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Texts -- Revelation 5:1-13 (NET)

Context
The Opening of the Scroll
5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back and sealed with seven seals . 5:2 And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice : “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals ?” 5:3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it . 5:4 So I began weeping bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it . 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me , “Stop weeping ! Look , the Lion of the tribe of Judah , the root of David , has conquered ; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals .” 5:6 Then I saw standing in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures , and in the middle of the elders , a Lamb that appeared to have been killed . He had seven horns and seven eyes , which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth . 5:7 Then he came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne , 5:8 and when he had taken the scroll , the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground before the Lamb . Each of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints ). 5:9 They were singing a new song : “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed , and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe , language , people , and nation . 5:10 You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God , and they will reign on the earth .” 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne , as well as the living creatures and the elders . Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand– thousands times thousands 5:12 all of whom were singing in a loud voice : “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise !” 5:13 Then I heard every creature – in heaven , on earth , under the earth , in the sea , and all that is in them – singing : “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise , honor , glory , and ruling power forever and ever !”

Pericope

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Hymns

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  • Agungkan Kuasa NamaNya [KJ.222a]
  • Agungkan Kuasa NamaNya [KJ.222b]
  • Aku Gereja, Kau Pun Gereja [KJ.257]
  • Aku Percaya [KJ.280]
  • Batu Penjuru G'reja [KJ.252]
  • Berlaksa-laksa Orang [KJ.270] ( Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand )
  • Bila Sangkakala Menggegap [KJ.278]
  • Dari Kubur yang Kelam [KJ.190]
  • Di Dalam Kristus Bertemu [KJ.259] ( In Christ There is No East Or West )
  • Di Seluruh Dunia [KJ.255]
  • Dia Nobatkanlah [KJ.226] ( Crown Him with Many Crowns )
  • Hai Jangan Sendirian [KJ.352]
  • Hai Masyhurkanlah [KJ.6] ( Ye Servants of God )
  • Haleluya, Hormat Sepenuhnya [KJ.347]
  • Haleluya, Terpujilah [KJ.243]
  • Hujan, Hujan [KJ.70]
  • Insan, Tangisi Dosamu [KJ.157]
  • Ketika Tuhanku Disalib [KJ.435]
  • Kibarkan Panji RajaMu [KJ.206] ( Fling out the Banner )
  • Kita, Anak Adam [KJ.156]
  • Lihat Salib di atas Bukit Golgota [KJ.182]
  • Mahakasih Yang Ilahi [KJ.58] ( Love Divine, All Loves Excelling )
  • Maju, Laskar Kristus [KJ.339] ( Onward, Christian Soldiers )
  • Muliakan Allah Bapa [KJ.242]
  • Muliakan Allah yang Esa [KJ.45]
  • Naik ke Sorga Cemerlang [KJ.218]
  • Nyanyian Malaikat Nyaring Bergema [KJ.223] ( Golden Harps Are Sounding )
  • Puji Allah Pencipta [KJ.244]
  • Puji Yesus [KJ.293]
  • Pujilah [KJ.47]
  • Segala Kemuliaan [KJ.161]
  • Terpuji Engkau, Allah Mahabesar [KJ.397] ( Revive Us Again / We Praise Thee, O God )
  • Tuhan Melawat UmatNya [KJ.214]
  • Tuhan, Pencipta Semesta [KJ.289]
  • UmatMu Bersembah Sujud [KJ.227]
  • Ya Yesus, Dikau Kurindukan [KJ.84]
  • Yang Dipuji Kaum Gembala [KJ.116]
  • Yerusalem, Mulia dan Kudus [KJ.261]
  • Yesus Bangkit! Nyanyilah [KJ.187]
  • Yesus Hidup dan Menang [KJ.210]
  • Yesus Kristus Memerintah [KJ.220]
  • Yesus, Tuhanku, Apakah Dosaku [KJ.167]
  • Yesuslah Raja yang Menang [KJ.248b]
  • Yesuslah Raja yang Menang [KJ.248a]
  • [Rev 5:5] The Lion Of Judah
  • [Rev 5:8] Golden Harps Are Sounding
  • [Rev 5:8] New Song (pierson), The
  • [Rev 5:9] All Mortal Vanities, Begone
  • [Rev 5:9] Lord, I Am Thine, Entirely Thine
  • [Rev 5:9] New Song (best), The
  • [Rev 5:9] Redeemed, And With The Price Of Blood
  • [Rev 5:9] There’s A Chorus Ever Ringing
  • [Rev 5:9] Worthy The Lamb
  • [Rev 5:11] Chorus Of Fire
  • [Rev 5:11] Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs
  • [Rev 5:11] Everlasting Hymn, The
  • [Rev 5:11] Hark, Ten Thousand Harps And Voices
  • [Rev 5:11] Hark! Ten Thousand Voices
  • [Rev 5:11] Hark! The Notes Of Angels Singing
  • [Rev 5:11] Holy, Holy, Is What The Angels Sing
  • [Rev 5:11] How Shall I Sing That Majesty
  • [Rev 5:11] I Heard A Sound Of Voices
  • [Rev 5:11] O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
  • [Rev 5:11] O That I Had A Thousand Voices
  • [Rev 5:11] O Ye Immortal Throng
  • [Rev 5:11] Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand
  • [Rev 5:11] Thousand Oracles Divine, A
  • [Rev 5:11] What Heavenly Music
  • [Rev 5:11] Ye Holy Angels Bright
  • [Rev 5:12] Come, Let Us Sing The Song Of Songs
  • [Rev 5:12] Come, Ye Faithful, Raise The Anthem
  • [Rev 5:12] From Highest Heav’n The Eternal Son
  • [Rev 5:12] Glory To God On High
  • [Rev 5:12] He Is Coming
  • [Rev 5:12] Sing We The Song
  • [Rev 5:12] What Are These In Bright Array
  • [Rev 5:12] What Equal Honors Shall We Bring
  • [Rev 5:12] Worthy Is The Lamb!
  • [Rev 5:13] Countless Multitudes On High, The
  • [Rev 5:13] O For A Sweet, Inspiring Ray
  • [Rev 5:13] See The Ransomed Millions Stand
  • [Rev 5:13] Thro’ The New Heav’n What Voices Ring

Questions

Sermon Illustrations

Names of Jesus; Asking; Why Did Jesus Die?; Why Did Jesus Die?; Mary Had The Little Lamb; Mary Had The Little Lamb; Outline; Revelation 12:11

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • There are at least three purposes for the inclusion of this genealogy, which contains 10 paragraphs (vv. 1-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18-20, 21-24, 25-27, 28-31, and 32).1. It shows the development of the human race from Ada...
  • "As the laws increase and the constraints grow, the people seem less willing or less capable of following them. At this point in the narrative we see that the whole order of the priesthood is thrown open to direct confrontati...
  • 110:3 When Messiah comes to rule over His enemies His people will willingly join in His reign (cf. Judg. 5:2). They will be holy in contrast to the unholy whom Messiah will subdue. They will be as youthful warriors, namely st...
  • 6:1 Why did Isaiah date this passage since he did not date most of his others?70Probably he did so because King Uzziah had been the best king of Judah since Solomon. Nevertheless during the last part of his reign he suffered ...
  • God had not forgotten nor was He unable to deliver His people. Their redemption was certain."This vision of what God will accomplish through his Servant is so exciting that Isaiah breaks into the ecstatic hymn of praise (vv. ...
  • This final stanza gives the explanation for the Servant's submissive suffering for sinners and so completes the song.53:10 The apparent miscarriage of justice just described (v. 9) would not be what it would appear to be. It ...
  • "Having described the exaltation of Zion and her enlargement through the influx of the Gentiles, the prophet turns to describe the destruction of Zion's enemies."701"The oracle is most dramatic. The only OT passage that in an...
  • "Ezekiel's vision of God's glory had provided the needed perspectivefor his task (1:4-2:7). The messagehe was to deliver was provided by God (2:8-3:11). Then he needed motivationto direct him to the task. That motivation was ...
  • This prophecy shows that there were no more rulers left in Judah who could restore the nation to its former glory. Evidently the exiles hoped that some Davidic descendant would prove successful in overcoming the Babylonians a...
  • Instructions (statutes) designed to maintain holiness in the new temple follow. The Lord specified how His people were to construct the new altar to accommodate sacrifices (43:13-17) and how they were to dedicate it (43:18-27...
  • 7:15-16 Even though Daniel understood all kinds of visions and dreams (1:17), much of what he had just seen baffled and alarmed him (cf. 7:28). He now saw himself participating in the events of his vision. He evidently addres...
  • Micah had prayed, he received the Lord's answer, and this answer moved him to worship (cf. Exod. 34:6-7).447:18 The prophet praised Yahweh as a God who is unique in that He pardons the rebellious sins of the surviving remnant...
  • 3:6-7 Then the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua. He promised, in the name of sovereign Yahweh, that if Joshua obeyed the Lord and served Him, Joshua would govern the temple, have charge of the temple courts, and enjoy free...
  • The priests and the kings in Israel were responsible for justice in the nation (cf. Deut. 17:9; 2 Sam. 15:2-3), though neither group could prevent wickedness from proliferating. The sixth and seventh visions deal with the rem...
  • 1:11 It was particularly inappropriate for Israel's priests to despise Yahweh because the time would come when people from all over the world would honor His name (person; cf. Isa. 45:22-25; 49:5-7; 59:19). Incense accompanie...
  • 1:8-9 Zechariah was serving God faithfully by discharging some temple function as a member of his priestly division. There were so many priests then that the great privilege of offering incense on the golden incense altar in ...
  • 12:36 In the parable the master returns from a wedding feast. Perhaps Jesus had the heavenly marriage supper of Jesus with His bride the church in view (cf. Rev. 4-5). This event will precede His second coming to the earth (R...
  • John the Baptist continued his witness to Jesus' identity by identifying Him publicly as the Lamb of God. This witness is a crucial part of the writer's purpose of promoting faith in Jesus.1:29 The very next day John saw Jesu...
  • Sexual immorality is wrong, Paul concluded, because it involves sinning against one's body, which in the case of believers belongs to the Lord through divine purchase.6:18 In conclusion, believers should flee from fornication...
  • 1:7 The "Him"in view is the beloved Son (v. 6).Redemption (Gr. apolytrosin) means release from slavery (cf. v. 14; 4:30; Luke 21:28; Rom. 3:24; 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15; 11:35). It involves buying back and sett...
  • This paragraph is the most important one in the epistle and the most difficult to interpret."By anyone's reckoning, 2:6-11 constitutes the single most significant block of material in Philippians."582:5 Paul introduced an ill...
  • Paul next turned to another subject on which his readers needed instruction in view of their newness in Christ (cf. 3:10). He outlined the immediate hope of his readers. He did this to explain that those of their number who h...
  • To encourage Timothy further to endure hardship Paul cited a commonly accepted and used quotation that encouraged believers to remain faithful to their Christian profession (cf. 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Titus 3:8). It may have ...
  • John reminded his readers of their spiritual blessings to motivate them to cultivate intimate fellowship with God."Because his readers are Christians and have in part experienced the power of their faith he moves them to nobl...
  • The subject of the Book of Revelation is Jesus Christ (1:1). It is an unveiling ("revelation") of Him. What does this book reveal about Christ? The Book of Revelation is the unveiling of the person of Jesus Christ, the power ...
  • I. The preparation of the prophet ch. 1A. The prologue of the book 1:1-81. The preface 1:1-32. The address and doxology 1:4-63. The theme 1:7-8B. The commission of the prophet 1:9-201. The first commission to write 1:9-112. T...
  • The Apostle John wrote these opening verses to introduce to his readers the main subject dealt with in this book and his purpose for writing it.1:1 "The revelation of Jesus Christ"is the subject of this book. "Revelation"mean...
  • "As is true of NT epistles in general, the address of Revelation contains three elements: the writer, the addressees, and the greeting."181:4 John sent this letter to the seven churches mentioned in chapters 2 and 3, which we...
  • John turned to see the person who had given him his commission. These verses describe what he saw.1:12 When John turned to see the person who spoke to him he saw a majestic figure clothed in a long robe standing among seven l...
  • John's response to this revelation was similar to Daniel's response to the vision God gave him (cf. Dan. 10:7-9). Jesus then proceeded to give John more information about what He wanted him to do.1:17 This revelation of Jesus...
  • John recorded the rest of this book to reveal those aspects of the future that God wanted His people to know (cf. 1:19). He revealed the events in chapters 4-18 to enable the readers to understand events leading up to Jesus C...
  • Chapters 4 and 5 prepared John, and they prepare the reader, for the outpouring of judgments on the earth that follow. They present the place from which these judgments originate and the Person from whom they come. Before rev...
  • This chapter focuses on God the Father, the Creator who hands over the seven-sealed scroll. Chapter 5 emphasizes God the Son, the Redeemer who receives and opens the scroll.
  • 4:2 As soon as John heard this invitation, he entered another ecstatic state (cf. 1:10). His body remained on the earth, but he saw a throne and someone sitting on it in heaven (cf. Ezek. 11:1, 5). "Throne"occurs 45 times in ...
  • 4:9 Whenever it is appropriate and possible the four living creatures give praise to eternal God. They glorify and honor Him for His perfections, and they thank Him for His great works, especially His creation (v. 11).4:10 Th...
  • 5:2 The identity of the strong angel is probably unknowable. His loud voice indicated his authority and the importance of what he said. One with sufficient authority was necessary to open (Gr. anoixai) the scroll and by break...
  • 5:6 As with our dreams, John's vision contained some unusual features. John saw the Messiah as a Lamb.229The Lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ at His first advent, meek and submissive to a sacrificial death as our substitute (...
  • John received revelation concerning the judgments that would take place on earth after the Lamb opened the seals on the scroll (5:1). God gave him this information to help us understand what will take place in the future. The...
  • 6:1 "I saw"marks the continuation of what John had seen that chapters 4 and 5 record, but also the commencement of revelation concerning future events on earth. Chapters 1-5 have introduced this revelation. John was an eyewit...
  • What happened next evidently took place in heaven.6:9 The altar John saw was evidently in heaven (cf. 8:3, 5; 14:18). Earlier John had seen a throneroom in heaven (chs. 4-5), but now he saw a temple. Probably the concepts of ...
  • The scene continues to be on earth.7:1 The phrase "after this"(Gr. meta touto) indicates that what follows is a new vision (cf. 4:1). The general chronological progression of the visions suggests that the events John saw now ...
  • There are a number of contrasts between the 144,000 and this great multitude. The number of the first group is not only smaller but definite whereas the number of the second group is larger and indefinite. People from the 12 ...
  • 8:2 John saw someone, perhaps God, give seven trumpets to a group of seven angels standing before the heavenly throne (cf. 1:4; 3:1; 8:6; 15:1). Exactly who these angels were is not clear. Some interpreters have identified th...
  • 10:1 Whereas a few commentators have identified this strong angel as Jesus Christ,341the evidence for his being simply another (Gr. allon, another of the same kind) strong angel seems more convincing (cf. vv. 5-6). Other comm...
  • 10:8 God or Christ (v. 4) then commanded John to take the little book from the strong angel with authority over the whole planet.10:9 Evidently the little scroll symbolizes God's revelation that John was about to set forth. I...
  • 11:1 "And"(Gr. kai) ties this chapter closely to the previous one. John's first prophetic assignment after receiving his fresh commission was to provide this information.Again John became an active participant in his vision (...
  • 11:7 It is only when they have finished their ministry that God will permit the beast to kill the two witnesses. They will not die prematurely. This is the first of 36 references to "the beast"in Revelation (cf. Dan. 7:21). H...
  • John's revelation continued to unfold future events as God revealed these to him in his vision. The scene John saw next was in heaven. The seventh trumpet judgment did not begin immediately (cf. 8:1-5), but John received info...
  • Most interpreters who see the first beast as an individual also see the second beast as one. Others who see the first beast as a power or movement tend to view the second beast similarly. Many of the Reformers identified the ...
  • 14:1 "And I looked"(Gr. kai eidon) introduces three scenes in chapter 14 (vv. 1, 6, 14), as this phrase did twice in chapter 13 (vv. 1, 11). "Behold"(Gr. idou, cf. v. 14) calls special attention to the greatness of the sight ...
  • 15:2 John again "saw"(cf. vv. 1, 5) the sea of glass that was similar to crystal (4:6; cf. Exod. 24:10; Ezek. 1:22), though here he wrote that it also had fire in it. The sea most likely represents the holiness and majesty of...
  • 15:5 "After these things I looked"(Gr. meta tauta eidon) indicates a transition to a new vision and a new subject: the bowl judgments. These are in a category of their own. John saw the heavenly temple opened. This gave the s...
  • 17:15 The angel next helped John understand the identity of the waters (v. 1). Water is a common symbol for people in the Old Testament (e.g., Ps. 18:4, 16; 124:4; Isa. 8:7; Jer. 47:2). The harlot exercises a controlling infl...
  • 18:21 The angelic act of throwing the millstone into the sea is symbolic of Babylon's fate (cf. Jer. 51:63-64). As it is impossible for that huge stone to rise to the surface, so the economic system that has driven this world...
  • This pericope has strong ties to what precedes (16:17-18:24). It is the concluding revelation concerning the fall of Babylon, the latter-day Egypt and Tyre, and Antichrist, the ultimate Pharaoh of the Exodus and King of Tyre....
  • ". . . it is not difficult to see why the early church understood John to be teaching a millennium in Revelation 20. Three arguments support this interpretation: (1) the teaching of two resurrections, (2) the binding of Satan...
  • 20:11 This "And I saw"introduces something else John saw in this vision (cf. 19:11, 17, 19; 20:1, 4, 12; 21:1, 2). The continuation of chronological progression seems clear from the continued use of "And"to introduce new info...
  • Essentially what John saw next was Paradise regained (cf. 2:7; Gen. 2; Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:2). Having viewed the splendor of the New Jerusalem he now saw what will nourish and enrich the lives of God's people there."Up to t...
  • 22:6 The angel who had been revealing the new creation to John, one of the angels who had the seven bowls (21:9), continued to speak to him.782He assured John that the things prophesied to happen soon (4:1-22:5), which John h...
  • Symbols Used in the Book of Revelation That the Book Itself Interprets1. The seven lampstands (1:12) are seven churches (1:20).2. The seven stars (1:16) are seven angels or messengers (1:20).3. The morning star (2:28; 22:16),...
  • Abbott-Smith, George. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1950.Aldrich, Roy L. "The Divisions of the First Resurrection."Bibliotheca Sacra128:510 (April-June 1971):117-19.Alford, Henry. ...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • And the Angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon t...
  • I John am a partaker with you in the kingdom.'Now John does not say, I am going to be a partaker,' but says, Here and now, in this little rocky island of Patmos, an exile and all but a martyr, I yet, like all the rest of you,...
  • "A Lamb as it had been slain, having… seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."--Rev. 5:6.John received a double commission, to write the things which are and the things which shall b...
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