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 ]