New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Revelation 5
1
Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne. The scroll had writing on both sides. It was sealed with seven seals.
Reference
2
I saw a mighty angel calling out in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
Reference
3
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll. No one could even look inside it.
Reference
4
I cried and cried because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
5
Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not cry! The Lion of the tribe of Judah has won the battle. He is the Root of David. He is able to break the seven seals and open the scroll."
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 11:1
Hebrews 7:14
Romans 15:12
Isaiah 11:10
Revelation 6:1
Revelation 4:4
Jeremiah 31:16
Revelation 4:10
References David
Revelation 22:16
Romans 1:3
6
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if he had been put to death. He stood in the center of the area around the throne. The Lamb was surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes. The eyes stand for the seven spirits of God, which are sent out into all the earth.
Reference
Parallel theme
Zechariah 4:10
Revelation 5:12
Zechariah 3:9
Revelation 13:8
Daniel 7:14
Acts 8:32
References God
John 1:29
John 1:36
Revelation 22:3
Spirit
Revelation 1:4
7
The Lamb came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 5:1
8
Then the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Each one had a harp. They were holding golden bowls full of incense, which stand for the prayers of God's people.
Reference
Holy
Revelation 4:8
Parallel theme
Revelation 5:14
Revelation 4:10
Revelation 4:4
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 19:4
Psalm 33:2
Revelation 15:7
Revelation 15:2
Prayer
Psalm 141:2
9
Here is the new song they sang. "You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals. You are worthy because you were put to death. With your blood you bought people for God. They come from every tribe, language, people and nation.
Reference
Blood
1 John 1:7
Matthew 26:28
Acts 20:28
Parallel theme
Revelation 14:6
Revelation 5:12
Revelation 4:11
Redemption
Matthew 20:28
References God
Psalm 40:3
1 Corinthians 6:20
Revelation 5:6
10
You have made them members of a royal family. You have made them priests to serve our God. They will rule on the earth."
Reference
11
Then I looked and heard the voice of millions and millions of angels. They surrounded the throne. They surrounded the living creatures and the elders.
Reference
12
In a loud voice they sang, "The Lamb, who was put to death, is worthy! He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength! He is worthy to receive honor and glory and praise!"
Reference
Glory
Revelation 19:1
Revelation 4:11
Revelation 7:12
Parallel theme
Revelation 5:9
2 Corinthians 8:9
John 17:2
Matthew 28:18
Revelation 13:8
Revelation 5:6
Sin
John 1:29
13
All creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea, and all that is in them, were singing. I heard them say, "May praise and honor for ever and ever be given to the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Give them glory and power 'XY'for ever and ever!"
Reference
Blessing
Romans 9:5
Glory
Revelation 5:12
1 Chronicles 29:11
Romans 11:36
Luke 2:14
1 Peter 5:11
Parallel theme
Philippians 2:10
Revelation 5:3
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 6:16
Summary of Revelation 5
Revelation 5 presents Jesus Christ as the only One worthy to open God's sealed scroll and carry out His purposes for history, beginning with John's distress when no one in heaven or earth can open the scroll, followed by the revelation of Christ as both the promised Lion of Judah and the sacrificial Lamb who was slain, and culminating in universal heavenly worship as angels, elders, living creatures, and eventually every creature recognize the Lamb's authority, sacrificial victory, worldwide redemption, and right to receive all power, honor, glory, and blessing.
The chapter continues the heavenly throne-room vision from Revelation 4.
John sees God seated upon the throne with a scroll in His right hand.
The scroll is written on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
The image communicates something that is complete, important, and securely held by God.
A powerful angel then asks a crucial question:
Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?
The question is not simply about physical ability.
It concerns authority, worthiness, and the right to carry out God's purposes.
John discovers that no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is worthy.
This causes him to weep deeply.
For a moment, it appears that God's plan cannot be opened or revealed.
But one of the elders tells John not to cry.
Someone has conquered.
The elder identifies Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David.
These titles point to the promised Messiah and connect Jesus with the royal promises associated with David.
John then looks—and sees something surprising.
He does not see a powerful lion.
He sees a Lamb standing as though it had been slain.
This is one of Revelation's most important images.
The One who conquers is the One who has been sacrificed.
Jesus' victory is inseparable from His death.
The Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes.
The seven horns communicate complete power, while the seven eyes represent complete spiritual awareness and are associated with the seven Spirits of God.
The Lamb approaches God's throne and takes the scroll from God's hand.
This action demonstrates that Jesus possesses the authority to carry out God's purposes for history.
Immediately, heaven responds with worship.
The living creatures and twenty-four elders fall before the Lamb.
They hold harps and golden bowls filled with incense, which are explained as representing the prayers of God's people.
This provides a beautiful picture of prayer.
The prayers of believers are not insignificant.
They are symbolically present before God as part of the heavenly scene surrounding Christ's victory.
The heavenly beings then sing a new song.
They declare the Lamb worthy because He was slain and purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
This emphasizes the worldwide scope of Christ's redemption.
God's salvation is not restricted to one nation or ethnic group.
The redeemed people are made into a kingdom and priests who will reign on the earth.
The worship then expands dramatically.
John hears the voices of countless angels surrounding the throne, the living creatures, and the elders.
They proclaim the Lamb worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.
The worship is no longer limited to a small heavenly group.
John hears every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea praising both the One on the throne and the Lamb.
The entire created order is ultimately directed toward recognition of God's authority and Christ's victory.
The living creatures respond with “Amen,” and the elders fall down and worship.
The chapter therefore establishes something essential before the judgments of Revelation unfold:
God has the plan, and Christ has the authority to carry it out.
The scroll is securely in God's hand, and the Lamb is worthy to receive it.
The future events described in Revelation are therefore not random or uncontrolled.
They unfold under the authority of God and through the victory of Jesus Christ.
The central message of Revelation 5 is that Jesus Christ is the only One worthy and authorized to open God's sealed plan for history because He has conquered through His sacrificial death and resurrection, and He is simultaneously the promised Lion who possesses royal authority and the Lamb who gave His life to redeem people from every nation, so that all creation will ultimately recognize His power, wisdom, honor, glory, and blessing as He brings God's purposes toward their final fulfillment.
The chapter continues the heavenly throne-room vision from Revelation 4.
John sees God seated upon the throne with a scroll in His right hand.
The scroll is written on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
The image communicates something that is complete, important, and securely held by God.
A powerful angel then asks a crucial question:
Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?
The question is not simply about physical ability.
It concerns authority, worthiness, and the right to carry out God's purposes.
John discovers that no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is worthy.
This causes him to weep deeply.
For a moment, it appears that God's plan cannot be opened or revealed.
But one of the elders tells John not to cry.
Someone has conquered.
The elder identifies Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David.
These titles point to the promised Messiah and connect Jesus with the royal promises associated with David.
John then looks—and sees something surprising.
He does not see a powerful lion.
He sees a Lamb standing as though it had been slain.
This is one of Revelation's most important images.
The One who conquers is the One who has been sacrificed.
Jesus' victory is inseparable from His death.
The Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes.
The seven horns communicate complete power, while the seven eyes represent complete spiritual awareness and are associated with the seven Spirits of God.
The Lamb approaches God's throne and takes the scroll from God's hand.
This action demonstrates that Jesus possesses the authority to carry out God's purposes for history.
Immediately, heaven responds with worship.
The living creatures and twenty-four elders fall before the Lamb.
They hold harps and golden bowls filled with incense, which are explained as representing the prayers of God's people.
This provides a beautiful picture of prayer.
The prayers of believers are not insignificant.
They are symbolically present before God as part of the heavenly scene surrounding Christ's victory.
The heavenly beings then sing a new song.
They declare the Lamb worthy because He was slain and purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
This emphasizes the worldwide scope of Christ's redemption.
God's salvation is not restricted to one nation or ethnic group.
The redeemed people are made into a kingdom and priests who will reign on the earth.
The worship then expands dramatically.
John hears the voices of countless angels surrounding the throne, the living creatures, and the elders.
They proclaim the Lamb worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.
The worship is no longer limited to a small heavenly group.
John hears every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea praising both the One on the throne and the Lamb.
The entire created order is ultimately directed toward recognition of God's authority and Christ's victory.
The living creatures respond with “Amen,” and the elders fall down and worship.
The chapter therefore establishes something essential before the judgments of Revelation unfold:
God has the plan, and Christ has the authority to carry it out.
The scroll is securely in God's hand, and the Lamb is worthy to receive it.
The future events described in Revelation are therefore not random or uncontrolled.
They unfold under the authority of God and through the victory of Jesus Christ.
The central message of Revelation 5 is that Jesus Christ is the only One worthy and authorized to open God's sealed plan for history because He has conquered through His sacrificial death and resurrection, and He is simultaneously the promised Lion who possesses royal authority and the Lamb who gave His life to redeem people from every nation, so that all creation will ultimately recognize His power, wisdom, honor, glory, and blessing as He brings God's purposes toward their final fulfillment.