Apocalipse 5

¹ AndA passing to the second principal cause, which is the Son of God, God and man, the mediator of all, as the eternal word of God the Father, manifest in the flesh. This chapter has two parts: one that prepares the way to the revelation, by rehearsal of the occasions that occurred in the first four verses (Rev_5:2-5). Another, the history of the revelation of Christ, from there to the end of the chapter (Rev_5:6-14).I saw in theThat is, in the very right hand of God.right hand of him that sat on the throneHere are shown the occasions for which the principal cause, and this revelation was also necessary: the same are three, the first a present vision of the book of the counsels of God, concerning the government of this whole world, which book is said to be laid up with the Father as it were in his hand: but shut up and unknown to all creature, in this verse. The second is a religious desire of the angels of God to understand the mysteries of this book (1Pe_1:12) (Rev_5:2). The third is a lamentation of John and all the godly, moved by the same desire (Rev_5:4) when they saw that it was an impossible thing for any creature to do: which is declared in (Rev_5:3).a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

² And I sawe a strong Angell which preached with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open ye booke, and to loose the seales thereof?

³ Thus neither of them that are in heaven, nor of them who are in the earth. Now this counting of parts, is sufficient to the denying of the whole; For of the creatures, one sort is in heaven, above the earth: another in the earth, and another under the earth in the sea, as is later declared in (Rev_5:13).And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

⁴ Then I wept much, because no man was foud worthy to open, and to reade the Booke, neither to looke thereon.

⁵ The second part of this chapter, in which is set down the revelation of the Son, as was said before. This part contains first a history of the way God prepared John to understand this revelation, in this verse. Secondly, the revelation of the Son himself, to (Rev_5:6,7). Thirdly, the events of this revelation in the rest of the chapter. The manner now, is here described in two parts: one from outside him, by speech, in this verse: another within, by opening the eyes of John (which before were shut) that he might see, in the verse following.And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, theThat is, most mighty and most approved Prince: according to the use of the Hebrew speech.Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

⁶ And I beheld, and, lo,The sum of this revelation: Christ the mediator takes and opens the book (Rev_5:6,7). Therefore this revelation describes the person of Christ. The person is described this way: Christ the mediator between God, angels and men, as the eternal word of God, and our redeemer: as the Lamb of God, standing as slain and making intercession for us by the power and merit of his everlasting sacrifice, is armed with the Spirit of God, that is, with the power and wisdom of God effectually to the government of this whole world.in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

⁷ The fact of Christ the Mediator: that he comes to open it. That he opened it is first expressed (Rev_6:1).And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

⁸ Now follows the end, the events of the revelation previously spoken of: that all the holy angels and men sang to him: both the chief (Rev_5:9-10) and common order of angels (Rev_5:11-12) and of all things created (Rev_5:13) the princes of both sorts agreeing to it, (Rev_5:14).And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of themThe symbols or signs of praise, sweet in savour and acceptable to God;harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are theSee (Rev_8:3).prayers of saints.

⁹ And they sung aNo common song.newThat is, composed according to the present matter, the Lamb having received the book as it were with his feet and opened it with his horns, as it is said in the Song of Solomonsong, saying,The song of the nobles or princes standing by the throne, consisting of a publication of the praise of Christ and a confirmation of the same from his blessings, both which we have received from him (as are the suffering of his death, our redemption upon the cross by his blood, in this verse: and our communion with him in kingdom and priesthood which long ago he has granted to us with himself and which we hereafter hope to obtain, as our kingdom to come, in Christ, (Rev_5:10).Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

¹⁰ And hast made vs vnto our God Kings and Priests, and we shall reigne on the earth.

¹¹ The consent of the common order of angels, answering in melody to their princes that stood by the throne.And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders:A finite number, but almost infinite, as in (Dan_7:10).and the number of them wasThis means a great number.ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain toTo have all praise given to him, as to the mightest and wisestreceive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

¹³ The consent of all the common multitude of the creatures.And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

¹⁴ A confirmation of the praise given before, from the consent of the nobles, expressed in word and signs, as once or twice before this.And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.