Millions of angels encircled the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. They were saying how Jesus is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise. All the creatures in heaven and earth gave God and Jesus praise, honor, glory, and power. The four living creatures around the throne said “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
10a) Jesus is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise. Jesus is worthy because he was slain for us.
b) Worship is all-encompassing. It’s about praise, honor, and glory. It’s important to God and Jesus. It shows I need to be more purposeful in my praise and worship.
11a) John saw all the creatures in heaven and earth gave God and Jesus praise, honor, glory, and power. The four living creatures around the throne said “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Everything in heaven and earth praised the Lamb. This is appropriate because God/Jesus is creator over all things. Without them, we’d be nothing.
b) God created mankind in his image and He created all of the animals. He gave man dominion over the earth. God is the Creator of the universe, and we should honor him and give him all of the glory. We also need to care for what God has given us and that includes all of the animals of the earth. We all need to care more about all of God’s creatures.
Heaven seems like such an amazing place, doesn’t it?! What a sight to see — thousands of angels surrounding God and Jesus!
Note that only the elders are singing the song of the redeemed. (This is the 2nd song of praise we see here). Nowhere in the Bible do we see angels redeemed. So, as far as we know, only mankind is redeemed.
Worship in Greek means “to fall down” and “to prostrate.” The elders literally did this.
The entire Bible is a chronicle of God’s plan to redeem His children aka us. How amazing!
Then, we see all of Creation join in for the 3rd song of praise here. Jesus will carry out God’s redemptive plan! Amen!
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The elders and the four living creatures worshipped the Lamb when he took the scroll. They praised Jesus for purchasing for God believers who will reign on earth forever.
7a) They fell down before the Lamb and worshipped him with a new song.
b) The Lamb was worthy because he was slain and purchased for God persons from all over the world and made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and reign on earth.
c) That the Lamb/Jesus sacrificed himself so we could be purchased for God. This means everything to me as now I can spend eternity with God, worshipping him, too.
8 ) I know that Jesus has purchased me because I’ve prayed for Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. God has chosen me to be with Him forever. The Holy Spirit lives inside of me. He has purchased us from a life of hell and eternal damnation.
9a) Humans/believers in Christ. Praising the Lord and serving Him all the rest of my days. Telling others of Christ, our Lord and Savior. Living a Godly life so that others may see and believe.
b) This is a tough one. I would be more Godly and do more things Jesus would do. I think what I deem important would not be as much.
I love this image of Jesus and those worshipping him and how we one day will as well!
Fun Fact: This passage is where harps in heaven come from!
No doubt there will be music in heaven!
This “new song” is the first of 3 hymns we’ll see from the elders and the living creatures.
Golden bowls full of prayers. What an image!
Incense usually smells good, it flows upwards towards heaven, and it requires fire! Amazing! Incense in the Bible is seen as carrying the people’s prayer up to God.
Vere dignus is Latin for “you are worthy.” The Roman emperors used this as a greeting. However, there’s only one who is worthy!
Our kingdom is heaven as we reign as kings with Jesus. Jesus is our mediator, allowing us to be priests.
Fun Fact: “New song” appears 9 times in the Bible.
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John sees a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He [Jesus] went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
5a) Jesus. Jesus looked like a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes.
b) The Lamb was slain to cover our sins, so believers can be with God for all of eternity. This means everything to me, for I know where I’m going and where I belong and who I belong to.
6a) God and Jesus are one.
b) It symbolizes completion. Jesus fully sees and understands (omniscient). The horns represent power, so we see Jesus’ absolute authority (omnipotence) over all. The seven spirits are the Holy Spirit both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.
What a great picture! We see God’s plan coming to fruition with Jesus opening the scroll. How amazing!
Since the Lamb looked like it had been slain, it probably bore the marks of crucifixion.
Only Jesus can take the scroll.
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John sees God holding a scroll sealed with 7 seals. There was no one worthy to open the scrolls. John wept because no one was able to open the scrolls. Then, one of the elders said that the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Jesus) is able to open the scroll.
3a) John saw God holding a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. The angel asked, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
b) He wept. He was so overwhelmed with grief cause he knew the scroll needed to be opened since the angel was seeking someone worthy. He may have thought the future lay on it and he wanted to know it. Or, he thought that the world would end if it were not opened. Whatever John thought, it was profound enough to make him cry.
4a) The elder said, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
b) These are messianic titles or titles for Jesus. Judah is compared to a lion’s cub, and it is from the tribe of Judah that Jesus will come. Jesus will come from the line of David. He will establish the forever kingdom.
c) Jesus overcame sin to save all of humanity with his blood. He purchased us for God. It is encouraging and gives me hope when I am down.
I love how Jesus is worthy!
Most scrolls at that time only had writing on one side. There were 7 strings that were sealed with wax creating the 7 seals on this one scroll.
No one knows what is on this scroll, and only Jesus can open it. Many Bible scholars say this seal holds the history of the world and is God’s final will because wills in Roman times had 7 seals on them.
The Messianic title Lion of the tribe of Judah comes from Genesis 49:9-10, Isaiah 31:4, and Hosea 11:10. Root of David comes from Isaiah 11:10 and is also used in Revelation 22:16.
The scroll is most likely God’s redemptive plan for mankind come to fruition, as well as His purposes for the world. If it’s not opened, none of it will be fulfilled.
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Paul gives great advice here, urging believers to live a life worthy of God’s calling. Christ gave himself teachers to equip the people for his works to build up the body of Christ. He urges believers to put on their new self, which was created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Forgive one another as Christ has forgiven you.
12) We must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
13a) This means to get rid of our old ways (our sinful nature) and live like Christ (holy and true).
b) I try each day to be like Christ in how I behave and treat others.
14a) The Holy Spirit has challenged me each and every day by testing me with others so that I can treat others like Jesus. In all of my relationships, including with my spouse, I am tested to never go to bed angry and to build others up continually.
b) I believe He is bringing people to church to help them grow in Christ and lift others up, too.
Such a classic passage! Always a great reminder on how to live.
Paul calls for unity for God’s people. He next explains a worthy character, which is humble and forgiving.
We are all one body and one Spirit (the church). God in His grace gave spiritual gifts to leaders of the church for our benefit. Jesus appointed these people (apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers) to lead us and equip us for God’s ministry/work to strengthen us.
The goal is for all of us to come to faith in Jesus and for all of us to grow in the knowledge of the Son of God.
Not understanding is a heart problem when we don’t truly have Jesus.
We are a new creation in Christ Jesus, righteous and holy. The old man rebels against God. We must set our minds on Jesus.
We must tell the truth, not be angry, not steal, watch our tongue, not grieve the Holy Spirit, not be bitter, be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.
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Paul is speaking and talks about how God did not reject Israel and has preserved a remnant. Some Jews have believed in Christ as Savior (like Paul). He speaks of how the Gospel is now available to the Gentiles because of Israel’s sin. God has provided salvation for those who believe. However, Israel will be saved by God’s grace as well. The Messiah is for everyone.
8 ) God has preserved a remnant by grace. God loves the Jews and has not stopped loving them because they have rejected Him. He still calls for them.
9a) I think the root is Israel. Most Bible scholars believe the root is Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, although some say it’s Christ.
b) Many Bible scholars think that the wild shoots are the believing Gentiles. The branches are unbelieving Jews.
10) God always yearns for His people and the Gentiles to come to him. He will accept those who believe in Him once again.
11) Good question. I think he gives me grace and mercy every day despite my sins. He has shown me mercy by allowing me to believe in Christ and be saved and to help others do so as well. I respond by trying to do His will each and every day. Trying to be more Christ-like. That’s all we can do I think.
Definitely not an easy passage to understand with all of the symbolism, but one that shows the unending grace of our Lord and how He is always waiting for us with open arms.
We must understand that most Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Yet, many have embraced Christ (the remnant).
The story of Elijah is that Elijah had thought that he was the only one left serving God, but God told him there was indeed a remnant.
The remnant was chosen by God’s grace alone (a gift from God).
God will enlighten or darken our understanding as He pleases (Isaiah 29 and Psalm 69).
God allowed the Jewish people to stumble/fall/not believe so that the Gospel could come to the Gentiles. The Gospel, remember, went to the Jews first (Acts 13:46, 18:5-6, 28:25-28) and then once the Gospel was rejected, it went to the Gentiles (which is everyone who is non-Jewish).
Hopefully, this would motivate the Jews to come to Jesus, too.
The Gentiles are grafted into the olive tree by God’s grace.
We are to continue in God’s goodness. And, the Israelites can be grafted back into the tree as well.
The Jews are blinded so that the Gentiles can come in. However, God plans to restore Israel, His people. The Jews’ blindness is temporary.
God still loves and calls for the Israelites.
Paul praises God for His goodness and gives him all the glory.
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