1 I saw the one sitting on the throne holding a scroll in his right hand. The scroll was written on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. 2 I saw a powerful angel shouting in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 Nobody in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. 4 I cried many tears because nobody could be found who was worthy to open the book and read it. 5 One of the elders spoke to me and said, “Don't cry. Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the descendant of David, has won the battle and can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been killed standing in the center by the throne and the four living creatures, among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes that are the seven Spirits of God that are sent out to all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one that sat on the throne. 8 When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the believers. 9 They sang a new song, “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you redeemed for God people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You made them into a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 11 As I looked I heard the voices of millions of angels around the throne, together with the living creatures and the elders, 12 shouting loudly together: “The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive authority, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, in the sea—every creature everywhere—replying: “To the one who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be blessing, honor, glory, and authority, for ever and ever.” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation · Free Bible Version
Revelation 5 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (14)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Ezekiel 2:9–10; Isaiah 29:11; Revelation 5:7; Daniel 12:4–9; Revelation 6:1
- 2 Revelation 5:5; Isaiah 29:11–12; Revelation 10:1; Psalm 103:20; Isaiah 41:22–23
- 3 Revelation 5:13; Isaiah 40:13–14; Romans 11:34; Isaiah 41:28
- 4 Daniel 12:8–9; Revelation 4:1
- 5 Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Revelation 22:16; Romans 15:12; Romans 1:3
- 6 Zechariah 4:10; Revelation 5:12; Zechariah 3:9; John 1:29; John 1:36
- 7 Revelation 5:1; Revelation 4:2–3
- 8 Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3–4; Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:14
- 9 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 John 1:7; Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:24–26; Psalm 40:3
- 10 Revelation 1:6; Daniel 7:27; Daniel 7:18; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:5
- 11 Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 4:4; Psalm 148:2
- 12 Revelation 5:9; Revelation 19:1; Revelation 4:11; John 17:2; Revelation 7:12
- 13 Philippians 2:10; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 148:2–13; Revelation 5:12; Romans 11:36
- 14 Revelation 19:4; Revelation 4:9–11; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 7:12
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… the midst of the throne, and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth." And again, he says, speaking of this very same Lamb: "And behold a white horse; …
Another example of the same is that a lion stands for Christ in the place where it is said, "The lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed;" and again, stands for the devil where it is written, "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." In the same way the serpent is …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
For although they are done on earth, yet nevertheless they are worthy of the Heavens. For when our Lord Jesus Christ lies slain [as a sacrifice], when the Spirit is with us, when He who sitteth on the right hand of the Father is here, when sons are made by the Washing, when they are fellow-citizens of those in Heaven, …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
yet both Christ and the devil are called "a lion." Christ is called "a lion:" "The Lion hath prevailed of the tribe of Judah;" and the devil is called a lion: "Know ye not that your adversary the Devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour?" Both the one and the other then is a lion; …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
"Behold the Lamb of God!" How a lion? "The Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed."
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 7 (1888)