1UndG2532 ich sahG1492 inG1909 der RechtenG1188 dessen, der aufG1909 dem ThroneG2362 saßG2521, ein BuchG975, beschriebenG1125 inwendigG2081 undG2532 auswendigG3693, mit siebenG2033 SiegelnG4973 versiegeltG2696. 2UndG2532 ich sahG1492 einen starkenG2478 EngelG32, der mit lauterG3173 StimmeG5456 ausriefG2784: WerG5101 istG2076 würdigG514, das BuchG975 zu öffnenG455 undG2532 seineG846 SiegelG4973 zu brechenG3089 ? 3UndG2532 niemandG3762 inG1722 dem HimmelG3772, nochG3761 aufG1909 der ErdeG1093, nochG3761 unterG5270 der ErdeG1093 vermochteG1410 das BuchG975 zu öffnenG455, nochG3761 esG846 anzublickenG991. 4UndG2532 ichG1473 weinteG2799 sehrG4183, weilG3754 niemandG3762 würdigG514 erfundenG2147 wurde, das BuchG975 zu öffnenG455, nochG3777 esG846 anzublickenG991. 5UndG2532 einerG1520 vonG1537 den ÄltestenG4245 sprichtG3004 zu mirG3427: WeineG2799 nichtG3361! SieheG2400, es hat überwundenG3528 der LöweG3023, der ausG1537 dem StammeG5443 JudaG2455 istG5607, die WurzelG4491 DavidsG1138, das BuchG975 zu öffnenG455 undG2532 seineG846 siebenG2033 SiegelG4973. 6UndG2532 ich sahG1492 inmittenG1722 G3319 des ThronesG2362 undG2532 der vierG5064 lebendigen WesenG2226 undG2532 inmittenG1722 G3319 der ÄltestenG4245 ein LammG721 stehenG2476 wieG5613 geschlachtetG4969, das siebenG2033 HörnerG2768 hatteG2192 undG2532 siebenG2033 AugenG3788, welcheG3739 die siebenG2033 GeisterG4151 GottesG2316 sindG1526, die gesandtG649 sind überG1519 die ganzeG3956 ErdeG1093. 7UndG2532 es kamG2064 undG2532 nahmG2983 das BuchG975 ausG1537 der RechtenG1188 dessen, der aufG1909 dem ThroneG2362 saßG2521. 8UndG2532 alsG3753 es das BuchG975 nahmG2983, fielenG4098 die vierG5064 lebendigen WesenG2226 undG2532 die vierundzwanzigG5064 G2532 G1501 ÄltestenG4245 niederG4098 vorG1799 dem LammeG721, und sie hattenG2192 ein jederG1538 eine HarfeG2788 undG2532 goldeneG5552 SchalenG5357 vollG1073 RäucherwerkG2368, welchesG3739 die GebeteG4335 der HeiligenG40 sindG1526. 9UndG2532 sie singenG103 ein neuesG2537 LiedG5603: Du bistG1488 würdigG514, das BuchG975 zu nehmenG2983 undG2532 seineG846 SiegelG4973 zu öffnenG455; dennG3754 du bist geschlachtetG4969 worden undG2532 hastG59 für GottG2316 erkauftG59, durchG1722 deinG4675 BlutG129, ausG1537 jedemG3956 StammG5443 undG2532 SpracheG1100 undG2532 VolkG2992 undG2532 NationG1484, 10undG2532 hastG4160 sieG2248 unseremG2257 GottG2316 zu KönigenG935 undG2532 PriesternG2409 gemachtG4160, undG2532 sie werdenG936 überG1909 die ErdeG1093 herrschenG936! 11UndG2532 ich sahG1492: undG2532 ich hörteG191 eine StimmeG5456 vielerG4183 EngelG32 umG2943 den ThronG2362 herG2943 undG2532 umG2943 die lebendigen WesenG2226 undG2532 die ÄltestenG4245; undG2532 ihreG846 ZahlG706 warG2258 ZehntausendeG3461 mal ZehntausendeG3461 undG2532 TausendeG5505 mal TausendeG5505, 12die mit lauterG3173 StimmeG5456 sprachenG3004: WürdigG514 istG2076 das LammG721, das geschlachtetG4969 worden ist, zu empfangenG2983 die MachtG1411 undG2532 ReichtumG4149 undG2532 WeisheitG4678 undG2532 StärkeG2479 undG2532 EhreG5092 undG2532 HerrlichkeitG1391 undG2532 SegnungG2129. 13UndG2532 jedesG3956 GeschöpfG2938, dasG3739 inG1722 dem HimmelG3772 undG2532 aufG1722 der ErdeG1093 undG2532 unterG5270 der ErdeG1093 undG2532 aufG1909 dem MeereG2281 istG2076, undG2532 allesG3956, wasG3739 inG1722 ihnenG846 ist, hörteG191 ich sagenG3004: Dem, der aufG1909 dem ThroneG2362 sitztG2521 undG2532 dem LammeG721 die SegnungG2129 undG2532 die EhreG5092 undG2532 die HerrlichkeitG1391 undG2532 die MachtG2904 inG1519 die ZeitalterG165 der ZeitalterG165! 14UndG2532 die vierG5064 lebendigen WesenG2226 sprachenG3004: AmenG281! UndG2532 die ÄltestenG4245 fielen niederG4098 undG2532 beteten anG4352.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 Hitherto the apostle had seen only the great God, the governor of all things, now,
I. He is favoured with a sight of the model and methods of his government, as they are all written down in a book which he holds in his hand; and this we are now to consider as shut up and sealed in the hand of God. Observe, 1. The designs and methods of divine Providence towards the church and the world are stated and fixed; they are resolved upon and agreed to, as that which is written in a book. The great design is laid, every part adjusted, all determined, and every thing passed into decree and made a matter of record. The original and first draught of this book is the book of God's decrees, laid up in his own cabinet, in his eternal mind: but there is a transcript of so much as was necessary to be known in the book of the scriptures in general, in the prophetical part of the scripture especially, and in this prophecy in particular. 2. God holds this book in his right hand, to declare the authority of the book, and his readiness and resolution to execute all the contents thereof, all the counsels and purposes therein recorded. 3. This book in the hand of God is shut up and sealed; it is known to none but himself, till he allows it to be opened.
Known unto God, and to him alone,
are all his works, from the beginning of the world; but it is his glory to conceal the matter as he pleases. The times and seasons, and their great events, he hath kept in his own hand and power. 4. It is
sealed with seven seals. This tells us with what inscrutable secrecy the counsels of God are laid, how impenetrable by the eye and intellect of the creature; and also points us to seven several parts of this book of God's counsels. Each part seems to have its particular seal, and, when opened, discovers its proper events; these seven parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but successively, one scene of Providence introducing another, and explaining it, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct be finished in the world.
II. He heard a proclamation made concerning this sealed book. 1. The crier was
a strong angel; not that there are any weak ones among the angels in heaven, though there are many among the angels of the churches. This angel seems to come out, not only as a crier, but as a champion, with a challenge to any or all the creatures to try the strength of their wisdom in opening the counsels of God; and, as a champion, he cried with a loud voice, that every creature might hear. 2. The cry or challenge proclaimed was,
Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? Revel 5:2. If there by any creature who thinks himself sufficient either to explain or execute the counsels of God, let him stand forth, and make the attempt. 3. None in heaven or earth could accept the challenge and undertake the task: none
in heaven, none of the glorious holy angels, though before the throne of God, and the ministers of his providence; they with all their wisdom cannot dive into the decrees of God: none
on earth, no man, the wisest or the best of men, none of the magicians and soothsayers, none of the prophets of God, any further than he reveals his mind to them:
none under the earth, none of the fallen angels, none of the spirits of men departed, though they should return to our world, can open this book. Satan himself, with all his subtlety, cannot do it; the creatures cannot open it, nor look on it; they cannot read it. God only can do it.
III. He felt a great concern in himself about this matter: the apostle
wept much; it was a great disappointment to him. By what he had seen in him who sat upon the throne, he was very desirous to see and know more of his mind and will: this desire, when not presently gratified, filled him with sorrow, and fetched many tears from his eyes. Here observe, 1. Those who have seen most of God in this world are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his glory desire to know his will. 2. Good men may be too eager and to hasty to look into the mysteries of divine conduct. 3. Such desires, not presently answered, turn to grief and sorrow.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick. IV. The apostle was comforted and encouraged to hope this sealed book would yet be opened. Here observe, 1. Who it was that gave John the hint:
One of the elders. God had revealed it to his church. If angels do not refuse to learn from the church, ministers should not disdain to do it. God can make his people to instruct and inform their teachers when he pleases. 2. Who it was that would do the thing - the Lord Jesus Christ, called
the lion of the tribe of Judah, according to his human nature, alluding to Jacob's prophecy (
Gen 49:10), and
the root of David according to his divine nature, though a branch of David according to the flesh. He who is a middle person, God and man, and bears the office of Mediator between God and man, is fit and worthy to open and execute all the counsels of God towards men. And this he does in his mediatorial state and capacity,
as the root of David and the offspring of Judah, and as the King and head of the Israel of God; and he will do it, to the consolation and joy of all his people.
6 Here, I. The apostle beholds this book taken into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ, in order to its being unsealed and opened by him. Here Christ is described, 1. By his place and station:
In the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and of the elders. He was on the same throne with the Father; he was nearer to him than either the elders or ministers of the churches. Christ, as man and Mediator, is subordinate to God the Father, but is nearer to him than all the creatures;
for in him all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily. The ministers stand between God and the people. Christ stands as the Mediator between God and both ministers and people. 2. The form in which he appeared. Before he is called
a lion; here he appears
as a lamb slain. He is a lion to conquer Satan, a lamb to satisfy the justice of God. He appears with the marks of his sufferings upon him, to show that he interceded in heaven in the virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a
lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes, perfect power to execute all the will of God and perfect wisdom to understand it all and to do it in the most effectual manner;
for he hath the seven Spirits of God, he has received the Holy Spirit without measure, in all perfection of light, and life, and power, by which he is able to teach and rule all parts of the earth. 3. He is described by his act and deed:
He came, and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne (
Revel 5:7), not by violence, nor by fraud, but he prevailed to do it (as
Revel 5:5), he prevailed by his merit and worthiness, he did it by authority and by the Father's appointment. God very willingly and justly put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ, and Christ as readily and gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to reveal and to do the will of his Father.
II. The apostle observes the universal joy and thanksgiving that filled heaven and earth upon this transaction. No sooner had Christ received this book out of the Father's hand than he received the applauses and adorations of angels and men, yea, of
every creature. And, indeed, it is just matter of joy to all the world to see that God does not deal with men in a way of absolute power and strict justice, but in a way of grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator and Lawgiver, but as our God and Saviour. All the world has reason to rejoice in this. The song of praise that was offered up to the Lamb on this occasion consists of three parts, one part sung by the church, another by the church and the angels, the third by every creature.
1. The church begins the doxology, as being more immediately concerned in it (
Revel 5:8), the four living creatures, and
the four-and-twenty elders, the Christian people, under their minister, lead up the chorus. Here observe, (1.) The object of their worship -
the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ; it is the declared will of God that all men
should honour the Son as they honour the Father; for he has the same nature. (2.) Their posture: They
fell down before him, gave him not an inferior sort of worship, but the most profound adoration. (3.) The instruments used in their adorations -
harps and vials; the harps were the instruments of praise, the vials were full of odours or incense, which signify
the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. (4.) The matter of their song: it was suited to the new state of the church, the gospel-state introduced by the Son of God. In this new song, [1.] They acknowledge the infinite fitness and worthiness of the Lord Jesus for this great work of opening and executing the counsel and purposes of God (
Revel 5:9):
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, every way sufficient for the work and deserving the honour. [2.] They mention the grounds and reasons of this worthiness; and though they do not exclude the dignity of his person as God, without which he had not been sufficient for it, yet they chiefly insist upon the merit of his sufferings, which he had endured for them; these more sensibly struck their souls with thankfulness and joy. Here,
First, They mention his suffering:
Thou wast slain, slain as a sacrifice, thy blood was shed.
Secondly, The fruits of his sufferings. 1. Redemption to God; Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan, redeemed them to God, set them at liberty to serve him and to enjoy him. 2. High exaltation: Thou
hast made us to our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth, Revel 5:10. Every ransomed slave is not immediately preferred to honour; he thinks it a great favour to be restored to liberty. But when the elect of God were made slaves by sin and Satan, in every nation of the world, Christ not only purchased their liberty for them, but the highest honour and preferment,
made them kings and priests - kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he has made them priests, given them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices, and
they shall reign on the earth; they shall with him judge the world at the great day.
2. The doxology, thus begun by the church, is carried on by the angels; they take the second part, in conjunction with the church,
Revel 5:11. They are said to be
innumerable, and to be the attendants on the throne of God and guardians to the church; though they did not need a Saviour themselves, yet they rejoice in the redemption and salvation of sinners, and they agree with the church in acknowledging the infinite merits of the Lord Jesus as dying for sinners, that he is
worthy to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (1.) He is worthy of that office and that authority which require the greatest power and wisdom, the greatest fund, all excellency, to discharge them aright; and, (2.) He is worthy of all honour, and glory, and blessing, because he is sufficient for the office and faithful in it.
3. This doxology, thus begun by the church, and carried on by the angels, is resounded and echoed by the whole creation,
Revel 5:13. Heaven and earth ring with the high praises of the Redeemer. The whole creation fares the better for Christ.
By him all things consist; and all the creatures, had they sense and language, would adore that great Redeemer who delivers the creature from that bondage under which it groans, through the corruption of men, and the just curse denounced by the great God upon the fall; that part which (by a prosopopoeia) is made for the whole creation is a song of
blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, (1.)
To him that sits on the throne, to God as God, or to God the Father, as the first person in the Trinity and the first in the economy of our salvation; and, (2.)
To the Lamb, as the second person in the Godhead and the Mediator of the new covenant. Not that the worship paid to the Lamb is of another nature, an inferior worship, for the very same honour and glory are in the same words ascribed
to the Lamb and to him that sits on the throne, their essence being the same; but, their parts in the work of our salvation being distinct they are distinctly adored. We worship and glorify one and the same God for our creation and for our redemption.
We see how the church that began the heavenly anthem, finding heaven and earth join in the concert, closes all with their
Amen, and end as they began, with a low prostration before the eternal and everlasting God. Thus we have seen this sealed book passing with great solemnity from the hand of the Creator into the hand of the Redeemer.
