Introduction

A vision of Jesus Christ as a Lamb.

Verses
1I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals.
2I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?”
3No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look in it.
4Then I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it.
5One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome: he who opens the book and its seven seals.”
6I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
8Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9They sang a new song, saying,
“You are worthy to take the book
and to open its seals:
for you were killed,
and bought us for God with your blood
out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
10and made us kings and priests to our God,
and we will reign on the earth.”
11I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands;
12saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing!”
13I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honour, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”
14The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshipped.

Questions

1. Who is worthy to open the book?

v 5 and 6 One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome: he who opens the book and its seven seals.” I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain ...

2. What do the bowls of incense represent?

v 8 ... and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

3. What does every created thing say?

v 13 I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honour, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 7 John sees a vision of one sitting on a throne with a book in his hand. The only one worthy to open the book and its seven seals is the Lamb who takes the book from the one on the throne
  • v 8 to 14 Those in the vision praise the Lamb for his sacrifice, his role as saviour, and look to his future dominion

 Timeline 60 AD

Audio