The Bible — World English Bible
Revelation 5
In brief
Revelation 5 opens on a scene in heaven: a scroll sealed with seven seals that no one is worthy to open. John weeps, then is told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has overcome. He then sees a Lamb as though it had been slain, who takes the scroll. The living creatures and the elders sing a new song, the angels join them, then all creation worships. The chapter presents Jesus as the one who alone is worthy.
The chapter in 4 parts
1I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals.
2I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?”
3No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look in it.
4Then I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it.
5One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome: he who opens the book and its seven seals.”
6I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
8Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
10and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on the earth.”
11I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands;
12saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”
13I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”
14The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshiped.
Key verses
One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome: he who opens the book and its seven seals.” I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
John hears a lion announced, and he sees a slain lamb. The two images describe the same person: Jesus is victorious through his sacrifice.
They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
The new song celebrates the blood of the Lamb that buys people from every tribe, language, people and nation. Salvation is universal in its reach.
and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on the earth.”
Those who have been redeemed become a kingdom and priests for God. They share the dignity and the mission that God entrusts to them.
saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”
The angels proclaim that the slain Lamb is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. Worship is therefore founded on his sacrifice.
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Frequently asked questions about Revelation 5
What do the lion and the Lamb mean in Revelation 5?
John hears the lion of the tribe of Judah announced, then he sees a lamb as though slain. Both images point to Jesus: he is the victorious Messiah announced by the Old Testament, and he won by giving himself. His power is expressed through sacrifice, not brute force.
What does the scroll with seven seals contain?
The text does not say precisely what it contains. It is written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. Many see in it God's plan for history and its fulfillment, which only the Lamb can open. Christians differ on the details, but agree on the worthiness of Jesus.
Why does John weep in verse 4?
John weeps because no one is found worthy to open the scroll. He understands that without someone worthy, God's purpose would remain closed. One of the elders comforts him by announcing that the Lion of Judah has overcome, and the scene turns to joy.
Who sings the new song in Revelation 5?
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing in verse 9, addressing the Lamb. They celebrate his blood that bought people from every nation. Myriads of angels join them, then all creation, which underlines the scale of the worship.
Articles quoting Revelation 5
World English Bible translation — public domain.