Rev 5:6-13 | TNotes | STEP | 5:6 The Jews expected the Messiah to appear as a conquering lion. Instead, Jesus came as a Lamb (John 1:29 , 36 ; Acts 8:32-35 ; 1 Cor 5:7 ; 1 Pet 1:19 ). The Lamb that had been slaughtered but was now standing refers to Jesus’ death and resurrection. • The Lamb’s seven horns represent his complete power, and the seven eyes represent his complete knowledge (see Zech 4:10 ). He is also fully related to the perfect Spirit of God (Rev 1:4 ).

5:6 ^a The Jews expected the Messiah to appear as a conquering lion. Instead, Jesus came as a Lamb (John 1:29 ^b, 36 ^c; Acts 8:32-35 ^d; 1 Cor 5:7 ^e; 1 Pet 1:19 ^f). The Lamb that had been slaughtered but was now standing refers to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

• The Lamb’s seven horns represent his complete power, and the seven eyes represent his complete knowledge (see Zech 4:10 ^g). He is also fully related to the perfect Spirit of God (Rev 1:4 ^h).
5:8 ⁱ fell down before the Lamb: The crucified and risen Christ has divine authority to initiate the events of this age; he is fully worthy of worship.

• The prayers of God’s people become a significant basis for the judgments and plagues (6:9-11 ^j; 8:2-5 ^k).
Summary for Rev 5:9-10: 5:9-10 ^l The whole created order joins in a new song of praise to the Lamb (cp. 14:1-5 ^m; Ps 149:1 ⁿ; Isa 42:10 ^o).

• The Lamb is worthy because, through his sacrifice, he won the right to break the seals of the scroll and enact God’s purposes in history.

• The song summarizes the implications of the Good News about Jesus (1 Pet 1:18-25 ^p).
5:10 ^q The description of God’s people as a Kingdom of priests who will enjoy ultimate victory and will reign with Christ reflects the images of Jesus as both King (Rom 1:3 ^r) and High Priest (Heb 6:20 ^s).
Summary for Rev 5:11-12: 5:11-12 ^t A huge angelic chorus numbering thousands and millions provides an antiphonal response; all heaven responds to creation’s confession of Christ’s sacrifice.
5:12 ^u This doxology ascribes to Jesus divine honors that are reserved for God alone (see 4:11 ^v; 5:13 ^w; 7:12 ^x).
5:13 ^y The second antiphonal response resounds from every creature, even those under the earth (the place of the dead) and in the sea (usually associated with evil), possibly implying a mandatory response even by those in rebellion against God (Isa 45:23-25 ^z; Rom 14:11 ^aa; Phil 2:10-11 ^ab).