K-5. THE BOOK OF REVELATION CHAPTER 5.

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

              In this verse I just want to draw your attention to the fact that the he that sits upon the throne is holding a book or literally a scroll written on both sides in his right hand the are sealed with SEVEN seals. This simple fact of the ONE sitting ON the throne having SOMETHING is is right hand will positively identify the one who sits upon the throne, which was, and is, and is to come as God the Father, the Lord God Almighty. Keep reading and you will see what I mean.

             Rev. 5:2 " And I saw a strong angel with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof?"

             Rev. 5:3 " And no man in heaven, neither under the earth, as able to open the book, neither to look thereon."

             Rev 5:4 " And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the book, neither to look thereon."

             Rev 5:5 " And one of the elders says unto me, weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."

 

             Who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David? I believe this is speaking of Jesus. Please see Genesis chapter 49 where Jesus comes out of the lineage of the tribe of Judah. Also read Revelation 22:16, which tells us that Jesus is of the ROOT of David.

 

         "I JESUS have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the ROOT and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

 

             Also, the STRONG ANGEL or the STRONG MESSENGER in verse Revelation 5:2 may be Jesus HIMSELF saying with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the seals. Just a thought. Please notice in verse 4 that they were searching for a MAN who was WORTHY. This brings to remembrance the verses that speak of Jesus as the second ADAM. Moving on to verse 6.

            Rev. 5:6 " And behold, 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 eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth in the earth."

             Who is the Lamb as it had been slain? Again I believe this is speaking of Jesus because the Bible speaks of Jesus being the LAMB that was SLAIN from before the foundation of the world in Revelation 13:8, which we will cover when we get to it. Also, notice that the seven lamps of fire are the seven Spirits of God and the seven eyes are also the seven Spirits of God, therefore the seven lamps ARE the seven eyes. And we are the EYES, hands, and feet of God in the earth. Also, the EYES of God are likened to the LAMPS and the CANDLE of God which is the SPIRIT of LIFE in every human being as we have already covered in chapter 4. 

             It is this next verse that I want to draw your attention to so you can see beyond any shadow of a doubt that there are TWO separate beings in heaven: Almighty God the Father who sits on the throne and the LAMB, the SON OF Almighty God the Father who comes over to his God and Father to take the book OUT of his Father's hand.

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

             Now, this verse clearly identifies that Almighty God, the Father, is the one who sits upon the throne, which was, and is, and is to come. Notice that the Lamb, which is Jesus, comes over and takes the book out of the right hand of he who sits on the throne. I don't know about you, but I find that the Bible clearly shows us that Jesus and Almighty God are definitely two different and distinct persons or beings. They are NOT one and the self-same being as the Oneness believers teach.

              Now let us go back and expound a little about the book or scroll written on both side sealed with the SEVEN seals. We see that someone NEEDED to be found WORTHY to OPEN the seven seals. Then we see that ONLY Jesus was found WORTHY to open the seal because he was the LAMB who had been SLAIN.

             Without going into great detail we all know that Jesus was crucified on the cross as an INNOCENT pure Lamb without spot or blemish. What some of you may not know is that with God it is a RIGHTEOUS thing to execute judgment and vengeance on the wicked who trouble and persecute the righteous saints of God. Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:6.

         "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;"

          So then, seeing that Jesus lived without sin doing all his Father's will even to suffer and die on the cross for the sins of the whole world, then you should see why Jesus ALONE was found WORTHY to execute the judgement AND the WRATH of Almighty God. 

             Keep in mind that the TRIBULATION all through the age of the church INCLUDING the last 3 1/2 years of GREAT tribulation is NOT the WRATH of God which we will cover in great detail when we get to those verses. You can also read the study called "WRATH OF GOD VERSUS THE GREAT TRIBULATION !". But what I want you to see now is that the "OPENING" of the seven seals represents to executing of the seven seals. And as you will see when we get to chapter 6 that the first fours seals span long periods of history setting the stage, so to speak for the last 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. But for now, let us move on to the next verse here in chapter 5.

            Rev. 5:8 " And when he (Jesus) had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are prayers of the saints."

           The apostle John being caught up before the throne and the 24 elders having white robes represent or are symbolic of the church being caught up before the throne of God. But also know and understand that the DEAD IN Jesus Christ are in heaven under the altar of God awaiting the VENGEANCE of God to avenge their blood being martyred for their testimony of Jesus and the word of God. In other words, there are still prayers being offering up to God, which I believe that among these prayers are the cries of the saints saying, "Even so, COME Lord Jesus." Come and end this killing and suffering of your people. Come and AVENGE your people.

             Rev. 5:9 " And they sang a new, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"

          And now after the rapture has occurred that SING a NEW song saying WORTHY are you, Jesus, to execute the WRATH of Almighty God. I know that this is not clear yet to some of you, but stay with me and you will see the not ALL of the seals are the WRATH of God and that the FIRST SIX seals deal with tribulation throughout the history of the church and also include the last 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. Again more detail on this when we get to chapter 6 so be patient.

             Rev, 5:10 " And you have made us unto our God kings and priest: and we shall reign on the earth."

             Just a little summary. Here again, we see that the VIALS full of odors are said to be the PRAYERS of the saints. This is one of the times we do not need to speculate because we are PLAINLY told what this figurative language of vials filled with odors means. Also notice that we are redeemed unto God by the blood of the Lamb, which is Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. What I am trying to show is that the Bible clearly keeps the distinction between God the Father and Jesus his Son, so why does the church as a whole lump them together and refer to Jesus as Almighty God? I am not trying to belittle the doctrines of the church, but I am simply after the TRUTH, rather than the tradition of men. I believe that the TRUTH matters. It does not matter what this church or that denomination teaches, but rather what the WHOLE word of Almighty God ITSELF teaches.

             Now notice in verse 10 that we shall reign ON the earth and NOT that we are going to live up in heaven. Again we are taught by the church in general that we will one day live up in heaven for all eternity, but I do not believe the Bible teaches this, so why do we continue to teach what is contrary to the WHOLE word of God? The Bible clearly teaches that we shall reign ON THE EARTH. One day I will write out an in-depth study on heaven, but for now, just know that heaven may not be like you have been taught by your church denomination. Read the word of God for yourself to find out if what you are being taught is the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God. You might be wondering why I always emphasize the WHOLE word of God, please read the study called the "WHOLE MATTER". 

 

 

              Rev. 5:11 " 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;"

 

              John hears the voice of many angels around the throne of God. Now the number of the beasts or the elders is not mentioned in this verse, but there are four beasts and 24 elders also around the throne because their number is mentioned again in verse fourteen, which we will look at in a moment. Now the number of the angles, which may also include the saints of God are ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, which I see as a number which cannot be number or at least a very, very large number. Remember that the word "angels" can also mean messengers and we are the messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

              Rev. 5:12  " Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and wisdom, and honor, and glory, and blessing."

 

              The thing that stands out most to me in this verse is the phrase "...the Lamb was slain TO RECEIVE power,...".

 

             One has to think about this for awhile until it sinks in. WHY did the Son of the living God need to be SLAIN in order to RECEIVE power seeing that the church has been TAUGHT that Jesus was the Son of God from all eternity past and that he ruled and reigned with the creator of all things and ALREADY had power, glory and blessings of the Father in eternity past???                Then the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance the FALL of mankind and the transferring of man's authority and power in the earth to Satan, who became the god of this world.

             So it became necessary for God to have a MAN be the sacrificial Lamb that he would provide for himself. Jesus is that the Lamb of God. The WORD, as in, the spoken saying of God became a man of flesh and blood nature to redeem mankind back to God. Please read the study called "JESUS THE SON OF MAN" and also the study entitled "UNDERSTANDING WHY?". The study understanding why covers many questions we should be asking and that many have asked, such as why does God allow suffering. Some of the questions I have asked God is why did he create man a little LOWER than the angels only to later highly exalt man HIGHER than the angels? And why does God let Satan LOOSE after he has had him bound for a 1000 years? This is one study I personally feel that all Christians should read and then perhaps some would stop blaming God for everything that happens. On to the next verse.

 

             Rev. 5:13  "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 honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever."

 

              John was saying, I heard every creature say Blessing, and honor, and glory. and power to God the Father, who sits on the throne AND to the Lamb, the Son of God.

 

             Romans 8:19-22 tells us of the whole creation GROANING and waiting with an earnest expectation to be delivered from the corruption of Satan's kingdom. So we see in heaven a glimpse of the future liberty of all the creature of God. I say future because this is a prophecy of yet a future event. No one receives their new glorified immortal body of flesh and bone like Jesus has now UNTIL the Second coming of Jesus. This means that if Revelation 4:1 is a type shadow, figure or example of the rapture of the church, then all the seal trumpets, and vials are the WRATH of Almighty God. 

             That is to say if so be that Revelation 4:1 was the ONLY example of the rapture of the church in the book of Revelation. As I said before MANY in the church are now seeing that Revelation chapter 7: is a type shadow, figure, or example of the rapture of the church. But then some run off with that new revelation from God and teach that everything AFTER chapter 7 is the WRATH of God and God is saying, where are you going? I was not finished telling you the rest!

              Again more on the seven examples of the rapture of the church found in the book of Revelation when we get to chapter 7. On to the next verse.

 

                             Rev. 5:14  "And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that lives forever and ever."

 

                           The word "amen" means true, of a certainty, or I agree and is a confirmation of so be it. Now some teach from this verse that the four beasts and the 24 elders who fall down and worship HIM that lives forever and ever are referring to Jesus, but I maintain that they are worshiping Almighty God the Father who sits on the throne that lives forever and ever. Please refer back to where we were first introduced to the four beasts and the 24 elders in Revelation 4:10 which says,

 

                            "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that SAT upon the throne, and worship him that lives forever and ever."

 

               Now they may be worshiping BOTH Almighty God the Father who sits on the throne AND the Lamb, the Son of Almighty God who has been found worthy to open the seals. 

               This brings us to CHAPTER 6 of the book of Revelation.