Month: June 2026

Revelation 5:6 – Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. ⁷ He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. ⁸ And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰ And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.” (NLT)

Today we continue with the opening of the scroll.  Last week, in verse five, we had been told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah was worthy to open the scroll, but now we read that this lion is a slain lamb. What gives?  Jesus is referred to as a lamb twenty-nine times throughout this book. Not only is he called a lamb, but a lamb that still bears the marks of being slaughtered, which emphasizes the sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf. 

This is not, however, some little wimpy lamb! This lamb has seven horns and seven eyes.  In the writings of that day, a horn could represent power and/or honor. Often generals, emperors, and even nations were represented by horned creatures. In this passage, these seven horns stand for the omnipotence of Christ.  Remember, the number seven represented perfection.  The power of Christ is perfect power. 

This lamb has seven eyes which represent the Spirit of God sent into the world.  Similar imagery is found in the book of Zechariah. The seven eyes tell us that there is no place on earth where one can be hidden from the Lamb. This was not something scary for these people, in fact it was comforting! Their plight was known by God. We should always remember that God is with us, and God sees and knows everything about us.  As we try to stay in God’s will this should bring us comfort.

In verse eight we are told that elders are holding golden bowls which represent the prayers of God’s people. This imagery comes from Psalm 141:2 – “May my prayer be set before you like incense.” The imagery of the golden bowls that they held comes from the bowls used in the Temple in Jerusalem

In verse nine we are told that they sang a new song. In Isaiah 42:10, after receiving the promise of a Messiah, they are told to sing a new song. Here, the people are told that that prophecy has come to pass, and the new song is being sung in God’s heavenly court. Consider the plight of many of the people hearing this passage for the first time. Many of them were being persecuted, and this promise of a new song gave them strength. For us, perhaps, we find ourselves living as if we lack the presence of a Messiah. Remember, Christ sees all, and is with all. When we live life as if God is distant, it’s time for us to sing a new song! 

Today, let’s sing a new song.  Let us be confident of the one who sees us, and who knows our prayers. 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Revelation 5:1 – Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

⁴ Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. ⁵ But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (NLT)

So I’ve decided to keep moving through the Book of Revelation for a while. Keep in mind that there is a tremendous amount of material to be covered, and what I will share is certainly not the only interpretation.  My goal here, as always when I study the Bible, will be to discover how the text speaks to us today by first understanding how it spoke to those who first heard it some two thousand years ago.  Thank you for reading. 

Remembering that John’s vision contains much imagery from the Old Testament, this passage contains imagery similar to that found in chapter two of Ezekiel.  John sees writing on both the inside and the outside of the scroll.  Most scrolls contained writing on one side only.  God has a lot to say to the people!  The scroll is sealed with seven seals.  Seven is a common and significant number throughout Revelation.  To the ancients, seven represented completeness and perfection.  Also, in that day, the wills of very important people were often sealed with seven seals.  The people of that day probably understood that they were about to hear God’s perfect and complete will for the world.  

In verse two, a strong angel asks who is worthy to break the seals.  Remember, there were four creatures surrounding the throne that represented the best of creation.  There were also the twenty-four elders representing those who had been victorious in life.  Yet, even there in the presence of creatures, victorious people, and angels, no one was able to open the scroll. The significance for us is that only God can reveal God’s will.

John begins to weep, and for good reason!  Imagine standing before the will of God for all humanity, yet being unable to know God’s will. An elder comes to John and tells him that the one who has won the victory is worthy to open the scroll. This is significant – Christ has won the victory! This brings to mind the words of Jesus: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  Because of Christ’s victory, we can know God’s will – that’s Good Stuff! 

There are Christians who fear they may never know God’s will for their lives.  It is God’s desire that we all know God’s will. God’s will is revealed through Scripture.  Stay grounded in the Word, and God will give you direction! 

Posted by Ramón Torres