5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
This chapter fills in the substance and detail of the vision of chapter 4, and explains to us, so to speak, how God reigns and controls the world. The answer is: 'Through Jesus Christ our Lord'. He is the central figure in the vision. All that we saw to be true in the vision of the Throne is true because of Christ.
The continuity of the theme with what has gone before is emphasised by the words 'Weep not' in 5, as compared with 'Fear not' in 1:17. John's distress represents the tears of earth at the mystery of things, and they are dried by the knowledge that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed to open the book. This is the significance in relation to the rest of the book - it is the same message of assurance and encouragement to hard-pressed saints as we have already seen. The repetition again and again of such an assurance is very wonderful. It is as if our Lord knew - of course He knows! - that in times of trouble and trial we need such a word not once but many times, to sustain us and hold us firm and steadfast. Nor indeed is this ever unnecessary; yesterday's grace will not suffice for today's needs, and the promise needs to be - and is - renewed day by day by a Lord Who was tempted in all points like as we are, and suffered, being tempted. The noble words of the 58th Paraphrase underline the reali ty of this high-priestly ministry of Christ more movingly and tellingly than anything else ever written. It will well repay some thought as we read this chapter.