Who Is Worthy?

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:1-5

John now knows Who is seated on the throne and is being worshipped by the elders and the living beings. It is Jesus Christ Himself, surrounded by the redeemed Church and His gospel representatives, who have shown His perfect character to the world. He held a scroll in His right hand-the position of righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). The scroll was written inside and out and sealed with seven seals, indicating a legal document. The title deed to the earth. Possibly the sealed document from Daniel 12:9.

A powerful angel made a loud inquiry: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open this scroll?” Since it was a man who lost this deed to Satan, it must be a man who reclaims it. There is no natural descendant of Adam who is qualified to do this. Not even among the redeemed. John sobbed audibly, representing mankind, as the whole creation has groaned since Adam’s sin (Romans 8:22).

One of the elders told John to stop crying. The One Who is qualified to open the sealed document is here. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David—Royalty! The Messiah! He has conquered—past tense—His Work is finished. His people have been redeemed. The earth is returned to its rightful owner.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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 the saints. Revelation 5:6-8

And among all these wondrous persons—Behold The Lamb!

The Chosen Lamb. The blood of the lamb protected the Jewish households on the night of the passover in Egypt (Exodus 12). The blood of the Lamb has paid the penalty for all the sins of mankind. He still bears the marks of His death, even in His eternal glory. The horns symbolize strength. He embodies the Holy Spirit (seven spirits of God) Whose omniscience observes the whole earth. He took the scroll, and the attending creatures and elders prostrated themselves before the Lamb to worship Him with music while holding golden bowls of the preserved prayers of believers. He not only hears our prayers, brethren, he also keeps our prayers!

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 God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

Who has He ransomed? People from every tribe and language and people and nation! There is no people group from whom He has not redeemed those who are willing to believe and receive His atonement. We are not only saved from the penalty of our sins, but we have been made kings and priests to God, and we shall reign on the earth. This is the song of the redeemed.

Then there is the song of the angels, verses 11-12:

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 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!”

And the song of creation, verses 13-14:

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.