Principles of Interpretation: There are patterns to Revelation which should be considered when trying to understand it. One pattern is that each new section is introduced by a scene from the temple. There is significance to these introductions. Do not ignore them. They are a key to understanding the section. Another pattern is that the book is written in symbolic language. The King James Version translates verse 1 as “he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” To signify is to show in signs, i.e., symbols. Those symbols are based in the rest of the Bible, both Old and New Testament. As such, look to the rest of the Bible to interpret Revelation rather than using Revelation to interpret the rest of the Bible. This also means that you need to let the Bible interpret itself rather than attempting to have it fit into today’s headlines. In short, do not treat Revelation as separate from the rest of the Bible. Instead, expect that the events described in Revelation have been presented in other parts of the Bible. A third pattern in Revelation is the idea of judgement. There are courtroom scenes and wrath and complaints about God not bringing justice. In fact, humans are not the only ones under judgment. God Himself is on trial, and the repeated verdict is that God is just, holy, and worthy. From the beginning claim that this is the Revelation of Jesus to the promise in the last chapter that we shall see God’s face, Revelation is an examination of who our Creator is and whether He is worthy of our loyalty.

Disclaimer: There are four basic methodologies used to interpret the book of Revelation in modern society: futurism, historicism, idealism, and preterism. Many modern churches have embraced the idea of the secret rapture, which is a form of futurism. On the other hand, some churches say that Revelation deals solely with events that were happening in the apostolic era. This is called preterism. Other churches teach that Revelation does not describe any specific time period. Instead, the symbols are philosophical and/or spiritual ideas. The series of studies that I am posting is based on historicism, which says that the Bible teaches that Revelation begins with the time of John and describes the interactions of the church with a hostile world throughout history culminating in the final future eradication of sin from the universe. This view denies a secret rapture. I do not want you to be in confusion about the basic premises of this series of lessons. If you disagree with the historicist viewpoint, please study for yourself to be certain that the interpretations that you have been told by others and simply accepted make sense with the whole Bible. As you study, first ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit; then study the verses, and let the Bible interpret itself. Even if you disagree with my comments, you may find the verses and background information that I provide useful. Finally, I want to emphasize that I myself am still studying Revelation and my understanding is deepening each time I open the book and read. Revelation is a distillation of the whole Bible; as such, the limited space of this blog and my limited understanding means that these lessons are not nearly as in-depth as they could (and maybe should) be.

References: See the end of this post for sources and references.

INTRODUCTION:

This is the introduction of a new section–the opening of the seven seals, but this introduction is important in its own right. In Revelation 4, we were introduced to a court scene. There was a throne, four creatures, twenty-four elders on thrones, and the Seven Spirits of God. In other words, Revelation 4 gives the setting of the event that is about to happen in Revelation 5. Everyone is in their formal places acting in an official capacity indicating that some kind of important ceremony is about to take place, and John has a front-row seat to witness this important event. God would not have included this scene in the Bible if the event to take place were not crucial to His church upon Earth.

Revelation 5:1-5

(1)  Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. (2)  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” (3)  And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, (4)  and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. (5)  And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

THE BOOK–What is the book? What books does the Bible speak of?

“Because Jesus died for fallen man, He is the only one who can open and read the sealed book. Since it was for fallen sinners that He died, and since it is because He died for us that He can open and read the book, it follows that the contents of the book must have something to do with us” (Unlocking Revelation).

Who Can Open It?

• The Lion of the tribe of Judah refers to Jesus as the protector of His people. In ancient Judah, the lion was on their banners. The lion was symbolic of their protector. Other ancient kingdoms had mythological pagan creatures that protected their kingdoms. Judah’s real-life animal symbolized Yahweh.
• The Root of David refers to a prophecy of the Messiah ruling in heaven found in Isaiah. The prophecy refers to the root of Jesse, who was the father of King David. Isaiah 11:10 says “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” This title identifies Jesus as the King of God’s people on Earth.
• Thus, as the king and protector of God’s earthly people, Jesus has the right to open the book.

The Book of Life

• Psalms 56:8  (8)  You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not inyour book?

• Malachi 3:16-18 (16)  Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. (17)  “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. (18)  Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

• Daniel 7:9-10 (9)  “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. (10)  A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

• Revelation 20:12-15 (12)  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. (13)  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. (14)  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (15)  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

• Exodus 32:32-33 (32)  But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” (33)  But the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.

• Luke 10:20   (20)  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

• Revelation 3:5  (5)  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

• Revelation 13:8  (8)  and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

• Revelation 17:8  (8)  The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.

• Revelation 21:27  (27)  But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The following passage does not mention the word book as the previous verses do, but it describes the same judgment that the books are involved in. Thus, it gives us some indication of the kind of things that are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

• Matthew 25:31-46 (31)  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. (32)  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33)  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. (34)  Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (35)  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (36)  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (37)  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? (38)  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? (39)  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ (40)  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (41)  “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (42)  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, (43)  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ (44)  Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ (45)  Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ (46)  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Summary:  Books tell information about something.  The book of life tells who is righteous.  It is also called the book of remembrance.  Revelation 20 tells us that there are other books besides the book of life.  These books will be used to judge people.  People will be judged by their works.  All of the books mentioned deal with humans and their activities.  The books deal with all of humanity being judged. 

Other Books–There are other books, however, so let’s look at some of them.

Revelation 22:19  (19)  and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

• Summary:  This is not the book of life or the other books of judgment in that it is the book of the revelation of Jesus and His interactions with humans.  However, there is a judgment with the book of revelation also.  It says that we have to accept the knowledge of Jesus revealed in the book in order to have eternal life.  This book is also about humans.  Now let’s look at another book.  This one is similar to the book of Revelation 5 in that it is written on both sides.

Ezekiel 2:9-10 (9)  And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. (10)  And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.

• Summary:  This cannot be the book of life.  This is a book full of sadness and grief.  Ezekiel is asked to eat the scroll and then go and speak God’s words to the Jewish exiles in Babylon.  Ezekiel was going to have to tell of God’s judgment against Judah and that Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed with the people in the city.  Ezekiel had to tell the people that there was no hope for those left behind in Jerusalem.  Judgment was coming upon their land and people.  Thus, this is a book of judgment also.

The Book in Revelation 5

“Taking all these verses of Scripture into consideration, we can see that God keeps an accurate record of this world’s history, including each person’s name and the works and character that have made up each life.  Eventually all will be judged by those things written in God’s books.  Those who continue in rebellion will be judged by the deeds of their lives. Those who have confessed Christ will be judged by those things recorded in the book of life. Each one who continues in Christ will have his name retained forever in God’s book. Those who, having once trusted in Christ for salvation, have turned from Him to return to their life of sin will have their names blotted out of the book of life” (Unlocking Revelation).

This book is a history of human activities.  The verses show that a person’s actions are in the books, but there is another reason to see that this book is a history of humanity.  In chapter 6 of Revelation, every time a seal is opened, it speaks of something happening to the earth. Finally, there would be no reason for John to cry about the closed book unless the opening of the book benefitted humanity and the book staying closed hurt humanity.

THE LAMB AND THE SONG

Revelation 5:6-14

(6)  And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7)  And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. (8)  And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (9)  And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, (10)  and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (11)  Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, (12)  saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (13)  And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (14)  And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Jesus is worthy to open the book.

John 5:19-29 (19)  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (20)  For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. (21)  For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. (22)  For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, (23)  that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. (24)  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (25)  “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (26)  For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. (27)  And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. (28)  Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice (29)  and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

• SUMMARY:  If the book is used for judgment, then only Jesus can do the judging.  Thus, only Jesus can open the book.

Seven Horns, Seven Eyes, and Seven Spirits: 

Romans 5:6 (6)  And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Seven Horns:  Horns are symbols of power.  Seven is the number of completion and perfection.  Jesus has been given the power to judge (John 5:27).  Jesus is uniquely qualified because He has the authority, the knowledge, and has earned the position through His incarnation and sacrifice.  He is a human judging His own, yet He is God judging His rebellious subjects. 

Seven Eyes and Spirits: Zechariah 4:10  (10)  For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.”

• SUMMARY:  The verse in Zechariah speaks of the eyes of the Lord ranging through the whole earth.  In other words, God sees everything and knows what is going on.  In Revelation, the seven eyes are mentioned again.  Jesus is worthy because He has seen us all and knows what is going on.  He is uniquely qualified to judge humanity because of that knowledge.  How does Jesus know this?  The Holy Spirit is everywhere reporting back to heaven.  The seven Spirits of God represent this.

THE CEREMONY 

This is some kind of meeting.  There is a book of humanity to be given to someone.  There are witnesses.  Jesus comes and receives the book.  In receiving the book, the council says that He has become the leader of a kingdom of the people that He has ransomed:

Romans 5:9-10 (9)  And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, (10)  and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

• Summary:  This is a formal ceremony giving Jesus authority over the earth as its King and Judge.  He has paid the price for the earth with His own blood and in doing so, He has taken the world away from the devil and returned those who are written in the book of life to God.  They are now a part of the kingdom of heaven.  Earth is now part of the kingdom of heaven again. Thus, in some way the scroll is a legal document giving Jesus title to the earth. Satan is no longer the ruler of this world. The Lamb is the King of Earth after this ceremony.

JUDGMENT OF GOD

Isaiah 45:20-25 (20)  “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save. (21)  Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. (22)  “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. (23)  By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ (24)  “Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. (25)  In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”

Romans 14:7-12 (7)  For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. (8)  For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (9)  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. (10)  Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; (11)  for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (12)  So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Philippians 2:6-11 (6)  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7)  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (8)  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9)  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (10)  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11)  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• Summary:  This is also a scene where the Father and Son are being judged.  Based on their actions with humans, they are pronounced worthy.  In the garden of Eden, Satan made accusations about God.  Here, the council officially pronounces those accusations as false and declares that God is worthy to be worshipped.  All the heavenly beings affirm this verdict.  In the end, every knee bows and declares that the Lamb is worthy.  God is vindicated.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Revelation 5 describes a book that needs to be opened. It has seven seals. Only someone who has the right qualifications can take possession of the book and open it. An official ceremony takes place, which declares that Jesus has proven that He has the right to the book by the actions that He has taken as the Protector and King of humanity. Specifically, by giving Himself as a sacrifice for humanity, Jesus is the rightful Leader of Earth. He has ransomed humanity from the sentence of death that sin brings. He has the right to judge who will live and who will not. He has made sinful, rebellious humans into His own people. He is now their legal and rightful King.

References:

• Andrews Study Bible–In some lessons, I refer to study comments from this Bible.
• Plain Revelation–A book by Ranko Stefanovic that summarizes the meaning of various sections of Revelation
• Revelation of Jesus Christ–A book by Ranko Stefonovic that comments on each verse of Revelation.
• Salvation in Signs and Symbols–a series of shows where two pastors and two others study through the books of Revelation and Daniel. These programs can be accessed at 3abnplus.tv . Scroll down to 3ABN Dare to Dream Network and choose Salvation in Signs and Symbols from the list there.
• Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary (Volume 7) (Copywrite 1957)–This is the old green set of commentaries, not the new commentary series that is in the process of being published and should be released after 2022. (Boy, I would love to get my hands on that set when it comes out!)
• Table Talk–A series of shows where four pastors discuss various topics. These programs can be accessed at tabletalk.online . Season 4 focuses on Revelation.
• Unlocking Revelation–A series of pamphlets that can be downloaded for free from lightbearers.org and clicking on Resources