Revelation 5:1 - Meaning and Application

Up to this point, the apostle had seen only the great God, the ruler of all things. Now he is given a view of the pattern and methods of God’s rule, written in a book that God holds in his hand. This book is shut up and sealed, and we should understand it as the secret counsel of God.

The plans and methods of God’s providence toward the church and the world are settled and fixed. They are decided on, as though written in a book. The whole design is laid out, every part arranged, everything determined, and everything entered into decree, as a matter of record. The original copy of this book is the book of God’s decrees, kept in his own eternal mind. But there is also a copy of what we need to know in the Scriptures in general, especially in the prophetic books, and in this prophecy in particular.

God holds this book in his right hand to show its authority and to show that he is ready and determined to carry out everything written in it. The book in God’s hand is shut and sealed. No one knows its contents unless God allows it to be opened. God alone knows all his works from the beginning of the world, and it is his glory to hide matters as he chooses. He has kept the times, seasons, and great events in his own power.

It is sealed with seven seals. This shows how deeply hidden the counsels of God are, beyond the reach of any creature’s eye or mind. It also points to seven separate parts of God’s plan. Each part seems to have its own seal, and when it is opened, its own events appear. These seven parts are not opened all at once, but one after another, as one scene of providence leads into another and explains it, until the whole mystery of God’s counsel and rule is finished in the world.

John then heard a proclamation made about this sealed book. The crier was a strong angel. This does not mean there are weak angels in heaven, though there are many weak messengers in the churches. The angel seems to come forward not only as a crier, but as a challenger, calling on every creature to test whether it can understand or open the counsels of God. As a challenger, he cried with a loud voice so that everyone could hear.

The challenge was this, “Who is worthy to open the book and break its seals?” (Revelation 5:2). In other words, if any creature thinks it is able to explain or carry out the counsels of God, let it come forward and try. But no one in heaven or on earth could accept the challenge. None of the holy angels before God’s throne, even though they serve in his providence, can enter into God’s decrees. None on earth, not the wisest or best people, not magicians or fortune-tellers, and not even God’s prophets except as God reveals his mind to them, can do it. None under the earth, not fallen angels and not the spirits of dead people, could open this book, even if they returned to our world. Satan himself, with all his craft, cannot do it. Creatures cannot open the book, or even look into it. God alone can do that.

This left the apostle deeply troubled. He wept much, because he was greatly disappointed. After what he had seen of the one who sat on the throne, he longed even more to know God’s mind and will. When that desire was not met at once, it filled him with sorrow and brought tears. Those who have seen most of God in this world are the ones who want to see more. Those who have seen his glory want to know his will. Even good people may be too eager and too quick to look into God’s hidden ways. When such desires are not answered right away, they turn into grief. Hope delayed makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).

John was then comforted and encouraged to hope that this sealed book would still be opened. One of the elders gave him this hint. God had revealed the matter through his church. If angels are willing to learn from the church, then ministers should not think it beneath them to do the same. God can use his people to teach and inform their teachers when he pleases.

The one who would open the book is the Lord Jesus Christ, called the Lion of the tribe of Judah, with reference to his human nature and Jacob’s prophecy (Genesis 49:10). He is also called the root of David according to his divine nature, though as to his human descent he is David’s offspring. Christ, who is both God and man, and who serves as Mediator, the one who stands between God and man, is fit and worthy to open and carry out all the counsels of God toward men. He does this in his mediatorial office, as the root of David and the offspring of Judah, and as the King and head of God’s Israel. He will do it for the comfort and joy of all his people.