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Revelation 5

Revelation 5 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Revelation 5 moves from John's grief over the sealed scroll to the joy of heaven when the Lamb is found worthy. The chapter shows Jesus as both the victorious Lion and the slain Lamb, worthy to receive honor, open God's purposes, and gather a people from every nation.

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What happens in Revelation 5?

John sees a scroll in God's right hand that no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth can open. His sorrow ends when an elder points him to the Lion of Judah and Root of David, who appears as a slain Lamb and takes the scroll. Heaven responds with worship, songs, and praise. The Lamb is honored because of His death and blood, which redeemed people from every nation and made them a kingdom of priests. The chapter closes with all creation joining in praise to God and the Lamb.

Revelation 5 follows the throne-room vision of chapter 4 and answers the question of who is worthy to carry out God's plan. It shifts attention from the glory of the One on the throne to the Lamb who can open the sealed scroll. This chapter sets up the events that follow in the rest of the book, where the opening of the seals unfolds.

Themes to notice

  • Worthiness of the LambOnly Jesus is found fit to open the scroll and carry out God's purposes.
  • Redemption through bloodThe Lamb's death secures people from every nation and brings them into God's people.
  • Heavenly worshipAngels, elders, living creatures, and all creation respond to the Lamb with praise.

Questions for Revelation 5

  • Why does John first weep, and what changes his grief into worship?
  • What do the titles Lion of Judah and slain Lamb teach about Jesus?
  • How does the chapter describe the people Jesus has redeemed and their calling?

Read the full text of Revelation 5 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Revelation 5

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it.4And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.7And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne.8When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9And they sang a new song:

“Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals,

because You were slain,

and by Your blood You purchased for God

those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10You have made them to be a kingdom

and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign upon the earth.”

The Lamb Exalted

11Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels and living creatures and elders encircling the throne, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.

12In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and riches

and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and blessing!”

13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To Him who sits on the throne

and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power

forever and ever!”

14And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

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