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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

CHAPTER FIVE:
WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE LITTLE BIBLE?

[“A Worthy Lamb”]
Key Word: Seals
Theme Verse: 2

Revelation 5:1-5 – Who Is Worthy to Open 7 Seals?

RV5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of the enthroned One 209 [Isaiah 6:1] a Little Bible written on both sides of the pages. 210 [Ezekiel 2:9, 10] It was sealed shut with 7 Seals. 211

209

The enthroned One: It ought to be clear that only “one” is the Person on the Throne, God Almighty, the One who possesses the Little Bible. The Lamb receives the book. Is it obvious there are two here and only one is God Almighty. Note the absence of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing of the Trinity in this scene when opportunity is surely present. There is something of Revelation 1:1 in this vision: the moment when Jesus Christ receives the Apocalypse.

210

Little Bible written on both sides of the pages: The Greek is BIBLION and usually translated “scroll” though most scrolls are never written on both sides. This may be a codex, a primitive book. The early Christians were very instrumental in the development of the book or codex. This is a little book, booklet (KIT), or Little Bible.

211

Sealed shut with 7 Seals: [Compare Isaiah 29:11.] Note the Book of Daniel is “sealed” (Daniel 12:9) until “the time of the end” of Jerusalem’s “last days.” It is now in the Apocalypse that the Book of Daniel is truly unsealed. There are over four dozen references to Daniel. The Apocalypse is left unsealed at Revelation 22.10. Therefore, any may now read the Little Bible without any intermediary channel. It is likely that the “revelation” of Revelation 1:1 is this Little Bible. All the information that follows is out of this codex. Compare Ephesians 3:5, 9-11 with Revelation 10:7.

RV5:2 I saw a strong angel heralding in a great voice: 212 “Who is worthy to open and read the Little Bible and to break its Seals?”

212	A strong angel heralding in a great voice: How does one recognize “a strong angel” as opposed to a normal one? Angels have degrees of strength. (Daniel chapter 10) The voice is powerful and must echo in the Throne-room chamber. It raises a question for a wide audience.

RV5:3 And no one was able to open the Little Bible nor any able to look into it, not in heaven or on earth or under the ground. 213 [Philippians 2:10]

213	Under the ground: Or, earth. That is, among the dead. AMP: in the realm of the dead, Hades. The phrase may allude to Philippians 2:10.

RV5:4 I began to weep greatly 214 because no one worthy was found who could open the Little Bible and examine it. 215

214	To weep greatly: John is overcome in his spiritual emotions. His spirit must be on edge given the vision and the Presence.

215	Examine it: KJV: to read the book. The idea is to read it.

RV5:5 And one of the Presbyters 216 said to me: “Weep not. Look! the Lion of the tribe of Judah, 217 [Genesis 49:9] the root of David, 218 [Isaiah 11:10] has conquered to open the Little Bible 219 and unlock its 7 Seals.”

216	One of the Presbyters: Leaving 23 Presbyters. The number is literal. This happens again at Revelation 7:13, 14.

217	The Lion of the tribe of Judah: The source is Genesis 49:9 and Jacob’s deathbed prophecy regarding Messiah. Compare Isaiah 11:1, 10.

218	The root of David: Likely an allusion to Isaiah 11:10 without using “Jesse”. David was mentioned earlier at Revelation 3:7. Compare Isaiah 11:1, 10 with Romans 15:12.

219

Conquered to open the Little Bible: Compare John 16:33 and the use of the word "conquered" in 1 John. This “conquest” is primarily a matter of faith. Jesus has already conquered during “his days in the flesh” (Hebrews 5:7) and he is now presented victorious in the celestial Throne-Room. (Hebrews 2:9) The Greek is EVIKESEN the root for “victory.” The word occurs 16 times.

Revelation 5:6-10 – A New Song to the Lamb

RV5:6 I saw in the middle of the Throne-room, among 4 Living Creatures and the Presbyters, stood a Lamb as though slaughtered. 220 [Isaiah 53:7] The Lamb had 7 horns 221 and 7 eyes. 222 [Zechariah 4:10] The eyes are the 7 spirits of The God 223 which have been sent forth in all the earth. [Zechariah 4:10]

220

A Lamb as though slaughtered: The language echoes Isaiah 53:7. [Compare Acts 8:32] The victorious Christ. Here is the vision of Daniel 7:13, 14 amplified. It takes up where Daniel left off: the momentous convention to present the Son of Man. Here is the event Stephen saw at his martyrdom. (Acts 7:55, 56) The Lamb has been “slaughtered” on the Tree. (Revelation 5:6, 9, 12; 13:8) The wild Sea Beast’s Seventh Head is also “slaughtered.” (Revelation 13:3) It is clear that John has been taken backward in time to the moment in heaven in the year 33 AD.

221	7 horns: “Horn” means power and so power in spiritual perfection. Compare Zechariah 4:10. Note his power in Ephesians 1:20-23.

222	7 eyes: Eyes for inspection and judgment. Just as the Son is the mouth for God, he is also the “eyes.” (Proverbs 3:4; 5:21; 15:3; 22:12) Compare Zechariah 4:10.

223	The 7 spirits of The God: The “eyes are the 7 spirits.” An explanation of the 7 Spirits is given here: the spiritually perfect “eyes” of God manifest in His Lamb. Nothing escapes his view as he walks among the congregational lampstands.

RV5:7 Then the Lamb immediately approached and took the Little Bible 224 out of the right hand of the enthroned One. [Isaiah 6:1]

224

Little Bible: If this vision be an expansion on the thought of Revelation 1:1, ‘a revelation The God gave (Jesus).’ Jesus would have received this BIBLION or codex before John entered prison, mostly likely following his ascension as the slaughtered Lamb to the Throne of God in the year 33 AD. (Revelation 3:12)

RV5:8 When he received the Little Bible the 4 Living Creatures and the 24 Presbyters, 225 each with a harp 226 and a golden bowl 227 full of the prayers of the Saints, prostrated before the Lamb. 228

225

The 24 Presbyters: If this is occurring upon the return of Jesus to heaven in the year 33 AD then those symbolized by the 4 Zoa and the 24 Presbyters are already in heaven before God. The 4 Zoa may symbolize the universal family which attends upon God. (Daniel 7:10) The 24 Presbyters the Church-potential now represented before God. Compare Ephesians 2:1-7 and that potential purchased by the blood of the Lamb. Note elsewhere the idea of immortality being “reserved” in the heaven for the Saints. (Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 1:4) The view that the four Zoa and the 24 Presbyters as angelic representatives of the celestial hierarchy must be kept open.

226

Harp: A musical instrument of the Saints. (Revelation 15:2) The “harp” (Revelation 5:8; 14:2) and the “prayers of the Saints” may reinforce the idea presented above that the 24 stands as a parabolic representation for the entire glorified Church though such members be still living on earth or at rest in their tombs.

227	Golden bowl: A priestly cup used in Mosaic tabernacle services. The word in singular occurs 7 times in chapter 16 and in the plural 5 times at Revelation 5:8; 15:7; 16:1; 17:1; 21:9. Compare Hebrews 9:10, 21.

228	Prostrated before the Lamb: The Greek is PIPTO which means to descend from an erect to a prostrate position.

RV5:9 Then the 24 Presbyters sang a new song, 229 [Psalm 33:3] saying: “You are worthy to receive the Little Bible and open its Seals because you were slaughtered. 230 With your blood you bought for The God 231 [persons] out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. 232 [Daniel 7:14]

229

A new song: This hymnal subject also links the 24 with the glorified Church. Compare Revelation 14:2, 3. The phrase “new song” occurs Psalm 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10 and may be understood as a special hymnal praise marking a milestone or phase in the development of God’s eternal purpose. It is the Church represented by the 24 that sings this resounding praise in the Throne-Room.

230	Because you were slaughtered: The reason for the Lamb’s worthiness is his obedient sacrificial death. (Philippians 2:5-9)

231

With your blood you bought for The God: The blood of the Lamb is mentioned 4 times. (Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 7:14; 12:11) The word “blood” occurs 540 times in the Bible with its first occurrence at Genesis 4:10. See a concordance for its many uses in the Christian Bible. It is used most often (23x) in the Letter to the Hebrews. The Apocalypse punctuates an important Christian truth: the redemptive value of the blood of Christ. (Hebrews 10:29; 1 Peter 1:19) With this “blood” he bought or purchased the Saints. Compare 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9; 14:3, 4.

232	Tribe, tongue, people, and nation: The whole phrase is from Daniel 7:14 LXX and is the same as Daniel 7:9. Note the hymn does not say Christ purchased all humankind but a certain royal priesthood “out of” all humanity.

RV5:10 You made them a Kingdom and priests to our God. 233 [Exodus 19:6] They are reigning upon the earth.” 234

233

A Kingdom and priests to our God: The Sinai covenant promise. (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9) It has the ring of past tense. The Church is the realm of Christ, his domain since his ascension to heaven. (Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:13; 2:10) The “kingdom of the Son” (Matthew 13:41) is composed of saintly priests. Thus, this kingdom or realm may be viewed as already in existence.

234

They are reigning upon the earth: Some have this past or present tense (ASV; TCNT; KIT) and others future. (KJV; KNX; NWT) This sounds very much past tense. The Church already functions as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and so from some aspects the Saints could be viewed as reigning upon earth since Pentecost. However, this may telescope to the future during the Thousand Years. (Revelation 20:4-6) “Upon earth,” is based on the Greek EPI here, which may mean “over” as in Revelation 9:11 or “upon.” Judging from the description of New Jerusalem’s descent (Revelation 3:12; 21:2, 10, 24) this reign may be “upon” earth. Note EPI at Revelation 10:2, 5, 8; 11:10; 13:8, 14; 14:6; 16:18; 17:8. Of course, the “earth” cannot be destroyed if the Saints are to rule it.

Revelation 5:11-12 – Heavenly Praise of the Lamb

RV5:11 Then I saw and I heard a voice of many angels and the 4 Living Creatures 235 and the Presbyters encircling the Throne. The number of all of them was myriads of myriads 236 and thousands of thousands, [Daniel 7:10] in a great voice, saying:

235	Many angels and the 4 Living Creatures: The angels are separated from the 4 Zoa. It is not unthinkable that there are 4 primary Life-Forms (Zoa) which attend upon God’s Throne as representatives of His cardinal attributes: love, justice, power, wisdom.

236	The number of all of them was myriads of myriads: Of the angels in particular, since the other numbers have already been given. Compare the source at Daniel 7:10. All the heavenly host and celestial beings are in the Throne-Room which is later described as the Temple.

RV5:12 “The Lamb who was slaughtered [Isaiah 53:7] is worthy 237 to receive the power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.” 238

237	The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy: The worthiness of the Lamb is the grand theme of this celestial anthem and shout of praise. This is the same as the PANEGYREI at Hebrews 12:23. It includes the 7-fold doxology.

238	Power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing: Seven attributes.

Revelation 5:13-14 – A Universal Anthem

RV5:13 Then I heard every creature in Heaven and on earth, and under the ground 239 and on the sea, [Philippians 2:10] and all that is in them, saying: “To the One enthroned and to the Lamb: 240 the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might throughout all future periods of time.” 241

239

Under the ground: Compare Philippians 2:10. That is, the dead waiting a resurrection. Here is an example of Rom 4:17 and God calling things that are not as though they were. The idea is similar to the 24 Presbyters. Those to be raised out of Hades and the sea (Revelation 20:13, 14) are viewed as still living (Luke 20:38) because they reside in God’s memory. (Job 14:12-14) After all humankind is raised at the end of the Thousand Years there will not be found among them such a Worthy One. [Note: there are several word-for-word allusions drawn exclusively from the Christian Bible, such as phrases from Paul and James. This would seem to confirm that Revelation could not have been written until after these in order to quote from them]

240	The One enthroned and to the Lamb: Within God’s purpose and time, Isaiah 45:23 will be fulfilled. Compare Romans 14:10-12; Philippians 2:10. Note that only The God and the Lamb are the objects of this adoration, while the Holy Spirit remains absent.

241

Glory and the might throughout all future periods of time: Or, the ages of the ages, forever and ever. No exact phrase occurs elsewhere, though there are several echoes of it in Romans 16:27; Galatians 1:5; Ephesians 3:21; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; 1 Peter 4:11.

RV5:14 Then the 4 Living Creatures say: “Amen!” The Presbyters prostrated themselves in worship. 242

242	Prostrated themselves in worship: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on the word “worship” see the work Error of the Trinity.

Review Questions on Chapter Five