We have arrived at the third part of Revelation. It is good to look back at the journey we have taken so far. Revelation 1 described how Christ appears to John. So, it is about Him that the book of Revelation is about; it is about Him in the end times that have been entered with ascension. Revelation 2 and 3 describe the condition of the worldwide church in the end times. The impression left after reading these two chapters is that of constant struggle and difficulty. Time after time there is the call, “He who overcomes...” But time after time we were also allowed to hear rich promises there. The church endures in all temptation and struggle only by living according to the promises. Revelation 4 and 5 take us to the heavenly throne room. Revelation 4 gave us an overview of the throne room, with the throne and He who sits on it in His glory, the seven spirits of God, the four beasts (representing creation) and the twenty-four elders (representing the church from the OT and NT). It ended in a hymn of praise to God, the LORD, the “I am there,” the covenant God.
Revelation 5 is going to take us to the beginning of the unfolding of God's work in the end times. It begins with the words, “And I saw.” Four times we read this in Revelation 5, namely in verses 1, 2, 6 and 11. And with these words, each time a new step is taken in Revelation 5. Verse 1: “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.” John sees God with a scroll in His right hand. Verse 2: “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” John sees a scene in which it will be unfolded who is going to open this scroll. Verse 6: “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.” The Lamb comes and takes then the scroll out of His Father’s hand and the four beasts and the twenty-four elders sing a new song. Verse 11: “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders.” The angels, countless there are, and then all creation, join in this song of praise.
So, in Revelation 5, an event unfolds that revolves around Christ and what he is going to do concerns all of creation, nothing and no one excepted. What comfort those words offer, “And I saw.” And what does John see? Jesus Christ, God's Son in heaven who is at the same time both the slaughtered Lamb and the one who reigns. He is there in heaven bearing the signs of His work as suffering Servant and carrying out God's plan. Oh, what an encouragement to go to Him and cast the stone of our doubts, worries and sorrows on Him.