When Jesus finished preaching what has been titled the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7), He healed a leper (Matthew 8:1-4).  He then came into Capernaum finding a centurion that asked Him saying: “Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented” (Matthew 8:6).  In the following verse Jesus offered to come and heal that servant.  The centurion felt unworthy that Jesus should enter his home, but had great faith that Jesus could simply speak a word and his servant would be healed (Matthew 8:7).  This is the kind of faith that our Lord had not seen in Israel (Matthew 8:10).  Jesus did as was begged of him and the servant of the centurion was healed in that same hour (Matthew 8:13).  There is a great lesson of faith for us all to consider.

In that context there is a lesson within a lesson, so to speak.  The centurion said to Jesus: “I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it” (Matthew 8:9).  Here we have a clear depiction of what authority really is all about.  One who has authority says and those who fall under his rule so do.  Consider that a centurion had the kind of authority and following that whatsoever he commanded men, so they did.  Wouldn’t it be great to see men doing such for the Lord?  God’s demand to mankind is: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

It is too often that people find themselves under the wrong impression that God’s word is subjective [modified or affected by personal views, experience, or background – Webster’s New World Collegiate Dictionary; Fourth Edition].  God adequately answers this false premise through the pen of the Psalmist: “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalms 119:89).  The word of God is eternal and stands firmly in Heaven.  The word of God is not subject to the flawed reasoning of mankind (Isaiah 55:8-9). Many today want to profess that Jesus is Lord, but they do not want to follow His instructions.  In response to that mindset, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)?

Let’s focus on our duty to “…love the Lord thy God, and to walk ever in his ways…” (Deuteronomy 19:9).  We need to be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with us whithersoever we go (Joshua 1:9).  Following the teachings and demands of men will cause us to perish (Colossians 2:20-22).  If Heaven will be our home, it will be because we have done the will of God (Matthew 7:21).  – B.A.Y

4:6 “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”

• In chapter twenty-one John says in the first verse “…and there was no more sea.”  Between chapter four and what John describes in chapter twenty-one, there is a sure transition of points we will see.
• The four beasts (most accurately translated as creatures) that surround the throne in this vision have sight of things before and behind them.  Isaiah’s and Ezekiel’s descriptions of these creatures we are and will read about help us to identify these as God’s angels (Isaiah 6:1-7 and Ezekiel 1:5-18; 10:20).

• The description of the angels here is that of strength, service, intelligence, and vision.
• Remember they are not lions, etc., but likened unto them.

• As we looked at Isaiah’s description to identify these angels, we now need to consider what to look at the eyes within to mean, if anything.  It is actually rather simple.  John shows these beings have sight of all things before and behind, now we find that they see within themselves as well.  This tool of introspection will aid them in obedience (II Corinthians 13:5) and in worship (cf. I Corinthians 11:28) to the everlasting God, which is also shown in this verse to be done continually day and night.

• As these verses tie together, we shall examine them collectively.  As the angels worship the Lord, so do the 24 elders (representing those from both covenants).
• The casting forth of their crowns that show victory, they are showing that this is possible only through God.
• The creator and sustainer of life (Acts 17:28) is due His reverence, thus He is worthy of worship from all created beings (Psalms 148:2-5; Isaiah 40:26).

Introduction Thoughts:  We just read of the scene of the throne of God in which we see that God is worthy of worship from all of creation.  In this chapter we will learn of He who is worthy to loose the sealed book.  The characteristics describing this individual (Lion of the tribe of Judah, Root of David, Lamb, Redeemer, etc.) reveals that Jesus is the worthy one.  In chapter six we will see six of the seven seals and then the seventh unsealed in chapter eight.

5:1 “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.”

• John’s heavenly vision (4:1) continues.
• John sees the one sitting on the throne (God – Hebrews 12:2) holding a book in His right hand.  The book John would was a sealed scroll.  It would have had so much written therein that the front was not enough, so the backside of the scroll was used as well.  This is very similar to what we read from Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:8-10).  Since there are seven seals this would reveal that what is contained therein is perfect (complete).

• The question by this mighty angel shows that the seals are not just something that anyone can loosen to reveal the contents of the message.  A certain worthy person is necessary to open this sealed scroll.

• That individual is not anyone who has been created.  No man in heaven, on the earth, or one who is dead is worthy.  As we lead into revealing who is worthy, it is proper to note that those mentioned here in verse three will bow to someone (Philippians 2:9-10).

• This vision causes sorrow on the part of John.

• One of the twenty-four we read of in chapter four (4:4) comforts John.  He reveals that there is one who is worthy to unseal the scroll.
• The Lion (signifying strength) of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14).
• The Root of David (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15, Romans 1:3-4, and Revelation 22:16).
• The fact that Christ has prevailed shows He has overcome death (Acts 2:24-32).
• By this elder saying Jesus had prevailed to open the book, that implies this is one work Christ was to accomplish.

• The Lamb that had been slain is certainly Jesus (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29; 36, and I Peter 1:18-19).
• The eyes represent the vision or omniscience of Christ (Matthew 9:4) and the horns represent strength (Deuteronomy 33:17) for Christ had all authority (Matthew 17:1-5).
• The Seven Spirits sent into all the earth are once again brought into our studies.  Revelation 1:4 identifies “the seven Spirits of God” as one who is directing this message along with God the Father.  Christ has control of the Holy Spirit of whom He sent to reveal His perfect and complete will (John 16:12-13).
• The Lamb will be the one to open the seals (6:1ff.).

• Now John sees Christ taking the book from the hand of the Father.  Certainly we can see that Jesus is only taking what the Father has already given – authority (Matthew 28:18).

• The four creatures and the elders representing both covenants fall down before Christ and offer worship unto him.  The harps represent musical praise and even if they were literal that would not authorize mechanical worship upon earth.  For, what is in Heaven is not that which is authorized upon earth (cf. Matthew 22:24-30).  The golden vials represented the prayers of the saints (Psalms 141:2).  Our prayers (the prayers of saints) go before the Lord (I Peter 3:12).

• This new song (a song John had not previously heard) sung before John, was a song that reveals an important fact about our Lord.  The song demonstrated that the blood of Christ redeemed all men (Matthew 26:28, Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:5-7; 2:13, Colossians 1:13-14, and Revelation 1:5).

• Jesus, through His death, has made us kings and priests unto God (I Peter 2:5; 9 and Revelation 1:6).  Thus, we are servants who offer worship and service to the Almighty (Romans 12:1-2).  We are already kings and priests, thus we already are reigning on earth.  According to the Greek term translated reign “basileuo?” we reign “metaphorically to exercise the highest influence, to control.” - Thayer

• John’s vision is now adding to the scene already set before us an innumerable amount of singing angels.  The angels serving the Lord are certainly great in number (Hebrews 12:22).

• The song these angels declared was about the worthiness of Christ.  The worthiness of Christ in this verse is a result of His work to save mankind through His offering of Himself as a sacrifice (John 10:15-17).  Though certainly Christ being God is worthy of power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing based solely upon His being Deity and creator of all things (John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16-17); He has gone beyond “the call of duty”.  Thus, His worthiness is honored not just in reception of these things, or just in worship, but also to the subject matter of this chapter – His being the one honored to unseal the book God the Father had in His hand.

• This verse is very reminiscent of the one hundred and forty-eighth chapter of the book of Psalms.  All of creation owes praise to God and His Son Jesus Christ.

• The four creatures (4:6) agreed (Amen) and the leaders joined in the worship of God!

1. All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.
2. Joseph H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, (Reprint by Hendrickson, 2002, original copyright 1896).