MPV Commentary

The Lamb has redeemed humanity's forfeited inheritance, of which this book is the title deed. The question posed in Revelation 5:2 is not who should reveal the Church's destiny (for any inspired prophet would be competent to do so), but rather, who has the worthiness to give humanity a new title to their lost inheritance?

The seven seals represent all power given to the Lamb, symbolizing completeness and perfection. The phrase "sealed...seven seals" in Greek means "firmly sealed." The number seven is significant in Revelation, representing completion and divine authority.

John's voice was strong (Psalm 103:20), penetrating heaven, earth, and Hades (Revelation 10:1-3). No one - not even a being of any order - could look upon the contents of the book. The phrase "in earth" means on the earth, while "under the earth" refers to Hades.

John was eager to read the book, but his desire seemed frustrated. He wept at his apparent inability to access the revelation promised to him (Revelation 4:1). John's eagerness and teachability serve as a pattern for us to imitate.

One of the elders, possibly Matthew or Jacob, approached the throne and took the book from the Father. The elder was one who had risen with Christ and ascended to heaven (Matthew 27:52-53).

The Lamb, described as having seven horns and seven eyes, represents the complete authority and insight of God. The phrase "seven eyes" symbolizes the all-seeing nature of God.

The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang a new song, praising God for redeeming humanity through the Lamb. They sang to God, out of their election as the redeemed people gathered from Jews and Gentiles.

The redeemed were made priests unto God, with kings reigning on earth. This is a new feature added to Revelation 1:6, where the Church reigns in Christ her Head. The phrase "we shall reign" is in the future tense, indicating that this will occur when the full number of the redeemed is complete and the visible kingdom begins.

The heavenly hosts, including angels and the Church, gaze with intense love and adoration at this crowning manifestation of God's love, wisdom, and power. The remaining six (the whole being seven) are all ranged under one Greek article, to mark that they form one complete aggregate belonging to God and His co-equal, the Lamb.

The universal chorus of creation, including the outermost circles as well as the inner (of saints and angels), winds up the doxology. The full accomplishment of this is to be when Christ takes His great power and reigns visibly.

Every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea will join in the praise, singing "Blessing, honor, glory, and might to the ages of the ages." This fourfold ascription indicates world-wide universality.