Revelation 5

The Explanation

John looked, and in heaven he saw God sitting on his throne. In God's right hand was a scroll, a kind of rolled up book, written on the front and the back. It was closed with seven seals, like seven locks.

Then a mighty angel shouted with a loud voice. "Who is worthy to open the book?" he called. "Who can break the seals?"

Nobody answered. Nobody in heaven moved. Nobody on earth stepped up. Nobody under the earth could do it either. John looked around, and his heart sank. No one, anywhere, was worthy to open that book or even look inside it.

John began to cry. Not just a few tears, he wept and wept. What if the book would stay closed forever?

Then one of the elders, an old leader standing near the throne, leaned toward John. "Don't weep," he said. "Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah has won the battle. He can open the book."

John looked for a lion. But what he saw was a Lamb, standing right in the middle of the throne, and it looked like it had been killed. Yet it was alive, strong, with seven horns and seven eyes. This Lamb walked forward and took the book out of God's hand.

The moment he took it, everyone in heaven fell down. The four living creatures and twenty four elders bowed low, holding harps and golden bowls full of incense, which were the prayers of God's people. And they sang a brand new song: "You are worthy. You were killed, and with your blood you bought people for God, from every tribe and language and nation."

What Does This Mean?

Why did John cry so hard? Because if nobody could open the book, God's plans for the world would stay locked shut. That is frightening. But then came the surprise. The one who could open it was not a strong lion crushing enemies with claws. It was a Lamb that had been slain, and was alive again. Jesus died on the cross, and rose again. That is why he, and only he, is worthy. He fought the hardest battle, against sin and death, and he won.

The Common Thread

The Lion of Judah is Jesus. The Lamb that was slain is Jesus too. These are two pictures of the same person. He is strong like a lion, but he won his victory the way a lamb gives its life, quietly, by dying for others. This is the heart of the whole Bible. God promised long ago that someone would come to rescue his people. Revelation 5 shows us that promise kept. Jesus is the only one strong enough and good enough to open God's book and carry out his plans for the whole world.

For You

Have you ever felt like something was locked and nobody could fix it? Like a fight you could not stop, or a sickness nobody could heal? John felt that way about the book. But Jesus stepped forward. When you feel like things are too hard, you can remember this. Jesus is not far away. He already won the hardest fight there is. You can sing to him too, even with a small voice, even by yourself in your room. You can thank him for dying for you and tell him you are glad he is alive.

Talk About It

Why do you think John cried so much when no one could open the book?

Why was the Lamb who had been slain more worthy to open the book than a strong lion?

Praying Together

Jesus, thank you that you are both strong like a lion and gentle like a lamb. Thank you that you died for us and that you are alive. When things feel locked and scary, help us remember that you have already won. We love you. Amen.