Free Bible Commentary
“Revelation 5:6-10”
Categories: Revelation“And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom.’”
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John turned to see “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah” (verse 5), but instead saw “a Lamb standing, as if slain” (verse 6). Instead of the symbol for majesty and power, Jesus stood before him as a figure of humility and sacrifice. “He had overcome to open the book not by the power of kingly might, but by sacrifice through love. By this He had defeated His foes and had overcome the world (John 3:16), and by this His subjects must now conquer.” (Hailey) Isaiah prophesied that He would be led as a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7), but the Christ lay down His life as an act of love and not an indication of weakness. The Lamb in John’s vision had “seven horns and seven eyes.” Horns are symbols of strength and power (1 Samuel 2:10; Matthew 28:18), and eyes are figures of knowledge and keen awareness. The perfect number (seven) expresses that the Savior’s power and His perception are pure and perfect.
“The seven Spirits of God” are “sent out into all the earth.” The Holy Spirit, as the Divine Revelator, empowered the Apostles and prophets to speak and write down God’s perfect will, and spread God’s plan of salvation far and wide. The Spirit guided these men “into all the truth” (John 16:13), and Jesus commanded and commissioned them in Mark 16:15-16 to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who as disbelieved shall be condemned.” According to Colossians 1:23, Christ’s Gospel message of love, sacrifice and salvation has been “proclaimed in all creation under heaven.”
“And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne” (verse 7). “Only the nail-pierced hands of the Lamb were able to take the book from God’s hand and to loose the seals thereof. The Son of God is qualified to carry forward the purpose and plan of God the Father. It is he who ‘came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent Me’ (John 6:38).” (Harkrider) When the Lamb of God had taken the scroll out of the right hand of the Father, the twenty-four elders fell down before Him in worship and homage (verse 8). The “golden bowls full of incense” symbolized the “prayers of the saints” that are received in heaven and heard by God (Luke 1:10).
And as the golden bowls are symbolic in nature, so also are the “harps” that the elders held in their hands. These instruments were emblematic of the praise that was offered to God along with the prayers. The New Testament only authorizes God’s people to offer vocal music as praise and worship to Him under our covenant in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). The musical instruments mentioned in Revelation are symbols, just like the sea of crystal, the seven eyes and seven horns, the seals, trumpets, bowls of wrath, etc.
Jesus was “worthy…to take the book and to break its seals” because He was “slain, and purchased for God with” His “blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (verse 9). “O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. The Lord has made know His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.” (Psalm 98:1-2) Only the One who died for the sins of all people of the whole world, and purchased His people with His own blood, is worthy to reveal and accomplish God’s perfect plan of righteousness and redemption.
Please read Revelation 5:11-14 for tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day!
-Louie Taylor
