In the beginning of Chapter 5 we’re told in the verses 1 and 2 there is a book.  John said there is writing within and on the backside, but he doesn’t tell us what the writing says.  In the first verse, we’re told there are seven seals upon this book 

In verses 2 and 3, a candidate that is worthy to open the book is being sought and there is NONE anywhere in the universe to be found “in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth”.  John tells us there weren’t even any worthy to even look on the book. 

The statement that there wasn’t even 1 man in the entire history of the universe that was worthy to open this book is quite profound.  Of all the men; even of all the great men for which we have biblical records, there wasn’t even one single man worthy to open the book.  In verse 6, however, we find someone:  He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!   One of the elders tells John that this one is the “Root of David”.  Think about that if you will.  What is the “root”?   The root is the portion of a tree (or a plant) from which all others come!  The greatest portion of verse 6, however is the fact that the elder states “…the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof”.  To prevail means he has “overcome”, he has “conquered”.  If one were reading Revelation for the first time, this mysterious person would still not be clearly known to us, but by the time we get to the end of chapter 5, we see this is the Lamb, the Redeemer of all mankind!  His name, my friend, is Jesus! 

If you’ll remember back in Revelation 1:4, there is mention of the “seven Spirits”.  In verse 6 of Revelation chapter 5,  we realize this is the same one speaking from the beginning of this book of Revelation who is the one worthy to open the book.  It is the one with the seven Spirits of God!  This must be Jesus! 

We see a change in heaven in verse 8.  The elders and the beasts begin now to worship the Lamb!  Hebrews 1:6   “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” 

I want you to notice something in Revelation 5:11.  What we see here is NOT the redeemed of all the earth.  Not at this point!   Read it carefully and tell me who this is that is worshipping and praising:  

Revelation 5:11-12   “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” 

John heard the Angels, the 4 beasts and the 24 elders saying this.  This is not, as it has been taught in many churches today, “raptured saints”.  In fact the very next verse should give us a bit more insight: 

Revelation 5:13   “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.”