RSV ~ Revelation 5 Notes

Rev 5:1 | ISB Notes

scroll: A covenant document whose written decrees are put into effect in 6:1-17 and 8:1-5.

• The scroll is sealed like the prophetic visions of Daniel (Dan 8:26; 12:4) and has writing on both sides like the tablets of the Decalogue (Ex 32:15) and the judgment oracles of Ezekiel (Ezek 2:9-10). Christ qualifies as the executor of the Old Covenant (Rev 5:9) with divine authority to administer its blessings and curses.

• The sealed book refers to Sacred Scripture, for it was opened by no one except Christ, whose death, Resurrection, and Ascension opened access to all the mysteries it contained. None but the Lord could reveal the hidden meanings of the sacred word (St. Gregory the Great, Dialogues 4, 44).

seven seals: Wax seals prevent access to a rolled-up scroll (Is 29:11).

Rev 5:5 | ISB Notes

the Lion … the Root: Messianic titles for Jesus I (22:16).

• The first is from Gen 49:9, where the Messiah comes from Judah, the tribe symbolized by a “lion”. The second is from Is 11:10, where the Messiah appears as the “root” of David’s father, Jesse.

Rev 5:6 | ISB Notes

I saw a Lamb: John expects to see a Lion (5:5) but turns to see a wounded Lamb. This is the first of 28 times that Christ is depicted as a Lamb in Revelation (CCC 608, 1137). See note on Rev 5:9-10.

slain: Christ forever appears as a sacrificial victim, having taken the scars of his Crucifixion with him into heaven (Jn 20:27). Standing upright, his posture symbolizes his victorious rising from death to life (Rev 1:18). seven horns …

seven eyes: Represent the totality of power (Ps 89:17) and knowledge (Zech 4:10) possessed by Christ.

Rev 5:8 | ISB Notes

harp: Traditional accompaniment for liturgical song (Ps 33:2).

bowls full of incense: The saints in heaven mediate the praises and petitions of the saints on earth (Rev 8:3). The rising smoke of incense is a visible sign of prayers ascending to God (Ps 141:2).

Rev 5:9-10 | ISB Notes

The Lamb receives the same worship given to I the Lord God (4:11), indicating that he, too, is divine (19:10).

• The words of the song recall the Exodus, when Yahweh redeemed Israel (Ex 15:13) by the shed blood of paschal lambs (Ex 12:21-27) to be a kingly and priestly nation (Ex 19:6). Here it celebrates the new Exodus accomplished by Christ, the new Passover Lamb, whose blood ransoms all nations from sin and consecrates them to serve him as a royal priesthood (Rev 1:6; 1 Pet 2:9) (CCC 608, 1546).

Rev 5:9 | ISB Notes

a new song: New songs are composed and sung every time the Lord acts in a new way to save his people (Ps 33:3; 40:3; 144:9; Is 42:10). This song is new as compared to the old victory song sung by Israel after the first Exodus (Ex 15:1-18) (CCC 2642).

Rev 5:11 | ISB Notes

myriads of myriads: Countless angels gather to praise the Lord (Dan 7:10) and the Lamb (Heb 1:6).