1The book sealed with seven seals, which no man is worthy to open. 4John weeping at this is comforted. 6The Lamb that was slain taketh the book to open it. 8The beasts and the elders praise him that had redeemed them with his blood. 11The angels join with them in ascribing glory to God and to the Lamb.
1AND I saw 1in the right hand of him that sat on the throne aa book written 2within and on the backside, 3sealed with seven seals.
1 The Greek particle epi is otherwise also rendered at the right hand; but from verse 7 it appears that here it is better rendered in.
a Ezek. 2:10.
2 Or, within and without. From this it appears that this book was made up of a roll, written on both sides, such as were much in use among the ancients. See examples Psalm 40:7 and Zech. 5:1.
3 Some do understand this of the book of the Old and New Testament; yet seeing that here is spoken of a revelation concerning things to come, which God has given unto Jesus Christ, to make it known afterwards unto John, as is shown forth in this chapter, therefore we do better to understand it of the books of God’s governing His church, and of His judgments against the enemies, which is also further manifest by the successive opening of the seven seals, one after another, and the ensuing revelation of the same.
2And I saw 4a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 5Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
4 Namely, that by his strong cry he might be heard by everyone all over the world. This title is given to all the angels of God, Psalm 103:20.
5 That is, to be sufficiently qualified for that purpose with consideration and strength.
3And no man inb heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to 6look thereon.
b verse 13; Philip. 2:10.
6 Namely, that which is contained therein to make known unto John, and by him to the entire church for their comfort and warning, according to the promise previously made in Rev. 1:1.
4And 7I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
7 Namely, because he feared, the promise previously made to him, would by reason hereof not proceed hastily, after which he nevertheless longed so much.
5And 8one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, 9thec Lion of the tribe of Juda, 10thed Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
8 Namely, he, who was closest to him.
9Christ is so called from the blessing of Judah in the testament of Jacob, Gen. 49:9, and that by reason of His Royal and conquering power over the devil, world, sin and death.
c Gen. 49:9, 10.
10 As also in Rev. 22:16; and thus Christ is called, having come forth, as a root which has sprouted, out of the seed of David, and is promised also by this name; Isa. 53:2.
d Isa. 11:10; Rom. 15:12; Rev. 22:16.
6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a 11Lamb 12as it had been slain, having 13seven horns and sevene eyes, which are the 14sevenf Spirits of God 15sent forth into all the earth.
11 Thus Christ is represented here, because the Passover lamb and other lambs, which were daily offered for sin, Exod. 29:38, were shadows of Christ, as He is also expressly called in Isa. 53:7. See likewise John 1:29.
12 Or, having been slain. The particle as, some do take to imply the truth of the matter, as it is taken in John 1:14 and elsewhere. Others take it only for a similitude, namely, because Christ, now exalted on the throne of His Father, is still bearing in this vision the marks of His wounds and other sufferings which He had born for us at that time, as He also did in Luke 24:40 and John 20:27.
13 Hereby is represented the Holy Spirit, Whom Christ has received without measure, John 3:34, by Whom He also executes His power and His Providence in the government of His church.
e Zech. 3:9; 4:10.
14 That is, the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The reason of this manner of speech see Rev. 1:4.
f Rev. 4:5.
15 Gr. are sent forth into all the land or earth. These words are taken from Zech. 3:9, where seven eyes are engraved into the stone, whereon God built His temple under Joshua, which in Zech. 4:10 are explained to be the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth; that is, His Providence and Spirit, whereby He governs the world and especially His church.
7And 16he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
16 Namely, as Mediator between God and men.
8And when he had 17taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders 18fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them 19harps,g and golden vialsh full of odours, 20which are thei prayers of saints.
17 Namely, to open the seals thereof, and to reveal the contents thereof, as Rev. 6:1, and onward to the end of this revelation.
18 As they had done previously in Rev. 4:10, before Him Who sat upon the throne; wherewith they confirmed that they acknowledge Him also for the only true God, of one Essence and glory with the Father; as the angels and all other creatures do give Him the same honor, which they give to God the Father.
19 Namely, such as the priests and Levites were wont to use in the temple. Of the harps, as instruments of music, wherewith they lifted up their hearts and praised God, we read frequently in the psalms of David. Of vials, pots, or vessels for incense, see 2 Chron. 4:22; Zech. 14:20, by which incense are signified the prayers which ascended up to God, and were acceptable to Him in Christ, as is to be seen in Psalm 141:2.
g Rev. 14:2.
h shallow bowl or dish*
20 That is, which do signify the prayers of the saints; and here is pointed to the practice in the Old Testament. For, as the priests daily and the High Priest once a year offered up incense before God, added with the blood of the sacrifices, Lev. 16:13; Heb. 9:4, etc., to show thereby that they as leaders of the church and together with the church of the Old Testament did bring their prayers and thanksgivings unto God, so here is also represented unto us that the leaders of both the Old and New Testament, together in the triumphant church in heaven do likewise jointly present their prayers and thanksgivings before God in Christ; as together with these four beasts and twenty-four elders there are likewise comprehended all other saints in heaven, according to the contents of the song of praise, set down and recorded in the next verse, and more fully explained in Rev. 6:10; 7:9, 10, 15 and 8:3.
i Psalm 141:2.
9And they sung aj21new song, saying, Thouk art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemedl us to God 22by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
j Rev. 14:3.
21 That is, of a new form and of a new content, as Psalm 33:3; Isa. 42:10.
k Rev. 4:11.
l Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:12; 10:10; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 1:7.
22 Gr. in thy blood, that is, by, or with.
10Andm hast made us unto our God 23kings and priests: and we shall 24reign on the earth.
m Exod. 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6.
23 See Rev. 1:6.
24 Some do understand this of the reign of the saints here on earth during the thousand years spoken of below in Revelation 20. See there the refutation against this opinion. Others understand it of a dominion which the saints in heaven are exercising there now over the people upon earth; but this is repugnant to other places of Scripture, 2 Kings 22:20. See Job 14:21; Isa. 63:16. And here is expressly mention made not of any present, but of a future dominion, which would then come to pass when they shall come to sit upon thrones with Christ at His last coming, to judge then the world and the angels themselves, Mat. 19:28; Luke 22:30; 1 Cor. 6:3, and when the new heavens and the new earth shall be, wherein righteousness shall dwell, 2 Peter 3:13. See also Mat. 5:5.
11And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the numbern of them was 25ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
n Dan. 7:10; Heb. 12:22.
25 This is taken from Dan. 7:10, through which the glory and the power of God and Christ is portrayed, Who has innumerable ministers around Himself.
12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is theo Lamb that was slain 26to receive power, and 27riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and 28blessing.
o Rev. 4:11.
26 Not as if He possessed it not already; for, He was exalted above every name mentioned in heaven and on earth, Philip. 2:9, but this must be understood of the acknowledgment of all these attributes among all creatures, as is further expressed hereafter.
27 For, in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2:3.
28 Or, thanksgiving, as also in the next verse.
13And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and 29under the earth, 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 30for ever and ever.
29 This is said, as hereafter in the sea, of all creatures, animate and inanimate, because they all give matter and cause of giving honor and glory to Christ, as Psalm 148:1, etc. Others do understand by those who are under the earth, those who in due time shall rise again out of the graves.
30 Gr. into the eternities of eternities.
14And the four beasts said, 31Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
31 See hereof Rev. 1:7.