THE REVELATION
OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE
CHAPTER 5
John sees the book sealed with seven seals and those redeemed out of every nation—He hears every creature praising God and the Lamb.
[ This chapter along with Chapter 4 introduce chapter 6 and make the case as to why the Father and the son are qualified to judge the world]
1 AND I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book [ The Greek term “biblion” is better translated as “scroll”. ] written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.[ Again we see the number 7 which means to be whole or complete. The “book” was actually a scroll. It was customary to write on one side only but this one is written on both sides, possibly to represent that nothing was left out. Legal documents were sealed to prove authenticity. Documents were written in duplicate, with one of them closed and sealed, to be opened only by a Judge “if anyone challenged the content” (Draper and Rhodes, BYU NTC: Revelation, 225). The witness
wrapped string around the scroll, embedding it in clay or wax to personalize the seal. Seven seals assured its safety.
Seals were then used as a stamp of authority, like a notary of our day. Furthermore the person who was authorized to open a seal was a judge(Jesus Christ is the one who can read this book vs 2). 6 Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals? A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence. 7 Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed? A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh. So we can then conclude that the scroll contains God's intentions and plans for the 7000 years of earth's temporal existence. The interpretation in D&C 77:6 5.2 says the scroll contains “the hidden things of his economy”. The theological usage of the word “economy” means “the divine plan for man, or any method of divine administration”. ]
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, [ In ancient times this would have been a judge (symbolic of Jesus Christ.) ] and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, [ This is a merism, or a statement of complete inclusivity as there is nothing that does not fall into one of these three parts. This is also the classic triplet of celestial, terrestrial, telestial, see also v. 13, cp. Exod. 20:4-11, Ps. 148, Isa. 44:23, Phil. 2:10. ] was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I [ John ] wept much, because no man was found worthy [ John weeps out of fear God’s plans will be frustrated because mankind cannot, or will not, accomplish His will. ] to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, [ Drawing on the imagery of Gen. 49:9. Also cp. 4:7 referencing the Lion on the standard or camp of Juda. ] the Root of David, [ This is a reference to Christs mortal genealogy which was through David. David was promised that the Messiah would come through his lineage, hence Christ is “the son of David”, cf. 2 Sam. 7, also cp. Isa. 11:10, Matt. 22:41-46, Luke 1:31-33. There are two mortal genealogies for Christ - One from Joseph and one for Mary, both of whom were cousins. Both of these genealogies show a direct line to Juda through Jesse. ] hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. [ None are found worthy to unseal the scroll, except the Lamb Of God. Thus the saying "worthy is the Lamb". The Seven seals we are taught in D&C 77:6-7 that the seals each represent a thousand years of the earths existence. ]
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb [ Drawing on symbolism of the sacrificial lamb, cf. Gen. 22:8, Exod. 12:3-5, Lev. 4:32-35 ] as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [ The IV/JST amends this to “twelve...twelve...twelve”, presumably to represent the 12 apostles. As such it also differentiates these servants from the seven angels in 8:1-10:3 who pour out vials of woe upon the inhabitants of the earth. ]
7 And he [ Jesus Christ. ] came and took the book out of the right hand [ The implicit symbolism is of equality and favored status. The son approaches on the right hand, the favored hand, and that anyone can approach the Father at His level implies equality. ] of him [ Heavenly Father. ] that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, [ The Greek is better translated to “incense”. The imagery is of the traditional burnt offering where the smoke ascending into heaven is symbolic of the prayers of those making the offering. ] which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, [ Singing a new song, a sing of salvation is a common OT theme of rejoicing in redemption, cf. Ps. 96:1, Isa. 42:10, Alma 5:26. Compare 14:3, 15:2-3.] saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [ Reads like Israel is saying it is redeemed by the blood of other nations, which is not the author’s intent. A better reading is “for Thou wast slain, and did purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (NAS translation). ]
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; [ The hosts of heaven are numberless. the intent is to express John's astonishment at having such great numbers of angels revealed to him. If we take the number at face value it would be 100,000,000,000,000 or hundreds of trillions. ]
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb [ The lamb was without blemish - meaning that his sacrifice was sufficient to overcome the bonds and bands of death and sin. His sacrifice overcame all. ] that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. [ Because Jesus did as he was asked to do in all areas including the crucifixation he is worthy to inherit all that The Father has. ]
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, [ Merism that there is not any creature that is not included. ] and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb [ Jesus Christ the one who made the atonement available for everyone. ] for ever and ever.