Revelation 6:1

 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”

·        A voice called John to come near to God and see clearly. We receive the same twofold call to come near to see more clearly the events that are prophesied.

·        The first four seals each have a rider released by a decree, which is given by a living creature and results in judgment. These judgments are the result of God lifting His restraining hand off evil men so that their lawlessness is openly manifest as they destroy one another’s resources.

 Job 40:9  Have you an arm like God?  Or can you thunder with a voice like His?

Psalm 78:23  Yet He had commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven.

Revelation 5:14

 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!”  And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

·        We have thus seen this sealed book passing with great solemnity from the hand of the Creator into the hand of the Redeemer (MH)

·        Here the four living creatures ratify by their "Amen" the whole creation's ascription of the glory to Him. (JFB)

Ezekiel 1:5  Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures.  And this was their appearance:  they had the likeness of a man.

Exodus 34:14 for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Revelation 5:13

 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, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power

Be to Him who sits on the throne,

And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

 

·        This doxology is resounded by the whole creation (MH)

·        Heaven and earth ring with the high praises of the Redeemer (MH)

·        The living God reigns eternally. The Caesars come and go, including those persecute God’s people. But the Lord God lives forever and ever and is ever worthy of our praise. (DG)

 1 Chronicles 29:11  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all.

Revelation 5:11-12

 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

To receive power and riches and wisdom,

And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

 

·        The doxology is carried on by the angels (MH)

·        Although the angels did not need a Saviour themselves, yet they rejoice in the redemption and salvation of sinner and agree that He is worthy (MH)

 

Psalm 68:17  The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands; the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place.

Daniel 7:10  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.  A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.  The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Revelation 5:9-10

 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,

And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth.”

 

·        “By a new song is either to be understood as an excellent song (for new songs were usually most valued,) or (which pleaseth me best) new as to the matter of it; for the servants of God under the Old Testament could not bless God for the actual redemption of man by the blood of Christ, but only rejoice in hope, embracing the promises seen afar off by the eye of faith.” (Poole)

·        “It is a new thing that the Son of God should become man. It is a new thing to ascend into the heavens with a body. It is a new thing to give remission of sins to men. It is a new thing for men to be sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is a new thing to receive the priesthood of sacred observance, and to look for a kingdom of unbounded promise.” (Victorinus)

 

Psalm 40:3  He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.

Isaiah 61:6  But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, they shall call you the servants of our God.  You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast.

Revelation 5:8

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

·        When the Lamb takes the scroll, the response is immediate. High-ranking angels and redeemed man join together in worship of the Lamb. (DG)

·        In this we see how precious the prayers are the saints are to God. He regards them as a sweet smelling incense, as if set in precious golden bowls.  (DG)

Psalm 141:2  Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Genesis 4:21 His brother’s name was Jubal.  He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

 

Revelation 5:7

 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

·        He took the title deed of the earth and accepted the plan of God for redemption

·        His rank, character and ability to take the scroll and open it (and thus dictate the destiny of creation) has been permanently demonstrated by His work on the cross. (DG)

Psalm 48:10    According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.

Psalm 45:6  Your throne, o God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.