Bible Study

BOOK OF REVELATION UNCOVERED: Chapter 5

by: Dr. Dean Crosby

[Editor's Note: For this study, the author uses easy to understand Contemporary English Version (CEV) of Bible that has been created by the American Bible Society. His insights are given in capital letters. This include explanations and historical background information for the words you have just read in order to make the startling predictions made in this important and fascinating book comprehensible. Occasionally make changes will be made in the CEV words if a variance is detected from the meaning found in the King James Bible.]

REVELATION 5

1. In the right hand of the One (GOD) sitting on the throne I saw a scroll (A ROLL OF PAPER ) that had writing on the inside and on the outside. And it was sealed in seven places. (THE SEALS MIGHT BE MADE OF WAX) 2 I saw a mighty angel ask with a loud voice, "Who is worthy (MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY QUALIFIED) to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 No man in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or see inside it. 4 I cried hard because no man was found worthy (BECAUSE OF SIN) to open the scroll or see inside it. ( THE SCROLL CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE JUDGMENT AND GOD'S PUNISHMENT FOR SIN)

5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Stop crying and look! The One who is called both the 'Lion from the Tribe of Judah' and the root of David (NAMES GIVEN TO JESUS) has won the victory. He will open the book and its seven seals."

6 Then I looked and saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne that was surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb looked as if it had once been killed. (REFERS TO JESUS' CRUCIFIXION) It had seven horns (THIS IS A SYMBOL FOR POWER) and seven (THIS NUMBER INDICATES FINAL OR IN THIS CASE, TOTAL) eyes (THIS CAN INDICATE THE ABILITY TO SEE OR IN THIS CASE, UNDERSTAND) which are the seven spirits ( OF THE HOLY SPIRIT) of God, sent out to all the earth.

7 The Lamb (JESUS) went over and took the scroll from the right hand of the One (GOD) who sat on the throne. 8 After He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders knelt down before Him. Each of them had a harp and a gold bowl full of incense, which are (A SYMBOL FOR) the prayers of God's people. 9 Then they sang a new song, "You are worthy to receive the scroll and open its seals, because you were killed. And with your own blood you bought (OBTAINED SALVATION) for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race. (ALL PERSONS) 10 You let them become kings and serve God as priests and they will rule (HELP TO GOVERN) on earth." (THIS WILL OCCUR DURING JESUS' 1000 YEAR KINGDOM)

11 As I looked, I heard the voices of many angels around the throne and the voices of the living creatures and of the elders. There were millions and millions of them 12 and they were saying in a loud voice, "The Lamb (JESUS) who was killed (JESUS' SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS ON THE CROSS IS A FREQUENT SUBJECT FOR TEACHING IN HEAVEN) is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise." (THESE ARE CALLED THE SEVENFOLD BLESSINGS FROM GOD) 13 Then I heard all beings in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea offer praise. Together, all of them were saying, "Praise, honor, glory, and strength forever and ever to the One who sits on the throne (GOD) and to the Lamb!" (JESUS) 14 The four living creatures said "Amen," while the elders knelt down and worshiped Him who lives forever.

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