1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
The focus in this chapter first turns from the throne to the scroll. There are 7 seals on the scroll, so when the scroll is opened, it will be opened a little at a time. There is writing on both sides, meaning there is a lot of information contained in the scroll.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Who is worthy to open the scroll? No one, on heaven or earth, is worthy to open it. This concerns John, but one of the elders tells him not to worry. The Lion of Judah (Gen 49:9-10, Isaiah 31:4, Hosea 11:10), the Root of David (Rev. 22:16) is worthy. This, of course, are descriptors for Jesus.
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, 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 God’s people.
First, the lamb looks as though it has been slain. This is the sacrificial lamb (Jesus). The lamb is encircled by the four living creatures and the elders, meaning that the lamb, encircled by the living creatures, is closest to the father. You’ll notice the number 7 keeps coming up, which is the biblical number for perfection. So when 7 comes up, we’re dealing with a Godly perfection, or completion. The 7 horns mean Jesus has power and authority. The 7 eyes mean that he sees all, has the Holy Spirit, and wisdom (Zech 4:10). He takes the scroll because He is the only one worthy), and all of the faithful worship Jesus. They are all holding harps. The golden bowls are filled with incense, which represent the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign[b] on the earth.” 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on 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, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The lamb (Jesus) was slain- this is the price of redemption. The blood was for the redemption of all people in every nation. The result is that the redeemed were redeemed to serve. For this redemption there is an acknowledgement: the Lamb is worthy, by all in Heaven and on earth. All creation declares in song that this lamb has the right to break the seals of the scrolls and enact God’s purpose in history. When the four living creatures say amen, they are confirming the truth.