Revelation 5 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
Around AD 95, during the reign of the emperor Domitian
Location
The heavenly throne room, continuing without a break from the previous vision
Audience
The seven congregations of Roman Asia, small and politically powerless communities
Situation
God holds a sealed scroll that no one is qualified to open, and John weeps until he is told that the Lion of Judah has conquered. When he looks, he sees not a lion but a slaughtered lamb standing alive, who takes the scroll while heaven erupts in song.
Key Background
A document written on both sides and closed with seven seals matches Roman legal practice for a will or a deed, where a testament was sealed by witnesses and could only be opened by the rightful party, so the scroll represents an inheritance and a settled purpose for the world. The switch from an announced lion to a slain lamb is the interpretive key to the whole book, redefining what conquering means for readers who were being asked to give in or be crushed. Songs of praise addressed to the Lamb alongside God, in a strictly one-God Jewish framework, are among the earliest and boldest statements of Jesus' divine status in the New Testament.
Then I saw a in the right hand of the one sitting on the It had writing on both sides and was with
And I saw a announcing in a loud voice, "Who is to open the scroll and break its seals?"
But no one in or on or the was able to open the scroll or even look inside it.
I down because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.
Then one of the said to me, "Stop crying! Look -- the from the of the of has the He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Then I saw a standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the and the elders. He looked like he had been and he had and -- these are the expressions of the of sent out into all the earth.
He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders down before the Lamb. Each one had a and golden bowls full of and the is the prayers of
And they sang a song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and with your you for God from every and and and
You have made them a and to serve our God, and they will on the earth."
Then I looked, and I heard the voices of and of angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders -- there were of them --
and they were singing in a loud voice: "The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and and praise!"
Then I heard every in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea -- everything in all creation -- singing: "To the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and
The four living creatures said, It is And the elders fell down and