Rev 5:1-3 | Clarke | STEP | The book sealed with seven seals, which no being in heaven or earth could open, . Is at last opened by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, . He receives the praises of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, , . And afterwards of an innumerable multitude, who acknowledge that they were redeemed to God by his blood, , . And then, of the whole creation, who ascribe blessing, honor, glory, and power to God and the Lamb for ever, , . Verse 1 A book written within and on the back side - That is, the book was full of solemn contents within, but it was sealed; and on the back side was a superscription indicating its contents. It was a labelled book, or one written on each side of the skin, which was not usual. Sealed with seven seals - As seven is a number of perfection, it may mean that the book was so sealed that the seals could neither be counterfeited nor broken; i.e., the matter of the book was so obscure and enigmatical and the work it enjoined and the facts it predicted so difficult and stupendous, that they could neither be known nor performed by human wisdom or power.

Revelation of John 5:1-3

Introduction

The book sealed with seven seals, which no being in heaven or earth could open, Rev 5:1-3. Is at last opened by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Rev 5:4-8. He receives the praises of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, Rev 5:9, Rev 5:10. And afterwards of an innumerable multitude, who acknowledge that they were redeemed to God by his blood, Rev 5:11, Rev 5:12. And then, of the whole creation, who ascribe blessing, honor, glory, and power to God and the Lamb for ever, Rev 5:13, Rev 5:14.

Verse 1

A book written within and on the back side - That is, the book was full of solemn contents within, but it was sealed; and on the back side was a superscription indicating its contents. It was a labelled book, or one written on each side of the skin, which was not usual.

Sealed with seven seals - As seven is a number of perfection, it may mean that the book was so sealed that the seals could neither be counterfeited nor broken; i.e., the matter of the book was so obscure and enigmatical and the work it enjoined and the facts it predicted so difficult and stupendous, that they could neither be known nor performed by human wisdom or power. Verse 2

A strong angel - One of the chief of the angelic host.

Proclaiming - As the herald of God.

To open the book, and to loose the seals - To loose the seals that he may open the book. Who can tell what this book contains? Who can open its mysteries? The book may mean the purposes and designs of God relative to his government of the world and the Church; but we, whose habitation is in the dust, know nothing of such things. We are, however, determined to guess. Verse 3

And no man - Ουδεις· No person or being.

In heaven - Among all the angels of God.

Nor in the earth - No human being.

Neither under the earth - No disembodied spirit, nor any demon. Neither angels, men, nor devils, can fathom the decrees of God.

Neither to look thereon - None can look into it unless it be opened, and none can open it unless the seals be unloosed.