of the coming of Christ to establish the kingdom of God on the earth.
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Revelation 5:12: Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
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Hebrews 3:1: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2: Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3: For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4: For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5: And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6: But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
John 5:23: “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”
John 5:41: “I receive not honour from men.”
John 8:54: “Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:”
Jesus Christ is honored by virtue of who He is, and His loving obedience to His Father.
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Revelation 5:13: And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14: And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
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1 Chronicles 16:23: “Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24: Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
25: For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
26: For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
27: Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
28: Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30: Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32: Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
33: Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
34: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35: And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
36: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.”
Psalms 148:1: “Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2: Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3: Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4: Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6: He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7: Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14: He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.”
Romans14:11: “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
Philippians 2:9: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
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