The Sealed Scroll
5 1 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on both sides, 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 But 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 wept bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Look — the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David — Jesus — has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." a a v5 Lion of Judah comes from Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49:9-10); Root of David comes from Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 11:1, 10). Both titles point to Jesus, who has conquered and is worthy to open the scroll.
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures, and among the elders, I saw Jesus, the Lamb, standing as though he had been slain, with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the sevenfold Spirit of our Father sent out into all the earth. b b v6 The Lamb is Jesus — slain yet standing. He is distinct from our Father seated on the throne: in the next verse the Lamb takes the scroll from the Father's right hand. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne. c c v7 The Lamb takes the scroll from the right hand of him on the throne — Father and Son are distinct Persons of the one God. The Lamb comes to receive from the throne-figure's hand; the Lamb cannot be the throne-figure himself. 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 our Father's holy people. 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 our Father from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our Father, and they will 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 millions upon millions and thousands upon 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 every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, I heard 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.