Revelation Chapter 5 Explained: The Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain

Updated 8-18-26

Revelation Chapter 5 – Introduction

In Revelation chapter 5, the Apostle John continues telling his heavenly vision, he saw a book in God’s hand. This book (possibly what we would call a scroll) was sealed. Only the Lamb of God could open this mysterious book.

Revelation 5:1 – The Book

“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.” (KJV)

John’s attention was directed to a book that God held. Obviously, since God was holding this mysterious volume, and it was sealed with not just one, but seven seals, this was a very special book. This book may be the actual Book of Life, the same book that Moses referred to when he spoke to God about His book in Exodus 32:32. “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” (KJV)

Revelation 5:2 – The Search

“And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” (KJV)

The contents of this book were intriguing to the angels. This particular strong angel called searching to find someone to open and read what was contained in God’s book.

Revelation 5:3 – The Closed Book

“And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” (KJV)

There is no time frame given for this search of someone worthy to open the book, but no human being had the necessary qualifications to either open or to look on God’s book.

Revelation 5:4 – John’s Tears

“And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.” (KJV)

John confessed when he heard this terrible news, it reduced him to tears. John’s strong reaction gives credence to the theory that this was, indeed, the Book of Life. Within the Book of Life are all the names of those sinful humans who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and his precious blood that he shed on the cross. If the book could not be open, no one would see or read the names of God’s people, and there would be no redemption. All humans would be doomed to hell, including John, if the book could not be open and the names read.

Revelation 5:5 – Found: The Lion of the Tribe of Juda!

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” (KJV)

But one of the twenty-four elders comforted John, telling him that Jesus Christ earned the right to open God’s book. By Christ’s death, He purchased salvation for all. And for all those who accepted His great gift, their names were in written down in God’s book. By Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, the only One Who raised Himself from the dead, He alone earned the right to open His Father’s book.

Revelation 5:6 – The Lamb

 “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” (KJV)

John saw Jesus Christ, not as his friend, but rather in the form of a slain lamb, the ultimate sacrifice for sin. This Lamb that John saw is the Son of God. The position of the Lamb is important. He was “in the midst of the throne.” As the Son of God, He was One with God on God’s throne. Also, the Holy Spirit was present. Here, again, John described the Holy Spirit in the form of “the seven Spirits of God.”

Revelation 5:7 – He Took The Book

“And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.” (KJV)

This Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, portrayed here as a sacrificial lamb referring to His death on the cross, took the Book of Life from God, His Father.

Revelation 5:8 – The Worship of the 24 Elders

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” (KJV)

After Jesus took the book from His Father, He alone was worthy to accomplish this feat, causing the twenty-four elders to fall down to worship and praise Him. They praised Christ not only for the act of receiving the book, but, also, they did this recognizing His great sacrifice for sin. These twenty-four elders had harps, signifying they were praising Him with music and vials of “odours,” or what we might call incense. This fragrant perfume in the vials the twenty-four elders held are the prayers of the Christians.

Our prayers are a sweet-smelling fragrance in the throne room of God. Praying takes faith, and faith pleases God. Even when our prayers are not answered in the way or at the time we think best, the fact we are praying, we are communicating to an unseen God, pleases Him. Our audible, but invisible, prayers somehow seem to become tangible in the spiritual realm. Our prayers are not wasted, they are valuable to God.

Revelation 5:9 – The Elders’ Song

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (KJV)

These twenty-four elders singing and playing on their harps sing praise to Jesus Christ for His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection over death. Because these twenty-four elders praise Christ for redeeming them, it seems these elders were flesh and blood at one time and are a representation of all believers throughout the ages.

Revelation 5:10 – Their Song Continued

“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (KJV)

The lyrics of their song tells of their personal benefit — positions of high governmental authority over the Earth. Not only did Jesus Christ redeem them to God, allow them to be accepted into heaven, but Jesus also will bless them with the benefits of high political positions.

Revelation 5:11 – Thousands of Angels

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (KJV)

With the praise of the twenty-four elders because Jesus Christ took the mysterious book, thousands and thousands of angels join this joyous song in praise to Christ.

Revelation 5:12 – The Lamb Is Worthy

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (KJV)

The reason for this innumerable choir of angels to praise Christ was because He willingly died. This angelic praise harkens back to Jesus’ death on the cross. The angels understand that Jesus’ sacrifice was vitally necessary, and they also understand that only the only begotten Son of God could have satisfied the sin debt for all humankind.

Although these holy angels are not redeemed, this action was so important to God the Father, to God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, so when Jesus died, become the Lamb that was slain, the holy angels looking on rejoiced, knowing what His death and resurrection meant, not only to the Godhead but to all mankind. They rejoice with humans and with God.

Revelation 5:13 – Worldwide Worship

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (KJV)

With the angels rejoicing because of the triumphant actions of Christ Jesus, all other creatures, both human and animal, join in with the rejoicing of the heavenly beasts and angels. Although Jesus sacrifice was for the salvation of mankind, by the blood that He shed He gloriously redeemed all His creatures. Therefore, they praise Him because He did what no other could do, and He deserves all their praise.

This universal song of praise, triggered by Jesus taking the Book of Life, which symbolizes Him reading all of the names of the redeemed, was alluded to in Colossians 1:20. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (KJV)

Revelation 5:14 – The Closing of the Worship Song

“And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (KJV)

It is appropriate that, like a conductor of a vast orchestra, the four beasts and the twenty-four elders, who started this universal song of praise in verse 8, bring it to a close, and it is fitting that they end this song with worship to the Lamb that was slain, to Whom they owe their very souls.

Titles of Christ in Revelation Chapter 5

Title	Meaning	Verse
The Lion of the Tribe of Juda	A symbol of kingly power and victory, identifying Christ’s royal lineage from the tribe of Judah.	Revelation 5:5
The Root of David	Identifies Jesus as David’s ancestor and rightful heir to David’s throne.	Revelation 5:5
The Lamb, as it had been slain	Represents Christ’s sacrificial death as the perfect, spotless offering for sin.	Revelation 5:6

Download a printable PDF of the Titles of Christ in Revelation chapter 5 here.

Revelation Chapter 5-Review Questions

Revelation Chapter 5 – Personal Reflection Question

How does knowing that your prayers are sweet odors in golden vials stored in heaven encourage you to pray?

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Revelation Chapter 5 – Behind the Scenes Stuff

In Revelation chapter five, the word “saints” is used for the first time. I remember where I was when I first learned the definition of the word “saints” in the Bible. I was at Good News day camp, sitting outside at a picnic table, and we were being taught about the New Testament word “saints.” The group leader asked us, “What is a saint?” Then the group leader referred to one of the helpers and asked us if he was a saint. He wasn’t sure. Some kids hesitantly said “yes,” others said an emphatic “No.” I wasn’t sure.

The group leader told us the word “saint,” as used in the New Testament, meant anyone and everyone who was a Christian was a saint. Then I realized that our teacher, the helper, and myself, too, were all saints of God!

When the Book of Revelation mentions “which are the prayers of saints,” it is referring to all the prayers of God’s people. Your prayers, as a Christian, are sweet perfume to God! May this realization help us to pray even more.

The Complete Revelation Bible Study Series

Chapter	Summary
Revelation Chapter 1: John’s Vision of Jesus Christ	John’s vision of the risen Christ standing among seven golden candlesticks on the island of Patmos; Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation Chapter 2: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos & Thyatira	Christ’s messages to four of the seven churches of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea	Christ’s messages to the remaining three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Revelation Chapter 4: John’s Vision of God’s Throne in Heaven	John is caught up to heaven and sees God’s throne room, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures.
Revelation Chapter 5: The Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain	God holds a seven sealed book; but only Jesus Christ, Who is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who was slain, is worthy to open it.
Revelation Chapter 6: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse	The Lamb opens six of the seven seals, releasing the Four Horsemen, the cry of martyrs, and cosmic disturbances.
Revelation Chapter 7: The 144,000 and the Great Multitude	An interlude: 144,000 are sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, and a great multitude in white robes stands before God’s throne.
Revelation Chapter 8: Meaning of the Seven Trumpets	The seventh seal is opened, bringing silence in heaven, followed by the first four trumpet judgments.
Revelation Chapter 9: The Locusts of Abaddon and the 200 Million	The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic locusts led by Abaddon and an army of 200 million horsemen.
Revelation Chapter 10: The Little Book and the Seven Thunders	A mighty angel gives John a little book; the words of seven thunders are sealed; the book is sweet, then bitter.
Revelation Chapter 11: Who Are the Two Witnesses of the Apocalypse?	The ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses; the seventh trumpet sounds.
Revelation Chapter 12: The Woman, the Dragon, the Angel Michael and War in Heaven	A woman, a great red dragon, and a man child; war breaks out in heaven as Michael defeats Satan.
Revelation Chapter 13: The Mark of the Beast and 666 Explained	Two beasts rise — one from the sea, one from the land — introducing the mark of the beast, 666.
Revelation Chapter 14: The 144,000, the Three Angels, and the Harvest of Wrath	The 144,000 stand victorious on Mount Zion; three angels proclaim their messages; the wheat and grape harvests.
Revelation Chapter 15: The Sea of Glass and Song of Moses	Seven angels prepare the seven last plagues; the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb beside a sea of glass.
Revelation Chapter 16: The Seven Vial Judgments and the Battle of Armageddon	The seven vial (bowl) judgments are poured out; the Euphrates dries up, gathering the nations to Armageddon.
Revelation Chapter 17: The Woman on the Beast	A vision of “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” a woman riding a scarlet, seven-headed beast.
Revelation Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great	The sudden fall of Babylon the Great; kings and merchants mourn her destruction while heaven rejoices.
Revelation Chapter 19: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Return	The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; Christ returns as King of Kings and defeats the beast and false prophet.
Revelation Chapter 20: The Millennium, Satan’s Doom, and the Great White Throne	Satan is bound for a thousand years; the Millennium; Satan’s final rebellion; the Great White Throne judgment.
Revelation Chapter 21: The New Jerusalem Described	A new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly city of New Jerusalem descends from God, adorned like a bride.
Revelation Chapter 22: The River of Life and the Bible’s Final Invitation	The river and tree of life; the Bible’s final invitation and the promise and warning; “Surely I come quickly.”

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this Revelation Bible study chapter by chapter guide here.

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