5:1 And 1 I saw in the 2 right hand of him that sat on the
throne 3 a book written within and on the backside, sealed
with seven seals.
(1) A 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 (Re 5:2-5). Another, the history
of the revelation of Christ, from there to the end of the
chapter (Re 5:6-14).
(2) That is, in the very right hand of God.
(3) Here 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,)
(Re 5:2). The third is a lamentation of John and all the
godly, moved by the same desire (Re 5:4) when they
saw that it was an impossible thing for any creature to
do: which is declared in (Re 5:3).
5:34 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the
earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
(4) 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 (Re 5:13).
5:55 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold,
the 6 Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath
prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals
thereof.
(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 (Re 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.
(6) That is, most mighty and most approved Prince: according to
the use of the Hebrew speech.
5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, 7 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 sum of this revelation: Christ the mediator takes and
opens the book (Re 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.
5:78 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of
him that sat upon the throne.
(8) The fact of Christ the Mediator: that he comes to open it.
That he opened it is first expressed (Re 6:1).
5:89 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four
[and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every
one of them 10 harps, and golden vials full of odours,
which are the a prayers of saints.
(9) 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 (Re 5:9,10) and common order of angels
(Re 5:11,12) and of all things created (Re 5:13)
the princes of both sorts agreeing to it, (Re 5:14).
(10) The symbols or signs of praise, sweet in savour and
acceptable to God;
(a) See (Re 8:3).
5:9 And they sung a b new 11 song, saying, 12 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;
(b) No common song.
(11) That 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
Solomon
(12) 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, (Re 5:10).
5:1113 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels
round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: 14
and the number of them was c ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands;
(13) The consent of the common order of angels, answering in
melody to their princes that stood by the throne.
(14) A finite number, but almost infinite, as in (Da 7:10).
(c) This means a great number.
5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to d receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength,
and honour, and glory, and blessing.
(d) To have all praise given to him, as to the mightest and
wisest
5:1315 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.
(15) The consent of all the common multitude of the creatures.
5:1416 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and]
twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for
ever and ever.
(16) A confirmation of the praise given before, from the
consent of the nobles, expressed in word and signs, as
once or twice before this.
