5:1-4    The Sealed Book

5:1 “in the right of him...a book written within and on the backside”/ a scroll, comprehensive (whole counsel of God) scroll containing the prophecy of coming events in the book of Revelation.  The subject of the book is redemption.  “True redemption has its roots in the past, but its final fulfillment lies in the future.”  This possession has been purchased, but not fully redeemed: Luke 21:28; Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 8:22-23 / Three things could be redeemed in the O.T.

Servants: Mankind;   A wife: The Church;  Piece of land: The earth at the end

“sealed with seven seals”/ impressive, title deed to the earth, the seals must be successfully opened if the scroll is to be read - Greek wills had seven seals, important contents. 

5: 2   Mighty and powerful, urgency and great concern

5:4   Great concern for John wept much - compassion over an inheritance which had not been redeemed yet. 

5:5 “Lion of the tribe of Judah”/ Gen. 49:9-10; Heb. 7:14

 “root of David”/ Isa. 11:1,10 / representative of royalty

 “prevailed”/ conquered, this word is first in the Greek construction of verse five / Lit. “Behold, He has conquered.. the Lion of the Tribe of Judah...”/

 5:6 “Lamb”/ 28X in Revelation / central object in Heaven / John 1:29; Acts 8:32; I Peter 1:19 / He is in the midst of all things.  As the LION He is sovereign, majestic, the judge, His second coming; As the LAMB is He is Savior, first coming, sacrificial and loving, tender .

5:7 “seven horns”/ kingly authority / “seven eyes”/ seven spirits of God

5:8 Prayer of the saints: Psalm 141:2

5:10 Kings and priests: 1:6; 2:26-27; 3:21; 20:4-6

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