Revelations 5:1-14
The book of Revelation is the only prophetic book in the New Testament. The book was authored by the Apostle Paul, as he received visions and prophesies. Revelations gives an apocalyptic prophecy about the second coming of Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelations starts by addressing the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. However, as the book progresses, the message is directed to wider audiences, including people who do not subscribe to Christianity. Revelations 5:1-14 talks about the scroll with seven seals, and no one is worthy to open in but the Lamb. The Lamb takes the scroll amidst praises of the holy heavenly host. The text revolves around the idea of the Lamb, who is the only one worthy to offer salvation to the whole world.
The book of Revelations is of a prophetic genre. Generally, Revelations is an apocalyptic prophecy which details events leading to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The previous books by Apostle John are letters to fellow Christians. Since Apostle John had not authored many books before, compared to the likes of Paul, it is a massive turn of events when Apostle Paul authors an apocalyptic prophecy. Furthermore, the Book of Revelation is more from the Old Testament than the New Testament because most of the references are from the book of Ezekiel, another apocalyptic prophesy book from the Old Testament. Throughout the book, the messages are from visions given by Angels using symbols and allusions to depict the second coming of Christ.
The central theme of Chapter 5:1-14 of the book of Revelations is the worthiness of the Lamb. John sees the one who sits on the throne, holding a scroll with writings on both sides and sealed with seven seals. However, no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth is worthy to open the scroll. John weeps because no one is holy enough to open the scroll or look inside it. At this point, John is building the worthiness of the Lamb by first showing that no one is worthy of opening the scroll (Guthrie 1). Just as John weeps, the elders assure him that there is only one person who can open the scroll, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (Version 1580). The Lamb is painted as a comforter as well as salvation. The Lamb appears in response to the sorrows of John, and he becomes immediately comforted.
During my time of meditation, I thought of how the Lamb is first referred to as the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” Whereas a lion is fierce and brave, a lamb is humble and weak. However, the combination of the two terms describes the full appearance of Jesus Christ. Although Jesus is Holy and his presence sacred, Jesus is also humble, so humble that he died on the cross to save humanity.
Apostle John was among the twelve apostles of Jesus. Although John was the youngest of “the sons of thunder,” he held an authoritative position in the early church. Apostle John is given credit for writing three letters, the fourth Biblical narrative in the New Testament as well as the Book of Revelations. Also, Apostle John played a vital role in the conversion of St. Paul to Christianity. Although the Gospel, according to Mark, hints of the martyrdom of Apostle John, there are no apparent records about his death as a martyr.
Works Cited
Guthrie, Donald. “The Lamb in the Structure of the Book of Revelation.” Vox evangelica 12 (1981): 64-71.
Version, King James. Holy Bible. Arcturus Publishing Limited, 2017.