I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to examine it. 4 I shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to examine it. 5 One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders a Lamb that seemed to have been slain. He had seven horns and seven eyes; these are the [seven] spirits of God sent out into the whole world. 7 He came and received the scroll from the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. 8 When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. 9 They sang a new hymn: “Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. 10 You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.” 11 I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, 12 and they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” 14 The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
John saw in God’s right hand a scroll with writing on both sides that was so tightly sealed with seven seals that no one could open and read it (Is. 29:11). Seven seals indicate that what was written on the papyrus roll was very important. Seven in the Bible is the symbol of completeness or fullness. The scroll might have contained the future events of the end-time (Dan. 10:21) and the suffering of sinners (Ezek. 2:10). A mighty angel asked who could open the scroll and John was in despair because no one in creation, not even one in the heavenly council, was found worthy to open the scroll and cause the eschatological events to be set in motion. John was told that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has conquered and can open the scroll. “The lion of the tribe of Judah” is a Messianic title (Gen 49:9-10) and “the root of David” is a royal title (Is. 11:1, 10; Rom. 15:12). John then saw a lamb that appeared to be slain between the Throne and those surrounding the throne (a mediator) yet the lamb was standing upright. Jesus is the Paschal lamb, the new lamb without blemish, who was sacrificed and conquered by his death and resurrection (Ex. 12; Is. 53:7; Jn. 1:29). He paid a universal ransom.
The seven horns represent the fullness of power, the seven eyes represent the fullness of wisdom and knowledge which both God and the Lamb possess (Rev. 1:4; Zec. 4:7). The seven spirits of God represent this fullness of wisdom and power in God and the Lamb, the Holy Spirit, being sent throughout the world by the Lamb. When the Lamb took the scroll the heavenly council fell down in praise and prayer and sang a new song. The Lamb makes all things new (Rev. 21:1, 5; 2:15). In the OT, genuine incense is frankincense, and sacrificial offerings were accompanied by incense (Lev. 2:1). The incense in this case is the blood of the martyrs, the holy ones. Myriads of angels surrounded the throne and the heavenly council (Dan. 7:10) uttering shouts of praise and the whole of creation joined in, united in worship before the throne of God and the Lamb. The four living creatures who represent the Heavenly Church united with all of creation respond, Amen! So be it!
Almighty God, we give thanks always for the universal sacrifice made by the Paschal Lamb which allowed mankind to be reconciled to you. Through your mercy, we live in the hope of being among the myriads who fall before your throne in praise and adoration. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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