Revelation 5:1. The book beheld by the Seer is on, not ‘in' (comp. chap. Revelation 20:1) THE RIGHT HAND OF HIM THAT SAT ON THE THRONE, and it shall be opened for the inspection of all His saints (comp. Daniel 12:10; Mark 4:11). Although God's ‘judgments are a great deep,' His ‘secret is with them t... [ Continue Reading ]
The vision upon which we enter in this chapter is beheld in the same circumstances as that of chap. 4, and is closely connected with it. The special revelation of the Apocalypse does not yet begin, and the Seer is still prepared for it in the same manner as in the immediately preceding vision. At th... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:2. The ANGEL of this verse is strong, and his VOICE IS GREAT, because his cry has to be heard in every region of the universe, in heaven, in earth, and in Hades (comp. chap. Revelation 10:3). that an ‘angel' raises the cry may remind us of the interest taken by angels in the plan of red... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:3. AND NO ONE IN HEAVEN, NOR ON THE EARTH, NOR UNDER THE EARTH, WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE ROLL, OR TO LOOK THEREON. As in Philippians 2:10, the universe is designated under the three divisions here mentioned. It is implied that no answer is given to the cry. Hence... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:4. AND I WEPT MUCH. There is nothing in this weeping inconsistent with the fact that a revelation had been promised (chap. Revelation 4:1). That promise is already in course of being fulfilled; but the Seer does not know how far it is to extend. Therefore he weep because he fears that t... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:5. AND ONE FROM AMONG THE ELDERS SAITH UNTO ME, WEEP NOT, BEHOLD THE LION, WHICH IS OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE ROOT OF DAVID, OVERCAME, TO OPEN THE ROLL AND THE SEVEN SEALS THEREOF. The words are spoken by one of the twenty-four elders, and the propriety of this is obvious. These Elders... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:6. The words are fulfilled; yet how differently from what might have been expected! The Seer had been told of a lion, and he beholds a LAMB; and Revelation 5:9 makes it evident that the lamb is thought of not merely in its gentleness and patience, but as an animal used for sacrifice. Fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:7. AND HE CAME, AND HE hath TAKEN IT OUT OF THE RIGHT HAND OF HIM THAT SAT UPON THE THRONE. The change of tense is worthy of observation, for it is impossible to agree with those who urge that the two tenses used are simply equivalent to each other. In the very next verse the Seer retur... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:8. THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES ARE mentioned first as being nearest the throne; but all they do at this moment is to fall down before the Lamb. There is no reason to think that they have also harps and golden bowls, or that they join in the song of Revelation 5:9. Such a song is unsuitabl... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:9-10. AND THEY SING A NEW SONG, SAYING, WORTHY, ART THOU TO TAKE THE ROLL, AND TO OPEN THE SEALS THEREOF, FOR THOU WAST SLAUGHTERED, AND DIDST PURCHASE TO GOD IN THY BLOOD MEN OUT OF EVERY TRIBE AND TONGUE AND PEOPLE AND NATION; AND DIDST MAKE THEM TO OUR GOD A KINGDOM AND PRIESTS, AND... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:11. THE SONG OF THE triumphant Church has been sung, and an innumerable host of angels takes up the chorus. These ANGELS occupy a place outside of all that we have hitherto met in connection with the throne, of the throne itself, of the four living creatures, and of the twenty-four Elde... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:12. SAYING WITH A LOUD VOICE, WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAUGHTERED TO TAKE THE POWER, AND RICHES AND WISDOM AND MIGHT AND HONOUR AND GLORY AND BLESSING. It will be observed that one article is connected with ‘power' alone, thus showing that this power stands in a conception by itself... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:12 a. AND I SAW WHEN HE OPENED THE SIXTH SEAL, AND THERE WAS A GREAT EARTHQUAKE. The verb ‘saw' is again to be taken absolutely as in Revelation 5:1-2; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 5:8. The things seen divide themselves naturally into four groups; and we need not add to what has been alre... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:13. AND EVERY CREATED THING WHICH IS IN THE HEAVEN, AND ON THE EARTH, AND UNDER THE EARTH, AND ON THE SEA; AND ALL THINGS THAT ARE IN THEM, HEARD I SAYING, THE BLESSING AND THE HONOUR AND THE GLORY AND THE DOMINION BE UNTO HIM THAT SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB FOR EVER AND... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 5:14. AND THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES SAID AMEN, AND THE ELDERS FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPPED. The four living creatures give the solemn assent ‘Amen;' and it has been well observed that they do so in order that the whole service of praise in chaps. 4 and 5, after it has reached its widest exten... [ Continue Reading ]