1καιG2532{CONJ} ειδονG1492{V-2AAI-1S} επιG1909{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} δεξιανG1188{A-ASF} τουG3588{T-GSM} καθημενουG2521{V-PNP-GSM} επιG1909{PREP} τουG3588{T-GSM} θρονουG2362{N-GSM} βιβλιονG975{N-ASN} γεγραμμενονG1125{V-RPP-ASN} εσωθενG2081{ADV} καιG2532{CONJ} βεξωθενG1855{ADV} ατσοπισθενG3693{ADV} κατεσφραγισμενονG2696{V-RPP-ASN} σφραγισινG4973{N-DPF} επταG2033{A-NUI} 2καιG2532{CONJ} ειδονG1492{V-2AAI-1S} αγγελονG32{N-ASM} ισχυρονG2478{A-ASM} κηρυσσονταG2784{V-PAP-ASM} αβενG1722{PREP} φωνηG5456{N-DSF} μεγαληG3173{A-DSF} τιςG5101{I-NSM} τσεστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} αξιοςG514{A-NSM} βεστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} ανοιξαιG455{V-AAN} τοG3588{T-ASN} βιβλιονG975{N-ASN} καιG2532{CONJ} λυσαιG3089{V-AAN} ταςG3588{T-APF} σφραγιδαςG4973{N-APF} αυτουG846{P-GSN} 3καιG2532{CONJ} ουδειςG3762{A-NSM} αβεδυνατοG1410{V-INI-3S} τσηδυνατοG1410{V-INI-3S-ATT} ενG1722{PREP} τωG3588{T-DSM} ουρανωG3772{N-DSM} β[ανω]G507{ADV} βουτεG3777{CONJ} ατσουδεG3761{ADV} επιG1909{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} γηςG1093{N-GSF} βουτεG3777{CONJ} ατσουδεG3761{ADV} υποκατωG5270{ADV} τηςG3588{T-GSF} γηςG1093{N-GSF} ανοιξαιG455{V-AAN} τοG3588{T-ASN} βιβλιονG975{N-ASN} αβουτεG3777{CONJ} τσουδεG3761{ADV} βλεπεινG991{V-PAN} αυτοG846{P-ASN} 4καιG2532{CONJ} τσβεγωG1473{P-1NS} εκλαιονG2799{V-IAI-1S} αβπολυG4183{A-ASN} τσπολλαG4183{A-APN} οτιG3754{CONJ} ουδειςG3762{A-NSM} αξιοςG514{A-NSM} ευρεθηG2147{V-API-3S} ανοιξαιG455{V-AAN} τσκαιG2532{CONJ} τσαναγνωναιG314{V-2AAN} τοG3588{T-ASN} βιβλιονG975{N-ASN} ουτεG3777{CONJ} βλεπεινG991{V-PAN} αυτοG846{P-ASN} 5καιG2532{CONJ} ειςG1520{A-NSM} εκG1537{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPM} πρεσβυτερωνG4245{A-GPM} λεγειG3004{V-PAI-3S} μοιG3427{P-1DS} μηG3361{PRT-N} κλαιεG2799{V-PAM-2S} ιδουG2400{V-2AAM-2S} ενικησενG3528{V-AAI-3S} οG3588{T-NSM} λεωνG3023{N-NSM} οG3588{T-NSM} τσωνG5607{V-PXP-NSM} εκG1537{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} φυληςG5443{N-GSF} ιουδαG2448{N-GSM} ηG3588{T-NSF} ριζαG4491{N-NSF} αδαυιδG1138{N-PRI} βδαδG1138{N-PRI} τσδαβιδG1138{N-PRI} ανοιξαιG455{V-AAN} τοG3588{T-ASN} βιβλιονG975{N-ASN} καιG2532{CONJ} τσλυσαιG3089{V-AAN} ταςG3588{T-APF} επταG2033{A-NUI} σφραγιδαςG4973{N-APF} αυτουG846{P-GSN} 6καιG2532{CONJ} ειδονG1492{V-2AAI-1S} τσκαιG2532{CONJ} τσιδουG2400{V-2AAM-2S} ενG1722{PREP} μεσωG3319{A-DSN} τουG3588{T-GSM} θρονουG2362{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} τωνG3588{T-GPN} τεσσαρωνG5064{A-GPN} ζωωνG2226{N-GPN} καιG2532{CONJ} ενG1722{PREP} μεσωG3319{A-DSN} τωνG3588{T-GPM} πρεσβυτερωνG4245{A-GPM} αρνιονG721{N-NSN} εστηκοςG2476{V-RAP-NSN} ωςG5613{ADV} εσφαγμενονG4969{V-RPP-NSN} αεχωνG2192{V-PAP-NSM} τσβεχονG2192{V-PAP-NSN} κεραταG2768{N-APN} επταG2033{A-NUI} καιG2532{CONJ} οφθαλμουςG3788{N-APM} επταG2033{A-NUI} βαG3739{R-NPN} ατσοιG3739{R-NPM} βεισιG1526{V-PXI-3P} ατσεισινG1526{V-PXI-3P} ταG3588{T-NPN} α[επτα]G2033{A-NUI} τσβεπταG2033{A-NUI} αβπνευματαG4151{N-NPN} τουG3588{T-GSM} θεουG2316{N-GSM} βαποστελλομεναG649{V-PPP-NPN} τσπνευματαG4151{N-NPN} τσταG3588{T-NPN} τσαπεσταλμεναG649{V-RPP-NPN} ααπεσταλμενοιG649{V-RPP-NPM} ειςG1519{PREP} πασανG3956{A-ASF} τηνG3588{T-ASF} γηνG1093{N-ASF} 7καιG2532{CONJ} βηλθεG2064{V-2AAI-3S} ατσηλθενG2064{V-2AAI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} ειληφενG2983{V-RAI-3S} τστοG3588{T-ASN} τσβιβλιονG975{N-ASN} εκG1537{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} δεξιαςG1188{A-GSF} τουG3588{T-GSM} καθημενουG2521{V-PNP-GSM} επιG1909{PREP} τουG3588{T-GSM} θρονουG2362{N-GSM} 8καιG2532{CONJ} οτεG3753{ADV} βελαβεG2983{V-2AAI-3S} ατσελαβενG2983{V-2AAI-3S} τοG3588{T-ASN} βιβλιονG975{N-ASN} ταG3588{T-NPN} τεσσαραG5064{A-NPN} ζωαG2226{N-NPN} καιG2532{CONJ} οιG3588{T-NPM} αεικοσιG1501{A-NPM} βκδG1501{A-NPM}G5064{A-NPM} ατεσσαρεςG5064{A-NPM} τσεικοσιτεσσαρεςG1501 G5064{A-NPM} πρεσβυτεροιG4245{A-NPM} αεπεσανG4098{V-2AAI-3P} τσβεπεσονG4098{V-2AAI-3P} ενωπιονG1799{ADV} τουG3588{T-GSN} αρνιουG721{N-GSN} εχοντεςG2192{V-PAP-NPM} εκαστοςG1538{A-NSM} αβκιθαρανG2788{N-ASF} τσκιθαραςG2788{N-APF} καιG2532{CONJ} φιαλαςG5357{N-APF} χρυσαςG5552{A-APF} γεμουσαςG1073{V-PAP-APF} θυμιαματωνG2368{N-GPN} αιG3739{R-NPF} εισινG1526{V-PXI-3P} β[αι]G3588{T-NPF} ατσαιG3588{T-NPF} προσευχαιG4335{N-NPF} τωνG3588{T-GPM} αγιωνG40{A-GPM} 9καιG2532{CONJ} αδουσινG103{V-PAI-3P} ωδηνG5603{N-ASF} καινηνG2537{A-ASF} λεγοντεςG3004{V-PAP-NPM} αξιοςG514{A-NSM} ειG1488{V-PXI-2S} λαβεινG2983{V-2AAN} τοG3588{T-ASN} βιβλιονG975{N-ASN} καιG2532{CONJ} ανοιξαιG455{V-AAN} ταςG3588{T-APF} σφραγιδαςG4973{N-APF} αυτουG846{P-GSN} οτιG3754{CONJ} εσφαγηςG4969{V-2API-2S} καιG2532{CONJ} ηγορασαςG59{V-AAI-2S} τωG3588{T-DSM} θεωG2316{N-DSM} τσβημαςG2248{P-1AP} ενG1722{PREP} τωG3588{T-DSN} αιματιG129{N-DSN} σουG4675{P-2GS} εκG1537{PREP} πασηςG3956{A-GSF} φυληςG5443{N-GSF} καιG2532{CONJ} γλωσσηςG1100{N-GSF} καιG2532{CONJ} λαουG2992{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} εθνουςG1484{N-GSN} 10καιG2532{CONJ} εποιησαςG4160{V-AAI-2S} αβαυτουςG846{P-APM} τσημαςG2248{P-1AP} τωG3588{T-DSM} θεωG2316{N-DSM} ημωνG2257{P-1GP} αβασιλειανG932{N-ASF} τσββασιλειςG935{N-APM} καιG2532{CONJ} ιερειςG2409{N-APM} καιG2532{CONJ} αββασιλευσουσινG936{V-FAI-3P} τσβασιλευσομενG936{V-FAI-1P} επιG1909{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} γηςG1093{N-GSF} 11καιG2532{CONJ} ειδονG1492{V-2AAI-1S} καιG2532{CONJ} ηκουσαG191{V-AAI-1S} βωςG5613{ADV} φωνηνG5456{N-ASF} αγγελωνG32{N-GPM} πολλωνG4183{A-GPM} αβκυκλωG2945{N-DSM} τσκυκλοθενG2943{ADV} τουG3588{T-GSM} θρονουG2362{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} τωνG3588{T-GPN} ζωωνG2226{N-GPN} καιG2532{CONJ} τωνG3588{T-GPM} πρεσβυτερωνG4245{A-GPM} καιG2532{CONJ} αβσηνG2258{V-IXI-3S} αβσοG3588{T-NSM} αβσαριθμοςG706{N-NSM} αβσαυτωνG846{P-GPM} αβσμυριαδεςG3461{A-NPM} αβσμυριαδωνG3461{A-GPM} αβσκαιG2532{CONJ} χιλιαδεςG5505{A-NPF} χιλιαδωνG5505{A-NPF} 12λεγοντεςG3004{V-PAP-NPM} φωνηG5456{N-DSF} μεγαληG3173{A-DSF} αξιονG514{A-NSN} βεστιG2076{V-PXI-3S} ατσεστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} τοG3588{T-NSN} αρνιονG721{N-NSN} τοG3588{T-NSN} εσφαγμενονG4969{V-RPP-NSN} λαβεινG2983{V-2AAN} τηνG3588{T-ASF} δυναμινG1411{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} β[τον]G3588{T-ASM} πλουτονG4149{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} σοφιανG4678{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} ισχυνG2479{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} τιμηνG5092{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} δοξανG1391{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} ευλογιανG2129{N-ASF} 13καιG2532{CONJ} πανG3956{A-ASN} κτισμαG2938{N-ASN} οG3739{R-NSN} β[εστιν]G2076{V-PXI-3S} τσεστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} ενG1722{PREP} τωG3588{T-DSM} ουρανωG3772{N-DSM} καιG2532{CONJ} αβεπιG1909{PREP} τσενG1722{PREP} αβτηςG3588{T-GSF} τστηG3588{T-DSF} αβγηςG1093{N-GSF} τσγηG1093{N-DSF} καιG2532{CONJ} υποκατωG5270{ADV} τηςG3588{T-GSF} γηςG1093{N-GSF} καιG2532{CONJ} επιG1909{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} θαλασσηςG2281{N-GSF} βεστιG2076{V-PXI-3S} τσαG3739{R-APN} τσεστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} ταG3588{T-APN} ενG1722{PREP} αυτοιςG846{P-DPN} βπανταςG3956{A-APM} ατσπανταG3956{A-APN} ηκουσαG191{V-AAI-1S} λεγονταςG3004{V-PAP-APM} τωG3588{T-DSM} καθημενωG2521{V-PNP-DSM} επιG1909{PREP} ατωG3588{T-DSN} τσβτουG3588{T-GSM} αθρονωG2362{N-DSM} τσβθρονουG2362{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} τωG3588{T-DSN} αρνιωG721{N-DSN} ηG3588{T-NSF} ευλογιαG2129{N-NSF} καιG2532{CONJ} ηG3588{T-NSF} τιμηG5092{N-NSF} καιG2532{CONJ} ηG3588{T-NSF} δοξαG1391{N-NSF} καιG2532{CONJ} τοG3588{T-NSN} κρατοςG2904{N-NSN} ειςG1519{PREP} τουςG3588{T-APM} αιωναςG165{N-APM} τωνG3588{T-GPM} αιωνωνG165{N-GPM} βαμηνG281{HEB} 14καιG2532{CONJ} ταG3588{T-NPN} τεσσαραG5064{A-NPN} ζωαG2226{N-NPN} βλεγονταG3004{V-PAP-NPN} βτοG3588{T-ASN} ατσελεγονG3004{V-IAI-3P} αμηνG281{HEB} καιG2532{CONJ} οιG3588{T-NPM} τσεικοσιτεσσαρεςG1501 G5064{A-NPM} πρεσβυτεροιG4245{A-NPM} βεπεσονG4098{V-2AAI-3P} ατσεπεσανG4098{V-2AAI-3P} καιG2532{CONJ} προσεκυνησανG4352{V-AAI-3P} τσζωντιG2198{V-PAP-DSM} τσειςG1519{PREP} τστουςG3588{T-APM} τσαιωναςG165{N-APM} τστωνG3588{T-GPM} τσαιωνωνG165{N-GPM}
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.