Revelation 5 Explained: The Sealed Book, the Worthy Lamb, and the Revelation of Things to Come

Kareem Flowers
3 days ago
6 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns - Revelation 5 explained

Revelation 5 — The Sealed Book and the Worthy Lamb

Revelation 5–7 are of great significance. These chapters often cause confusion and stumbling as readers seek to understand the Book of Revelation. However, there is no need to fear them. We will examine these chapters carefully and seek God’s enlightenment so that His Word may be rightly understood.

Context

In the previous chapter (Revelation 4), John was carried in the Spirit into the throne room of heaven, where he stood in the presence of God, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures. Revelation 5 is a direct continuation of that same vision.

The Sealed Book in God’s Hand

Revelation 5:1 - And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Revelation 4:8–11 establishes that the One seated on the throne is God Himself. In Chapter 5, John now sees God holding a book (or scroll) in His right hand.

This scroll was unique. Ordinarily, writing appeared only on the inside of a scroll. Once rolled shut, its contents were hidden. However, this scroll had writing both on the inside and on the outside. Yet even the writing on the outside could not be seen, because the scroll was sealed with seven seals.

scroll with seven seals - Revelation 5 explained

To understand this more clearly, we may liken it to a modern book. A book contains pages that hold its full content, while the cover may contain references - such as a summary or description - pointing to what is inside. In a similar way, this scroll contained full revelation within, and references on the outside. Yet both were concealed.

Writing on the inside

Writing on the outside

Sealed with seven seals

The book was therefore inaccessible. No one could read its contents or even glimpse what it contained.

What Is the Book?

To state plainly from the outset: the book in God’s hand is the revelation of things to come, spoken of in Revelation 1:1. It contains the disclosure of events shortly before, during, and after the return and reign of Christ. This will be explored in greater detail in our next post.

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Understanding the Book With Seven Seals: What Revelation 5-7 Is Really Revealing

The Search for One Worthy

Revelation 5:2-4 - 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

The contents of this book were a mystery known only to God. Though God was ready to reveal these things, one had to be found worthy to receive such authority. A strong angel therefore proclaimed the question throughout all creation.

No being - past, present, or future - was found worthy. This overwhelmed John, moving him to tears. But the next verse reveals that there was indeed One who was worthy.

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Revelation 5:5 - And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The title “Lion of the tribe of Judah” reaches back to Genesis 49:9–10, where Jacob prophesied that kingship and authority would arise from Judah’s line and remain until the coming of Shiloh - the rightful ruler.

That prophecy pointed forward to a single, ultimate King. The New Testament reveals that this King is Jesus Christ. Matthew 1 records His legal lineage through Joseph, while Luke 3 records His bloodline through Mary. Through both parents, Jesus descends from Judah, fully qualifying Him as the Lion of that tribe.

Learn more about this in the following blog post: Why is Jesus called the Lion of Judah?

The Root of David

Scripture identifies Jesus as the Root of David by showing that He is not only descended from David, but is also the source from whom David came. In Isaiah 11:10, the prophet speaks of “the root of Jesse” - Jesse being David’s father - pointing to one who stands at the foundation of David’s royal line. This is later confirmed in Revelation 5:5, where the one worthy to open the scroll is called “the Root of David,” and is stated plainly by Jesus Himself in Revelation 22:16, “I am the root and the offspring of David.” Together, these Scriptures reveal that Jesus is both the origin and the fulfillment of the Davidic line - David came from Him, and yet He also came through David.

Thus, by allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, we know that the Lion of Judah and the Root of David are titles referring exclusively to Jesus Christ. He alone is worthy to open the sealed book.

The Lamb That Was Slain

Revelation 5:6 - And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

John now sees Jesus portrayed as a Lamb that had been slain. This is symbolic language, yet Scripture itself explains this symbol.

From the beginning, the lamb appears as a redemptive figure. In Exodus 12, the Passover lamb was slain and its blood saved Israel from judgment. Isaiah 53:7 describes the Messiah as a lamb led to the slaughter. Acts 8:32–35 explicitly identifies that prophecy as referring to Jesus. John the Baptist sealed this identification when he declared:

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Thus, when Revelation 5 presents Jesus as a slain Lamb standing in victory, it reveals the same Christ - crucified for redemption and now alive in triumph.

The Lamb’s seven eyes and seven horns represent the seven Spirits of God, spoken of in Isaiah 11:1–3, indicating divine authority, wisdom, and perfect perception.

The Revelation Given to the Son

Revelation 5:7 - And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Here, Jesus takes the book from God’s hand. This fulfills what John declared in verse 1 of Revelation 1: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him.” We are witnessing the moment when God entrusts the Son with the unveiling of future events concerning His return and reign.

Worship of the Lamb

Revelation 5:8-10 - 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

When the Lamb takes the book, the same beings who worshiped God in Revelation 4 now worship Christ. They fall before Him with harps and golden bowls filled with incense - the prayers of the saints.

They sing a new song, declaring that the Lamb is worthy because He was slain and redeemed people from every nation. They identify themselves as among the redeemed, confirming that the twenty-four elders are not angelic beings, but glorified men who now reign as kings and priests unto God.

Universal Worship

Revelation 5:11-14 - 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under 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 for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

An innumerable company of angels joins the worship, followed by every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. All creation ascribes blessing, honor, glory, and power to both God and the Lamb.

Revelation 5 concludes with heaven united in worship, affirming the worthiness of the Lamb and the authority of God who reigns forever.