Revelation 5:8-14

8 When He had taken the book, the ¹four living creatures and the ²twenty-four * elders ³fell down before the ⁴Lamb, each one holding a ⁵harp and ⁶golden bowls full of incense, which are the ⁷prayers of the saints.

9 And they sang a ⁸new song, saying, "⁹Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were ¹⁰slain, and ¹¹purchased for God with Your blood men from ¹²every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10 "You have made them to be a ¹³kingdom and ¹⁴priests to our God; and they will ¹⁵reign upon the earth."

Angels Exalt the Lamb

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels ¹⁶around the throne and the ¹⁷living creatures and the ¹⁸elders; and the number of them was ¹⁹myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,

12 saying with a loud voice, "²⁰Worthy is the ²¹Lamb that was ²²slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

13 And ²³every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who ²⁴sits on the throne, and to the ²⁵Lamb, ²⁶be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

14 And the ²⁷four living creatures kept saying, "²⁸Amen." And the ²⁹elders ³⁰fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:8-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVEALTION 5

This chapter contains the vision of the sealed book, and the opening of it by Christ, which occasions universal joy among all ranks and sorts of creatures. The book is described by the place where it was, in the right hand of God; by the uncommon manner in which it was written within and without; and by the seven seals it was sealed with, Re 5:1, next follows a proclamation made by a mighty angel, with a loud voice, to find out a person worthy and able to open this book, and loose its seals, Re 5:2, upon which a declaration is made, that none could be found in heaven, earth, or hell, Re 5:3, which had such an effect upon John, that it set him a weeping, Re 5:4, but was comforted by one of the elders suggesting, that there was a person that could, and would do it, when he calls the lion of the tribe of Judah, and the root of David, which are names of Christ, Re 5:5, of which he was assured by what he quickly saw, namely, the same person the elder spoke of, described by his position, standing between the throne, and the living creatures, and elders; and by his similitude and likeness, as a Lamb that had been lately slain, with seven horns and eyes in him; and by what he did, he went and took the book out of the right hand of God, his Father, Re 5:6,7. This occasioned a general joy among all kind of creatures; first among the four living creatures, and four and twenty elders, who are described by what they had, harps and golden vials, the one for praise, the other for prayer; and by what they did, they fell down in a worshipping posture before the Lamb, and sung the new song of redeeming love to him; in which they ascribe worthiness to him, to take the book and open its seals; declare their redemption unto God, by his blood, out of all nations of the earth; take notice of the honour done them by him, in making them kings and priests to God; and express their assurance that they shall reign with him on earth, Re 5:8-10, and next an innumerable company of angels join the living creatures and elders, in a doxology or ascription of glory to him, Re 5:11,12, yea, every creature in heaven and earth, upon it, and under it, and in the sea, are introduced as giving glory both to him that sat upon the throne, and to the Lamb, Re 5:13, and the whole is closed by the living creatures saying "Amen", to all, and by the elders prostrating themselves, and worshipping the living and eternal God, Re 5:14.

Cross References

• 1. Revelation 4:6; Revelation 5:6, 11, 14
• 2. Revelation 4:4; Revelation 5:14
• 3. Revelation 4:10
• 4. John 1:29; Revelation 5:6, 12; Revelation 13:8
• 5. Revelation 14:2; Revelation 15:2
• 6. Revelation 15:7
• 7. Psalms 141:2; Revelation 8:3
• 8. Psalms 33:3; Psalms 40:3; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 15:3
• 9. Revelation 4:11
• 10. Revelation 5:6, 12; Revelation 13:8
• 11. 1 Corinthians 6:20; Revelation 14:3
• 12. Daniel 3:4; Daniel 5:19; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 17:15
• 13. Revelation 1:6
• 14. Revelation 1:6
• 15. Revelation 3:21; Revelation 20:4
• 16. Revelation 4:4
• 17. Revelation 4:6; Revelation 5:6, 8, 14
• 18. Revelation 4:4; Revelation 5:6, 14
• 19. Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 12:22; Jude 14; Revelation 9:16
• 20. Revelation 1:6; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9
• 21. John 1:29; Revelation 5:6, 13; Revelation 13:8
• 22. John 1:29; Revelation 5:6, 13; Revelation 13:8
• 23. Philippians 2:10; Revelation 5:3
• 24. Revelation 5:1
• 25. John 1:29; Revelation 5:6, 12; Revelation 13:8
• 26. Romans 11:36; Revelation 1:6
• 27. Revelation 4:6; Revelation 5:6, 8, 11
• 28. 1 Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 7:12; Revelation 19:4
• 29. Revelation 4:4; Revelation 5:6, 8
• 30. Revelation 4:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "scroll"
• [b]. Or "holy ones"
• [c]. Or "scroll"