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Verse 1 – Seven Seals
Seven is the number of completeness.
Several catastrophic events will accompany the opening of these seals, starting in Chapter 6.
Verse 2 – Mighty Angel
We don’t know details about this mighty angel. It had not been mentioned yet, but there it is.
Another mighty angel is mentioned in Revelation 10:1. It is probably a different angel because John says “another” mighty angel.
Verse 4 – John Wept
Why do you think John wept?
Verse 5 – Lion from the Tribe of Judah
Interestingly, this is the only place in the Bible where Jesus is referred to as a lion. Someone asked me if Satan was referred to as a lion. He is not, but he is said to be like a lion in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”
Satan is like a lion in one way. Jesus is a lion.
The Chronicles of Narnia depict the Christlike figure, Aslan, as a lion.
Verse 5 – Root of David
Prophesies about the line of David:
“When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.”
“Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”
The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’ ” Selah.
Further, Jesus was referred to as the Son of David in the New Testament.
Verse 6 – Lamb
Lambs were used as offerings, sin atonement, special offerings, and more.
Exodus 12 – The passover lamb.
The Messiah was prophesied to be like a lamb. Isaiah 53:7:
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.”
Verse 6 – Seven Horns and Seven Eyes
The Faithlife Study Bible points out that horns symbolize strength and eyes symbolize wisdom.
Also, seven represents completeness.
In other words, Jesus (the Lamb) has complete strength and wisdom.
He can see all, know all, and accomplish all.
Verse 6 – Seven Spirits
Remember that the Holy Spirit is called to carry on the work of Jesus. If the seven spirits represent the Holy Spirit, and the horns and eyes represent the power and wisdom of Jesus, then the Holy Spirit has carried on and does carry on the work of Jesus with the power and wisdom of Jesus.
See John 15:26:
“When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me.”
Verse 8 – Harp and Golden Bowls
“Praise the Lord with the lyre; make music to him with a ten-stringed harp.”
“Therefore, I will praise you with a harp for your faithfulness, my God . . . ”
2 Chronicles 5:12 (dedication of Solomon’s Temple):
“the Levitical singers dressed in fine linen and carrying cymbals, harps, and lyres were standing east of the altar . . . ”
David used the harp to calm the harmful spirit in Saul.
Golden Bowls:
Exodus 25 – Used in the tabernacle.
1 Kings 7 – Used in Solomon’s Temple
Ezra 1 – Used in Zerubbabel’s Temple
Verse 8 – Incense, Prayers of the Saints
Incense was an offering to God (Exodus 30:7-8).
Prayer is similar to incense. Psalm 141:2:
“May my prayer be set before you as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.”
Used in the Holy of Holies at the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:12-13).
Also used in ceremonies.
So, the prayers of the saints are like an offering before the presence of God.
Verse 13 – Every Creature
Every creature means every creature.
The Greek word used here, ktisma, means “creature.” The Greek word, pas, means “all” or “every.”
“Under the earth” could potentially refer to those who are in the grave.
So, everything in and around the earth will worship the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
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