CHAPTER V. _The book sealed with seven seals, which no being in heaven or_ _earth could open_, 1-3. _Is at last opened by the Lion of the tribe of Judah_, 4-8. _He receives the praises of the four living creatures and the_ _twenty-four elders_, 9, 10. _And afterwards of an innumerable multitud... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:2. _A STRONG ANGEL_] One of the _chief_ of the angelic host. _PROCLAIMING_] As the _herald_ of God. _TO OPEN THE BOOK, AND TO LOOSE THE SEALS_] To loose the seals that he may open the book. Who can tell what this book contains? Who can open its mysteries? The book may mean the p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:3. _AND NO MAN_] ουδεις No _person_ or _being_. _IN HEAVEN_] Among all the angels of God. _NOR IN THE EARTH_] No _human_ being. _NEITHER UNDER THE EARTH_] No _disembodied spirit_, nor any _demon_. Neither _angels, men_, nor _devils_, can fathom the decrees of God. _NEITHER TO... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:4. _I WEPT MUCH_] Because the world and the Church were likely to be deprived of the knowledge of the contents of the book.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:5. _THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDA_] Jesus Christ, who sprang from this tribe, as his genealogy proves; see on Matthew 1:2; Matthew 1:3 and Luke 3:33. There is an allusion here to Genesis 49:9, _Judah is a lion's whelp_; the _lion_ was the emblem of this tribe, and was supposed to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:6. _STOOD A LAMB_] Christ, so called because he was a sacrificial offering; αρνιον signifies a _little_ or _delicate_ lamb. _AS IT HAD BEEN SLAIN_] As if now _in the act of being offered_. This is very remarkable; so important is the sacrificial offering of Christ in the sight of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:7. _HE CAME AND TOOK THE BOOK_] This verse may be properly explained by John, John 1:18. _No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which_ _is in the bosom of the Father, he hath DECLARED him_. With Jesus alone are all the counsels and mysteries of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:8. _THE FOUR BEASTS - FELL DOWN BEFORE THE LAMB_] The whole Church of God, and all his children in heaven and earth, acknowledge that Jesus Christ is alone worthy and able to unfold and execute all the mysteries and counsels of God. Revelation 5:9. _HAVING EVERY ONE OF THEM HARPS... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:9. _A NEW SONG_] Composed on the matters and blessings of the Gospel, which was just now opened on earth. But _new song_ may signify a _most excellent song_; and by this the Gospel and its blessings are probably signified. The Gospel is called a _new song_, Psalms 96:1. And perha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:10. _KINGS AND PRIESTS_] See Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9, and the notes there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:11. _THE VOICE OF MANY ANGELS_] These also are represented as joining in the chorus with _redeemed mortals_. _TEN THOUSAND TIMES TEN THOUSAND_] "Myriads of myriads and chiliads of chiliads;" that is, an infinite or innumerable multitude. This is in reference to Daniel 7:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:12. _TO RECEIVE POWER_] That is, Jesus Christ is worthy _to_ _take_, λαβειν, to have ascribed to him, _power_-omnipotence; _riches_-beneficence; _wisdom_-omniscience; _strength_-power in prevalent exercise; _honour_-the highest reputation for what he has done; _glory_-the praise d... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:13. _EVERY CREATURE_] All parts of the creation, animate and inanimate, are represented here, by that figure of speech called _prosopopaeia_ or _personification_, as giving praise to the Lord Jesus, because by him _all things were created_. We find the whole creation gives precise... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 5:14. _THE FOUR BEASTS SAID, AMEN._] Acknowledged that what was attributed to Christ was his due. _THE FOUR_ AND _TWENTY ELDERS_] The word εικοσιτεσσαρες, _twenty-four_, is wanting in the most eminent MSS. and versions. _FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPPED_] Επεσαν και προσεκυνησαν· _Fell do... [ Continue Reading ]